Tag: business

In this blog post, we are going to share a list of the best graphic design apps for small businesses for 2023. In this list, we have featured some freemium as well as paid business design software.

If you want to make your business stand out amongst the crowd, you need to focus on branding. If you are already an established business, you can hire a third-party company to help you brand your business. However, this doesn’t seem possible if you are just starting your business journey.

Luckily, with the help of social media and graphic designing apps, you can create eye-catching logos, banners, infographics, and more that can help you make your business more visible and unique without costing too much in your pocket.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

The 6 Best Graphic Design Apps for Small Business in 2023

1. Canva

Website: https://www.canva.com/

With over 60 million monthly active users and an overall valuation of $40 billion, Canva is without a doubt one of the most popular online graphic design software. Canva is a web-based tool that also has native apps available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.

Many people consider Canva as a tool that can be used for online image editing, but that’s not true. Canva isn’t restricted to image editing only. Instead, you can use it to design mockups, banners, printables, invoices, flyers, and more.

Pros of Canva

• The free version of Canva is good enough for basic needs, and you can use the free account to use Canva for as long as you want with limited access to features. Plus, Canva offers a free program for educational and nonprofit organizations.
• Canva comes with a bunch of photo effects that can help you edit and improve the photos instantly. You can add effects, filters, and more very easily.
• Canva has a massive library of over 75 million photos and videos, along with over 420,000 pre-designed templates. Even though you can use some of the content of this library with a free plan, you need to opt for the premium plan for unlimited access.
• Canva features an element section where you get a good collection of icons, stickers, charts, grids, shapes, gradients, and more.
• The font library of Canva has a good number of fonts designed for a different type of needs. However, you can upload your own fonts, too, with the pro plan, but you will be required to provide the license.
• The drag and drop editor, paired with a massive library of templates, makes it extremely easy to design beautiful-looking posters, banners, infographics, and other things. This makes it the best app to design flyers and other things.
• Whether you want to design a business card, newsletter, certificate, website, flyers, or anything, Canva has templates designed for almost every occasion.
• Canva also features functions that can be used to create animated images for social media.
• Canva can also be used to maintain your social media pages as you can schedule posts. You just have to link your social media accounts with Canva, and Canva will automatically publish for you at the scheduled time.
• Canva features a content planner that can be used to plan your design-related work.
• There is a brand kit function where you can save fonts, color schemes, logos, and more so that you have a consistent look across all of your designs.

Cons of Canva

• Canva has a good collection of prebuilt designs and elements such as lines, shapes, and more, but it doesn’t let you design elements from scratch.
• The photo editing tool is very basic. It is good for basic editing, but if you want a tool for professional-level editing, Canva would not be a good choice.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Website: https://www.adobe.com/

Adobe Photoshop is the best app for graphic design and image manipulation. Since this photo editing software comes with dozens of advanced editing options such as layered image editing, drawing, thousands of effects, typography, and more, it is quite popular amongst professional graphic designers and photographers.

The best thing about Adobe Photoshop is that it lets you design whatever you want right from scratch. Plus, Adobe has introduced multiple new tools, such as the AI tool that can be used to remove the background of any image in a few seconds. Adobe Photoshop is multipurpose software that can be used for almost any sort of graphic designing needs.

Pros of Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe Photoshop is packed with advanced photo editing tools that give you complete control of how you want to work with them. With these tools, you can do modifications such as whitening teeth, spot healing, straightening hairs, removing wrinkles, etc.
• Adobe Photoshop comes with a Camera RAW plugin that allows you to do professional-level color grading. Another great advantage of this plugin is the non-destructive image editing that keeps the original picture as it is.
• Photoshop features advanced level layers such as type layer, image layer, vector shape layer, adjustment layer, smart filter, and more that can be used for professional-level photo manipulation.
• Adobe has a massive library of plugins, filters, textures, fonts, brushes, and more that make editing pictures and designing graphics much easier and effortless.
• The latest edition of Adobe Photoshop comes with an auto blend layers tool. This tool lets you merge several different images to create a panoramic picture. You can further add texture, replace the background, automatically set a similar lighting level for all pictures, and more.
• You can use Adobe Photoshop on drawing tablets to make the work faster and efficiently and better control brushes and other Photoshop tools.
• Adobe Photoshop has a massive community of over a million users. Therefore, you will have easy access to millions of free and paid Photoshop templates, tutorials, courses, and more.
• Apart from image enhancement and graphic designing, Adobe Photoshop can also help you with video and animation editing. You can use Photoshop to work with separate frames and animation layers, use it for color grading, and more.
• Adobe Photoshop comes with a massive integrated library of images and photos that can help you with your different types of projects.
• With Adobe Photoshop, you get access to cloud storage that automatically synchronizes all your work and progress. With the base plan, you get 20 GB of cloud storage, while if you want more storage, you can opt for a higher plan.
• Adobe Photoshop lets you add your own fonts. It supports OpenType SVG fonts and emojis as well.

Cons of Photoshop

• Even though the user interface of Photoshop is quite easy to use, the learning curve for Adobe Photoshop is quite complicated. You have to spend quite a lot of time learning how different tools work to become efficient using Photoshop.
• Photoshop has no free version, and they have also removed the one-payment license. Photoshop has shifted to a software-as-a-service model where you have to opt for a monthly or yearly license for Photoshop.

3. CorelDraw Graphics Suite

Website: https://www.coreldraw.com/

If your business requires you to create illustrations, logos, and marketing materials, CorelDraw Graphics Suite can be a great choice. CorelDraw is considered one of the best apps for graphic design. This program is capable of creating any type of vector-based graphics.

The software features a very simple and user-friendly interface. The user interface can be customized according to your needs. Further, it is packed with an extensive tool palette that allows you to create and edit two-dimensional graphics with perfect precision. Plus, it comes with a flexible payment option where you can buy the software for a lifetime in one go, or you can opt for a monthly subscription.

Pros of CorelDraw Graphics Suite

• CorelDraw features a very user-friendly interface. Plus, the user interface is highly customizable. You can change the default sizing of toolboxes, icons, and other macros. You can even set how your documents will open and the window border color.
• CorelDraw is quite fast compared to other graphic designing software. Plus, easy access to the tools helps you design even faster.
• CorelDraw supports over 48 file types, including AutoCAD, JPG, SVG, PNG, TIFF, and more, to export your work. Plus, it supports over 35 file types that you can import to this program and design.
• The software is solely designed for graphic designing, and therefore, it comes with numerous graphic editing functions that you cannot see on any other program.
• The Bezier tool gives you complete control over the nodes, making the illustration process quite fast and easy. Plus, it offers extremely precise and accurate curve management.
• CorelDraw allows you to work on different sheets of the same CDR file. Plus, the multipage view function lets you easily compare your designs and see differences.
• CorelDraw comes with very flexible payment options. You can opt for a monthly subscription by paying $20.75 a month, or you can buy the tool with lifetime access at just $499.
• CorelDraw comes with a Gaussian blur function that lets you blur all of the unwanted noise from the background of your designs and images.
• CorelDraw supports Microsoft Teams integration, allowing you to share progress with your clients and colleagues very easily.
• CorelDraw comes with a perspective drawing function that lets you visualize your idea easily. This function allows you to choose between one, two, and three-point perspectives that let you freely move and modify any object within your drawings without affecting other elements.

Cons of CorelDraw Graphics Suite

• CorelDraw is heavy software and, therefore, requires a powerful computer. If you don’t have a computer that fulfills the minimum requirement to run this software, you might face a bit of lag.
• CorelDraw offers regular updates, which is a great thing, but sometimes, these updates break a few functions. This becomes quite irritating.
• Even though CorelDraw can be used on a 15 day trial period, it offers very limited access to the features on its free trial. Therefore, if you really want to test CorelDraw, the best option would be to buy a monthly subscription.

4. Adobe Illustrator

Website: https://www.adobe.com/in/products/illustrator.html

We have another Adobe product on our list, and this time, it is Adobe Illustrator. Unlike Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator is solely designed to serve the purpose of graphics designing. Therefore, you find some graphics designing features on this program that you might not see on Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Illustrator is a tool for all types of illustrative artwork, such as logo designing, layouts, typography, website mockups, and more. Even though you can use Adobe Photoshop to serve the same purpose, Adobe Illustrator would be a perfect choice if your work mostly revolves around illustrative artwork.

Pros of Adobe Illustrator

• Adobe Illustrator is highly customizable. It comes with multiple that can be applied in no time. Further, you can also leverage the drag and drop feature to move toolboxes and panels on your screen.
• Adobe Illustrator comes with an in-panel editing feature that lets you edit multiple artboards simultaneously. This can help you work with more efficiency and precision.
• Adobe Illustrator is compatible with a wide range of Windows and Mac devices.
• The user interface of the software is quite simple and easy to use. It is also quite customizable and comes with a feature called custom viewing and space-saving that lets you work on machines with different sizes and screen resolutions.
• Since the graphics on Adobe Illustrator are based on mathematical equations, you don’t have to worry about the resolutions. You can easily resize your designs as per the requirements without losing or compromising the quality of your artwork.
• One thing that I noticed with Adobe Illustrator files is that the files here are quite smaller in size. Despite being smaller in size, you don’t have to worry about the quality as you can easily resize them without losing the quality.
• Adobe Illustrator allows you to design print-ready graphics and web graphics with ease. Plus, the constantly updated toolset makes it easier to create professional-level vector graphics.
• With Adobe Illustrator, you get access to a massive library of over 90 million stock images, graphics, templates, videos, and more for free from Adobe Stock. This stock content can be used to make your complicated designs faster or get creative ideas.
• Adobe Illustrator also allows you to integrate Adobe fonts, giving you access to a massive library of thousands of fonts that can be used in your projects as per project needs. Plus, it also gives you the ability to upload your own fonts.

Cons of Adobe Illustrator

• There is no free or trial version to test Adobe Illustrator. Plus, it also lacks the one-time license purchase option. The only way to use Adobe Illustrator is by getting a monthly subscription.
• If you are a beginner, then it might take up to six months to get comfortable with the various features and functions. However, Adobe Illustrator will feel quite intuitive if you have already used any other vector-based graphic designing software.
• Adobe Illustrator uses quite a lot of resources, and therefore, you need a computer with decent configuration to run this software smoothly.

5. Inkscape

Website: https://inkscape.org/

If you don’t have a budget to spend on business design software, Inkscape can be a good option for you. Inkscape is a small business graphic software that is completely open-source. This means you can use Inkscape for as long as you want without paying a single penny from your pocket.

Being free software, it lacks some features and functions that you see on other graphic design software for business, such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw Graphics Suite. However, Inkscape allows you to integrate other free and powerful APIs that can be used to enhance the functionality of the software.

