Small business

How to scale your small business

How to scale your small business

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…

Employee retention strategies for small business owners

Employee retention strategies for small business owners

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…

Small business hybrid working models

Small business hybrid working models

The digital workforce is growing and work from home has become common, but individual businesses may define hybrid work in different ways. There are several unique models for hybrid work based on a business’s needs and operations. Hybrid working models can provide…

Online customer service for small businesses

Online customer service for small businesses

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…

Building a small business continuity plan

Building a small business continuity plan

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,…

Building fiber optic infrastructure

Building fiber optic infrastructure

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?…

How to manage the stages of small business growth

How to manage the stages of small business growth

Starting a small business comes with challenges and setbacks, requiring its leaders to make strategic decisions for growth. However, the need for growth doesn’t stop once your small business has taken off. Building a thriving and sustainable small business involves…

How to determine bandwidth needs for your small business

How to determine bandwidth needs for your small business

For small businesses, a fast and reliable internet connection is crucial. Slow internet makes getting work done even harder. It can decrease productivity and ruin videoconferences. It can bog down cloud applications and prevent speedy customer service. And it might…

Understanding P2P payments for business owners

Understanding P2P payments for business owners

For the modern consumer out dining with friends, the task of splitting the bill can seem like a headache, especially if cash is not available. However, with the rise of peer-to-peer (P2P) payment services like Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle, consumers can enjoy the…

Do I need a VPN for my small business?

Do I need a VPN for my small business?

Virtual private networks, more commonly known as VPNs, have become an important tool for cybersecurity over the last few years. Thanks to the pandemic and the increase in remote work, VPN usage is up all over the world.  As a small business owner, you might be…

Social media marketing for small business

Social media marketing for small business

Did you know that 8 out of 10 people in the US have a social media profile? Chances are your customers have a profile on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn. Using social media marketing for small business is a way to connect with your customers, talk about…

3 local SEO strategies for small businesses

3 local SEO strategies for small businesses

Whatever the size of your business, you want to show up in search engines. Nearly half of all searches on Google are for local businesses. Creating a local search engine optimization strategy (SEO) for your small business can help you take your digital presence to the…

Videoconferencing etiquette 101

Videoconferencing etiquette 101

Videoconferencing is an important tool in keeping employees connected, engaged, and productive. As remote work continues to be vital part of the modern workplace, understanding videoconferencing etiquette remains necessary for success. Videoconferencing in the modern…

Choosing a small business phone system

Choosing a small business phone system

The small business phone line is far from dead. Even in the age of email, chatbots, and social media, the phone remains the preferred method for consumers when they need to contact a small business. In fact, about 60% of consumers prefer using the phone to other…

How slow internet affects small business

How slow internet affects small business

Many small businesses run these days thanks to the internet. It powers many daily tasks, including email, online ordering, and customer service. It even helps you reach new customers by providing a platform for digital marketing. Your business may also rely on the…

3 steps to enhance your digital presence

3 steps to enhance your digital presence

Want to grow your small business? It’s time to get online. In today’s digital age, small and medium-sized business owners need to take advantage of digital real estate to be successful. The internet offers numerous solutions for small business owners, from…

Accounting apps for small business owners

Accounting apps for small business owners

Would you like to help your small business take off? Start by simplifying your finances. Knowing how to manage your finances is the foundation for a successful business. And technology is an excellent way to increase your productivity in this area. Accounting apps and…

4 sustainable business practices for small business owners

4 sustainable business practices for small business owners

Does sustainability matter for your business? It should. 70% of consumers think it’s important for brands to be eco-friendly. And almost half of consumers are willing to drop a brand that doesn’t align with their personal values. Focusing on sustainable business…

Why small businesses need fiber internet

Why small businesses need fiber internet

Does your small business need fiber internet? Are you experiencing slow download or upload speeds? Does the internet cut out during important tasks or meetings? Does your team have downtime because the internet isn’t working? If your business relies on the internet, a…

6 customer appreciation ideas for small businesses

6 customer appreciation ideas for small businesses

Why do your customers choose to shop with you or use your services? Maybe your business offers stellar products or services, or you provide great customer service, or your location is the most convenient option for them. Maybe you’ve used marketing or other…

11 virtual team building activities for your small business

11 virtual team building activities for your small business

In a time when many small businesses and their employees are working remotely, fostering better communication, developing problem solving skills, and boosting team morale can help you set your team up for success and create a strong sense of community. Traditionally,…

7 steps to start a small business

7 steps to start a small business

Do you have a great business idea? Perhaps you’ve even picked out a name, found a location, and determined your target audience. Regardless of industry or market, there are several steps you can take to get your business off to a great start. Today, we’re breaking…

6 top technology tools for solopreneurs

6 top technology tools for solopreneurs

Whether you want to launch a full-time business or run a side hustle for extra money, now is a good time to explore what it means to be a successful solopreneur. Guidant Financial has reported 78% of small businesses they surveyed are currently profitable, and 48% of…

Including technology in your business plan

Including technology in your business plan

Do you have an exciting idea for a new business? Is it time to expand your favorite hobby into a profession? Or are you growing your existing business? It’s time to write a business plan! There are as many types of business plans as there are businesses. One of the…

What you need to know about small business internet

What you need to know about small business internet

Can your internet connection keep up with your business? If not, it might be time for an upgrade! From bookkeeping to hiring to marketing, small businesses rely on an internet connection to handle daily tasks. And when that internet connection is inconsistent, it not…

4 ways to prepare for an influx of holiday shoppers

4 ways to prepare for an influx of holiday shoppers

As a business owner, you ‘re probably looking forward to holiday shopping. The retail season is important for many business owners and is a great time to generate revenue. But increased traffic to your website can cause problems if you’re not prepared for it. To…

6 steps to security for your ecommerce website

6 steps to security for your ecommerce website

More than ever, consumers are shopping online for appliances, furniture, clothing, food, and other retail goods. In fact, online sales make up 21% of all retail purchases now, with consumers spending billions of dollars online according to Digital Commerce 360. And…

What is the digital workforce?

What is the digital workforce?

Whether you’ve responded to an automated call system or you use instant messaging in your own workplace, it’s very likely you’ve encountered the digital workforce. It’s a set of technologies that work alongside human employees to improve the modern workplace. It…