Small Business Guides
Find guides and articles to help you do better business, and understand the often weird world of accounting.
Starting and growing a business
Your intro to the milestone moments in small business.
How to start a business
Thousands of new businesses open every day. If all those people can do it, why not you? Here’s what to do, and when.
How to start an online business
Find out what it takes to start and run an online business. With insights from experts and owners who’ve done it before.
How to finance your business
Need finance for your business? Learn about the types of finance, approaching lenders and investors and more.
Growing your business
Are you ready to drop the hammer and take your business to the next level? Let’s look at how to grow.
How to hire employees
Hiring help can improve your business, and your lifestyle. But it’s a big process. Here are the main things to keep in mind.
How to invoice
Looking for help on making and sending invoices and getting them paid? Check out these tips on the art of invoicing.
How to do bookkeeping
Bookkeeping includes everything from basic data entry to tax prep. Let’s look at the core jobs and see how they’re done.
What is bookkeeping?
Whether you’re bookkeeping for a family business, or planning a career in it – this is a good place to start learning.
Guide to inventory
Inventory management is more than just knowing what’s been sold and what you’ve ordered. Find out what else is involved.
Payments
Your intro to getting money in from customers, and out to suppliers and employees. See all payments guides
Profitability ratios: types, formulas and business uses
Learn how profitability ratios reveal what drives your profit, guide pricing, trim costs, and track performance.
Direct debit for small business: how it works and how to set it up
Learn how direct debit works and how to set it up to automate payments for your small business.
Money
Your intro to budgeting, cash flow, and what to do when you need more money. See all money guides
What is a business credit score and how to improve yours
A credit score tells lenders and suppliers how good you are at paying debts. Find out how to use them to your advantage.
How to improve efficiency in your business
Learn 10 practical ways to cut waste, save time, and get more from your business resources.
Planning and performance
Your intro to business planning, goal setting, key performance indicators, and financial reporting. See all planning and performance guides
Business plan: how to write one in 10 simple steps
Create your business plan to win funding and guide growth. Follow 10 clear steps.
What is an inventory management system and why does it matter?
Learn what an inventory management system is, how it works, and how it helps your business.
Leadership
Your intro to building a vision, establishing consensus, and inspiring action. See all leadership guides
How to develop an effective employee retention strategy
Keep your best people with a retention strategy that reduces turnover and builds loyalty.
Accounting and bookkeeping
Your intro to financial admin, taxes, and the technical side of running a business. See all accounting and bookkeeping guides
What does an accountant do for your small business?
Learn what an accountant does and how they save you time, cut risk, and help your business grow.
Marketing
Your intro to finding and winning new customers, and keeping the old ones. See all marketing guides
Value proposition: how to write one that wins customers
Learn what a value proposition is, why your business needs one, and how to create one that stands out.
Upselling techniques: proven strategies to grow your revenue
Learn proven upselling techniques to boost revenue, retain customers, and grow your small business.
Ecommerce
Your intro to starting, managing, and making money from an online business. See all ecommerce guides
What is dropshipping? How it works and how to start
Dropshipping lets you sell products online without buying or storing stock first. Here's how to get started.
Online reputation management for your small business
Learn how online reputation management helps your small business win trust, attract customers, and protect your brand.
Tools and reports
Free templates
Download helpful templates for things like quoting, invoicing, reporting and planning.
Calculators
Use accounting calculators to help plan and run your business.
Glossary
Learn the meaning behind all those weird and wonderful accounting terms.