Pros of Inkscape

• The user interface of Inkscape is quite user-friendly and intuitive. It doesn’t look too cluttered, and if you have used any other graphic designing software such as Illustrator, you will find the UI of Inkscape quite familiar.
• Inkscape has a massive community of contributors and developers that makes it possible to receive regular updates with new features and functionality.
• Being open-source software, Inkscape is completely free to use. That too, without any limitations.
• The open-source nature of Inkscape also allows you to manually modify the lines of the code of the software to enhance the functionality and personalize the software as per your needs.
• Inkscape also supports API integration that can be used to enhance the functionality of the software.
• Despite being a free tool, Inkscape comes with a large number of pro designing tools that make creating professional-level graphics very easy.
• Inkscape allows you to create individual text lines without creating any frames.
• Inkscape features a range of gradients. Plus, it also features a separate tool that can be used to design complex combinations.
• Inkscape also comes with a Bezier tool that gives you complete control over all of the nodes.
• There are plenty of tools that can be used to create, edit, and convert vectors very easily.
• There is also a community library of Inkscape where you can get a wide range of presets of filters that can be applied in no time to save your time and effort.

Cons of Inkscape

• The processing and export speed of Inkscape is quite slow compared to other graphic designing software.
• Inkscape designs are not fully compatible with Illustrator and other graphic editing software.
• Even though the user interface of Inkscape is quite intuitive and simple, it hasn’t been updated in years. Therefore, it looks pretty outdated.
• Even though Inkscape is compatible with macOS, the Mac version isn’t error-free and has some bugs.

6. Sketch

Website: https://www.sketch.com/

Lastly, we have Sketch on our list. Sketch is one of the best vector-based graphic designing tools, well suited for interactive prototypes for UI/UX needs. It was launched in 2010, and despite having such a heavy rivalry, it remains the first-class UI tool on the internet.

However, one of the biggest disadvantages of Sketch is that it is a Mac-only tool, meaning if you are looking for the best design apps for small business needs for Windows, Sketch would not be an option. Although Sketch has introduced the browser-based app, it is not as polished as the one Mac device.

Pros of Sketch

• The subscription fee for Sketch is quite low compared to other graphic designing software. You can get a personal license to use Sketch at as low as $99 per year.
• Sketch comes with grids, snap to grid, and snap to pixel functionality that helps in avoiding half-pixel renders and unstable alignments. These functions are very helpful for creating responsive designs for multiple screen sizes and resolutions.
• Sketch gives you access to a massive library of templates for iOS devices and web design layouts. These templates make the entire designing process quite fast and easy.
• Sketch has a massive community and supports plugin integration that can help you enhance the functionality of the program.
• Sketch comes with an integrated file sharing and collaboration function through the cloud. This function lets designers share their entire interface with clients and teams through a simple file-sharing process.
• There is a design mirroring function that lets you test your designs on different screen sizes and resolutions to make sure your designs are suitable for them.
• Sketch allows you to export any layer or group as a PNG file.
• Sketch is always connected with the cloud, and therefore, it automatically saves all the changes in design.
• Sketch is quite simple and easy to use. It doesn’t have a steep learning curve as other professional graphic designing software. Yet, you can use it to create professional-level designs.

Cons of Sketch

• Sketch is available only for Apple devices. The web version is there, but it is not that polished and needs some enhancements.
• Sketch comes with limited illustration functions that may restrict you from designing complex illustration works.

Closing Comments

There you have a list of the best graphic design apps for small business in 2023.

If you want your business to stand out in the crowd, you need to focus on its branding. However, not everyone can afford to hire a social media team, but if you can’t, you can use social media to make your business visible and reachable. Plus, you should be trying to be as active as possible on social media. This list of the best software for small business graphic designs would surely help you create professional-looking artwork for your business.

On your way to choose the best webinar platforms for small business that fits your budgets and needs in 2023? You have come to the right place. 

When you are particularly looking for the best webinar companies for your small business, your needs may differ from others. Although popular and large webinar platforms offer all the premium features, they may not be suitable for small businesses. 

The internet is filled with hundreds of best webinar tools, but selecting the right one that helps your business grow and converts leads into sales can be challenging. 

To put your hassle away, we have hand-picked the top best webinar software for small business that offer the best functionality and come under your budget. 

Ready to pick the best webinar tools for your small business? Let’s dive right in!

What to look for in the best webinar software for small businesses? 

There are hundreds of webinar platforms offering different features. While some webinar tools offer video conferencing features, some offer live webinars, while others allow you to conduct webinars as live stimulation used for sales funnels. 

Choosing the best webinar companies depends solely on your needs and budget. However, to make your decision easier and clearer, we have listed some of the most crucial features that a good webinar platform must come with. 

• A good webinar platform must have a good video quality that lets your attendees have a clear view of your presentation and offer higher reliability with zero downtime and delays. This ensures that your audience is satisfied and your reputation does not get damaged with delays and downtime. 
• Your webinar platform must come with an in-built chat feature. This is because you can engage with your audience during a webinar and solve their queries easily. 
• The top webinar platform should allow you to share your screen during a webinar without any glitches. This will help you display your presentation or document to your audience. 
• The software tool must allow you to record your webinars for future reference. If you have the recorded webinar in hand, you can study and focus on the area of changes and work on getting better. 
• Your webinar platform should allow you to have multiple hosts and presenters. When you host a webinar, there are chances that you have your colleague along that delivers the required information. This will help you conduct a webinar easily and more comfortably. 
• Once your webinar is over, you need to connect with your audience. For this, it’s important that the platform integrates with third-party email marketing and other tools for higher engagement. 
• For lead generation, your webinar platform should allow you to conduct live webinars and on-demand webinars. 
• To boost attendees and registration, the platform should come with landing pages and smart registration. 
• Lastly, the webinar platform must come with data or insights into the webinar so that you can see how many people attended your webinar, what questions were raised, and more to present your brand better next time. 

The 9 Best Webinar Software for Small Business 2023

Now that you have seen the webinar comparison table above, here are detailed reviews of these best top platforms. 

1. Demio

Website: https://www.demio.com/

If you are looking for the best webinar tools for small business, Demio is the perfect solution for you. Demio is one of the fastest-growing webinar companies between marketers and offers effortless joining. It provides HD video quality with multiple functions including screen sharing, launch offers, polls with statistics, and lets you upload your presentations directly to Demio. 

One of the best parts about Demio is that your audience does not need to download any software to join the webinar. Your audience can directly join the webinar using the link. Additionally, you can bring attendees to the stage, answer users’ questions through personal or public chat, share gifts and bonuses, chat with other users, and more. 

Overall, Demio is a perfect platform whether you want to use it to educate customers, generate leads, increase conversions, increase trials, and more.

Pros: 

• Demio comes with 24/7 premium chat and email support. No matter where you get stuck, you can contact customer support and get your queries resolved immediately. 
• You get automated email notifications making it easier for your brand to market. Besides, you get embeddable form options for your site. 
• You get 14 days free trial of Demio. You can try it for free and cancel the trial anytime before 14 days. 
• No matter which plans you pick, you get 30 days money-back guarantee. 

Cons: 

• If you want to create a practice session, you will have to create a different link. This can sometimes confuse users during the actual webinar making it confusing for the users to find the right link. 
• Demio gives limited customization options and designs for landing pages. 

Pricing: The pricing starts at $34/month for 50 attendees and goes to $163/month for 500 attendees. You can also create a custom plan by talking to their sales expert. 

2. GoToWebinar

Website: https://www.goto.com/webinar

GoToWebinar is one of the trustworthy and best webinar software tools designed for every business need. The tool comes with powerful features like webinar templates, polls &  surveys, live presentation, recording, and more that is exceptionally easy to use. It comes with stimulated live features allowing you to make and schedule pre-recorded webinars. 

Moreover, GoToWebinar integrates seamlessly with popular CRM tools and marketing automation tools including MailChimp and Salesforce. It comes with excellent and reliable video quality and functions that engage your audience and build personal connections that boost your business sales. You can use GoToWebinar for marketing, communication with the team, training, and more. 

Pros: 

• It offers detailed analytical reports including the questions they have asked, how many people attended the webinar, and more making it easier to understand the strategy for your next webinar. 
• To boost your engagement, it comes with videos, polls, GoToStage sharing, and more. 
• Excellent customer support including blogs, FAQs, and more so that you can resolve all the issues immediately. 
• You get a 7-day free trial without entering your credit card information and commitments.

Cons: 

• If you’re in start mode, you will have to wait for the live webinar to begin, you can’t let the presenter test the PowerPoint polls and other features one final time without the viewers viewing the screen.
• Glitches occur frequently while using the platform. However, regular updates can solve the glitches.

Pricing: The pricing starts at $89/month for 100 attendees. The plans go to $429/month for 3,000 attendees. 

3. Zoom Meetings

Website: https://zoom.us/

Zoom Meetings is one of the most popular and best webinar companies for small businesses. Although it is popularly known for its video meetings, Zoom has also made an impact by entering the webinar platforms. It comes with excellent video quality and trustworthy streaming. Zoom comes with all essential features such as no time limit per session, unlimited webinar sessions, live streaming cloud storage, and so many other cool features. 

While running webinars, it also lets you record it and add transcripts. In addition, you can add up to 100 panelists to the webinar. Also it comes with a practice session so the panelists can get acquainted with the controls. Moreover, it also lets you run practice sessions. It comes with built-in marketing tools and integrates seamlessly with all the major CRM and email marketing platforms. 

Pros: 

• Zoom Webinar platform is an easy-to-use webinar software for small businesses. It makes training your colleagues via Zoom easier and helps in engaging with more customers. 
• It even enables you to livestream to an unlimited number of people at the same time on YouTube live, Facebook Live, and other streaming services. 
• Zoom integrates seamlessly with various third-party tools like Hubspot to make the workflow more efficient. 
• Easily enable screen sharing to share a presentation or document with your customers and colleagues. 

Cons: 

• Zoom comes with a limited registration option and lacks branding options. 
• It lacks customization options for reminders, landing pages, and calendar invites. 

Pricing: The pricing of the Zoom webinar starts at $690 for 500 attendees. 

4. LiveStorm

Website: https://livestorm.co/

LiveStorm is a powerful and reliable webinar tool. It offers three types of webinars -automated webinars, on-demand webinars, and live video webinars. One of the major reasons behind its popularity is that it offers web-based webinars instead of downloading the software. To attend a webinar, you do not need to install or download any software. 

It offers detailed insights on your webinar so that you can improve the webinar for better engagement next time. Some of its features include HD video quality, polls and surveys, live chat, screen sharing, email automation, and even sharing documents. Furthermore, it comes with modern and customizable designs that match your brand and maintain your identity. 

Pros: 

• It comes with built-in integrations with 100+ marketing platforms to increase the workflow and get better conversions. 
• LiveStorm is a comprehensive webinar software tool that is feasible for product demos, company communication and training, live events, teaching, and more. 
• It comes with a free plan without entering credit card information. Additionally, it works perfectly on all the browsers. 
• LiveStorm supports video engagement including sharing video recordings, mail follow-ups, registration, and landing pages. 

