#ShapingtheBlogs

To bot or not? That is the question we look at today. A chatbot is a piece of software you install on your website making your site open 24 hours per day for a conversation with your users. You'll find various types of chatbots that provide an escalating variety of responses. Before today, you may have thought chatbots were only for large companies. But, many websites, both small and large, find them a useful tool. In this article, we ask and answer the question, "Does your startup website need ...

You probably know how important it is for employee morale and long-term employee retention to build a positive company culture. And, you probably have a wheelhouse full of tools. But, what do you do when it comes to your remote teams? It is possible to enhance your company culture remotely. It simply takes a bit of effort and ingenuity. In this article, we look at how startups can build a successful culture for remote teams. Hire the right team Your positive company culture starts when you do yo...

You did all the legwork to get your startup off the ground. You've got people taking care of your human resources, someone handling your sales and marketing, and other staff members on board. Have you forgotten your IT needs? Are you capable of connecting your team members together in a safe digital environment? Once thought to be only in the purview of big companies, the Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the best way for your startup to bring your team and your customers together under a secure ...

Have you asked yourself lately if you really need a privacy policy on your website? As a startup, you should note that in our digital age, you do need a privacy policy on your website. It can be confusing, and sometimes the privacy policy is easily forgotten, but if you want to protect your business, it is something you need. And, if you plan to use Google or Facebook advertising, you must have one on your startup's website. In this article, we look at what startups should know about crafting a ...

When it comes to the "best age" to launch a startup, age really is just a number, as evidenced by how old these famous founders were when they started their businesses.

Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. When you email your audience, you have direct access to the inner sanctum of their email inbox. This is a special place reserved for businesses like yours. In fact, you were invited in when your customer(s) opted into your list. Yet, even with the invitation, you've got to make sure you know about the laws surrounding email marketing. In this article, we look at email marketing laws and regulations startups should be aw...

It's a good rule of thumb to keep your personal and your business expenses separate as you begin getting your new startup off the ground. One of the best ways to do this is by opening a business credit card. In this article, we look at what you need to know before choosing a business credit card for your startup. When you apply It's worth noting that when you apply for a credit card for your startup, you will probably be asked about your personal credit information. They will also likely check y...

Do you feel like you start your day wearing one hat, but by the time the end of the day rolls around, you've donned and discarded multiple hats? If so, you aren't alone. Startup founders notoriously have their hands in every piece of their startup, especially when it comes to human resources. In this article, we look at the many HR hats often worn by early stage startup founders. The role of mentor By virtue of being the leader, you naturally fit the role of mentor. You're a seasoned veteran, yo...

For most entrepreneurs, they'll tell you their biggest challenge getting their startup off the ground is financing. In fact, surveys show that nearly two-thirds of start-ups face financial challenges. There are ways to overcome this large hurdle. Let's look at three common startup financing challenges and how to beat them.  #1: Start at the right time For many people looking to begin a new business, they simply lack the personal capital to do it. They may not have any savings, and they may ...

Entrepreneurs often find it challenging to stay on top of the regulations that come down from the government, but that's been especially true since the coronavirus emergency began impacting the country. Businesses are facing new challenges every day, and so are American families, many of whom are struggling to pay bills amid changing working conditions. Federal, state and local governments have been fast-tracking new regs, and today we've got the lowdown on how one of them will affect your busin...