Getting Started

Key Takeaways Exclusive Features: Snapchat Premium offers advanced tools for storytelling, enhanced filters, and unique content options that help users elevate their social media presence. Privacy Focus: Subscribers enjoy an ad-free experience that promotes more authentic connections with followers, ensuring user trust is maintained. Advanced Story Insights: Businesses can use custom Story timers and analytics tools to optimize social media engagement and tailor content to their audience effectively. Enhanced User Experience: Personalization options such as custom app icons, chat interfaces, and unique notification sounds help brands maintain a consistent identity and…

In this post, we’ll explore 15 different franchise financing options for small business owners. So whether you’re looking for a traditional loan or something more creative, there’s sure to be an option that’s perfect for you. Let’s get started! What Is Franchising? Franchising allows entrepreneurs to own and operate their own businesses with the support of a larger, more established company. Franchises offer brand recognition and a proven business model, which can be helpful for new business owners as they get started. Franchise business owners should have a business plan to guide them as they grow their businesses. READ MORE: See our Franchise Guide How Much Can Fi…

The fusion of art and science in interior design has never been more relevant than it is today. As people grow increasingly aware of the impact that well-designed spaces can have on their lives, demand for professional interior designers has surged. This has opened up many opportunities for those skilled in creating functional yet visually appealing environments. Read on for a guide about how to start an interior design business. Why Launch an Interior Design Business? Starting an interior design business can be a dream come true for those who find joy in transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. Such a venture not only allows for the expression of cre…

Every small business owner and entrepreneur who runs a deli, a salad bar, or a food establishment understands the importance of having the right equipment. Of course, the sandwich prep table is among the must-haves. That’s because it’s an efficient and clean way to prepare sandwiches, salads, and other food products. Many prep tables are refrigerated for storing perishable items, and many have other storage as well. F What is a Sandwich Prep Table? Sandwich or salad prep tables are refrigerated units that combine a worktop for food prep, such as sandwich and salad preparation, with refrigerated storage space beneath. This commercial appliance keeps ingredients fresh whi…

TechSmith Corporation has released the latest versions of Snagit and Camtasia, integrating AI and Screentelligence-powered features designed to enhance content creation workflows. The 2025 updates focus on improving efficiency for users creating training materials, documentation, and workplace communications, marking the final annual release before TechSmith transitions to a continuous delivery model through its subscription offerings. AI and Screentelligence Transform Content Creation Snagit 2025 and Camtasia 2025 leverage AI to automate and refine editing processes, reducing effort and enhancing professional polish. Snagit simplifies step-by-step guide creation and pro…

Hostinger has announced the global launch of Hostinger Horizons, an AI-powered no-code web app solution designed to help businesses and individuals create fully functional web apps without coding skills. The platform enables users to develop, publish, and host web apps without relying on third-party integrations. “To realize your idea online, you often need either money, time, or knowledge – and very often – all of it. We aim for a completely new user experience where all you need is an idea, and you can make it a reality in minutes without any hassle. I believe that Hostinger Horizons will change the way small businesses operate and the way people think about the possib…

PayPal has announced new features that make cryptocurrency more accessible and usable in everyday commerce, aiming to eliminate common barriers and drive broader adoption among consumers and merchants alike. With these enhancements, users can now buy, sell, hold, send, and spend cryptocurrencies through the PayPal platform, integrating digital currencies into routine purchases. The company emphasizes its mission to enable seamless crypto payments at millions of merchants without requiring changes to existing payment systems. PayPal users can select supported cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, during checkout just like a credit or debit card. The transaction i…

Planning to rent some property? Mastering all the legalities of leasing rental property can be overwhelming. How do you account for all potential scenarios and risks? A lease agreement is a binding contract between a landlord and a tenant that defines all the terms of a rental, and any property owner can purchase an inexpensive lease agreement printable to simplify the leasing process. The Benefits of a Printable Lease Agreement Regardless of whether the leased property is a house, office, room, or car, utilizing a printable lease agreement offers numerous advantages. Lease agreement templates are not only very affordable, typically priced at $3 or less, but they also pr…

Small business owners know that their success doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes years of hard work, dedication, and the know-how to make it prosper. Growing a business takes a strategic approach. In an ideal world, business owners would throw money at every possible idea and see what sticks. But the reality is they don’t have unlimited resources. Instead, they should determine where and how to invest in their business to see the reap the greatest reward. I’ve been a business owner for more than three decades. During that time, I’ve tried different approaches to scaling my business. What’s emerged are some clear patterns of what does and doesn’t drive long-term gro…

Meta has announced a suite of new features for its Threads app aimed at enhancing personalization and user control. The updates, launched March 20, 2025, include expanded topic tagging, follower-only interaction settings, a customizable feed experience, and improvements to video playback. According to Meta, these features are designed to help users express themselves, manage their online interactions, and better connect with communities of shared interest. Enhanced Topic Tagging and Discovery Users can now add up to ten topics to their bio, enabling others to discover shared interests directly from profile pages. Tapping one of these tagged topics leads to ongoing discu…

This week, our Small Biz Breakdown crew is flying without a net, per se. There’s no agenda – not as if they’re always following the one they sometimes have – and the conversation could go anywhere. Like most weeks, however, the discussion always seems to focus on the latest in AI. And this week is no different. Zeroing in on news this week from Verizon, the Small Biz Breakdown crew discusses at length agentic AI. Is this just the next Metaverse, as one panelist suggests it could be? Or is there more to this emerging trend? Check out what everyone’s got to say on this hot topic in the latest episode of Small Biz Breakdown. Check out the latest small business news headli…