Cons

• LiveStorm does not give you the option to download all your webinars at once. Instead, you have to download the webinars individually. 
• It does not come with the raising your hand feature. Although this may not be important for all the users, having the feature will make it easier. 

Pricing: The basic plan comes for free with limited features. However, the premium plans start at $109/month. 

5. GetResponse Webinar

Website: https://www.getresponse.com/

GetResponse is a premium and popular email marketing service that now comes with a webinar function to centralize marketing and ease all your efforts. GetResponse comes with inbound marketing solutions to grow your audience. You can use their webinar to run on-demand and live webinars. Additionally, it comes with unlimited webinars (except the basic plan), has up to 1,000 attendees, and shares the page with various presenters. 

GetResponse is a centralized marketing platform so you can follow up with your audience without making any efforts. Moreover, to further optimize the conversations, it comes with built-in sales funnels and landing pages. To get more attendees, it integrates effortlessly with OptinMonster. Overall, GetResponse offers a complete marketing solution in one place! 

Pros 

• GetResponse comes with all the basic features including call-to-actions, screen-sharing, surveys and polls, interactive whiteboards, and more. 
• The plans of the powerful webinar tool come with unlimited landing pages, lead funnels, and automation templates. 
• All the plans come with 1000+ email subscribers and email marketing features. This makes it easier to centralize your marketing from one platform. 
• GetResponse allows you to store up to 20 hours of your recording. Additionally, it permits 100 to 500 attendees depending on the plan you pick. 

Cons 

• The webinar hosting interface should be improved. 

Pricing: The basic plan comes with $49/month allowing up to 100 attendees. You can also have a custom plan that allows up to 1000 attendees for your webinars by talking to the sales representative of GetResponse. 

6. WebinarNinja

Website: https://webinarninja.com

If you are looking for an all-in-solution with all the necessary features, WebinarNinja is the right platform for you. What makes WebinarNinja stand out from the rest of the webinar platforms is that it offers four types of webinars such as:

• Live Webinars (Create real-time webinar for live results)
• Automated & Evergreen Webinars (Reach more audience with recorded webinars)
• Series Webinars (Multi Session webinar series) 
• Hybrid Webinars (Engage with a live audience, camera OFF)

Through this webinar tool, you can convert your leads into sales. Also it makes teaching and marketing your products easier.

In addition, it comes with an easy-to-use interface and installation. It offers a simplified solution for all the users and lets you focus on your presentation instead of the tech. The webinar software gives all the high-end features including slide templates, built-in landing page templates, custom logos, and more. 

Pros: 

• WebinarNinja offers 24/7 customer support. No matter where you find the issue, you can contact the team through live chat and email anytime, any day!
• It comes with social sharing options that allow you to share your webinar details on various social media platforms for better audience reach. 
• You can even create automated webinar series for your audience.
• To engage with your audience, it lets you send follow-ups, email notifications, reminders, and more. 

Cons: 

• The customer support team does not reply quickly. The response time for customer support is usually delayed. 
• Users may encounter bugs. Although the bug issues are taken into consideration, they are rarely fixed. 

Pricing: WebinarNinja offers affordable pricing starting at $39/month with 100 attendees and unlimited recorded webinar attendees. 

7. Live Webinar 

Website: https://www.livewebinar.com

For small businesses and teams to manage online meetings and webinars, LiveWebinar is the ideal solution. You can conduct online events easily with LiveWebinar’s cloud-based technology and other robust functionalities. This easy to use webinar tool allows you to conduct webinars without any download needed. 

LiveWebinar works best on Safari making it perfect for iOS and Mac users. You can chat with users during a webinar, share your screen to present your presentation, conduct polls, and surveys, broadcast to other live platforms including Facebook live, and more at affordable pricing. Moreover, it comes with unlimited customization options to remove or add features as per your needs. 

Pros: 

• LiveWebinar lets you embed directly into your website with accessible integration options so that you have everything under one domain. 
• The platform integrates with all the popular email marketing tools to boost your conversion rates and build your audience. 
• You can record your videos and share them anywhere with HD quality. Additionally, you also get a virtual whiteboard. 
• It comes with advanced analysis, tracking and reports to give you all the insights on your webinar. 

Cons: 

• LiveWebinar does not offer chat support. If you need help, you will have to contact the team through email for which the response time may be unpredictable. 
• The registration process for participants may not be comfortable for everyone. The participants must enter their email twice to get reminders. 

Pricing: LiveWebinar comes with a free plan that permits 5 attendees and 2 hours of recording. However, for 5+ attendees, you can go for their premium plans starting at $11.99/month. 

8. EasyWebinar

Website: https://easywebinar.com

If you are looking for a lightweight and easy to use webinar platform for small businesses, EasyWebinar is the right pick for you. It allows you to do automated evergreen webinars as well as live webinars. The live webinar comes with HD video quality, easy screen sharing, recording and achieving webinars, real-time chat features, and more. 

To reach a larger audience, you can run EasyWebinar’s automated evergreen webinars. Additionally, it lets you easily repurpose the webinars and turn them into automated webinars to build a higher converting sales funnel and generate more leads. Lastly, it comes with 14 days free trial, so you can try their service and decide whether it’s right for you or not. 

Pros: 

• EasyWebinar comes with an EasyCast feature that lets you stream your webinar on various platforms including YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and more simultaneously. 
• You can engage with your audience by sending them offers, discounts, and more with their effortless integrations with popular email marketing services. 
• It offers outstanding customization options for webinar templates to match your brand’s design and style. 

It also offers a registration embedded feature allowing you to host registration forms on your site with popular landing page builders including ClickFunnels, SeedProd, and more. 

Cons: 

• The customer support team lacks proper response. Most users gave negative feedback on the support team of EasyWebinar. 
• There is no option to edit the recorded videos. Once you have recorded it, you cannot change the details. 

Pricing: The pricing for plans start at $78/month permitting 100 attendees. 

9. BigMaker

Website: https://www.bigmarker.com

Last but not least on our list is BigMaker. BigMaker is a cloud-based video conferencing software tool that makes broadcasting easier and affordable. It offers reliable video quality and lets you conduct visual summits and training sessions. 

Additionally, it comes with mobile-responsive landing templates and easy to use interface. It provides all the basic features including HD screen-sharing, popup offers, polls and surveys, question and answers, hand-outs, upvoting, public and private chat options, and more. 

Pros: 

• BigMaker integrates with all the major MAS and CRM platforms and offers plenty of engagement features. 
• BigMaker is completely browser-based which means your attendees do not have to download the software to attend your webinar. 
• To capture more leads with your webinars, it comes with forms, emails, and landing pages. 
• Easy 7 days free trial to check out their services without entering your credit card information. 

Cons: 

• There is no feature of automatic captioning or transcribing of webinars. 
• BigMaker may not be compatible with all the browsers except Chrome. 

Pricing: The basic plan starts at $79/month which includes 100 attendees. 

FAQs

#1. Which is the cheapest webinar platform for small businesses? 

LiveWebinar is the most affordable webinar platform for small businesses. It comes with a free plan that permits 5 attendees and the premium plan states at $11.99/month with all the necessary features. 

#2. Which is the best webinar platform?

It’s difficult to choose one, however, WebinarNinja and GoToWebinar are the two pioneer webinar platforms available out there. These come with all essential and advanced features. They both offer a free trial. 

#3. Is the Zoom Webinar platform good for hosting webinars?

Yes, the Zoom platform is good for webinars because of its audio and video quality. What’s more, they offer cloud storage to help you record and upload webinars on the clouds. 

Final Thoughts

That’s a wrap to our best webinar platforms for small businesses! 

Small businesses need reliable webinar platforms that help them grow their business over time. All the webinar companies mentioned above offer excellent features that suit the small business needs. 

However, if you are still unsure about which webinar platforms you should pick, we will recommend understanding your business needs and budget before making your decision. You can go through the comparison table and decide which software is ideal for your small business. 

No matter which webinar software you pick from the list, your business is bound to boost! 

We hope our list of best webinar platforms for small business helped you in picking the right platform for your business. Which webinar software are you going with? Let us know in the comments section below! 

These are the 5 best small business servers in 2023 that’ll help you store and manage your business data securely.

I’ve included servers for everyone on this piece. You need the flagship servers which cost a fortune but are feature-rich? We got it. Maybe something more budget-friendly but with great expansion capabilities? That’s here too.

Your first time working with small business servers?  The next section will discuss how you can pick the best servers even with 0 previous experience.

How to choose the best small business servers?

Choosing the right servers for businesses can be quite a task. There are a lot of components involved. More importantly, each component directly affects not just the present, but also the future of your business.

To ease out the process, here are a few very basic aspects you should pay attention to when choosing the best server for a small business:

• Expandability: I’d say consider first and foremost. Your small business will grow with time, hence, your storage and feature requirements will too. Pick a server that supports future-ready expansions.
• Shape and size: Officially, this is called the “form factor” but why complicate things, eh? There are 4 major types, the Tower/Rack/Blade and Cabinets. Which suits you best primarily depends on the space where you’ve decided to put this up.
• Basic hardware components: This goes without saying but do pay attention to the RAM/Storage and processor you’re getting. These define your server’s speed, features and obviously total items you can store.

Now, there’s certainly a lot more that needs attention. However, these are the most basic aspects and once covered you’re almost set.

The 5 Best Small Business Servers Review in 2023

1. HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen 10

Website: https://amzn.to/3VXGOEk

Primary features:

• RAM: 16 GB (upgradeable)
• Intel Xeon Silver 4208 Processor
• 2 processors supported
• 24x SFF / 12 x LFF drive bays

HPE ProLiant is one of the most expensive but undoubtedly the best small business servers on this list.

For starters, it comes with 16 GB RAM and 8 drive bays. That’s more than enough to get you off the ground. You can expand this up to 24 small or 12 large factor drives.

Earlier, it used to come in a 500W variant, however, the current version has been upgraded to a 800W power supply.

The very powerful Intel Xeon Silver 4208 Processor can handle pretty much anything you throw at it.

You can either directly buy the more powerful version with the Xeon Gold 5218 2.3 GHz and 32GB RAM, or upgrade any ML350 G10 to the same specs.

Did I mention it supports 2 processors? Well, yes. (You only get 1 when you purchase this, the second is optional and additional).

The only bummer? If you buy this, you’ll have to get the hard drives separately. This is very common for most small business servers so that’s not a major deal-breaker.

As the image may make it clear, it’s a “Tower” as far as the form factor goes.

2. Synology 12 bay DiskStation DS3622xs+

Website: https://amzn.to/3TUF8cG

Primary features:

• RAM: Expandable up to 48 GB.
• Storage: Up to 36 bay drives
• Processor: 6-core Intel Xeon processor

This one I’ve got some personal experience with. On top of storage, it can pretty much do everything else; be it running Plex, transcoding, video surveillance, or even running virtual machines.

