Why I Believe Small Business Owners Should Use Slack for Team Communication in 2025

The Struggle

As a web designer and developer, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to keep all stakeholders aligned. Between juggling emails, texts, and messaging apps, important information often gets lost, and productivity takes a hit. That’s why I believe Slack is an essential tool for small businesses in 2025. It streamlines communication, integrates seamlessly with other business tools, and makes collaboration more efficient. If you’re still relying on emails and scattered messages, it may be time to reconsider your approach.

Traditional Comms

For years, I tried using email and messaging apps to keep a project and clients connected. At first, it seemed manageable, but as thngs grew, so did the chaos. I found that:

Important messages got buried in long email threads.
There was no central hub for organizing conversations and file sharing.
Team members often repeated questions because they couldn’t find past discussions.
Remote team members struggled to stay in the loop.

I knew I needed a better solution, and that’s when I discovered Slack.

Slack offers a structured and efficient communication system that transforms the way a team works and collaborates. Here’s how it compares to traditional methods:

Feature	Email & Standard Messaging	Slack
Centralized Communication	No, conversations are scattered across different apps	Yes, all messages and files are in one place
Organized Channels	No, difficult to separate topics	Yes, channels keep discussions structured, including private channels for sensitive topics
Real-Time Messaging	Limited, email is slow	Yes, instant messaging for faster responses
File Sharing	Can be cumbersome, attachments may get lost	Easy file sharing with cloud integrations
Private Conversations	No, emails can be forwarded unintentionally	Yes, private channels and DMs for confidential discussions
Integration with Business Tools	Limited, requires switching between apps	Connects with Google Drive, Trello, WooCommerce, and more
Searchable Message History	Hard to track past discussions	Yes, quick search for past conversations
Remote Team Collaboration	Difficult to keep everyone connected	Seamless collaboration with messaging, huddles, video, and integrations
Cost Efficiency	Free options available but lack features	Paid plans offer valuable collaboration benefits

Understanding Slack’s Pricing and Features

From my experience, even the Pro Plan makes a significant difference in team communication and productivity. If you work with a remote team, collaborate on website development, or juggle multiple projects, investing in Slack pays off in the long run.

I know that some small business owners might hesitate to pay for another software tool, but I truly believe that Slack’s cost is justified by the benefits it provides. Slack offers different pricing tiers, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes:

Free Plan – Great for small teams just getting started, offering access to 90 days of message history, 10 app integrations, and 1:1 voice and video calls.
Pro Plan ($8.75/user/month) – Unlocks unlimited message history, unlimited integrations, private channels, and group video calls with screen sharing.
Business+ Plan ($15/user/month) – Adds advanced security features, huddles for spontaneous audio/video discussions, 99.99% uptime guarantee, and enhanced support for growing teams.
Enterprise Grid – Designed for large organizations with complex needs, offering advanced compliance and administrative controls.

Larry the Llama Transformed His Business with Slack

A typical llama case study.

Larry's Needs

Larry the Llama, like many small business owners, struggled to keep his team organized. His scarf business was growing, and managing orders, customer inquiries, and marketing campaigns through email was becoming overwhelming. Fortunately, his tech-savvy friend, Alvin the Alpaca, introduced him to Slack

Alvin the Alpaca to the Rescue

“Larry, buddy, don’t sweat the sheering details,” says his tech-savvy BFF as he tries not to spit on his friend. He knew that Slack had Larry’s back.

Larry soon discovered, that with Slack, he could:

Organize his business into dedicated channels (e.g., #orders, #marketing, #inventory).
Quickly share scarf designs and sales reports with his team.
Use private channels for sensitive business discussions.
Stay connected with remote workers and suppliers through Slack huddles for quick voice or video check-ins.
Keep all past discussions easily searchable, reducing confusion and redundant questions.

So now, Larry stresses less over the details, feels more connected with his team and never spits because he can’t find a comms thread.

What Are Slack Huddles and Why They Matter

Huddles have become a game-changer for my team and clients, allowing us to communicate more efficiently without cluttering our calendars with unnecessary meetings.

One of my favorite features in Slack is Huddles—a lightweight, spontaneous way to connect with team members through voice and video without the formality of a scheduled meeting. Huddles provide an easy way to:

Have quick check-ins – Instead of drafting long emails, I can just start a huddle for a quick discussion.
Collaborate in real-time – My team and I use huddles to brainstorm ideas, review projects, and make decisions on the fly.
Use video when necessary – Unlike traditional video calls, Slack Huddles allow me to start with just audio and switch to video when needed. Huddles are audio-centric first.
Share screens instantly – If I need to show a website layout or a project update, I can easily share my screen within the huddle.
Reduce Zoom fatigue – Since huddles are informal and don’t require scheduling, they feel more natural and productive than rigid video meetings.

The Value of Keeping Team Communication in One Spot

One of the biggest advantages I’ve noticed since switching to Slack is the ability to centralize all communication in one place. No more bouncing between email threads, text messages, and random notes. Everything my team needs is right there, making collaboration smoother and more productive.

Slack isn’t just for chat—it’s a full-fledged collaboration hub. It integrates with project management tools like Trello, design platforms like Figma, and even e-commerce systems like WooCommerce. If you work with a team on website development, content creation, or customer service, having all conversations in one place is a game-changer.

Getting Started with Slack

If you’re ready to improve team communication, and join #TeamScarfedLlama here’s how to get started:

Approximately 77% of Fortune 100 companies rely on Slack for their communication and collaboration needs

Backed by Salesforce.

Security

Slack encrypts data both in transit and at rest. Data in transit is protected using TLS 1.2 protocols, while data at rest utilizes FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption standards.

For organizations requiring enhanced control, Slack offers Enterprise Key Management, allowing customers to use their own encryption keys for data protection.

Slack provides features like SAML-based single sign-on (SSO), two-factor authentication (2FA), and session management to ensure that only authorized users can access the platform.

ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security Management System | ISO/IEC 27017: Security Controls for Cloud Services | ISO/IEC 27018: Protection of Personally Identifiable Information | ISO/IEC 27701: Privacy Information Management System | SOC 2 and SOC 3: Service Organization Control reports | APEC PRP and CBPR: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation certifications for data processors and controllers

Sign up for a Slack workspace at slack.com
Create channels based on your business needs.
Use private channels for sensitive or focused discussions.
Invite your team and set communication guidelines.
Explore integrations with your existing business tools.
Utilize search, huddles, and organization features to streamline collaboration.

TL;DR

I truly believe that Slack is one of the best tools for small business communication in 2025. It eliminates the chaos of scattered messages, improves efficiency, and helps teams work better together. With features like private channels, searchable history, and huddles, Slack provides a seamless communication experience for businesses of all sizes. If you’re tired of miscommunication and lost emails, it’s time to make the switch.