This recently purchased franchise is available due to a required relocation of the owner. It has been profitable since its inception due to the marketing and referrals of satisfied customers. The transfer of the franchise includes corporate training and assistance with marketing. This is a desirable niche business which its services appeal to a majority of the general public. The initial service in many instances leads to expanding projects. For more information please contact Bob Gullo at 609-332-0967 or email robertgullo68@gmail.com
In the realm of modern business, the digital platform plays a pivotal role in connecting with customers. A mobile app has become an indispensable tool, bridging the gap between businesses and consumers. It’s not just about having a digital presence; it’s about enhancing reach, engagement, and the overall customer experience. Crafting a mobile app for your business is a journey that necessitates meticulous planning, research, and execution. Courtesy of Keystone Business Brokers, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to ensure your app’s success, focusing on clarity, precision, and a user-centric approach.
Understanding Your Audience
To set your app apart, start with a clear definition of its purpose and a deep understanding of your target audience. Your app should not only aim to achieve specific business objectives but also address the needs and preferences of your audience. Tailoring your app to meet these requirements ensures it resonates with users, fostering engagement and loyalty.
Market Research and Competitive Analysis
A thorough analysis of the competitive landscape is crucial. By examining competitors’ apps, you can identify market trends, recognize untapped opportunities, and learn from their shortcomings. Delving into user reviews and feedback provides invaluable insights, guiding you toward innovative solutions and improvements that could set your app apart.
Acquiring Essential Skills and Knowledge
Earning a computer science degree provides an in-depth overview of a Bachelor of Computer Science degree, laying a solid foundation for aspiring app developers. It equips students with essential skills, including mastery of programming languages, understanding of data structures and algorithms, and knowledge of software engineering principles. Furthermore, pursuing an online degree offers the flexibility to learn these vital components while managing work commitments, making it an ideal pathway for continuous professional development in the field of app development.
Prioritizing User Experience Design
The triumph of an app hinges greatly on the quality of its user experience (UX). Crafting an interface that is both intuitive and aesthetically pleasing is crucial. It is vital that your app provides smooth navigation and flawless functionality, turning each user interaction into a delightful experience. A meticulously planned UX design is key to not only drawing in users but also fostering sustained interaction with your app. This approach can significantly boost the likelihood of users recommending the app to others, amplifying its success.
Rigorous Testing and Quality Assurance
Ensuring quality is imperative. Conducting comprehensive testing on a variety of devices and platforms guarantees that your app functions seamlessly, eliminating glitches that may impair its performance. Through usability testing, you can confirm that your app achieves its intended goals, providing an intuitive and user-friendly experience for everyone. This rigorous approach to quality assurance not only enhances user satisfaction but also bolsters the app’s reputation in the competitive market.
Crafting a Strategic Marketing Plan
Visibility is key to your app’s success. A well-executed marketing strategy is essential to generate interest and attract users. Leveraging social media, email marketing, and other digital channels allows you to reach a broader audience. A compelling narrative around your app’s unique features and benefits can spark curiosity and drive downloads.
Leveraging Analytics for Continuous Improvement
Integrating analytics tools into your app provides a wealth of data about user behavior, preferences, and app performance. This information is critical for making informed decisions, allowing you to refine features, enhance user engagement, and foster growth. Analytics serve as the compass that guides your app’s evolution, ensuring it remains relevant and competitive.
Developing a mobile app for your business is a comprehensive process that demands attention to detail, an understanding of your audience, and an unwavering commitment to quality. By meticulously planning and executing each step outlined in this guide, you can create an app that not only achieves your business goals but also delivers a superior experience to your users. Remember, the journey doesn’t end with the launch; it’s a continuous cycle of feedback, iteration, and improvement. Stay agile and attuned to the needs of your audience and the shifts in the digital landscape to ensure your app remains a valuable asset to your business and your customers.
Discover the perfect business opportunity with Keystone Business Brokers, the leader in South Jersey for selective business listings. Don’t wait, transform your entrepreneurial dreams into reality today by exploring our inventory or getting in touch for a consultation. Visit Keystone Business Brokers to get started.