Do note that it can’t transcode 4K media but I doubt that’s what you need this business server for.

Now, you get 16 GB memory (RAM) when you purchase this. However, it’s expandable up to 48GB.

As for storage, you can store your entire business on it as it comes with 2X12 bay expansions. This means up to 36 bay drives can be mounted if you need to. It doesn’t include any hard disks so you must purchase them separately.

The default read/write speed is impressive, however, for growing businesses, you can speed it up with NVMe SSD Cache4.

As for ports, it offers 2x 10GbE RJ-45 ports and three gigabit ports.

A major benefit with this one is the 100% free “Active Backup for Business” license. You’ll probably require a cloud backup for business solution with any business server. The licensing cost can be bummer, but not with the Synology DS3622xs+.

3. ASUSTOR Lockerstor 10 AS6510T

Website: https://amzn.to/3DqmaWc

Primary features:

• Processor: Atom C3538 Quad-Core CPU
• RAM: 8 GB (expandable up to 64 GB)
• No. of Bays: Up to 10

If I’m being honest, the two options above were suited more to the “medium” sized businesses rather than the “small” businesses.

The Asustor Lockerstor however is cheaper and less powerful than some of the options above. However,  its Atom C3538 Quad-Core CPU can still get most things done for you that your business needs.

You get it with 8GB DDR4 RAM but can easily be upgraded up to 64GB.  There are multiple variants available, you can go as low as 2 bay or as high as 10 bays for your storage.

Its PWM fans are optimized for smart speed controls and push-pin mounting for a pretty decent cooling affect.

You can also connect it to the ASUSTOR’s “MyArchieve” technology which offers you “technically” unlimited storage.

You get two 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports, however, these can be aggregated for up to 20 Gbps speed. Similarly, two Realtek 2.5-Gigabit ports are available, again, can be aggregated for up to  5Gbps.

Wake on LAN/WAN and dual M.2NVMe SSD ports are some other desirable features you’ll like.

4. Dell PowerEdge T440

Website: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-PowerEdge-Server-Windows-Renewed/dp/B081KBKHWW?th=1&psc=1

Primary features:

• One of the most expensive small business servers
• Extreme upgrades possible
• Up to 1024 GB RAM
• Intel Xeon Gold 5215 2.5G
• 2 Processors
• 8 X 3.5” SAS/SATA HDDs/SSDs or 16X 2.5” drive bays.

This one’s the most expensive, and arguably “the” best small business servers in the industry (at this price). Some would even call it an overkill.

In my opinion, while it’s best-suited for medium to large size businesses, small businesses can get it too. It’ll just help you avoid future upgrades and major changes to your hardware.

You can get it pre-configured with Intel Xenon Bronze 3204 and many other CPUs. However, you can also find (or upgrade) up to Intel Xeon Gold 5215 2.5G. Well, it supports 2 processors so you can pretty much make your own combination.

Similarly, the lowest you get is 8GB RAM. The highest? Well, it has 16 DIMM slots. So, 16X64 = 1024 GB is the maximum RAM you can upgrade to. You totally should, if you’re planning on launching a rocket anytime soon!

On the security front, there’s a configuration lockdown (to prevent changes), system erase (when you change/discard servers), update verification etc.

5. Lenovo Thinksystem SR550

Website: https://amzn.to/3FdtR3s

Primary features:

• Intel Xenon Quad core processors
• Two processors supported
• 12x 64 GB = 768 GB RAM supported
• 12x SFF/ 8x LFF drive bays.

If you need a balance between features and pricing, the SR550 is what you should peek at.

You start with the Intel Xenon Quad Core processors. However, when you need it an additional processor can be attached as well.

The base model gets you 16 GB of RAM, however, its 12 RAM slots let you mount as much as 768GB DDR3 RAMs.

It’s capable of 6x PCIe 3.0 expansions. Initially you can use it with 12x small drives and 8x  large drives. Expansion is possible up to 16 SFF drives.

If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly business server solutions, I doubt you’d need to look further.

Business server vs. NAS

While a business server has a lot in common with a NAS device for small business, they aren’t exactly the same thing.

The very basic difference being, a NAS is primarily used for storage and file sharing. A server on the other hand has many additional uses. It’s sometimes used as a web server, running virtual OS, and so on.

Due to the difference in functionality, the hardware components of a NAS too are weaker than a server.

Then, a NAS is generally much smaller than a full-fledged business server. This also impacts the pricing as servers tend to be more expensive.

A NAS also isn’t as expandable or upgradeable as a server.

In simpler words, let’s just say that a business server can almost always be used as a NAS and it’ll serve all the purposes. While, using a NAS for the features of a server isn’t wise.

Final words- Which of these is the best small business servers?

A business server is very subjective and totally depends on a business’s specific needs and budget.

However, if I’ve to give you one choice that you can’t go wrong with, I’d say go with the Dell PowerEdge T440. It’s a lot of upfront investment, for a lot of benefits you can reap later.

If you need a more budget-friendly but feature-rich solution, the HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen 10 is just for you. This too can be expanded into a beast of a server without requiring a lot of financial commitment upfront.

Best of luck for your small business then? I do hope you find at least a few best small business servers that serve you right on this piece.

You just found the best AI business plan generator. If you wish to generate a complete business plan, in seconds, simply by entering your business’ name, keep reading.

Each of these tools are 100% free. No payment whatsoever. Most will generate the entire plan for you, while some may require more manual inputs. Those that need more manual inputs also offer you more control though.

Point being, you’ll find something that fits your skills and requirements here, no matter what those are. I’ve even included a custom template you can use with ANY AI text generator to generate the perfect business plan. 

Let’s get started with the basics then? 

What elements should a good business plan have? 

You may use the best AI business plan generators to generate the best business plans, but there’s still some manual work involved.

You need to ensure that the generated plans comprise everything your plan should have, don’t you? 

There are two reasons why that is so. First, AI generators are still new. They may at times have incorrect or confusing information. Secondly, you can add points and data that the AI generator may not have access to.

Of course, every business plan is different depending on the business. However, thye do often have a few key points that are common:

• Summary/overview: This should be a brief compilation of the company’s projected  future. Every goal/objective should be mentioned so the “why” of the business is clear right away.
• Description: You explain your products, why they’re supposed to sell, describe your competitors etc. 
• Marketing plan: The modes of marketing you plan to use and the expected exposure for each tactic. 
• Market analysis: This is where you talk more about the “market” and not about you. The size of the market, potential growth, key trends etc. 
• Brand story: This is the non-technical and more emotional side of things. Define why your brand exists, the story behind its birth, the story of the founders and so on. 
• The “money” part: You can name it anything but your plan must talk about the “money” side of things, eh? Basically, this is where you project the initial costs involved, projected revenue potential, time required to break even and so on .

1. Copy AI 

Website: https://www.copy.ai/templates/business-plan 

Primary features:

• Dedicated business plan generator prompts
• Automated workflows
• Advanced APIs 
• Pre-designed prompt templates 
• Brand voice 
• Free forever. 

Copy AI generates almost everything and it actually has a dedicated “Business Plan” generator page. This is also evident if you pay attention to the link above. 

It has these automated workflows which get things done for you. Once you sign up (it’s free and you get 200 bonus credits), simply go to “workflows” and choose “Create brand strategy”. 

You then simply enter the core of your business in a few words. E.g. I typed “A gay dating app” and here’s what I got:

What separates Copy AI from all other options on this list is its Workflows, APIs, prompt templates etc. 

The prompt templates basically have “categories” you can choose from. E.g. If I choose “PR/communications” it gives me templates for “event invite”, “pitch a journalist”, “Product release” etc. Similar templates exist for a dozen other things. 

In other words, when you’re done with your business plan there’s a lot more you can do with Copy AI that you can not do with most other similar tools. 

You can get started with Copy AI right away, it’s 100% free forever. Paid plans are a tad-bit expensive and start at about $36.00/month but I guess that’s the price you pay for the best ai business plan generator, eh?

2. WordKraft 

Website: https://wordkraft.ai/writing-templates/business-plan/

• Dedicated business plan generators.
• 78 pre-designed templates 
• Smartchat
• Keyword research
• AI image generator. 

If you look at the URL above, you’ll see it directly takes you to a business plan page. I personally love the control it gives me over the template.

I simply need to enter the core business idea. Then, it lets me cover the key points I’d like to include. This is where the “control” part comes in, you can add your own keywords/elements to the generator and for each individual element. 

In fact, you can even add completely new elements if you want to. 

It does let you add a “tone of voice”. You can choose from formal, bold, informative, witty, adventurous, persuasive and so on.

There’s also a creative meter you can control. You can allow it to be high/medium or low. 

WordKraft also has tons of other features such as AI image generator, a keyword research feature and Smartchat. Smartchat is basically an AI that claims being able to do almost anything for you. In reality, I’ve found it’s more or less similar to any other text AI.

3. ChatGPT

Website: https://chat.openai.com/ 

• Free forever
• Needs more manual inputs
• Simpler to use
• Offers more control and customization 

Many of you must have been wondering “Can ChatGPT write a business plan”? Yes. It would almost be shameful if the current generative text AI couldn’t do that, eh?

There’s a twist though.

ChatGPT relies heavily on “your prompts”. Meaning, you can’t simply choose “generate business plan” to get it done.

There are multiple ways you can generate a business plan using ChatGPT. The easiest option is to take it step-by-step. E.g. tell ChatGPT to “write a (use advanced prompts) market analysis for (your business idea). Then you can get it to write the brand story, marketing plan and everything else. 

There are two sides to this coin. While it’s surely slightly more complicated and time-consuming than automated generators, you get more control with ChatGPT. You can literally ask it to improve each section manually. Maybe “Make the marketing plan simpler to understand” or “witty and funny”. 

Of course, ChatGPT is free (at least its free plan). However, getting GPT 4 will let ChatGPT use more current market trends and data that may benefit your business plan.

4. AutoWriterPro

Website: https://autowriterpro.com/

• Dedicated business plan templates 
• Each plan element has its own sub-templates 
• 100% free

I’ll prioritise any AI business plan generator that has a dedicated feature for “business plan” generation on this list. That’s exactly what AutoWriterPro offers.

On the dashboard, you simply need to choose “Auto Templates Pro” to access all its templates. 

There, you’ll see “business planning”, “business administration” and “finance planning” templates among others. Each of these have their own set of sub-templates. 

E.g. the “business planning” template offers market analysis, business analysis, business proposals and other similar generations.

That isn’t all either! Once you choose one of these sub-templates (e.g. market analysis),  you get even more specific templates to choose from.

Yes, you won’t get a single template here that generates the entire business plan. However, it does offer these templates that you can use to generate individual elements of your business plan. 