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the national program and specialty award winners for the 2025 National Small Business Week, which will take place from May 4-10. The awards recognize businesses and resource partners for their contributions in government contracting, disaster recovery, and key areas such as exporting, small business investment, and surety bonding. “SBA is proud to recognize excellence across our small businesses and key resource partners,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “As we prepare to highlight just a few of the many success stories during National Small Business Week, we are laser-focused on our mission to empower Ame…

NordVPN’s identity theft protection solution, NordProtect, is now available as a stand-alone service in the United States, allowing users to access identity theft protection without purchasing a NordVPN Prime plan. In addition to this change, NordProtect now includes online fraud coverage, providing financial compensation for victims of various online scams and fraudulent activities. Expanded Protection Against Online Scams NordProtect’s new online fraud coverage offers support for users affected by scams such as romance fraud, marketplace fraud, QR code scams, and fraudulent credit card charges. These protections aim to mitigate financial losses caused by cybercriminals…

Zoom has announced a significant expansion of its AI Companion platform, introducing new agentic AI skills and custom agent capabilities that span across Zoom Meetings, Zoom Phone, Zoom Team Chat, Zoom Docs, and Zoom Contact Center. The announcement, made March 17 during a company event in Orlando, highlights more than 45 innovations aimed at boosting productivity, simplifying workflows, and strengthening relationships through enhanced AI functionality. “AI Companion is evolving from a personal assistant to being truly agentic, which signals a major leap forward in how AI can enhance productivity and collaboration at work,” said Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoo…

Meta announced it will begin testing its new Community Notes feature across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in the United States starting March 18. This marks the beginning of Meta’s transition away from its third-party fact-checking program, which the company revealed in January it would discontinue in favor of a crowd-sourced model. Community Notes is designed to allow users to add context to posts, similar to the existing system used by X (formerly Twitter). Meta said, “We expect Community Notes to be less biased than the third party fact checking program it replaces because it allows more people with more perspectives to add context to posts.” Initially, notes writ…

TikTok has introduced Security Checkup, a new feature designed to give users a streamlined and centralized way to manage their account security settings. Announced by Kim Albarella, Head of TikTok Global Security, the tool provides a comprehensive dashboard that helps users take control of their account security with ease and confidence. According to the announcement, “Security Checkup, a powerful new tool that provides an all-in-one security dashboard to easily review and update account security settings.” The dashboard offers a step-by-step guide through several security features, aiming to simplify the process of safeguarding accounts. Simplified Access and Control U…

PostcardMania, the marketing technology firm based in Florida, announced Wednesday the addition of snap-apart mailers to its automated direct mail offerings. The move comes through its technology-focused division, PCM Integrations, and expands the company’s range of affordable, high-response marketing tools for small and mid-sized businesses. Snap-apart, or snap-pack mailers, are sealed documents with perforated tear-off edges. Often used by government agencies, the format gives the appearance of official correspondence and is designed to convey urgency. According to the company, this format boasts a 95% open rate and can be particularly effective in increasing response …

Key Takeaways Enhanced Convenience: Apple Pay streamlines the checkout process on Etsy, allowing users to complete transactions quickly with just a tap, minimizing cart abandonment rates. Increased Security: With advanced encryption and tokenization, Apple Pay ensures customers’ sensitive information remains protected during transactions, fostering trust in Etsy shops. Broader Customer Base: By accepting Apple Pay, Etsy sellers can attract a wider audience, particularly those who prefer mobile wallet payments, leading to potentially higher sales conversions. Easy Setup: Sellers can easily activate Apple Pay for their shops through the Shop Manager, providing custome…

TeamViewer, a global provider of remote connectivity and workplace digitalization solutions, has announced a new initiative offering free one-year licenses of TeamViewer Remote to eligible women-led startups and small businesses. This initiative, launched in celebration of International Women’s Day, aims to support female entrepreneurs by providing secure remote access and IT support capabilities. The offer is available through March 31, 2025, for businesses with a female CEO or co-founder. Eligible businesses must have between 5 and 31 employees, be no more than 10 years old, and be registered in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Germany. Additionally, businesse…

Walmart has unveiled Wally, a generative AI-powered assistant developed to enhance the productivity of its merchants by automating key merchandising tasks. The company announced the tool on March 18, describing it as a “productivity multiplier” designed to streamline data analysis, operational support, and reporting processes for Walmart’s sourcing teams. According to the company, Wally was built using Walmart’s proprietary data and is aimed at eliminating the manual effort traditionally required for core merchandising functions. Tasks such as data entry and analysis, root cause identification for product performance, advanced calculations, and how-to support are now han…

Retailers are increasingly turning to AI agents to stay competitive in a fast-evolving marketplace, according to Salesforce’s sixth Connected Shoppers Report. The report reveals that 75% of retail decision-makers believe AI agents will be essential to beat the competition within the next year. Salesforce’s findings are based on dual surveys of 8,350 shoppers and 1,700 retail industry leaders. The data points to a shifting landscape marked by rising customer acquisition costs, increasing returns, and changing consumer behaviors that require a new approach to retail operations. AI and Unified Commerce Emerge as Strategic Priorities To manage growing complexities across di…

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most critical aspects of digital marketing, and it continues to evolve each year. For small businesses, keeping up with these changes is essential to maintaining online visibility, attracting new customers, and staying ahead of the competition. In 2025, SEO is more dynamic than ever, with AI-driven search results, voice search optimization, user experience (UX) enhancements, and evolving Google algorithms shaping the digital landscape. If you run a small business, understanding and implementing the latest SEO strategies can significantly impact your online growth. This article will explore what your small business needs to k…