Navigating the financial landscape successfully is a cornerstone for any small business owner looking to achieve growth and sustainability. Gaining a solid grasp of financial principles allows for informed decision-making, which is crucial for steering your venture in the right direction. By adopting a series of strategic measures aimed at enhancing your financial literacy, you can protect your business from potential pitfalls while optimizing its overall performance. In this article, which arrives courtesy of Keystone Business Brokers, we delve into essential strategies and insights designed to bolster your financial knowledge, thereby empowering you to make prudent decisions for your small business.
Foundation in Accounting and Finance
Embarking on your financial journey begins with a solid understanding of accounting and finance. This fundamental knowledge is vital for interpreting financial statements, managing cash flow, and grasping financial ratios—key indicators of your business’s fiscal health. Equipped with this expertise, you can effectively evaluate your business’s financial status, foresee potential challenges, and seize growth opportunities, ensuring a strategic approach to financial management.
Debt Management for Financial Flexibility
Reducing debt is essential for freeing up cash flow and minimizing interest expenses. By focusing on paying down high-interest debts and negotiating better terms with creditors, you can alleviate financial burdens. Such strategic debt management not only strengthens your balance sheet but also enhances your business’s financial dexterity, crucial for navigating the economic aspects of business ownership with confidence.
The Benefits of Forming an LLC
Consider the advantages of structuring your business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) through ZenBusiness. This business formation offers not only limited liability protection for your personal assets but also potential tax benefits and management flexibility. Assessing the suitability of an LLC for your business objectives can provide significant financial advantages, bolstering your business’s credibility and facilitating its long-term success.
Broadening Financial Education
Participate in financial literacy workshops or seminars to expand your financial education, such as those offered by InCharge Debt Solutions. These platforms offer invaluable knowledge on effective financial management and connect you with financial experts and like-minded entrepreneurs. Such educational experiences are instrumental in honing your financial decision-making abilities and keeping you informed of the latest financial trends and strategies, essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
Expert Guidance: The Role of Professional Accountants
Collaborating with a professional accountant can provide specialized financial guidance tailored to your business’s unique needs. An accountant’s expertise in areas such as tax planning and financial analysis is invaluable, allowing you to focus on core business operations while ensuring your financial strategies are both sound and compliant, thereby safeguarding your business’s fiscal health.
The Importance of Protecting Financial Documents
Safeguarding your financial documents is imperative in today’s digital age. Utilizing online PDF tools to encrypt files, implement strong passwords, and ensure secure sharing is fundamental in protecting sensitive financial information against cyber threats. These security measures are crucial for preserving the confidentiality and integrity of your business’s financial data, a non-negotiable aspect of modern financial management.
Cultivating a Network for Financial Growth
Building connections with fellow business owners and industry professionals can provide a wealth of knowledge and support. This network acts as a valuable resource for sharing best practices, exchanging financial insights, and fostering collaborations. Engaging with a community of entrepreneurs can offer fresh perspectives and proven strategies, aiding in the avoidance of financial pitfalls and the adoption of effective financial management practices.
By integrating these strategies into your business operations, you lay a solid foundation for financial acumen. Mastering accounting and finance basics, strategically managing debt, understanding the benefits of an LLC formation, pursuing financial education, seeking expert advice, ensuring document security, and networking with peers equip you with a comprehensive toolkit for financial success. These measures not only prepare you to navigate the financial aspects of your business with greater confidence but also position your enterprise for sustainable growth and stability in a competitive market.
Discover the perfect business opportunity with Keystone Business Brokers—explore our exclusive inventory of businesses for sale in the South Jersey area and start your journey towards business ownership today.
Want to take your small business to the next level? Whether you’re a solopreneur or have a small team on your side, running a small business can be challenging. There’s so much to do and so little time! Fortunately, you have access to a wide variety of tech tools that can help you streamline your business, save time, and keep more money in your pocket.
Here are three of the best tech investment ideas from Keystone Business Brokers to keep your small business running smoothly.
1. Cybersecurity Upgrades
Cybersecurity is always a smart investment, regardless of the size of your business. Upgrading your small business cybersecurity will enable you to avoid threats and combat data breaches with ease.
Take steps to protect your business from a cyber attack, including establishing a data recovery plan in the event of a breach.
Along with good financial management software, integrated inventory tracking tools will make your life much easier.