Yes, it’s free. 

5. Simplified 

Website: https://simplified.com/ 

• 100+ pre-designed templates
• Independant AI chat feature
• Brandbook
• Forever free 

Simplified has about a dozen AI tools. While it doesn’t directly have a business plan generator, it sure can be used to create free business plan. 

For that, you’ll need to sign up and then use its “AI Writer”. Now, it has over 100 pre-trained AI templates. Unfortunately, you won’t find any for “Business plan”. However, you can use its other templates such as “Sales pitch”, “company bio” 

The generator does offer a few advanced features. For starters, you can choose the number of results you want and the output language (dozens available). On top of that you can also choose a “creativity level”. It can be deterministic, creative, imaginative etc. 

You can also skip the templates altogether and simply use its AI Chat feature directly. Here you can manually ask Simplified to create individual elements of your business plan. 

It does have a “Brandbook”. You can upload your logos, colours and fonts that will help branding your creations easily.

The tool is largely free. You get 2000 chat and 5 image generation credits for free. Of course there’s a paid plan that costs $6.00/month. 

6. Writecream

Website: https://www.writecream.com/business-plan-generator/

• Entire plan generated using multiple tools 
• Multiple AI tools 
• Free to try 

Writecream again is a collection of AI tools that help you create a business plan using AI. It doesn’t have a dedicated business plan generator but the overall tools totally help you do that.

For starters, you can use its “product/brand description” template, followed by “pitch an angel” template. Its “feature to benefit” feature helps you better pitch/market your products.

There’s also a “ChatGenie”. You can just ask it to create different elements of your business plan. 

Writecream has tons of other features such as Facebook Ad copy, plagiarism checker, Email personalization etc. There’s an AI image generator as well. 

It’s free to try and you get 20 free AI credits simply by signing up using an e-mail. 

Bonus: Business plan template for any and all AI text generators.

Did you know you can use any text-based AI to get AI generated business plan even though they don’t officially have templates for it?

Yes. As long as the AI is capable of generating text, it can generate a business plan for you. 

All you’ve to do is use this template and ask the AI to generate each element individually. Simply edit the parts within the (brackets) to suit your business. 

Introduce (your business idea). E.g. Introduce a gay dating app. 

Write me a story-based description that includes its history, ownership and team. 

Give me market analysis for the business idea. 

Give me some marketing ideas I can use to market my product. 

Explain the financial projections that may include financial plan, income and expenses.

Give me an implementation plan that includes milestones and timelines. 

I’m sure you get the idea, don’t you? Do note that this isn’t an absolute-template. You can edit it in as many ways as you want to fit your business ideas. 

Final words- best AI business plan generator 

That’s it folks. I hope you’ve got the best free AI business plan generator by now. Of course, there’s no one “best” tool that suits all your requirements and businesses. Which is why I’ve included many different types of tools that should cater to a wide range of requirements. 

You can always use the template I’ve shared to use any other generative text AI to get your templates done as well.

And yes, this isn’t an “absolute” list. No list is an absolute list. You can always find other options but these are the ones I’ve personally tried and tested. They’re also safer and less likely to lead you to scams and wasted time. 

Go on then, give these a try and see which turns out to be the best 

AI business plan generator for you. 

For long-term success in the quickly changing business environment of today, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Software development solutions are becoming more and more popular among companies of all sizes and across all sectors as a means of streamlining operations, boosting productivity, and providing seamless client experiences. This article will cover several cutting-edge technologies and go further into the realm of software development solutions, both of which may help your company reach new heights. We will demonstrate the transformative impact of these solutions via real-world instances and offer details on how they might help your company.

Custom Software Development

Before deploying any software solution, it is critical to define your company’s specific objectives and goals. You may choose the best software solutions that support your business goals by being aware of your particular pain areas. With this focused approach, you can be sure that the software you choose will solve your problems and produce the results you want.

Custom software development is an approach to software solutions that focuses on creating applications specially created to satisfy the particular needs of a business. Custom solutions, as opposed to pre-made software, are created from the ground up, enabling smooth interaction with current workflows and systems. 

Netflix is a noteworthy illustration of the potential of bespoke software development. In its early years, Netflix hired a software development company and created a unique software solution to provide millions of customers with high-quality video content globally. This tactical choice helped Netflix rise to the top of the entertainment sector globally.

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems

ERP systems are comprehensive software platforms that combine many company operations into a consolidated system. These technologies streamline crucial processes like inventory management, accounting, human resources, and customer relationship management.

Aston Martin and H&M are just two companies that employ Microsoft Dynamics 365, a potent ERP solution. Aston Martin improved supply chain insight, streamlined production planning, and increased customer happiness through quicker order fulfillment by deploying Dynamics 365.

Customer Relationship Management Software

Software for managing and nurturing client relationships, or CRM, enables organizations to provide individualized experiences and foster enduring customer loyalty. Leading CRM software supplier Salesforce provides several solutions that enable organizations to automate marketing campaigns, improve sales processes, and deliver first-rate customer care. 

Consider Coca-Cola, which used Salesforce CRM to streamline sales procedures and synchronize customer data. Coca-Cola received useful insights into consumer preferences and behavior by utilizing Salesforce’s powerful analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling more focused marketing efforts and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

Content Management System

If you want to create your own website with a long-term perspective, this type of software is what you need. With the help of a content management system (CMS), managing web material is no longer a challenging chore. The content production and marketing teams may simply manage the material at their fingertips without even the slightest technical knowledge or expertise.

Off-the-shelf CRM systems, or CMS platforms in general, are inexpensive and user-friendly, but they lack security, which is a major concern for any reputable company. 

Implementing a unique CRM platform is one of the best ways to safeguard websites. Because they are made specifically for your company, custom CRM platforms include source code that neither the general public nor hackers can access, making them less vulnerable to attack.

Supply Chain Management 

For every business corporation with manufacturing operations as a component of their organization, supply chain management (SCM) is essential. These companies require supplies to maintain their industrial activities, and SCM tools make sure that vital supplies are constantly available.

SCM software may help gather information about placing orders with numerous suppliers, maintaining supplier relationships, processing orders, managing inventories, and performing many other tasks.

Services in the Cloud and Hybrid Cloud

Even though they have been around for a while, cloud services are still crucial for achieving corporate success. Data center and cloud computing investments continue to be a major driver of global IT spending.

The cost-performance ratio is one factor in the appeal of the Cloud. Using cloud platforms can reduce the typical expenses associated with buying, deploying, and operating on-site data servers. Cloud-based business solutions have greatly aided the expansion of new and small businesses.

The next development in cloud-based solutions is hybrid cloud technology, which combines on-premises infrastructure with public and private cloud services. More cohesive cloud systems could lower costs and boost efficiency.

Enterprise Resource Planning

Regardless of the sector, effective departmental communication is frequently essential for success. By combining systems from diverse departments, such as marketing, human resources, and warehousing, enterprise resource planning (ERP) promotes cooperation.

You can boost your company’s overall performance by increasing data visibility. You can quickly make better business judgments and better customer service decisions when all departments stay current.

The way you operate might be changed by utilizing an enterprise software solution. Your business may save hours of effort and boost production at the same time by automating several operations. You can locate the ideal software solution for your company if you are clear about your objectives.

Business Intelligence Software

By 2025, the market for BI and data analytics software will be worth over $18 billion. The primary goal of BI software is to extract relevant data from trustworthy sources. It then synchronizes data and allows teams to run several queries at the same time.

To provide insights that may be used to make decisions, business intelligence software is essential. Users can analyze data using various charts, models, graphs, and other visual representations to make comprehending data easier. The BI & Data Analytics software that is most frequently used includes Tableau, Sisense, and MicroStrategy.

Choosing the Right Software Development Partner

The success of your software implementation depends critically on your choice of software development partner. A trustworthy and seasoned partner will be knowledgeable about your sector, have a thorough understanding of your business objectives, and be technically proficient. Find a partner who can help you with every step of the development process, from pre-consultation to post-implementation assistance. You can guarantee a smooth implementation, prompt delivery, and continuous support for your software solution by developing solid collaboration.

Conclusion

Businesses may modernize data analytics, improve customer relationship management, and simplify operations by utilizing software development solutions. Finding particular problems to solve, working with the best software development professionals, and being open to innovation are the keys. Are you prepared to use software solutions to fully realize the potential of your company? Your ideas and the proper technological partner are your only constraints.

Having an organized and accurate record of conversations, meetings, and events is essential for any successful business. Transcription services can help companies capture vital information in a timely manner and ensure that important decisions are made with the most up-to-date data available. By providing transcripts of audio or video recordings, transcription services can provide businesses with key insights into customer feedback, market trends, product development strategies, and much more.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of transcription in achieving business success.

What is Transcription?

Transcription is the process of converting spoken words or other audio recordings into written form. It’s a critical part of capturing and organizing important conversations, meetings, lectures, and other events. Using a transcription service, companies can quickly convert audio or video recordings into an organized and easily searchable form of text.

How Many Businesses Use Transcription Services?

According to a survey conducted by the International Association of Professional Transcribers (IAPT), 66% of businesses use transcription services. This statistic highlights the importance of transcription in achieving business success. The survey also found that companies that use transcription services are more likely to have higher customer satisfaction rates and improved employee engagement.

What Are the Benefits of Transcription for Business?

Transcription services provide businesses with a variety of benefits, including:

Increased Accuracy and Timeliness of Information

Transcription services help ensure that important conversations, meetings, and events are accurately recorded. This helps businesses make decisions with confidence and reduces the need for costly re-recording of conversations.

Improved Organization of Data

Using transcription services, companies can quickly organize and search through audio or video recordings. This makes it easier to locate key information and make quick decisions when needed.

Better Customer Service

Transcription services can help businesses provide better customer service by providing transcripts of conversations that customers may have had with the company’s representatives.

Enhanced Employee Engagement

Transcription services also allow companies to capture employee feedback and opinions in a timely manner and use this information to enhance employee engagement.

Assisting Employees with Focusing on Their Other Tasks

Transcription services can help free up employee time and resources by taking care of tasks such as transcribing audio recordings. This helps employees focus more on their other tasks, such as developing strategies and analyzing data.

Can Boost Your Marketing Efforts

Transcription services can also help businesses boost their marketing efforts. By providing transcripts of customer conversations, companies can gain valuable insights into what customers want and use this information to target their marketing campaigns. While measuring marketing performance can be difficult, transcription services can make a part of your marketing processes easier.

Providing High-quality Transcripts

Transcription services can provide businesses with high-quality transcripts. This allows companies to use transcripts for a variety of purposes, such as conducting legal proceedings, creating records of meetings, or providing transcripts to customers.

Time and Money Can Be Saved

Using transcription services can also save companies time and money. By outsourcing the task of transcribing audio or video recordings, businesses don’t need to hire and train additional staff members. Furthermore, transcription services can help companies save on storage costs since they don’t need to store physical recordings.

