Articles

Learn about the latest research and best practices for turning your Web site's keywords into search engine magnets.

See the timeline of one small business's soft opening, and read tips on how to make your grand opening a success.

Borrowed money is often the key to building and growing a successful small business. For independent business owners, however, courting lenders isn't always easy. Here's how to make a strong case and win over even the choosiest banks.

Female business owners are making huge gains but there is still a lot of headway to be made in the area of winning federal contracts.

The right tools can tell you volumes about your market. Use these affordable analytics solutions to mine your Web site for critical customer data and surefire sales leads.

When your small staff grows by even a few employees, it's a big transition. One key to making it work is acknowledging that changes in operations and structure are necessary.

Having affordable health insurance is a growing concern for many independent business owners. Find out what options and resources you can access to obtain the best health care coverage for the lowest cost.

For more than 30 years, members of the Oak Park Women's Exchange have been pooling their resources in order to sell handmade crafts and creations. Together, they enjoy a cooperative business arrangement that celebrates creativity, community and commerce.

February 21, 2008

When you leave a company to start your own, it's logical to make use of the knowledge, business relationships and experience you already have. However, if your new venture is in the same industry as your former employer, it's important to know your legal rights.

Whether you're revving up to open your business within the next few months or have recently opened shop, it's crucial to develop a strategy for hiring your work force. Read expert advice on staffing your operation.

Solopreneur Adrian Miller explains how she's used her small solo status to reap big rewards in the marketplace. With a little bit of ambition and a lot of persistence, she says you can do the same.

More than digital catalogs, the best e-commerce Web sites are chock-full of engaging features and interactive tools. Here's how to transform yours into an online destination for community-driven customers.

December 6, 2007

If your employees aren't feeling challenged anymore, they might begin to grow restless. Learn to create a work environment that continues to engage, educate and offer opportunity to your workers.

It's good that you're engaged with your work. When you balance guiding your employees with trusting them, however, you'll end up with a more confident and capable team.

Not all accountants are created equal. Find the perfect tax professional for your company when you look for the right mix of experience, reputation and personality.

Sell yourself perfectly on paper with a targeted proposal that describes problems and offers solutions.

October 25, 2007

In theory, your business's debt is an investment in its future prosperity. Learn to differentiate between debt that will advance your company's objectives and debt that won't.

Wow — and win — new clients with presentations that pair personality with passion.

The future of your company depends not only on whom you leave in charge but also on the tools you create to help transition the business.

Letting an employee go is never a pleasant thing, but sometimes it's the most reasonable option. Learn how to handle it professionally, and minimize your chances of being held liable.

Annual "Women in Small Business" survey reveals preference for relevant, easy-to-use reward programs and offerings for business expenses.

September 13, 2007

When the going gets rough, successful small businesses get smart. Making wise financial and operational choices can help your business bounce back from the brink of disaster.

While their cost continues to climb, health care benefits are critical for small business owners who want to stay healthy and competitive. Before you go without, consider your options, because a good plan is more affordable than you think.

Hiring quality employees means better customer service and higher sales, which translates into a more robust bottom line. Learn to find the best pool of candidates by honing your recruitment skills.

When a business's product or service is overpriced, the signs are clear: The phone doesn't ring and the customers aren't making purchases. But when a business's offerings are underpriced, it can be more difficult to recognize a problem. Learn how to determine the perfect price for your product or service.

August 2, 2007

When it comes to your business's workspace, the rules of homeownership versus renting don't always apply. Learn to determine the right move for your business operation.

Learn how to identify trade shows that will offer you the most ROI. Also, learn how to decide whether it's best to participate as a vendor or a visitor at different kinds of industry trade shows.

From sure-fire formulas to unique offerings, both franchises and independent businesses have their strengths and weaknesses. Augment your business by knowing what works for the "other kind" of small business operation and why.

Whether it's their credit card information, home address or their S.S. number, your customers entrust you with their personal information every day. Learn about what you can do to ensure their information is protected.

June 21, 2007

Just as you protect your loved ones with life insurance or a will, you need to protect the business you've established and the workers who depend on you. Learn how to create a plan that will keep everything running smoothly when you or your partner can't be there.

When it comes to customer incentives, every dollar you spend is not equal. Learn how to choose promotions that will translate into repeat and new business.

Time is your most precious commodity, so it's important to hold meetings that make every minute count. Learn how to get more done in less time by creating more effective meetings.

Individuals aren't the only ones who can have bad spending habits — sometimes businesses do too. Find ways to curb your business's worst spending habits.

May 10, 2007

Think you can't compete with the big guys? Think again. You probably have advantages that you haven't even considered.

It can be tempting to write off your most difficult customers as impossible to please. But how you handle temperamental patrons has a big impact on the way other customers and even employees perceive your business. Learn to support your staff in difficult situations — and still win over your toughest critics.

Giving your all to your business doesn't have to mean risking your financial security. Create a sound retirement nest egg and personal savings that can withstand all of your business's ups and downs.

Chances are your best employees are ambitious self-starters with great problem-solving skills. But beware: The people who possess these qualities aren't likely to stick around unless their needs and expectations are being met. Learn how to challenge, inspire and ultimately retain your best employees for the long haul.

March 5, 2007

There are businesses out there trying to do what yours does, only better. Conduct a competitive analysis in your market so you know where your business stands and can rise above the competition.

The way you select insurance can have a big impact on the security that you will gain from your coverage. Find out how to use a competitive bidding process to drive down your insurance premiums.