On a tight budget? Test out a few free financial tools to get a feel for which features you need before spending money on a robust application.
3. Apps for Easy Content Creation
Content creation is an important part of any digital marketing plan, but creating content can be time-consuming. Invest in tech tools to streamline content creation and better connect with your audience.
Make sure you have invoices tailored to your business. Start with an invoice generator and begin putting together one using templates.
Just because your business is on the smaller side doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own. Take advantage of smart tech tools to automate time-consuming tasks, avoid human error, and make your business even better. Investing in tech upgrades will save you a lot of money in the long run!
Keystone Business Brokers has its roots in the 1940s and has served this area steadily over the years. Call (866) 744-0720.
The increased amount of time people spend on their phones has changed how businesses spend their marketing budget. In the U.S., 72% of people spend upwards of 3 hours each day on their phones for work and social activities according to Statista. Marketing budgets for traditional channels, such as flyers, billboards, and paid mass media, have been slashed and redirected to social media ads and email marketing. However, as Keystone Business Brokers explains, marketing methods from decades ago still deliver a sizable return on investment (ROI) and pair well with more recent channels.
Coupons
Physical coupons sent directly to customers via mail were a major thing years ago. They were a great way to keep customers coming to your physical store. Coupons have since evolved with digital coupons booming with e-commerce. They remain reliable in retaining and acquiring new customers. You can pair them with email marketing to reduce customer churn. For instance, you may entice customers who have not renewed subscriptions or not visited your website for a while to come back using coupons.
Postcards
It may surprise you, but postcards are still an excellent way to market your products. On the downside, you need to pay for postage upfront and curate a mailing list. On the upside, Central Mailing Services notes that people are more likely to read physical mail than emails. This method works because 98% of people bring their physical mail into the house the day it comes. Meanwhile, 77% of those people sort and read their mail within 30 minutes of receiving it.
Business Cards
Today, it’s possible to create and share your e-business card with a phone app. However, you should still carry physical business cards with you to share with new leads. Physical business cards leave people with something tangible to remember you by. You can easily design your own business cards using free templates available online. The templates are usually customizable, allowing you to add your own text, images, font, and color schemes.
Working with Professionals
You may prefer working with professionals to help create high-quality postcards, coupons, customized emails, and social media posts. Often, entrepreneurs know what results they want but need professional web designers, graphic designers, and marketers to help with proper execution. For instance, the entrepreneur knows the brand’s story, but marketers will help tell it correctly through brand campaigns.
During discussions with these professionals, share images you have been working on with them. If these images are in JPG format, you can compress them to send them via email, but this will lead to a loss in quality. The correct alternative is to convert the JPG files into PDF format. In fact, you can convert multiple JPG files into a single PDF file for easier sharing.
Choosing the Correct Channels
Today’s marketers face a tough dilemma when deciding which resources to allocate to different marketing methods, including social media platforms. An affordable and efficient way to experiment is to get started with a Facebook ad template to fast-track publishing an ad that directs customers to your website or generates an email or phone call.
One solution for choosing the best channels is to monitor the source of your current customers. This is why companies conduct surveys on new customers to ask where they first heard about the company. When running an e-commerce website, tools such as Google Analytics will break down your traffic sources by website and country.
Be Objective with Marketing Channel Choices
As a business leader, you have to be bold and objective in the marketing channels you use. Futuristic channels are not always better. Some marketing methods may have been around for a while, but they may still be great for your niche. Try these marketing methods to see which ones work best for your business.
Keystone Business Brokers is backed with more than 60 years of experience in commercial and business brokerage. Reach out today for more info! (866) 744-0720
Many entrepreneurs take pride in working weekends and never leaving the office. But most who have experienced long-term success have realized the importance of self-care at some point in their careers. Some have learned it the hard way.
The truth is many business owners are simply trying to get all their tasks done and don’t feel like they have time to take care of their health and well-being. However, not doing so will ultimately hold you back from accomplishing your goals, not to mention leave you unhealthy and unhappy.
If you want success, health, and happiness, consider these realistic self-care tips from Keystone Business Brokers:
1. Declutter Your Home
The first step to a healthy career and life is to create a peaceful atmosphere in your home. Dealing with tension, criticism, arguing, and complaining every day can be draining on everyone in your household. Look for ways to brighten up the space, such as decluttering, adding house plants, and opening the windows on warm days.
