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
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
If you’re running a business, you should have a contingency plan in case one or more key people leave, no matter if it’s because of retirement, death, a disagreement over strategy or a job opportunity at another firm. In some cases, such planning is crucial to ensure an orderly transition in ownership. It is an...
Read more about What You Need to Know About Business Continuity Planning
It has become increasingly easy to draw attention to your business without spending a fortune. That’s because many consumers look first and foremost online for goods and services. They are a motivated audience. But a smart online marketing strategy can make it easier for you to connect with them. It can generate interest in your...
Read more about 3 Simple Ways to Start Marketing Your Business Online
With the boom in the Internet, starting an online business is more practical than ever. Potential customers are spending more time online than ever before, and many companies require internet-related services. You can run an online business part-time or full-time, and the range of options is extensive. Here are a few possibilities to explore. 1....
Read more about 3 of the Best Online Businesses You Can Start from Home
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]
More small businesses are starting podcasts to reach customers. In fact, 89 million people listened to a podcast in 2015, nearly double the number from 2008, according the Pew Research Center. It’s also estimated that 46 million Americans listen to podcasts each month, with the average listener tuning in to about six podcasts each week,...
Read more about The Pros and Cons of Your Business Starting a Podcast
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]
Have you ever had an idea for a small business? Maybe it’s a unique product you believe would be a hit, or a brick-and-mortar storefront that would provide a needed service to a neighborhood. For those would-be entrepreneurs who actually take steps to realize their business idea, however, many eventually hit a brick wall. Financing...
Read more about How to Start a Small Business on a Shoestring Budget
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
Everything in business is negotiable, including suppliers’ fees. But how do you get suppliers to reconsider their prices? Here are some supplier negotiation tips that may help you get a more fair price. 1. Shop around It is good to keep in mind that there is opportunity in shopping around. If several different suppliers are...
Read more about 6 Vendor and Supplier Negotiation Tips for Your Business
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
Driving on the highway for the first time can be nerve-racking, which is why it’s common for new drivers to navigate only local roads until they gain enough real-world experience to venture onto the interstate. Once a new driver feels ready to take on a highway, being fully prepared can help a beginner make a smooth and...
Read more about Highway Driving Tips for Teens