As a business owner, you learn new things constantly. From customer management to product development, funding, and marketing, every experience offers an opportunity to learn. However, that doesn’t mean you should just leave things up to chance and let experience teach you how to manage your company. You need to go out of your way to brush up on your knowledge – whether that means learning how to start a small business or expanding a company that’s been in your family for decades.
Fortunately, you don’t need to make major changes in your schedule or budget to be well-educated in business. You just need the right resources so you can increase your knowledge and study on your own pace.
Here are 15 indispensable websites for business owners to help you out:
The leading resource for news and updates about the business world, Forbes Entrepreneurs offers a wide array of helpful materials. From real-time industry news to analyses, commentary, and inspiring stories, Forbes helps entrepreneurs get in the loop of the business world.
2. Onevest
Onevest is a gift to both investor and startup entrepreneurs. Providing crowdfunding services from accredited sources, it is a trustworthy site that helps entrepreneurs put their innovative ideas into reality. If you are looking to invest, the company promises to help you build your portfolio without management and transaction fees or carried interest rates.
3. 20Four7va
Do you need an administrative virtual assistant (VA)? Are you looking for a social media VA to manage your social profiles? The 20Four7VA outsourcing company is a credible source for whatever virtual assistance service you need. From website development to content writing, 20Four7VA offers a variety of online services that are indispensable in today’s business world.
4. Mixergy
It’s normal to have moments of doubt every now and then. When you do, just make sure to get counsel from credible mentors. Mixergy will provide you with this service through online courses and interviews. The classes offered by this virtual business school range from buying ads to practical strategies that successful entrepreneurs applied in expanding their companies.
It comes as no surprise that the biggest search engine company is a big supporter of innovation. Google for Entrepreneurs is a testament to that. It is a community dispersed in 125 countries all over the world that continues to grow. Google for entrepreneurs supports start-up businesses by providing financial aid, workspaces, and virtual products.
Recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 100 Websites for Women, Women for Business empowers women to reach their potential whether in business or their chosen career path. The company provides educational resources as well as profile-raising opportunities.
7. Under 30 CEO
Under 30 CEO is evidence that pursuing a life of entrepreneurship is a great adventure. Created by world-traveling founders, Under 30 CEO helps people live the life of their dreams by offering proven business strategies and virtual courses.
Many entrepreneurs struggle with time management at the early stage of business. From escaping the 9-5 grind, they now put in more hours into grueling work to build their company. The 4 Hour Work Week was created to help business owners be more productive without expending long hours. It provides helpful apps and tactics designed to increase every entrepreneur’s productivity.
A powerful resource for people who want to learn how to make money online, Entrepreneurs Journey provides digital tools and proven sales techniques for online business. From email courses to podcasts and videos, the platforms for learning are as diverse as the business ideas shared in the site.
10. BuyerZone
BuyerZone has been helping business owners make intelligent purchase decisions – whether they are on the buying or selling end. Whether you are looking to buy or sell computer equipment, point of sale (POS) systems, or storage containers, BuyerZone will do the work for you so you can make smarter purchasing and selling decisions.
11. BPlans
Many aspiring entrepreneurs feel stuck on how to grow their promising business ideas. Bplans is created to help them get from point A to point B. Providing powerful tools for business planning, sales pitching, funding, and company management, Bplans has over 500 business models to help entrepreneurs kickstart their ideas.
12. CreativeLive
Creativity fuels business people to turn their ideas into money-spinners. Boasting of more than 10 million students, CreativeLive provides thousands of classes covering Art and Design, Photography, Craft, and Finance. The educational materials are taught by experts and can be accessed through on-air broadcasts, videos, and articles.
13. Score
Aiming to help small business owners kickstart their companies, Score has been providing mentoring and business services for over 50 years. The company covers 62 industries with volunteer mentors and free business tools.
14. Startup Digest
Another treasure of novice entrepreneurs, Startup Digest helps budding business people get their companies off the ground. Aside from providing practical business ideas through tailored reading lists, the company also links people to relevant resources in their local area through events.
15. eCorner
it doesn’t matter if you are a newbie or a veteran in business – you need to continuously educate yourself about the industry. eCorner can provide a wide range of educational materials from leadership to product development and innovation. You can enjoy all these learnings through videos, articles, and podcasts.
These 15 indispensable websites for business owners will help you grow your company to its full potential.
Catherine vanVonno, the author, is the President and Executive Director of 20Four7VA, a global Virtual Assistant (VA) Service Provider. She holds a doctorate degree in Applied Statistics, Research Design and Program Evaluation from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and has over 10 years experience in facilitating evidence-based strategic planning, product development, brand management, legislative communications, and medical policy. She is married and has four children. You can reach her at communications@20four7va.com.
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