Summarizing Important Meetings

Transcription services can help companies keep track of important meetings and summarize the key points quickly. This helps businesses make better, more informed decisions by quickly reviewing and making sense of large amounts of data.

Separating Business from Personal Information

Transcription services can also help businesses separate business-related conversations and information from personal conversations. This can help businesses ensure compliance with various privacy regulations.

Helping with Business Accessibility

Transcription services can also help businesses become more accessible. By providing transcripts in multiple languages or formats, companies can make their services available to a wider range of customers. For example, for businesses with large websites and many videos, making these videos accessible is vital and necessary for those with vision or hearing difficulties.

Helping to Reduce Digital Storage Space

By using transcription services, businesses can significantly reduce their digital storage space. Transcription services allow companies to convert audio and video recordings into text documents, which take up much less digital storage space than the original recordings. This makes it easier for businesses to manage their data and reduce their digital storage costs.

Conclusion

Using transcription services can help businesses in a number of ways, from providing better customer service to helping reduce digital storage space. It can also assist with marketing efforts, enhance employee engagement, and help with considering business accessibility. By providing high-quality transcripts in multiple languages or formats, businesses can ensure that their services are available to a wider range of customers. Taking advantage of transcription services can help businesses save time and money, as well as make sure their important meetings and conversations are accurately documented.

Establishing a business requires careful consideration of the jurisdiction in which it will operate. Two popular options for entrepreneurs seeking international expansion are company registration in the United States and purchasing a shelf company in Hungary. These approaches offer distinct advantages and cater to different business needs. This article explores the key aspects of company registration in the USA and buying a shelf company in Hungary, helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions regarding their global business ventures. Incluence helps you with services such as company registration in USA

Company Registration in the USA

1. Forming a New Company:

• The United States provides a favorable business environment and a large consumer market, attracting entrepreneurs from around the world.
• The process of company registration involves selecting a business structure, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation, and filing the necessary documents with the state authorities.
• Each state has its own requirements and procedures for company registration, including obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

2. Benefits of Company Registration in the USA:

• Access to a Vast Market: The USA boasts a robust economy and a diverse consumer base, presenting ample opportunities for business growth and expansion.
• Credibility and Investor Confidence: Registering a company in the USA enhances credibility and instills investor confidence due to the country’s stable legal and financial systems.
• Liability Protection: Entities such as LLCs offer limited liability protection, separating personal and business assets and shielding owners from personal liability.

3. Considerations for Company Registration:

• Legal Compliance: Entrepreneurs must adhere to federal, state, and local laws and regulations, which vary across different jurisdictions.
• Tax Implications: The USA has a complex tax system, and business owners should consult tax professionals to understand their tax obligations and benefits.

Buying a Shelf Company in Hungary

1. Shelf Companies:

• A shelf company, also known as a ready-made or pre-registered company, is an existing legal entity that has been incorporated but has not conducted any business activities.
• Buying a shelf company allows entrepreneurs to skip the initial setup process and acquire a company that is ready for immediate operation.

2. Advantages of Buy a Shelf Company in Hungary:

• Time Efficiency: Purchasing a shelf company eliminates the need for extensive administrative procedures and reduces the time required to establish a business presence.
• Established Corporate History: A shelf company may have an established track record, which can be advantageous when applying for contracts or seeking partnerships.
• Regional Market Access: Hungary, as a member of the European Union, provides access to the EU single market, facilitating business operations across the region.

3. Factors to Consider:

• Company Profile: Ensure that the purchased shelf company aligns with the intended business activities, structure, and objectives.
• Due Diligence: Conduct a thorough assessment of the shelf company’s financial, legal, and tax status, verifying its compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Rebranding and Restructuring: If necessary, be prepared to rebrand or restructure the shelf company to align with the new business strategy.

Conclusion

Company registration in the USA and buying a shelf company in Hungary offer entrepreneurs distinctive pathways to establish their international business presence. Registering a company in the USA provides access to a vast consumer market, credibility, and liability protection. On the other hand, purchasing a shelf company in Hungary offers time efficiency, an established corporate history, and access to the European market. Entrepreneurs should carefully consider their business objectives, legal requirements, and regional preferences to make an informed decision that aligns with their expansion plans. By choosing the right approach, entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of international business setup and unlock opportunities for growth and success.

In this article, we are going to share a list of the best cloud storage services for small business. This list contains services that are currently performing the best in the market.

When it comes to businesses, data security and safety are two of the most crucial things, especially if your business is related to data-driven sectors. To make sure your data won’t get compromised by hackers, you have to go for the best cloud services for small business.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Best Cloud Services for Small Businesses

1. Microsoft OneDrive

Link: https://www.microsoft.com/

Microsoft OneDrive is one of the best cloud services for small business, especially for companies that are already using Microsoft 365. One of the main reasons is that Microsoft OneDrive easily integrates across all other Microsoft applications, allowing you and your team to collaborate and share files very easily.

Microsoft OneDrive offers both cloud storage and cloud syncing features. For businesses, Microsoft offers you a choice to pick between Microsoft OneDrive standalone plan or Microsoft 365 bundle plan.

There are two Microsoft OneDrive standalone plans, costing you $5 per month per user and $10 per month per user. The $5 per month per user provides 1 TB of cloud storage. The latter also provides 1 TB of storage but adds an additional layer of advanced security features.

Instead of Microsoft OneDrive standalone plans, you can go for the Microsoft 365 bundle plan that costs you $5 per user per month and $12.50 per user per month. The $5 plan gives access to 100 GB of cloud storage along with access to the web and mobile versions of Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

You also get access to other features such as advanced security, email & calendaring, Office integration, and more. The $12.50 plan gives you complete access to all the functionality and features offered by Microsoft. However, you will only get 5 GB of cloud storage per user.

Pros of Microsoft OneDrive

• Microsoft OneDrive is available for almost all types of devices – whether you have a Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device. Although OneDrive isn’t officially available for Linux, there is an open-source tool that you can use to run OneDrive on Linux.
• Microsoft uses AES 256-bit encryption for all the files, meaning everything that you will store on your Drive can only be accessed by you or the person you’ve shared those files with.
• Microsoft also offers Microsoft Vault, which applies unlimited end-to-end encryption to all the files stored inside that folder. Note that this feature is only available for business customers.
• Microsoft backs up all your data across multiple servers, ensuring that none of your data will be lost even in catastrophic situations. Microsoft OneDrive is also known for its best-in-class cybersecurity and threat detection functionalities.
• Microsoft OneDrive gives the ability administrators to force two-factor authentication by default along with periodic password changes.
• Microsoft OneDrive makes file sharing quite effortless. All you have to do is right-click on the file and specify the email address with which you want to share your files.
• If you don’t want your employees to access organization files on their personal home computers, you can simply put such restrictions. You can also configure users who are allowed to share files.
• Microsoft OneDrive lets you set bandwidth limits for users to restrict them from uploading or downloading files at a certain speed only.
• There is a Files on Demand feature that lets users conserve storage space on their devices. Users can choose to store the majority of their data on OneDrive to keep very few files on their devices.

Cons of Microsoft OneDrive

• Whenever an employee leaves your organization, their data can only be recovered within a specific period. The entire responsibility to take the backup of their data is of the organization.
• Microsoft OneDrive has a few limitations regarding how many files can be synchronized. For example, currently, OneDrive warns to synchronize more than 300,000 files. OneDrive also restricts users from uploading files above 250 GB in size.
• Even though Microsoft OneDrive features plenty of integrations, it lacks the majority of third-party integrations. It only works best with Microsoft 365 suite.
• As a standalone cloud storage solution, OneDrive isn’t that impressive. There are better options available that can be used instead of OneDrive, especially if you are going to use OneDrive solely without the Microsoft 365 suite.

2. Dropbox

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/

If you are not interested in buying the Microsoft Office 365 bundle and looking for a cloud storage service to help you with backups and file sharing, Dropbox can be a good choice. You can install Dropbox on your device and enable the auto-sync function to create automatic backups of all your files.

Once your files are uploaded on the Dropbox cloud server, you can easily share or access them from anywhere, just with the help of a connected internet device. Dropbox offers plenty of tools, such as the eSignature feature, that help it stand out amongst the crowd.

Dropbox offers plenty of plans designed for both personal and business usage. There are two personal plans – Plus and Family. The Plus is designed for individuals and provides cloud storage of 2,000 GB at $9.99 a month. The Family plan also provides cloud storage of 2,000 GB, but this storage can be shared between up to six users. This plan costs you $16.99 a month if billed annually.

For business purposes, Dropbox offers three different plans – Professional, Standard, and Advanced. The Professional plan is designed for individuals and gives users access to 3,000 GB of cloud storage with plenty of additional features such as document watermarking, shared link controls, viewer history, and more.

The Standard and Advanced plans are designed for companies with more than three users. The standard plan gives access to 5,000 GB per user, while there is no storage limit for Advanced users. All these plans are priced at $16.58, $12.50, and $20 per month per user if billed annually.

Pros of Dropbox

• Dropbox has client apps available for all major devices, allowing you to enable syncing options by default to back up all your data. Plus, it also makes it easy to access files from anywhere, just with the help of an internet-connected device. You can also enable the selective syncing option that lets you select what files you want to sync and what not.
• Dropbox makes it extremely easy to share files amongst other team members or with people not in the team. With business plans, you get access to a Team folder. Whatever file you save in this folder will be automatically available for all other team members.
• Dropbox also offers a file versioning function that lets you easily create multiple versions of the files for different environments. Plus, you can also find previous versions of the file if the file has been updated or modified.
• With each plan, you get free access to Dropbox Paper, Dropbox’s in-house collaboration tool. This enables you to create and edit documents, assign related tasks, comment on them, and more efficiently.
• Dropbox also keeps a backup of all the files that you’ve uploaded to your cloud storage. When you delete a file from your storage, it gets stored in the deleted folder and can be recovered at a later date.
• Dropbox allows you to select some files or folders that you often require. These files stay synced to your device so that you can access them without even having an internet connection.
• Dropbox uses AES 256-bit advanced encryption to secure all your files. This means all your files will be end-to-end encrypted, and no one without your permission will be able to access them.
• Dropbox has a free tier that comes with most of the functionality of the full product. Though it provides you with very limited storage, you can opt for this plan to use the product and see if it is suitable for your needs or not.

Cons of Dropbox

• Even though Dropbox is currently quite secure and a reliable cloud storage platform, it has a dark history. In 2016, Dropbox data was hacked, and the login information of over 68 million users was compromised. However, Dropbox has worked on the security front, and since then, such an incident has never occurred.
• Dropbox is a bit costly, especially if we compare it with other cloud storage services such as OneDrive or Google Drive.

