When you launch a new business, it’s important to take all the right steps to make sure the state and federal government recognize your company. One of those steps is registering your business name. Knowing how to register a business name properly is important because it protects your name and identity. There are different ways...
Read more about How to Register a Business Name
It’s not enough nowadays to throw open the doors of your brick-and-mortar location. It’s important to have a website as well. Too many small businesses neglect this aspect of their marketing. A website allows you to attract customers while creating and controlling the message you send. In most cases, your website will be the first...
Read more about How to Make a Small Business Website: Tips for Success
The structure of your business matters. Everything from productivity to communication can rely in part on how your business is set up internally. An organizational structure is a road map that helps employees navigate a path that accomplishes your company goals. It offers guidance on rules, roles and responsibilities, and it also explains who reports...
Read more about Which of the 4 Types of Organizational Structure Is Right for Your Business?
Many small business owners are exploring the marketing potential of social media. By tailoring their social medial strategies to their customers and to their own capabilities, they’re discovering new and effective ways to utilize social media tools to expand their businesses. The key is in developing a social media strategy that promotes your brand in...
Read more about How to Use Social Media for Small-Business Marketing
Today’s business owners can rely on technology to keep their companies running efficiently. But, with so many apps and tech-oriented small business tools available, how do you know which ones to try? Here’s a list of some popular, productivity-boosting business apps broken down by category. Communication 1. Slack Slack has made a name for itself...
Read more about 10 Apps and Online Tools That Can Boost Small Business Efficiency
Small business owners wear a lot of hats. Decisions on health care plans, retirement plans and other benefits are often left solely to the owner. Offering a small business retirement plan to employees isn’t always on the radar. A study by LIMRA showed that only 42 percent of small businesses offered retirement plans – despite...
Read more about How to Pick a Small Business Retirement Plan [Slideshow]
Whether you’re starting a business or already have one, creating a website for your business is essential for reaching potential customers. A website allows you to attract customers while creating and controlling the message you send. In most cases, your website will be the first impression customers get of your company, and you want it...
Read more about How to Build a Website for Your Small Business
Selling products online can have many benefits. Start-up costs are typically lower than those of brick-and-mortar businesses. The internet offers a worldwide audience of customers and on top of that, you get to be your own boss. But as with any enterprise, careful planning is critical for success. You’ll need to determine if there’s demand...
Read more about How to Start an Online Store to Sell Products
Perhaps you have an idea for the next top-selling gadget, an app to help make people’s busy lives better or a method to sell professional services in an innovative way. Once you’ve come up with a business concept and decide you want to bring it to market, it’s time for planning and preparation. Performing market...
Read more about How to do Market Research for Your Business Idea
Only about half of all new businesses survive five years or more, and only about a third survive beyond 10 years, according to the Small Business Administration. From not having enough startup money to trying to do it all yourself to not investing in marketing, common errors in planning and management can provide challenges for...
Read more about How to Avoid 5 Common Small Business Mistakes [Slideshow]
Research shows small business charitable contributions can help companies connect with their customers and their community. According to a 2010 study by Cone Communications, 85% of consumers have a more positive image of a company when it supports a cause they care about; 90% of consumers want companies to tell them how they’re supporting charitable...
Read more about Small Business Donations: How Charitable Contributions Can Help Attract Customers [Slideshow]
The business you are building has been an all-consuming priority, a labor of love. You’ve devoted time and trouble to get the business up and running. Your creativity keeps it growing. You’re a rock of commitment. It’s exactly because you’re so devoted to the business, though, that you might be overlooking business risk factors that...
Read more about How to Manage Small Business Risks
Starting a business is an exercise in managing risk. But the riskiest time for a new venture is often in the initial weeks and months as you work to establish your service or product with potential customers. Keeping expenses low is important during this critical period. One unavoidable cost, though, is: space. Whatever your business,...
Read more about The New Office Space: How Coworking Spaces and Incubators Can Help Your Start-Up Thrive
Starting and operating a small business requires a set of skills many business owners may not possess. For instance, the owner of a music store might be an expert on guitars but have little knowledge of accounting, employee management or inventory control. He might not have the ability to effectively negotiate with landlords, suppliers or...
Read more about Negotiation Tips for Small Business Success
Car batteries have an average life of 3 to 5 years, and when it’s time for a replacement, it’s important to dispose of the old one safely. [1] If you have a new battery installed at a shop, they’ll typically take care of the disposal for you. But if you handle it yourself, you can...
Read more about How to Dispose of Car Batteries