Navigating the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, especially when searching for products or services. Online search results are so prevalent and normalized that we barely pay attention to the different types of search results that pop up on our…
There may be times when your business needs an influx of money. Perhaps demand for your services is growing so fast you can hardly keep up. Maybe you even want to move your restaurant to a more centralized location to attract more customers. In order to expand your…
The decision to sell your small business can change the course of your entire life. To ensure the process is as smooth and successful as possible, you’ll need to meticulously prepare — years in advance, if possible. The complicated multi-step process of selling your…
If you run an online retail store—or even if you plan to open one in the future—chances are you’ve considered Amazon Marketplace as a platform to get your products into the hands of your customers. Whether you’re hand-crafting items in your garage or mass-producing…
During the pandemic, commercial property interest rates dropped to historic lows. However, they’ve made a swift recovery and have nearly roared back to pre-COVID-19 levels. This raises an interesting question. Before the commercial real estate market recovers…
Location, location, location. Every business owner and real estate guru knows this age-old mantra by heart. But cities have grown, consumer tastes have shifted, and the pandemic has disrupted the entire business world in ways no one ever dreamed possible. The internet…
Diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of everyone’s mind in the business world today, especially during Pride Month. But surprisingly, venture capital, grants, and networking opportunities aimed specifically at LGBTQ+ small business owners and entrepreneurs can…
Here at CenturyLink, we think small is big. Small businesses and nonprofits make a real difference in our communities. To celebrate them, we invited small businesses throughout the United States to participate in a sweepstakes with a chance to win one of five $1,000…
Resident Appreciation Day is a day in which that leasing staff or a property management group can celebrate their tenants and say thanks for their residency and business. While there isn’t a specific date nationwide for Resident Appreciation Day, there’s no reason why…
Here at CenturyLink, we think small is big. Small businesses and nonprofits make a real difference in our communities. To celebrate them, we invited small businesses throughout the United States to participate in a sweepstakes with a chance to win one of five $1,000…
Today, women are bursting with entrepreneurial spirit—recent reports suggest they are starting businesses at twice the rate of men. If we were to follow them on their journeys to building their ventures, what would we witness? Let’s start with the good news. In…
Here at CenturyLink, we think small is big. Small businesses and nonprofits make a real difference in our communities. To celebrate them, we invited small businesses throughout the United States to participate in a sweepstakes with a chance to win one of five $1,000…
Here at CenturyLink, we think small is big. Small businesses and nonprofits make a real difference in our communities. To celebrate that along with National Small Business Week in 2021, we invited small businesses throughout the United States to participate in a…
Your small business connects with your customers in three distinct stages. Before the sale, your marketing person oversees pre-sales communications: ads, emails, buying keywords, and other activities that entice people to purchase your product or service. Your sales…
Without a customer referral program, your small business is missing out on one of the most vibrant and highest ROI-producing marketing channels there is. Think of it as the 21st century version of word of mouth. The big players across virtually every industry have…
Is it time to rethink your business model? At a high level, your business model describes the type of business you operate. It includes how and where it’s operated, your target customer base and how you generate revenue. It also describes how your organization brings…
Small business owners are no strangers to planning. From business plans to scaling to making a big office move, it’s important to start with planning. Marketing is no different. Your marketing strategy is your roadmap to ensure you reach your business goals. Using a…
Your small business’s phone number is one of the most important lines of communication between you and your customers or clients. Loyal customers often save business numbers on their phone, so changing your number could lead to confusion or even lost business. You may…
Good customer service is essential for successful businesses. However, it can be difficult to keep every customer happy, every time. When frustrated customers feel like their concerns have not been resolved, they often turn to online review sites, like Google, to…
Coworking spaces are a popular choice for remote workers, self-employed people and small business owners looking for an affordable and flexible workspace. Unlike traditional offices, people working in coworking offices don’t all work for the same employer. With…
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…
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…
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…