3. iDrive

Link: https://www.idrive.com/

If the lack of advanced syncing features isn’t going to be a deal-breaker for you, iDrive can be a great choice. iDrive is my favorite pick for a small business storage solution for those who are quite tight on a budget yet want a reliable solution.

iDrive offers four different plans along with a free plan. The free plan gives you access to 5 GB of cloud storage with all the basic features. You can use this plan to test iDrive’s services. For personal usage, iDrive offers two different plans – iDrive Mini and iDrive Personal.

The thing about iDrive that impresses me the most is that it features multiple sub-plans under each plan. For example, the iDrive Mini plan starts at $3.71 per year for 100 GB of cloud storage, but this plan allows you to extend the storage to up to 2 TB by paying $29.62 per year.

Similarly, the base plan of iDrive Personal costs you $59.62 per year for 5 TB of cloud storage, but you can extend it to up to 10 TB by paying $74.62 per year.

For businesses, iDrive offers two plans – iDrive Team and iDrive Business. Each of these plans comes with multiple sub-plans that make it extremely easy to pick something that meets your needs. These plans start from $75.62 per year for five users (5 TB each) and go up to $1499.62 per year for 100 users (100 TB each).

Pros of iDrive

• iDrive allows you to back up data from multiple devices using a single account. This is really a great feature, considering people nowadays own more than one device.
• iDrive is a perfect backup option. It not only lets you backup whatever you have stored on your storage device but also helps you by taking a backup of your social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more.
• iDrive uses AES 256-bit encryption to store all your files on the cloud server. This gives you confidence that all of your data can only be accessed by you or the person you’ve shared that data with.
• Additionally, for data security, there is an option that lets you make a user-defined key to access the data.
• iDrive has multiple pricing schemes to choose from. This allows you to make the right choice based on your budget and needs.
• iDrive offers quite rich functionalities for backing up your devices to the cloud. You can either select an individual file, folder, or a complete image of your hard disk. iDrive will do the job without any hassle.
• iDrive compliance with GDPR and HIPAA guidelines means you don’t have to worry about user privacy.
• iDrive is a zero-knowledge cloud storage platform, meaning if you enable private encryption, none of your backed-up data will be shared with anyone, even the authorities. Only the person with the encryption key will be able to decrypt the data.
• iDrive offers telephonic support, even for the most basic plans. Additionally, you can connect with the team using the live chat or email ticket support option.

Cons of iDrive

• Even though iDrive plans are quite inexpensive and value for money, there is no option to opt for a monthly subscription. This is not a deal-breaker but still something I didn’t like.
• Even though there are some features that offer you sync functionalities, iDrive is not a true syncing solution. If you are mainly looking for the best cloud storage for small business solutions with syncing functionality, iDrive would not be a good choice.

4. Nextcloud

Link: https://nextcloud.com/

Nextcloud is not primarily a small business storage solution. Instead, it is a flexible suite of cloud storage software. With Nextcloud, you can set up your own self-hosted cloud storage server. This makes Nextcloud a great choice for people who are concerned about the security of their data.

Nextcloud allows you to set up on-premise storage infrastructure that can be used as a private cloud. While there are plenty of benefits of this technique, such as security, privacy, and more, there are some drawbacks as well, and the major one is that you have to set up a server on your own, which can be time and resource consuming.

Additionally, Nextcloud lets you enhance functionality in multiple ways. It supports over 100 third-party apps that you can integrate with your Nextcloud server and enhance the functionalities. Plus, most of them are open-source, which can help you save some bucks.

Talking about pricing, Nextcloud is completely open-source. This means you can use it for free for as long as you want. You can also add some additional services, but that will cost you extra.

But if you don’t want to indulge yourself in technical stuff, you can opt for their pre-configured, ready-to-use annual plans. There are three plans – Basic, Standard, and Premium. You can also request a free trial of the service to test and see how it feels using Nextcloud.

Pros of Nextcloud

• Nextcloud is completely free and open-source software that can easily run on any Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and iOS device. Further, it can also be accessed using web browsers.
• Since Nextcloud allows you to set up your own cloud storage server, it is entirely on you where you want to store your data. For example, you can go for on-prem storage infrastructure. Alternatively, you can also opt for any hosting service.
• All the data you store gets protected with TLS in transit. Plus, you can also encrypt all your data using AES-256, but that is optional.
• You also get the option to protect your data using AES-128-GCM end-to-end encryption. Though the functionality isn’t fully implemented yet, you can see it in the near future.
• With the help of application integration, you can also enable the file versioning option that will allow you to make different copies of the file.
• Nextcloud supports two-factor authentication, meaning you don’t have to worry about accounts getting compromised by hackers.
• Nextcloud boasts plenty of file sharing and control options. This gives you complete control over who can see your files, what files are available for which user, and more.
• There is a virtual files feature that provides top-level sync performance.
• Nextcloud provides plenty of integrated personal information management tools such as contacts, calendars, notes, and more. These tools can easily help you schedule meetings, tasks, and more.
• There are plenty of collaboration features, such as whiteboard, author colors, document templates, etc. Plus, you can additionally integrate third-party apps such as Collabora Online for more collaboration tools.
• Once you set up your account, you can synchronize all your data across all your devices, including web browsers.

Cons of Nextcloud

• Even though there is an optional AES-128-GCM end-to-end encryption option, that is not fully implemented yet.
• Even though there are plenty of security tools you get with Nextcloud, it is going to be a self-hosted cloud storage option, and therefore, you will be responsible for the security of all your data.

5. Google Drive

Link: https://www.google.com/intl/en_in/drive/

Despite being one of the most popular cloud storage solutions, Google Drive is in the last position on our list. One of the main reasons behind that is Google has a bad reputation for user privacy. Even Google has clearly mentioned in their privacy policy that they reserve the right to collect and scan content to improve their service.

This is one of the reasons Google Drive is ranked so low on our list. However, if your business isn’t completely data-driven, I don’t think you will have any problem with Google Drive. After all, millions of people are already using Google Workspace for their businesses.

If we keep privacy aside, Google Drive is undoubtedly one of the best cloud storage solutions for almost any need. Google Drive is considered one of the most secure cloud storage solutions. Therefore, if you are looking for secure cloud solutions for small business, Google Drive can be a great option.

Another good thing about Google Drive is that it gives you access to plenty of collaboration tools. However, if you really want to use Google Drive for Business with its full potential, you can go with the Google Workspace suite.

However, getting the Google Workspace isn’t necessary for Google Drive. You can opt for the standalone Google Drive plans.

Pros of Google Drive

• Google Drive has an easy-to-use interface. Even most of you would have already used Google Drive on your smartphone or desktop.
• Google Drive doesn’t force you to go for Google Workspace. It is Microsoft Office compatible, meaning you can easily open MS Office documents in Google Drive. You can also convert Google Docs files to Microsoft versions.
• The file-sharing options on Google Drive are quite easy and simple.
• Google Drive protects all of your data using SSL encryption.
• Google Drive is compatible with a wide range of collaboration and productivity tools. Even if you don’t opt for Google Workspace, you can find plenty of ways to connect with your team.
• Google Drive has desktop clients for both Windows and Mac OS. They also have native applications designed for Android and iOS smartphones.
• Google Drive is one of the most secure cloud storage platforms.

Cons of Google Drive

• According to Google’s policy, they reserve every right to collect and scan your data to improve their service. Even though Google Drive is quite secure, data privacy is really a big concern for data-driven businesses.

Conclusion

There you have a list of the 5 best cloud services for small businesses.

There are hundreds of cloud storage service providers for businesses, and each of them has its own pros and cons. Some cloud storage providers are great in terms of functionality, while others are great for privacy and security. In such a situation, you have to pick the one that fulfills all your needs.

However, if you want recommendations, the above list contains services that provide the best cloud server for small business.

How to get online reviews for your small business in 2023? Here are the 10 simplest and most effective ways to get online reviews for your small business.

Did you know that 93% U.S consumers read online reviews before making a purchase? That’s a number that just can’t be ignored.

In this piece, I’ll be covering:

• Where to collect online reviews.
• And how to collect online reviews.

If those are things you’d wish to learn, let’s get started.

Keep “Honesty” your #1 priority

Before we start, you need to pay special attention here.

Most of the tips here involve “asking” for reviews. At times, rewards and payments are involved as well.

Paying for reviews obviously doesn’t sound good. Well, we’ve go to make it not sound bad.

So, whenever you ask for a review, using any of the modes mentioned below, make sure you mention “honest review” so you do not hurt your products’ integrity.

You’ve got to outline that you only seek a “review” and not a “positive review”. It can be negative if the user/buyer isn’t satisfied with the product.

This has additional benefits. Those who get your review request will now trust your reviews more as they’ll know that the reviews, despite being incentivized, are still honest.

Moreover, posting or asking for “fake” reviews is a crime. So by sticking to “honest” reviews, you also avoid legal hassles.

Signup at business review sites

Before you use the tactics I’ve shared, you need a place where users can review you, right?

It’s important to get reviews, but, it’s more important to get these reviews at places where people “see” them.

I mean sure the most logical place to get these online reviews seems like your website. But, not everyone interested in your product will go to your website to check the reviews, will they?

So, which are the places people check for product reviews?

Google Business

Website: https://www.google.com/business/

The most obvious choice is Google, for multiple reasons. First, it’s for “any and all products/services”. You can be a multi-million dollar company, or an individual offering plumbing services, Google lets you list your business and get reviewed.

Then, it’s free. It’s also extremely easy to setup. Finally, those who wish to leave you reviews can do so with ease as well.

It’s also the most “feature-rich” free online review platform.

Meaning, you can respond to user reviews directly. You can also list your menu, timings, pricing and even contact information. If you list a number, Google will let users call you directly. This may help boost sales.

You can even add your logo and photos so customers get a better idea of the product, without even going to your Website.

Then, there’s detailed insights. You get to learn what keywords lead people to your listing. This can even be used to improve your SEO.

It also shows you insights for your call button, bookings and lot more.

And then, Google has its own reward system. Users get ranked higher and get other rewards when they review a business on Google. This is like Google working for you, for free. Worth it, isn’t it?

Yelp

Website: https://www.yelp.com/

Yelp is arguably one of the biggest, most-used online review platforms on the planet. With over 200million hits/month, it’s one of the biggest exposures your small business can get.

(That screenshot is from Semrush. You simply enter your competitors’ URL, it gives you their traffic, primary traffic sources, ads, ad-spend, best-selling products and everything else).

It too, alike Google Business is for any and all business.  Regardless of your product industry or service type, you can get listed and be reviewed on Yelp.

Some other places to get your small business listed:

• TripAdvisor: This isn’t for all business types but more for the “travel” industry. If you own a hotel, restaurant, or provide vacation pages TripAdvisor is worth your time.
• YellowPages: This is another massive review directory. It has global presence and is suitable for any and all business types. Hospitality, travel, finance, medical and basically every other type of small business can be found listed here.
• Amazon/Facebook: Obviously, if you sell your product on Amazon or Facebook, try to redirect all the above steps to those platforms.

