Business essentials in 2014 include a phone, website, and mobile app. Sixty years ago businesses were struggling with the necessity of a phone line, and twenty years ago it was a website. This change in the business standard was necessary because it was a way to connect with customers.

Is your website underperforming, even after you’ve poured time and effort into it? Sometimes you don’t need to do a new redesign, especially if you are a fairly new small business. In fact, small tweaks can make a huge difference, and they cost a lot less than a full website change would.

It’s true: having an internet presence is of the utmost importance, and making sure your website is flawless is an important consideration. However, there’s more to running a small business than just making your website a piece of art. In fact, a lot of small businesses need a combination of a web presence and local presence in the community they’re located in.

You might think that one time customers, other than the business they brought to you once, are lost causes. Maybe your products and services aren’t designed to bring in repeat customers, or you know that a particular customer is only going to need you once.

The new stats are in: out of every hour an average Internet user spends on the Internet in a day, 16 of those minutes are spent on a social media network. Whether that social media website is Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram, the amount of time we spend devoting our lives to keeping up on businesses and people is astounding.

“On an important decision one rarely has 100% of the information needed for a good decision no matter how much one spends or how long one waits. And, if one waits too long, he has a different problem and has to start all over. This is the terrible dilemma of the hesitant decision maker.

Mobile devices have become the access point for internet information. Users are less likely to fire-up their computer; instead opting to research and view most information from a smartphone or tablet. The same is true for business owners, mobility is key and many business projects and decisions are completed with information via mobile device.

It’s always amazing when you have a brand new product ready to launch, especially when you think it’s one of the better ideas you’ve ever had. However, introducing the product correctly to the public is part of what will make or break it, and the stress of producing, naming, and financing your new invention can drive even the most experienced entrepreneurs a little insane.

One of the worst things that can happen to your email campaign is that it dies simply because you are spam-boxed. When you employ an email marketing campaign correctly, it can bring new clients and more money to your company before you know it. However, an email blast can also get your company labeled as a spammer, and you might never be seen by most of the people that subscribed to you again.

Loyalty is built from interactions with people; regardless of the business industry or products/services sold. A business can thrive or fall depending on how effective a team will work together. This type of team can offer constructive criticism, different perspectives and expand the network.