Running a small business means wearing a dozen hats—and let’s be honest, “IT Manager” probably isn’t your favorite one. But here’s the truth: ignoring your technology until something breaks is a recipe for stress, lost sales, and angry customers. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to keep your systems healthy.
Below are 7 practical IT habits any small business owner can adopt. They don’t require a huge budget, just consistency and a bit of foresight.
1. Back Up Everything—Regularly
You’d be surprised how many small businesses only realise the importance of backups after losing valuable data. A client list, invoices, or years of work—gone with a single click or crash.
What to do:
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Set up automated daily backups (local + cloud)
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Test those backups monthly (yes, actually try restoring a file)
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Keep one backup off-site or in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
2. Update Software Without Delay
Yes, update notifications are annoying. But skipping them leaves your systems wide open to attacks.
Quick tips:
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Always install updates for your OS, browser, antivirus, and key apps
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Don’t ignore WordPress plugin updates—they often patch serious vulnerabilities
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Set a reminder to update once a week if it’s not automated
3. Don’t Reuse Passwords—Ever
It sounds basic, but password reuse is still one of the most common ways hackers gain access to small business systems.
Better habits:
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Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password
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Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
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Change Wi-Fi and admin passwords regularly
4. Know Who Has Access to What
You might trust your team—but old access rights can become a huge risk.
Each month:
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Remove logins for past employees
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Review admin roles for tools like your website, CRM, or email
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Log out of unused devices and accounts
This takes 10 minutes and can prevent some ugly surprises.
5. Run a Speed Check and Clean Up Your Devices
Slow computers kill productivity. And no, rebooting once a month won’t fix it.
Do this monthly:
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Use speedtest.net to check internet health
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Clear cache and temp files on computers
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Uninstall unused programs
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Defragment older hard drives (skip this for SSDs)
6. Have a Go-To IT Contact
Even if you’re not ready for a full-time IT team, having a trusted expert you can call when things break is essential. Waiting until an emergency hits wastes time and costs more.
Pro tip:
Build a relationship with a local IT provider or a digital service like GetMorc. That way, when something goes wrong, you’re not Googling frantically at 11PM.
7. Educate Your Team—Even the Non-Techy Ones
Your team is your first line of defense against phishing emails, bad downloads, and weak passwords.
What helps:
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A 15-minute monthly meeting or email on a simple tech topic
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Share a quick tip like “how to spot a scam email” or “how to avoid clicking suspicious links”
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Encourage questions—there are no dumb ones when it comes to protecting your business
Wrapping It Up
You don’t have to be a tech genius to protect your business. Just like brushing your teeth, these small IT habits—done consistently—can prevent big headaches. You’ll save money, avoid downtime, and sleep easier knowing your business is covered.
If you’re unsure where to start, or just want a second opinion on your current setup, reach out to the team at GetMorc. We’re happy to help you make sense of the tech stuff, so you can get back to running your business.
