Resources
A Google Business Profile, is great for both brick-and-mortar storefronts and online stores/services. But don’t miss out on the benefits of the Google for Small Business page which provides tons of great resources and information for small business owners, including SEO, advertising, and marketing. Don’t miss these courses: Understanding SEO, Using email marketing or Advertising online. Google’s small business lesson collection helps you research and develop a business plan, and prepare to request funding. They also offer the Grow with Google small business showcase on YouTube, with over 250 videos covering a variety of topics.
SBDC
America’s SBDC is made up of almost 1,000 local centers that provid free consulting and low-cost training. Find your local office for and discover lots of free resources for small business owners including Cyber and data protection for small businesses.
IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
The IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center provides free resources for taxpayers who file Form 1040 or 1040-SR and small companies with assets under $10 million. It is a great place for small business owners to get answers to their tax questions. Visit the IRS Youtube Channel for more information.
LinkedIn is a global social media platform that is professional-focused. It allows you to showcase your business and services and build relationships with other business and customers. LinkedIn is the perfect place to highlight your expertise as an entrepreneur or business owner. Visit the Small Business Resource Center to find free content including virtual events and free online courses. You should also visit LinkedIn’s Boost Your Business With LinkedIn section which offers a video guide to using LinkedIn for branding and lead generation. Lastly, be sure to download LinkedIn’s Action Plan for Small Businesses. A five-page guide to getting started on the platform, growing your connections, and posting the right content.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
NASE is a resource for business with less than 10 employees. It provides free resources for small business owners and offers many more tools for members, including unlimited access to consultants for tax, retirement, finance, and operations questions. Membership is $12 per month.
Bplans
Bplans is a platform where you can learn about all the components for writing a business plan and how to manage the process to secure funding. While some of the offering require payment, you will also find approximately 500 free business-plan templates to help you.
Alison
Alison provides access to over 4,000 free accredited courses with certification in their free app for both IOS and android. Courses include business management, entrepreneurship, management systems, and customer service, with new courses added regularly.