Your free business.com+ membership unlocks exclusive tech deals and advisor support
Join Free
BDC Hamburger Icon

Menu

Close
BDC Logo with Name
Search Icon
Search Icon

Buying Guides

Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

Businesswoman with mobile phone in hand
Article
How to Use SMS Messaging for Your Business
By David Gargaro | February 06, 2026

Use SMS messaging in text message marketing campaigns to reach customers on their mobile devices. Learn the types of SMS messages and how to use them.

Article
What to Include in a Promotion Letter
By Max Freedman | February 06, 2026

Promotion letters formalize changes you've discussed with an employee. Learn how to write them by following our guide and using this template.

Article
Why Is Cultural Competency Important for Businesses?
By Sean Peek | February 06, 2026

Understanding cultural differences and building a culturally competent company isn't just a skill for global businesses.

Article
12 Ways to Improve Your Office Workflow
By Miranda Fraraccio | February 06, 2026

Make your employees happier and more productive by following these tips for making your business run more efficiently and smoothly.

Best Pick
The Best POS Systems of 2026
By Quinn Springett | February 06, 2026

Clover, Square and Lightspeed lead as top POS systems, featuring mobile sales, loyalty programs and seamless integrations for diverse businesses.

hand removing a paycheck from an envelope
Best Pick
The Best Online Payroll Services of 2026
By Jessica Elliott | February 05, 2026

Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll and ADP streamline payroll processing with tax compliance, direct deposit and employee self-service portals.

Article
12 Ways Content from Influencers Helps Your Business Grow
By Julie Thompson | February 05, 2026

Influencer marketing is a brand-building tool that can promote your business and improve SEO. Learn how to use influencers in your marketing strategy.

Best Pick
The Best PEO Service Providers of 2026
By Skye Schooley | February 05, 2026

Insperity, TriNet and Justworks are top PEO providers, offering comprehensive HR outsourcing, compliance support and employee benefits.

Article
Is It Time to Hire a CPA?
By Max Freedman | February 04, 2026

CPAs cost $150-$400 per hour and should be hired at business startup if affordable. They stay current on tax laws and make fewer errors than doing it yourself.

Article
8 Ways to Make Your Business’s Computing Eco-Friendly
By Julie Thompson | February 04, 2026

Learn eight ways to improve your bottom line and create a more sustainable business environment by using practices such as cloud-based computing.

Article
10 Things You Must Do Before Starting a Business
By Adam Uzialko | February 04, 2026

Find out what you must do before starting a business, from writing a business plan to getting the proper insurance.

Article
P.F. Drucker (Peter Drucker): Modern Management Theory & MBO
By Sean Peek | February 04, 2026

Explore P.F. Drucker's management theory: decentralized leadership, management by objectives, knowledge worker and more foundational concepts.

Article
How New-Age Social Media Marketing Is Changing and What You Need to Know in 2026
By Aaron Irmas | February 03, 2026

Social media marketing is shifting to niche platforms, short-form video, influencer partnerships and AI tools — demanding agility and authenticity from brands.

Article
The Best PayPal Alternatives
By Anna Baluch | February 03, 2026

Top PayPal alternatives include Stripe for e-commerce, Square for POS, Authorize.Net for multi-channel payments, Shopify Payments and Braintree by PayPal.

Article
HR for Small Business: 9 HR Basics to Manage
By Vanessa Johnson | February 03, 2026

Learn some human resources basics to ensure your business successfully recruits and retains employees and stays legally compliant.

Article
How to Manage File System ACLs With PowerShell
By Adam Bertram | February 03, 2026

Before you can change an ACL, you must get the current one. There are two ways to do this with PowerShell. Learn how to get the current ACL and modify it.

Diverse office space
Article
The Management Theory of Max Weber
By Sean Peek | February 03, 2026

Max Weber’s management theory promotes a structured hierarchy, clear rules and impersonal relationships to increase efficiency and eliminate favoritism.

Article
The Management Theory of Joseph Juran
By Sean Peek | February 03, 2026

Joseph Juran was a pioneer in the study of quality control for industries like math and science. Learn how to apply his management theory to your business.

Article
Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory: A Manager’s Guide (2026)
By Max Freedman | February 03, 2026

Learn how Frederick Herzberg's two-factor theory helps modern leaders boost retention and engagement. Discover actionable tips for applying motivation-hygiene principles in 2026.

Article
How to Create an Accessible E-Commerce Website
By Nathan Resnick | February 03, 2026

These ADA compliance tips can help you make your e-commerce website accessible for people with disabilities.

Article
How to Create a Sustainable Business Model
By Drew Hendricks | February 03, 2026

A sustainable business model is a top priority for SMBs. Learn how to build a sustainable business that benefits customers without jeopardizing the planet.

Article
Why It’s Important New Hires Fit a Company’s Culture
By Andrew Martins | February 03, 2026

Business owners who want a cohesive workplace must ensure new hires fitthe company culture. Learn why a cultural fit is vital and how to qualify people.

Article
Decision Support Systems Applications and Uses
By Mark Fairlie | February 03, 2026

Decision support systems use AI and data analysis to help businesses predict trends, optimize decisions and tailor strategies across key operations.

Article
What Are the Benefits of a Section 125 Plan?
By Miranda Fraraccio | February 03, 2026

With the tax savings it offers, a Section 125 plan can be a nice addition to a benefits package. Here are the pros and cons of these plans.

person working at a desk in a wheelchair
Article
What’s the Difference Between Net Income and Profit?
By Sally Herigstad | February 02, 2026

Profit and net income are found on your company's income statement. Learn the difference between these financial terms and what they mean for your company.

Article
International Market Expansion: The Benefits of Global Expansion
By Mark Fairlie | February 02, 2026

Global expansion means expanding your business overseas. Learn the benefits of going global and what steps to take for international market expansion.

Article
Why Do Small Businesses Need a Registered Agent?
By Deborah Sweeney | February 02, 2026

Finding a registered agent is part of starting a business. Learn what a registered agent is and why your small business needs one.

Article
Think Like a Startup, Scale Like an Enterprise: Balancing the Best of Both Worlds
By Mark Fairlie | February 02, 2026

Think like a startup for innovation and agility, scale like an enterprise with systems and processes. Balance both approaches to drive sustainable growth.

Article
How Social Selling Can Improve Your Sales Process
By Julie Thompson | February 02, 2026

Learn how connecting with prospects on social media can improve your lead-generation efforts.

Article
Writing a Business Growth Plan
By Jennifer Dublino | February 02, 2026

Our step-by-step guide outlines what to include in your company's business growth plan and features expert advice from business strategy experts.