2. Hire Services
The most common reason for entrepreneurs neglecting self-care is limited time. You probably have a full plate and find it hard to imagine adding time for yourself in your routine. One way to open up more time is to hire professionals to take care of the business tasks you are not equipped to do efficiently.
For example, if you are spending too much time responding to emails and invoicing customers, hire a virtual assistant to handle those tasks so that you can focus on running your company. The same goes for web design, content writing, bookkeeping, and any other responsibilities holding you back.
3. Set Up a Workout Space
You may not have time to go to the gym every workday, but you can make a spot at home for your exercise routine. Consider the types of movements you like to do and carve out a simple space for staying active. There are many online workout plans, programs, and tutorials to give you ideas on how to work out from home with minimal equipment and space.
4. Get Some Sun
We need vitamin D to function and live happily. Not getting enough sunlight can make it difficult to stay productive and harm your mental health. Be mindful to get outdoors each day, even if it means sitting outside with a book or going for a quick walk in the neighborhood.
5. Sleep Seven Hours
When you run a business, you simply cannot stay productive and maintain your quality of work without adequate sleep. Adults need at least seven hours of restful sleep each night, though some require eight or nine hours. Figure out how much sleep is necessary to work and live well, and create a bedtime routine that helps you sustain it.
6. Eat for Energy and Health
Another challenge to entrepreneurship is that it can be hard to maintain a consistent, nutritious diet. If there are many days that you go without eating a decent meal, or if you are well-acquainted with the drive-thru window, now is the time to make some healthy changes.
Try to eat more leafy greens, other vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, and lean protein. Not only do whole foods benefit long-term health, but they also boost energy, concentration, and mental health.
It’s safe to say that every entrepreneur longs for success, health, and happiness. But the only way to get there is to maintain a solid self-care routine. Following the tips above will help you get off to a strong start. but keep learning and trying new things until you find a healthy rhythm that works for you.
Would you like to read more helpful content or see our selective business inventory in the South Jersey area? Visit KBizBrokers.com today!
As a veteran, you possess unique traits, such as being self-disciplined and courageous, that make you an ideal person to open a small business. You’re also used to working as part of a team and being a leader, which means you can easily manage your employees and work with them. However, before you begin the process, it’s important to know what it takes to open a business. That’s why Keystone Business Brokers is proud to share the following tips and resources.
Choose Your Business Type
You must first choose the type of business you want to operate. Think about your passions and interests. Do you love pets? You can open a lifestyle store for dog owners or an e-commerce dog supply store. Perhaps you’re passionate about the army and want to help those who are continuing to serve. Consider opening a fitness center. You can help individuals who are in training to get in shape as well as assist the community as a whole to stay active.
If you can’t think of ideas based on your interests, create a list of your strengths. Add skills you developed while training in the army. Some business ideas that work well for first-time entrepreneurs include a cleaning service or home care service for the aging. Typically, these businesses require little money to start and are always in demand. Alternatively, remember that you don’t necessarily have to start from scratch. For instance, if you’re interested in purchasing a business that’s already been established, Keystone Business Brokers can help!
Create a Detailed Business Plan
Once you decide on a business type, create a comprehensive business plan. Not only does drafting this document help you plan, but you need to present it when you apply for loans or grants. Moreover, you may be interested in attracting investors, and they’re likely to want to look at your business plan first.
In your business plan, write about your products or services. Dedicate one section to specifying your target audience and their demographics. Also include information about the marketing tactics you plan to use.
Examine Your Target Market
You need an accurate view of who your target market is, so you can focus your marketing efforts in the correct direction. For instance, are you focused on local individuals, or is this an online business that ships products around the country? Are your products or services mainly for women, men, or both? If you had to make an educated guess, what age bracket is likely to be more interested in what you offer?
Find Funding
Both state and local grants are available, which is money you don’t have to pay back. You can also take out small business loans at low-interest rates through the government.
In addition, you can look for private investors by asking your current social circle, family, and acquaintances if they want to invest or know anyone who may be interested.