Whether you own a startup or an established business, it's important to make the right software investments. Here are some tips on how to decide what's best for your business.

Long before marketing and branding were transformed into a science, there was the power of word-of-mouth. Learn how to hone this concept and put it to work for your business.

February 5, 2007

Before you start a business, devise a plan that defines the business, its goals and whom it will serve. This step will set you on the path to entrepreneurial success.

Considering the time and effort you invest in your business, it may be hard to stand back and see your company from a different perspective. Discover strategies that will help you to understand how customers experience your business.

As an established business owner, you know nothing ever stays the same in the marketplace. Learn how to analyze your competitors and customers so that when the market changes, you can too.

The way you deal with vendors has a big impact on the kinds of pricing they offer you. Find out how to obtain and then maintain the best possible deals from your vendors.

January 7, 2007

It might be tempting to handle your tax reporting in-house, but it's important to remember that you will sacrifice time that could be spent on running your business. Learn how to choose the best fit for your business's tax reporting needs.

To some, small business blogs are an effective, low-cost alternative to conventional marketing. But skeptics question the practicality of using this format for small business PR purposes. Learn what proponents and skeptics are saying about this emerging trend.

These 10 easy steps will help you select the right technology to boost productivity and save money.

Increasing the variety of products or services you offer could boost your customers and revenues, or it could spread your credibility thin. Determine if your business would benefit from increasing or limiting the variety of its products or services.

December 18, 2006

If you're struggling to prioritize your financial decisions, you're not alone. Whether it's investing in technology or remodeling your office, it's essential to distinguish between priorities and preferences before purchasing big-ticket items.

Attracting customers takes a lot more than physical space; it requires marketing. In fact, it requires smart marketing. Build your new business with a solid strategy for selling it to the world around you.

As the seasons change, so too can your business's profitability. Fortunately, unlike the weather, you can control how your business adapts to seasonal highs and lows.

Opening a line of credit may be the right move for your business, but how do you know if now is the right time? Find out whether your business is in a good position to take the next step in opening a line of credit.

November 27, 2006

Overhead cost might seem fixed, but it's important to remember that they are always in your control. Find out how to effectively manage your overhead.

Why settle for having an online brochure when your Web site has the potential to become a revenue generator? Find out how to turn your site into an interactive sales force.

Your business may be a lot of things, but at the end of the day it's the customers' perception that counts. Create a brand strategy that will help your company present the right image.

Running a business is about more than knowing your product and service. You need to know your competition. A properly conducted competitive analysis will provide the feedback necessary to give you an edge in your market.

November 6, 2006

Your products or services might be in high demand, but generating revenue means little if your company can't retain it. Learn how to hold onto the profits you make by managing expenses that you can control.

Keep your employees on the job with these expert tips.

Running your own small business might be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, but it doesn't have to mean sacrificing everything else. Discover effective strategies for creating work/life balance that won't leave you feeling guilty at home or in the office.

Periodic reviews of your financial plan can help keep your personal and business expenses separate — and your business thriving.

October 16, 2006

Even a lucrative business can flounder if it's money isn't managed correctly. Find out how to create a cash management plan that will make the most of your business's financial resources.

Seasoned business owners know that when it comes to marketing, publicity — not advertising — rules supreme.

In order to get anywhere in business, you have to know what you want and how to get it. That's why setting your goals — both long- and short-term — is the first step to getting there.

In the ever-changing world of small business, it takes more than a yearly competitive analysis to stay ahead of the game. Learn how to make competitive analysis an ongoing part of your business.

Financial editor Hilary Kramer talks about tips and financial solutions for women small business owners.

A look at why women become entrepreneurs and the financial choices they make.

A MasterCard survey identifies common challenges and personality traits among women small business owners.

Financial editor Hilary Kramer provides advice on starting your own business.

September 25, 2006

While employers typically pay most of their employees' health care costs, rising premiums may have you looking for ways to cut costs. A tax-free savings account for health care might be the answer.

There is a lot to consider before expanding to a new location. Find out if you're ready to make the jump, or if you're better off sitting tight.

How can taking your business to the Web help expand your market? What do you need to know about taking the step to cyberspace?

Boosting your company's net profit isn't always about selling more products or services. Try these simple but frequently overlooked strategies for growing your company's profit margin.

September 6, 2006

Daunted by balancing your business needs with your checkbook? Here are four common money management problems and how to solve them.

Your business was founded on good ideas, hard work and proper execution, but if you want to reach the next level of success, it will take financial resources. Find out how to raise capital now.

Business partners and investors can finance your company's growth, but capital always comes with a cost. Plus, do you really need that money anyway?

When money is tight you may need to squeeze every last drop out of available funds. Practical strategies, such as negotiation payment terms and establishing credit early, can help you get the most from your cash.

Traditional advertising is losing it's effectiveness in the world of small business marketing. Are you ready for the new age, or will you be left behind?

No matter the size of the company, marketing plays a huge role in developing and maintaining a customer base. Learn five strategies to market your business without blowing your budget.

Setting up an attractive benefits plan does not mean busting the budget. Here are the best steps for offering benefits that will recruit and retain the best talent.

Before you launch a new business, analyze the market potential and labor pool in your area to ensure it's the right place to open shop.

A good strategic plan can help your business keep pace with competitors and boost your bottom line. Here is expert advice for developing a strategic plan quickly and effectively.

Accounting software is a great resource to manage the everyday financial details for your business, but is it enough to help you make big financial decisions?