Small businesses are the backbone of towns and cities and the economy at large. They contribute 44 percent of the economic activity in the U.S. and create two-thirds of new jobs. And small business owners are often innovators, offering new products and services that…
Whether you’re working with a team to create a robust e-commerce website or build a stronger social media presence, running a small business means managing many moving parts. As a small business owner not only do you have to ensure the business is continuing to grow,…
Identity theft isn’t only a threat to your personal finances – in 2020, there were almost 100,000 reports of business identity theft. Usually, this type of theft happens when someone misuses private information to impersonate a business. Business identity thieves…
Are you trying to take your business to the next level? Or are you ready to take on something new? Learn new skills by taking free online business courses. Whether you need to understand how to operate a business, want to improve your financial literacy, or want to…
Reconnecting to your WiFi network every time you come home or go to work can waste your time and cause frustration. Many of your devices may already automatically connect whenever you’re in range of a known WiFi network, but sometimes auto-join needs to be manually…
With a plethora of accessories, gaming consoles and new gaming technologies on the market, narrowing down the perfect present for your gamer may seem daunting, especially if you don’t consider yourself a gaming expert. Level up any gamer’s holiday season this year…
If you’ve noticed your internet service slowing down, your router may be to blame. Fortunately, replacing your router can be a relatively inexpensive way to improve your internet speed. Routers typically need to be upgraded every few years for optimal internet speed…
If you’re considering cutting the cord, don’t let your favorite news programming hold you back. Streaming services like Hulu and DirecTV Stream allow you to stream entertainment, sports, and other video content over the internet without cable. Many of these services…
Although you might think of WiFi and the internet as interchangeable terms, they provide different functions. WiFi provides a wireless connection to the internet for your mobile devices, laptop computers and smart devices. However, you can also access the internet at…
Success for an online business may look different than it does for a brick-and-mortar retail store. That’s because the business model is fundamentally different. There are some major benefits to starting an online business. First, the upfront costs are usually much…
October is National Women’s Small Business Month. To celebrate, the CenturyLink Small Business team sat down with Teisha Jones to talk about her experience owning Stevie’s Healing Arts and Spa. As a small business owner, Teisha has overcome a lot of challenges…
Moving can be an exciting milestone for any small business owner, especially if the office move is to encourage growth. You may be moving give your employees access to better amenities or situate the business in a better location for more foot traffic. No matter the…
While you may think cybersecurity is only a concern for large companies, an estimated 40% of cyberattacks target small businesses. That’s because small businesses face unique cybersecurity challenges. Because they typically have fewer and less robust…
Women are thriving in the small business arena. According to a 2019 study by American Express, 42 percent of all U.S. businesses are women-owned. When combined, woman-owned businesses generate over $1.9 trillion a year, or 10% of our national economy. As a female…
When it comes to getting online, internet service providers may use a lot of different terminologies. It can be really confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the terms, especially during troubleshooting. To make it easier to understand, let’s explore the difference…
A broadband connection lets you send and receive data online, post on social media, and video chat with family or colleagues. Depending on your location and service provider, internet access comes to your home through DSL, cable, or fiber optic technology….
As a small business owner, you might see yourself as less susceptible to cyberattacks. After all, doesn’t it make sense for hackers to go after bigger fish? Those targets are certainly attractive, but cybercriminals are also aware that small businesses lack the…
Phishing is the most prominent type of cyberattack used by criminals today. Phishing attacks happen more than twice as much as the next most common type of cyberattack according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report. There are many different types of phishing attacks…
Our monitors and machines get a lot of use, and with use comes dust, dirt and grime. Cleaning your monitor, TV, keyboard, mouse, and other equipment is just as important as keeping your computer software up-to-date and virus-free. Not only can the buildup of dust and…
Once your small business has begun to turn a profit, it may be time to start looking for opportunities to scale. Scaling up your small business may be necessary to keep up with growing demand in your market and avoid missing out on new opportunities. Even solo-run…
Hiring and training new employees is costly and time-consuming, requiring resources that could be used to grow your small business. Employee retention is important for any business, but especially small businesses with a small number of employees integral to business…
These days, many people have already cut the cable cord and are streaming TV. But for those that haven’t, it’s usually because they don’t want to miss out on their favorite live TV shows, games, and news. Fortunately, there are streaming services with options so you…
There are a number of potential obstacles to maintaining good health care practices. Financial troubles, unpleasant symptoms, limited appointment times and more can all get in the way of receiving important medical services. Such common life issues are just one of the…
Online customer service is about building relationships and being available to customers in the ways they’re most comfortable communicating. Companies need multiple online channels to respond to customer requests efficiently regardless of the channel they…
Scammers are a prolific and increasing threat in our digital world. Sometimes, they use the names of technology companies, like CenturyLink, to run scams. Using a company’s name to run a scam is known as spoofing. Scammers may spoof phone calls or emails, which is…
In the face of a natural disaster or another significant disruption to daily life—like a pandemic—it can be difficult to rebuild. For small business owners in particular, picking up the pieces and starting to serve customers again can be especially difficult. In fact,…
With so many jobs being fully remote, stable WiFi connections have moved to the forefront of people’s minds. Nothing is quite as frustrating as your video buffering during an important meeting or pages not loading when you’re on a deadline. And when it comes to…
If you’ve connected your smartphone to the WiFi only to get a “Privacy Warning” message, you might be wondering what’s going on. Is your home WiFi network unsecure? Is it something to do with your phone? And how can you fix this situation? When Apple released iOS 14,…
Fiber internet has become a popular internet service due to its speed and reliability. With fast download speeds and higher reliability, there are many benefits of fiber internet. But what is fiber internet and what needs to happen to bring it to your city?…
Whether you have a few gadgets or an entire smart home, it’s important to learn how to secure your smart home devices. Cybersecurity experts have identified software vulnerabilities in everything from smart plugs to smart devices used in business settings. These…
