If you run or support an SMB, you’ll already know tech has shifted from “nice to have” to “we can’t function without it”. But staying on top of what matters — and what’s just noise — is getting harder. Here’s a list of the top 10 tech issues small and medium-sized businesses are facing in 2025 and beyond. I’ll dig deeper into each of these in future posts, linked under this series: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues.

1. Unclear Cloud Strategies
   Most SMBs have cloud in some shape or form — but very few have a clear plan. Cloud should enable scale, flexibility and resilience, but often ends up as just a lift-and-shift of old habits.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Cloud Strategy)
2. Inadequate Monitoring & Observability
   "We didn’t know it was down until a customer told us." Sound familiar? Reactive support is still too common. Modern observability is affordable and gives you context, not just data.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Observability)
3. Disconnected Customer Experience
   Good tech with bad service still feels like bad service. Systems that don’t talk to each other make your customers repeat themselves and erode trust. Joined-up thinking matters.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: CX + Infrastructure Alignment)
4. Shadow IT and Rogue SaaS
   Staff sign up to tools without telling IT — because official processes are slow, unclear or broken. It’s a symptom of poor internal service, and it creates risk you don’t control.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Shadow IT and Rogue Saas)
5. Legacy Infrastructure Still Running Core Operations
   Old servers and unsupported apps still running the business? Here’s why that’s risky and how to modernise without blowing the budget.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Legacy Infrastructure Still Running Core Ops)
6. Vendor Overload
   12 suppliers for infrastructure, broadband, hosting, support, phones, licenses… and no one’s responsible when things go wrong. SMBs need fewer vendors and better relationships.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Vendor Overload)
7. No Real IT Service Ownership
   Who owns IT in your business? The MD? Office Manager? Whoever picked the software? Without clarity, nobody takes accountability — and problems fester.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Service Ownership)
8. Lack of Internal Skills and Confidence
   IT isn’t just technical anymore — it’s cultural. But most SMBs don’t have the in-house skills to align tech with strategy. They need external help that speaks their language.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Skills and Confidence)
9. Security by Assumption
   Many businesses assume someone else is handling backups, MFA, password policies, compliance, patching… until they’re breached. Security needs to be intentional, not assumed.
   (See: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Security by Assumption)
10. No Plan for Growth (or Recovery)
    Can your systems handle twice the workload? What if your main supplier goes bust? What if you lose your key IT person? Resilience isn’t just about disasters — it’s about direction.

Each of these topics is a blog in its own right. Over the coming months, I’ll post deeper articles under the series tag: Top 10 SMB Tech Issues. If you see that in the title, you’ll know it links back to this list. If you’re facing any of these and want an outside perspective, I’m always happy to chat.

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