Small Business Basics

If you're a new business owner, it's important to make sure that media outlets, schools, government agencies and regular customers know about your new product. One way to do this is to write an...

A common affliction of a small business is a shortage of funds. As a rule, the handicap is cumbersome or even crippling in the case of a newborn venture or a fast-growing concern. If you own a...

Designing a logo for your construction business is as straightforward as any building project. Lay the foundation, build the structure and then finish it out. Your project management should...

If you’ve been in business for a while, you most likely have tried the Chamber of Commerce route, ads in the local paper, yellow pages listing in the phone book, a sign that may or may not blink,...

As Owner or Manager of a small business are you bothered by those “complaints” from Customers or Clients? Want a guide to help educate your staff on eliminating them? Here’s something the author...

Operating a small business during a recession presents several challenges. In order to survive a recession, a small business must operate efficiently and make the most of its opportunities. If a...

Window washing can be a lucrative business, provided you take care to establish your reputation. Aside from the physical washing of your client's windows, you will need to gain clients and keep...

Doing tile work is a good, honest way to earn a living. You get to use your hands and leave the job site at the end of the day able to see your accomplishment. The great difficulty, however, is...

Having a passion for your work, being willing to work long, hard hours, and wanting to fulfill a dream to own your own business, isn't enough, unfortunately, to ensure a successful venture on your...

A small business needs to market and promote their wares or service like it is their last day on earth. Grabbing customers attention these days isn't easy. Plenty of other small businesses are...

In the automotive industry, tires are hailed as the most frequently replaced and in-demand car parts. With the demand for tires always being constant, salespeople are also in demand. Selling car...

If you own or wish to start a maintenance service business, you'll need to write up contracts for work. A contract protects both you and your customers. Here are some tips for writing basic...

Studies indicate that it can cost between 5 and 20% to obtain a new customer, does it not make sense to do all you can to retain all of your current customers? The old saying, “A bird in the hand...

It's the small things that break around a house that can aggravate a homeowner. While large contractors are available to repair and replace the big things like entire rooms, heating systems and...

Online advertising and internet marketing is an integral part of any online business. It is important to start using Google's programs for small business because e-commerce is extremely popular...

Are you starting a small business and wondering if you'll be successful? Remember, you can't sell a product or a service without customers. I know from personal experience that the best way to...

Setting up a website for your business is as important as ordering your business cards. Your website is your virtual calling card and believe me, first impressions last! A great, low cost site...

Whether starting a new business or building on an existing one, these principles will help strengthen the foundation of your business.

Smart marketing is when you strategically spend your marketing dollars when the economy is slowing down. It is not time to pull back on your marketing campaigns or you risk losing your customers...

In today’s rapid paced, highly competitive landscape, and uncertain economic conditions, dollars are tight. When we launch an expensive marketing program we need to know it will address the...

To be successful, word of mouth marketing has to be approached properly. First of all, you need to have a good product at a reasonable price. If customers are impressed with the value your product...

Businesses aren't always profitable enough to remain open. Even if you have an established customer base, it doesn't always work out. When you've made a decision, you have to announce that your...

Garage sales are a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make extra money. Having a well-organized garage sale is the key to being successful. This is easy to do if you are prepared. Here's...

When you are in small business for yourself, things can be very hard from time to time and you want to make sure that you are getting enough sales to live on. Sometimes, small business owners are...

The success of your small business largely depends on you. It takes numerous hours of hard work, organization, and will power to make your small business survive in the beginning stages. As a...

If you have your own business, you probably know that keeping track of customer information is a huge priority. Keeping tabs on your client base not only lets you increase customer satisfaction...

When anyone opens a new business in which they offer a service, they have to decide how much they will charge for it. Sometimes this is tricky, because you don't want to set your prices too high...

Studies have found that approximately 50 percent of all small businesses fail within the first two years, and 80 percent go out of business by the fifth year. These statistics vary among different...

If you're planning to open a hair salon, your biggest investment will be equipment. Outfitting a salon can be expensive, but it's necessary to pull in the customers. Plan ahead. Research the...

Starting a business in a small town is quite different from starting a business in a large city, mainly because of the choice of business, but also due to legal and practical considerations....

It is a sad fact of the corporate world that many businesses fail to show appreciation to their customers. If you want to build a loyal customer base that will return to your business for their...

You've heard the old axiom: the customer is always right. But new business goes beyond that to demonstrating technical proficiency in determining market situations or even predicting future ones....

The tradition of Christmas trees began in the 7th Century. The triangle shape of the fir tree was used to explain the Holy Trinity by a monk. The first Christmas tree was believed to be decorated...

In order to be successful at any business, there has to be happy customers willing to buy. Happy customers are repeat customers, and repeat customers are the most sought after kind. A customer can...

We hear all the time that small business is a major social engine for economic growth. It also stitches us together as part of a common social fabric. Think of how much human interaction involves...