Let’s work on “getting” those reviews in then?

Include a review card (gift cards) + rewards

Your small business must be selling something. A very effective way to get reviews is “incentivise” them.  This also is one of the simplest ways to get reviews.

You can include a small “review card” with your products when you ship them (or deliver them online).

The card/ or graphic (for online deliveries) can tell your buyers to post a review. Here’s an example (no actual rewards involved).

(You can use a graphic design tool to create something like the card above in seconds. Then, either print & ship it or just attach it to your e-mails).

For every review, you can offer a small cashback/bonus or just direct money.

Ask users to share a screenshot and link of the online review they’ve posted over e-mail/social media or any other medium.

Once you get the screenshot, you can pay your users depending on what you’ve promised.

This actually can help you rake up your sales as well. If you choose to reward users with “X% discount on next order”, they’re more likely to make a second purchase.

Because only “buyers” get a review card, all your reviews will be legit and from people who’ve used the product. This also improves the quality of the reviews instead of people just saying “cool product”.

Utilize Youtube

I’m sure this is something you’re already aware of. In fact, I’ve got dozens of friends who Youtube for a living.

Companies very frequently ship out “review units”. These Youtubers get the devices/products for free.

The device/product may or may not be returned depending on whatever your policy is.

Now, the reviews may or may not be positive but you’ll definitely increase the number of reviews you have.

More importantly, Youtube is a “visual” platform. The viewers of the review get a much better idea of your product than reading a text-review somewhere.

Sponsored reviews

Basically,  almost every tip on this piece was in some way a “sponsored review”. You’re paying/incentivising your users/customers to write you a review.

Something else you can do is:

• Go to Google and search for “Best [your product] in [your country]”. E.g. “Best plant pesticide in Australia.
• Pick the top 20 results.
• Send them an e-mail asking them to include your brand on the list.
• You’ll probably have to pay them depending on the position you want on the list.

You can also request “individual reviews”. As in, “[Your Product review] to be published on their website. This would give you exposure to the website’s established user-base.

Another benefit is when a user searches for [Your product reviews] on Google, they’ll see these individual reviews which, if positive, may boost your sales.

Send out e-mails [that work]

This is the most basic but one of the most effective answers to the question- how to get online reviews for your small business.

Whatever small business you own, you’ve probably had a few sales already. Chances are, you also have an e-mail list from all the previous buyers.

You can just use  Engagebay or Hubspot for automation, or send out e-mails manually. Ask your previous buyers to leave you a review and maybeinclude a discount code?

You can also use special days to do this. If you’ve a database of the user’s birthdays, those work the best.

Send them a birthday wish, and a discount code. Then, ask them to leave a review “if they want to”. In this case, the discount code shouldn’t be tied to the review, they should get it regardless of them leaving or not leaving you a review.

If you don’t have a birthday database, use special religious/social occasions. Christmas, 4^th of July are some days that can work in your favour.

 Make the process “easy” for them

Getting people to leave you a review is only part of the equation. The other part of the equation is to make the process easy for them, so they don’t quit the process mid-way.

There are a couple ways you can do that.

• On your review cards, outline the steps to review your product/service.
• Shorten your review URL. It can be your Google review URL, Yelp URL or any other link. Just go to bit.ly, and create a user-friendly URL. Something like bit.ly/[yourbrandreview]
• You can also create QR codes directly to your review site/page/URL.

Provide good product/services

Yes, I know, this is basic. Probably too basic. But the core of any business is its products and services.

Strive to provide the best possible product or service you can. If you blow your buyer’s mind, they’ll leave reviews without you even asking for it.

If the product/service isn’t good, you’ll still earn reviews, just not the kind you’d like.

Monetize your after-support moments

For whatever product/service you’re offering, I hope you’ve got a support team available?  It can be a pre-sale team, technical team or any other kind of support you provide.

This is your one direct mode of communication with your customers.

Start by providing the best support possible .This helps you increase your brand value by default.

However, when the support session ends, that’s your opportunity. Considering you did good with the support, send your review request.

It can be as simple –

“Hey [user name], we immensely value your business. If you’re satisfied with our product/service, would you please spare 10 seconds to leave us a review? Simply click here (your review page link) and write away. Please be honest, we welcome both positive as well negative reviews.

Obviously this wouldn’t work 100% of the times, but, even if only 10% of users leave reviews, that’s 10% more than you would normally get, right?

Share reviews you’ve received on your social media

I  hope you already have social media pages for your business, don’t you?

When you receive a review, share it on your social media. Even the negative ones and ask your followers to share their reviews.

This serves two purposes. First, users feel validated. Whoever left the comment, probably follows you on your social. Even if they don’t, those who see you sharing the review will know their reviews matter.

You can also ask users to share your posts (containing their reviews) on their social media. If they do, that’s another potential lead pipeline that you can bend in your favour, isn’t it?

How “not” to get online reviews for your small business

I’ll keep it simple, never do these, period:

1. Force reviews: Never spam your client-base asking for reviews. No direct calls or unsolicited e-mails without “context”. (This is why we used “birthdays” and special days as context to mail your users above).
2. Never offer direct money or benefits for “good reviews”: You may think “Hey, I’ll give you $5 for a 5-star review” is a good idea. It’s not. It negates any and all other legit reviews you may have on your website + it’s not even legal.
3. No “inexperienced” reviews: Whenever you get a review, always send a test sample, free trial or review unit. Asking for reviews from users who haven’t actually used your product will kill your brand on multiple fronts.

Feature your clients on your ads/promotions

People generally like to contribute only if their contributions get enough traction, right?  If you can give them the traction, you’ll generate online reviews, period.

Now, how exactly can you give your clients the spotlight they want and probably deserve?

• Run ads. Send out emails/ posts on your social media asking users to review your product. Asking them for “video” reviews may work as well. Let them know you’ll use these in your ads. Their reviews suddenly matter more than a review on a third-party site, and this just may get them interested.
• Ads aren’t the only way to do this. You can ask your clients to send a photo/video review which you’ll use on your normal promotions. These can be on your website, as a graphic on third-party websites or somewhere else.

Host a contest

Contests have been one of the biggest conversion-tools since the medieval ages, right?  Everyone wants to be the “winner”.

You can host a very simple contest where users are asked to leave “honest” online reviews for you.

You can then “randomly” (so as to not reward only positive reviews) pick 3-5 reviewers and reward them.

Another contest can be a “race”. Let’s say you announce $5 reward (Amazon voucher/ cashback on next order or something else) to the first X people who leave you a review.

This creates a sense of urgency + the will to “win”. Works well as your users wouldn’t know if the “X” number of reviews has been met or there’s still space left!

What contests do for you is you only pay 3-5 people, while generating hundreds of reviews for your brand/product!

You can use something as simple as free Google Forms to receive entries. Users can leave a URL of their review here, along with their e-mails. Simply create the form and share the link on your social media.

Or, you can use something ultra-advanced, such as Gleam. The app lets you host contests and monitor entries, rewards users, verify the users’ contributions and a lot more.

Take action and then get it validated

This is more like a business strategy than an answer to “how to get online reviews for your small business”. Doing this ultimately gets you more sales, respect and returning customers.

When you receive reviews, a number of them would be negative. Filter out those negative reviews which have a problem that can be “solved”. E.g. better packaging, faster shipping and so on.

Then, fix that issue.

Once the issue is fixed, share the review, your solution and proof of what you did on your social media + e-mail lists.

You can even create an entire blog post about it. You can then promote the blog post using a number of tactics.

Point is, when users notice how their reviews are actually shaping your company, they’re more likely to leave you a review.

In fact, some may try your product solely so they can suggest how to make it better!

Install popup widgets on your website

This is a simple but pretty effective technique to get free reviews.

I hope you have a website for your small business? If you do, you can create an attractive popup widget for your website. You can use an advanced small business CRM to do this.

It’s best to show it to people who’ve either purchased your products, and/or have spent a long time on your page.

Simply ask them for a review. It’s just another intersection where you can meet your users and may win yourself a review.

In return, you can offer e-books, guides, priority support or something else if you feel like it.

Final words- How to get online reviews for your small business?

I hope you now have at least some idea on how to get online reviews for your small business, don’t you?

If you follow maybe just 4-5 of the techniques listed above, chances are you’ll be grabbing yourself a few hundred reviews.

Obviously, this list isn’t ultimate. You’re free to come with more creative ways to get people to review you.  However, it sure is start, isn’t it?

Go on then, try these out considering you now know how to get online reviews for your small business.

A website is a critical requirement for any business looking to grab customers’ attention. However, you may spend a ton of your time designing your site, selecting an attractive theme, crafting a compelling copy, and adding stunning images but still fail to get any visitors. Here are the common website design mistakes that can hurt your business.

1. Poor navigation

A customer may visit your website but end up getting stranded on what to do next. Poor navigation does not only confuse your visitors but also makes it hard for Google’s web crawlers to understand your website. Prioritizing internal linking between your site pages can give your visitors a clue about where they’re headed.

2. Non-responsive web design

In web design and development, responsiveness means designing a website that works and looks good on any device. You may choose a design that works well with a laptop or desktop but works extremely poorly with small devices like smartphones and tablets. A non-responsive design can’t optimize your website on the user’s small screen.

If your website can’t adapt to your visitor’s device, the user won’t spend their time browsing the site. Besides, your unresponsive website will poorly impact the user experience and generate a poor web layout when people use different devices to browse. This will lead to low-quality images and poor readability. Be sure to work with a reputable web design and development firm like Bizango for a high-quality and responsive website. 

3. Low load speed

People move along online platforms at lightning speed. Someone will spend a few seconds on a website before zipping through social media and emails. If they click on your site and it takes hours to load, they’ll simply move to other websites, probably those belongings to your competitors. Remember that there are so many websites offering the same information as yours. How do you make your visitors stay? Boost your page loading speed to four seconds or less.

4. Annoying pop-ups

You may have stumbled upon those disruptive pop-ups while browsing. A visitor may put up with one pop-up, but having several of them prompting them to download or subscribe can drive them away, never to return.

Most website users find the pop-ups annoying because they obstruct their view and hinder the site navigation. Be extra careful when integrating pop-ups on your site.

5. A home page without H1 Tags

The H1 tag is the first thing that users and search engines use to determine what your website is about. A site without an H1 tag will probably fall in the SERPS.

Including an H1 tag on your homepage does please not only the search engines but also your visitors. When a visitor browses your site, they can know what it’s all about at a glance.

Endnote

After spending a ton of your time creating your website, you’ll feel frustrated if it doesn’t engage any visitor. Visitors like beautiful and well-polished sites. By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll not only make people find your website on Google but also get attractive SEO results.