Improve Your Business Skills
Consider returning to school and earning your MBA degree. You can develop a comprehensive understanding of business and give yourself a distinct edge over the competition, as well as gain leadership skills and understand the importance of self-assessment when monitoring your progress.
Reap the Reward of Entrepreneurship With the Right Steps
When you know how to proceed as a veteran opening a business, you can build a solid foundation for your business and reap the fruits of your hard work.
Keystone Business Brokers is the most selective inventory of Businesses in the South Jersey area. Call (866) 744-0720.
As your business grows and you begin hiring, you must research employee benefits and develop a package to offer. A paid time off program can help your business provide support and flexibility to employees. Understanding the complexities of PTO policies enables you to design a fair-minded and sensible program for your company. Keystone Business Brokers offers some tips that can help you get this program off the ground.
1. Differences From Paid Leave
A survey showed that most workers employed by private businesses receive some form of paid leave as part of their compensation, with some industries offering paid vacation for over 90% of employees. In the past, companies often had separate categories for vacation days and sick days. Today, many businesses have moved to a PTO model in which both planned and unplanned time off come from the same pool.
2. Advantages of a PTO Model
Studies have found that overworking can be harmful to employees and businesses alike, and offering PTO is one way you can prevent stress and burnout. Taking time off allows employees to stay refreshed, productive and engaged. The benefits you provide demonstrate to your employees that you value their contributions and well-being. Furthermore, a solid benefits program can help you recruit and retain a great team.
3. Pitfalls To Avoid
Unfortunately, there are drawbacks associated with PTO policies. Your policy should account for those who abuse their PTO. For example, if you have an employee who takes excessive unplanned absences, your PTO program should clearly outline how to deal with them.
Additionally, if workers perceive the policy as unfair or insufficient, it could contribute to employee dissatisfaction. Avoid creating scenarios in which employees have PTO but cannot easily use it, thus losing their compensation.
4. Benefits To Consider
As you design your company’s PTO policy, there are many details you must consider. For example, depending on your hiring model, you should determine if PTO benefits are only for full-time employees or if you’ll extend some support for part-time or contract workers.
Furthermore, you can give unlimited PTO or allow employees to accrue it throughout the year. With the latter model, you must determine if employees can borrow PTO from the future or roll over unused PTO to the next year. Some businesses pay employees for unused PTO to reward regular attendance.
Setting clear guidelines regarding how and when to request time off prevents unfairness and scheduling mishaps. You should also have regulations regarding paid and public holidays and how those differ from PTO.
5. Tasks To Outsource
Business consultants can help companies design and present a new PTO program. Depending on their level of skill and experience, keep in mind that the marketing consultant hourly rate is generally between $23 and $98 per hour. Online job platforms feature reviews, pricing, and timing information that allow you to find the right consultant.
You can present your employees with a written account of the PTO policy and ask them to sign the document to ensure they understand and agree. PDFs are excellent for creating professional contracts that are accessible and properly formatted. When you need to reduce the file size to make it easier to send online, use a PDF compressor tool. It maintains the document’s structure and elements and the quality of fonts and images.
A program that allows employees to take time off while still being paid can benefit your team and business. Although there are disadvantages to using a PTO model, creating a policy with clear guidelines for handling various situations can help you avoid the drawbacks.
At Keystone Business Brokers, we know your small business runs on your ideas, so it’s only natural that you want to do everything possible to maintain it. However, this can lead some entrepreneurs to take on more than they need to for their company.
Technology offers an extensive range of benefits for businesses, but are you over-investing in technology? Instead of spending time and money handling every aspect in-house, consider hiring a professional agency to manage your IT services, social media accounts, or network security.
Managed IT Services
Technology is the backbone of every successful business. With networks, software, and hardware all inter-reliant on each other, it’s easy to see how a minor IT issue could escalate into something serious very quickly.
Rather than trying to manage this yourself or hire an in-house employee to oversee the daily upkeep of your network, consider outsourcing your IT to a reputable agency. Your company will get the benefits of an in-house IT department without the burdens.
Social Media Management
It’s no secret that social media is a vital tool for businesses of any size. Well-managed Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social accounts help boost your company’s visibility with your target audience; however, the time commitment associated with managing social media for a business is enormous. Consider hiring a social media company to manage your accounts instead of losing precious time engaging with your audience on all fronts.
