Should you take the do-it-yourself approach to funding your new business, or look for outside sources? Read more about the benefits and drawbacks of each approach, and well as the preparation required.

Securing financing for your small business can be a confusing process. This article and video lay out the types of loans available, requirements, the process, alternatives, and tips for getting approved.

Before you take out a loan, be sure to look into small business grants. While there isn’t a repayment requirement, there are expectations that hold recipients accountable.

Angel investors are high-net-worth individuals who provide money to early-stage startup businesses in exchange for part ownership. Learn more about this funding option for businesses getting off the ground.

Asking for money can be awkward, but friends and family are a fairly common way for entrepreneurs to fund their small businesses. Here are eight steps to take when making the big ask.

If you seek external funding, financial projections show lenders and investors that your business will not only be profitable, but will also offer them a return on investment. It also helps you budget and mark growth milestones.

Crowdfunding, or asking for donations from a large group of people, usually online, is gaining popularity. This article lists the four types of crowdfunding, popular platforms to use, steps to take, and best practices.

Thousands of entrepreneurs are turning to crowdfunding to finance their small businesses. Here are eight online fundraising sites, what they’re best suited for, and what they cost.

Understanding how long it takes to do a job is crucial to creating accurate estimates, projections and invoices. Morgan Law (@FinePoints) explains how to do it for your business, and how to avoid errors so you can be more profitable.

If you’re manufacturing or selling products, it’s essential to know the cost of goods sold (COGS). In this video, QuickBooks ProAdvisor Astrid Daniela Galvez explains how to calculate COGS and use it to maximize profits.

In this video, Seth David (@Nerd Enterprises, Inc.) talks marginal cost—the cost of producing one additional unit of a product—how to calculate it and how to pair it with your marginal revenue to determine the best production or pricing strategy.

How do you keep up with orders without getting overwhelmed? Join Seth David (@Nerd Enterprises, Inc.) to learn the five benefits of inventory analysis, how to conduct one and how to use the results for better cash flow and profits.

For ecommerce businesses, tracking inventory can be time-consuming and tedious. A cloud-based inventory management system can make it easier. Seth David (@Nerd Enterprises, Inc.) tells you how.

Evaluating your bottom line goes beyond how much money is in your bank account. In fact, a profitable business can still go under if cash flow isn’t good. In this video, Seth David (@Nerd Enterprises, Inc.) shares insights on how to measure and improve profitability.

Join Seth David (@Nerd Enterprises, Inc.) to learn about Net Operating Profit After Taxes, or NOPAT, a useful measure for making business decisions that’s commonly used by analysts considering investment opportunities.

Financial reporting is an integral part of running a successful business. Learn why it matters, plus get to know three common reports you should be running regularly, and how to use them to understand how your business is doing.

Creating a budget is a great first step for any new business owner. By taking a closer look at your assets, expenses, and financial goals, you can craft a plan for the future. Learn about budgets, and start yours today with a free template.

Payroll ledgers help you organize and track payroll information like staff names, salaries, and payment schedules. Learn how to create and use a payroll ledger, and get started with a free downloadable template.

Low barriers to entry have made starting an e-commerce business easier than ever, but it’s a fiercely competitive market. Here are some essential tips to help you be successful in your online retail venture.

For those starting with ecommerce, or those expanding from brick-and-mortar retail, this article offers five steps to follow to start selling your products online.

Beyond advertising your business, your website can actually generate income for your company. Learn about the different ways you can turn your website traffic into revenue.

Setting up an e-commerce store is easier than ever with today’s software and shop platforms. This article covers the pros and cons of selling in online marketplaces, via e-commerce platforms, and in your own custom online store.

Consumers are shopping in more than one place. Shouldn’t you try to sell your products in all of those places? Before you jump in, spend a few minutes with Seth David (@Nerd Enterprises, Inc.) to hear about the pros and cons of using this model for your business, and learning about multi-channel distribution systems that can help.

Getting your e-commerce shipping strategy right is an important step in starting an e-commerce business. This in-depth guide can help you understand your options, how to choose a partner, and how to incorporate best practices.

If your e-commerce business is doing well, you may be wondering if you should open a physical store. This article walks through the pros and cons of making that move, as well as how to evaluate potential locations.

Contactless payments are increasingly popular, offering a faster, more convenient, secure, and sanitary option than swiping a credit card. Learn more about how they work, the benefits, and why you might want to adopt them.

Once only common among e-commerce retailers, lots of other small businesses are adopting electronic payment methods like ACH transfers and eChecks, in addition to credit and debit card payments, so they can get paid faster.

Mobile payments are quickly becoming a new standard both online and in stores. This article covers the types of mobile payments, why they’re important, and how to accept them.

Invoices show a buyer how much they owe and when payment is due. Learn what goes on an invoice and how to make one, plus see examples and tips.

Following up on past-due invoices is an unpleasant, but necessary, part of doing business. This guide can help you navigate the conversation with ready-made email templates and also avoid delays in the future.

The best small business payment method for you depends on a variety of factors. Explore your options in this article.

Typically, business owners pay themselves with a salary or an owner’s draw. Understand the difference, your options given your business structure, tax implications, and other considerations before you decide.

Every small business owner should understand these five important things that can affect your income taxes and overall tax situation.

When you’re self-employed, filing your taxes is a little more complicated. This article covers the relevant forms, quarterly and end-of-year taxes, and the nicknamed “self-employment tax.”

If you’re new to filing taxes as a small business owner, this guide explains the taxes you must file, what expenses you can deduct, important deadlines, and more, including where to access extra help.

When it comes to business taxes, there’s a lot to learn. We’ve collected the 30 most important tax forms, terms, and dates to help you navigate tax season and file accurately and efficiently.

When it comes to e-commerce, sales tax rules aren’t the same state to state. If you’re selling products online, it’s up to you to learn when, and how much, tax you must collect from customers and pay back to the government. This article breaks it down.

Miscalculating sales tax is a common mistake that can trigger an audit. Learn about sales tax, what gets taxed, which rate to use, how to collect it, which government agency receives the tax you collect, and how to avoid audits.

Understanding your tax obligations is crucial for small businesses, especially retailers. What tax you collect depends on your business location and the type of goods or services you sell.