Online Small Business Tools
The Top Links for Your Business
Alternative Financing Solutions
Improve cash flow and finance growth with proven small business alternative funding solutions such as factoring, accounts receivable financing, purchase order (P/O) financing and asset-based lending. Unlike a traditional bank loan or venture capital investment, which can require that personal assets be pledged or equity is shared, these financing solutions are secured by corporate assets such as accounts receivable, equipment and inventory.
Link: www.CFGroup.net
Automated Spend Management & Reporting
Take full control of business spending and reporting with a comprehensive solution for automating expense reporting, purchasing and payable invoices. Web-based subscription services streamline expense report, purchase requisition or payable invoice creation, approvals and payments, while delivering real-time policy enforcement, as well as spend analysis and visibility into how your business spends money.
Link: expensewatch
Business Census Data
To search for demographic data, start with the US Census Bureau. Here you will find detailed data on private population demographics, and a variety of business statistics such as, how many and what type of business are located in a particular community area.
Link: quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html
Business Competitive Research
One of the best ways to find industry data on size, trends, and competition, is through the annual and quarterly filings required by the US Securities Exchange of all publicly traded companies. This information, known as 10k or 10q, is detailed and voluminous. Read what you want, but be aware that the SEC requires these firms to be as honest as possible.
Link: www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
Link: www.freeedgar.com/Search/BeginSearch.asp
Business Counseling
Tap multiple sources of confidential business counseling services offered through government and nonprofit agencies.
Link: Small Business Counseling
Business Credit and Charge Card
Discover how business credit and business charge cards may be utilized to manage cash flow, track business expenses and support a range of business reward incentives including earning points redeemable for dining, shopping, entertainment, travel, purchase discounts and automatic savings opportunities.
Link: AmericanExpress.com
Business Filings and Incorporations
When launching a new business, there are different types of Legal Business Entities to choose from including Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership, Nonprofit Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), S Corporation and C Corporation. There are also variations in State Corporate Filing Requirements and State Incorporating Fees. To minimize the time and expense of learning which combination of choices best suit your business objectives, consider working with an experienced Incorporation Service Provider.
Link: American Incorporators Ltd.
Business Insurance
Today, running any small business is risky business. The good news is that there is insurance coverage available for just about every type of risk your business may face. This includes general liability insurance, professional liability or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, excess liability or umbrella liability insurance, workers compensation, employment practices liability insurance, small business property insurance, and automobile insurance.
Link: Business Insurance Now
Business Tax Help
Discover help for Self-employed businesses, workshops, tax tools, forms and publications.
Link: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
Cloud-Based Business Phone and Fax System
Improve your business communication efficiency and effectiveness by adding the advanced call and fax features of a full, cloud-based PBX telephone system at a fixed flat monthly cost for coverage throughout the US and Canada. In addition to increased productivity at affordable rates, benefits include connecting office, remote and mobile users anytime, anywhere, as well as a scalable, online managed system that offers flexibility and performance reliability.
Link: RingCentral
Cloud-Based CRM Software & Project Management Software
Managing customers, as well as suppliers, vendors, investors and other key business relationships productively is important to any small business bottom line. While many businesses start out using email and spreadsheets to manage business relationships, today's online CRM Software applications offer tremendous value in terms of improved contact management, project management, social media integration and measuring increased sales. Learn more through Online Live Chat, CRM Software FAQS, Online Q & A, Insightly University, or visit the CRM & Project Management Software Blog.
Link: Insightly
Domain Name Registration
There are a variety of on line resources where you can register a domain name, learn if a domain name is available, or even learn who owns a particular domain name. A couple of reliable and cost-effective options include GoDaddy.com and Gandi.net.
Link: www.GoDaddy.com
Link: www.Gandi.net
Financial Services Franchise Opportunity
Established franchise opportunity offers a plug-and-play business model that involves providing short-term working capital to small businesses by purchasing selected invoices at a discount and being compensated at 100% invoice value typically within 40 days. This is the leading alternative funding source for small businesses at a time of high need and demand for workable funding solutions.
Link: The Interface Finanical Group
Integrated Marketing Strategies: Email, Social Media, Events & Surveys
Use email marketing, social media marketing
, event marketing management
and customer satisfaction surveys
to get your ideas across, build stronger customer relationships, engage prospects and drive sales. One provider
, multiple marketing applications for email campaigns, postcards, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin posts, as well as coupon campaigns, event templates, online ticket box office, satisfaction surveys and robust real-time performance tracking and reporting.
Link: VerticalResponse
Online Payroll Services
Online payroll service makes small business payroll processing easy and cost-effective anytime from anywhere. Multiple payroll service options include payroll processing, direct payroll deposit and state, federal and local payroll tax management, as well as access to 401(k) plans, health insurance plans, pre-employment screening services and workers compensation solutions. With a mobile application, you can also run payroll from your PC, laptop, iPhone®, iPad®, IPod® touch or Android-compatible mobile devices.
Link: SurePayroll
Online Video Presentation Software (SaaS)
Transform static business messaging into high-impact, interactive online videos to build sales, marketing, training and related business relationships. Create and share slides, documents, images, video and audio. Add surveys and polling questions to interact. Track who views what, when and from where to monitor impact and drive ROI.
Link: brainshark.com
Sales Proposal Templates & Software
Discover how Sales Proposal Templates & Automation Software can help your business secure new clients and expand business with current clients. Broad selection supports general business, grant-writing, IT, web, software, hardware, photography and other industry needs, and is used by tens of thousands of businesses and freelancers in over 100 countries.
Link: ProposalKit.com
Trademark Filing
To file a trademark or service mark, to check availability of a name or phrase, or even to find out what the terms mean, go directly to the US Patent Office. Here you will find a search option and a filing option. If you choose to file on line, you can use a credit card in a secure transaction. A month or so later, you will receive hard copy confirmation of your filing.
Link: www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
Veterans in Business
Connect with the tools needed to be successful as a Veteran in business including access to capital, entrepreneurial education, access to markets, access to services and business networking opportunities.
Link: www.vetbizgo.org