Network Security
Every company is a potential target for hackers due to the valuable information contained on its servers. Security should be one of your top priorities as a business owner, but you have more important things to do than monitor your network 24/7 for breaches or suspicious activity that could compromise your data. With managed services from a cybersecurity company, you can rest assured your network is monitored around the clock.
Website and Graphic Design Services
Since your website is one of the first things potential customers see when researching your company, you need to invest in its design. Instead of managing this task in-house or hiring a graphic designer to create a custom banner for your business website, you could use an online banner template such as Adobe Spark to create it yourself and save money.
Benefits of Outsourcing IT Solutions
When your small business needs help with its technology services or IT department, don’t hire an in-house employee or handle it yourself. Find a professional company to manage all your tech-related tasks so you can concentrate on what matters most: your business.
Vimeo and TikTok Partner to Drive Small Business Success with Video Ads
The partnership connects Vimeo’s powerful creation tools with TikTok Ads Manager; Vimeo is the first video software company to join the TikTok Marketing Partner Program
Vimeo (NASDAQ:VMEO), the world’s leading all-in-one video software solution, and TikTok, a leading destination for short-form mobile video, today announced a new partnership that integrates Vimeo’s powerful video tools with the TikTok platform. The partnership gives small and medium businesses (SMBs) everything they need to make effective video ads to engage customers while enabling them to take full advantage of Vimeo’s suite of video tools and the broad reach of the TikTok platform. In pre-release tests of the combined capabilities, participants saw up to 50% higher clickthrough rates compared to previous campaigns on other platforms and were able to double the number of videos they created in a short time span.
Vimeo is joining TikTok Marketing Partners, a group of vetted experts who create, implement, and measure TikTok ad campaigns. Vimeo is the first partner to be badged under TikTok’s all-new Creative Tools subcategory of Creative Partners, which helps brands produce creative assets that leverage TikTok’s best practices.
With this first-of-a-kind partnership between TikTok and a video software company, SMBs can now use Vimeo Create, an advanced AI-driven video production tool, to produce and publish ads directly into the TikTok Ad Manager in minutes. The companies also collaborated on developing custom video templates exclusively available in Vimeo Create, optimized for the TikTok platform.
Pre-Release Test Advertising
Ahead of the launch, Vimeo and TikTok invited small businesses to try Vimeo Create and advertise on TikTok for the first time. More than 85% of participants reported successful campaign results and plan to run additional TikTok campaigns. NaturalAnnie Essentials, a family-run, Bridgeport, CT-based soy candle company, saw a 5.5x increase in conversion rate within the first two weeks of the trial campaign when compared with other forms of online advertising.
“We’ve saved thousands of dollars, the stress of shipping candles to a production studio, and lots of headaches by using Vimeo for our TikTok ads,” said Annya White-Brown, CEO of NaturalAnnie Essentials. “Vimeo Create made it super easy— it was as simple as adding your assets to the templates to fit your brand. Now we create anywhere from 30-75 videos per month.”
TikTok gives small businesses opportunities to reach and attract wider communities where they spend their time today. However, the high level of user engagement on the platform creates a challenge for marketers who need to publish new content and ads with far more frequency than on other online channels. It’s recommended that businesses test new TikTok ad creative on a bi-weekly basis and that they post new organic TikTok videos multiple times a week – if not every day – to maximize their engagement.
“Vimeo and TikTok are solving one of the most significant pain points for SMBs in reaching customers — how to easily and affordably create professional-quality content at scale,” said Richard Bloom, SVP, Business Development, Vimeo. “We’re thrilled to be the first video creation platform to integrate with TikTok For Business and to expand the reach of Vimeo Create, so more businesses can engage even more customers online.”
“As small businesses recover and rebuild after a challenging year, TikTok is working on ways to make it easier to reach their community and grow their business,” said Melissa Yang, Head of Ecosystem Partnerships, TikTok. “Our partnership with Vimeo provides small businesses with simple, effective video tools that rival what the biggest brands in the world have access to — and they drive real results.”
Following the launch, Vimeo and TikTok plan to find more ways to join forces in helping every SMB succeed with video. This integration is available immediately to all Vimeo users.
