As the world changes around us, it’s important for business owners to stay aware of what’s going on in the business world. Whether you’re just starting a new business or you’ve been in the game for years, there’s always a new lesson to learn. Maybe you need to learn about adapting your business for new customers like Generation Z, staying aware of social media trends like Facebook’s algorithm changes, or learning SEO hacks to generate more leads from your online content.
Whatever the case, there are many people and companies out there that are passionate about providing this kind of information to entrepreneurs, from small businesses to large-scale startups. So if you’re looking for some new blogs to get information from in 2018, make sure you check these out:
1 Oberlo blog
Oberlo, a company that specializes in dropshipping services for ecommerce sites, has a blog that’s especially useful for anyone who’s in the ecommerce business. They’re at the forefront of all things digital, with great advice and examples of ecommerce web design, shipping tips, and a guide on dropshipping versus wholesale inventory. They also have advice for entrepreneurs in general, for example, this blogpost on 10 obvious signs you should be working for yourself.
Even if you aren’t selling products online and your store is purely brick-and-mortar right now, you may want to start selling a few products online, considering an estimated 224 million digital shoppers will make purchases in the US by 2019.
2 Chris Brogan’s blog
Chris Brogan is one of those people who’s passionate about making business something that can work for anyone, which is why he has written 10 books, all of them New York Times best sellers. The killer combo of being both a savvy entrepreneur and a writer means he’s a great resource if you’re looking to improve your content and share it on the web. According to Magnet4Blogging, “Chris loves to show business owners how to use media and community to earn more customers and much more.”
Considering 91 percent of brands use two or more social media channels to market their businesses, you’re definitely going to want to check out Chris’s blog to learn how to spread the word about your brand.
3 EO Network blog
This blog, started by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, provides blog posts written by a community of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs: people who have already made it and want to share how they got there with the rest of the world. Additionally, this blog will provide you with information on the industry’s latest trends and other useful resources.
According to Apiumhub, on EO Network blog you’ll find “articles written by leading entrepreneurs, stories by global business speakers, interviews with business experts, guest posts from renowned business bloggers, best business books, global trend reports and insights into the state of entrepreneurship.” So whether you’re looking to get inspired or brush up on your skills, it’s a great resource. With as many as 80 percent of new businesses failing, it’s a great way to stay informed and build success.
4 Work Smarter, Not Harder blog
All of us have long days at work, and all of us are tempted to reach for our phones in the middle of being productive to scroll through our Facebook newsfeeds — the numbers prove it, with the average American spending 5 hours a day on their phone. But as you know, being so distracted also means lower productivity in the workplace, which is the Work Smarter, Not Harder blog exists.
According to Scoro, this blog offers advice ranging from personal productivity strategies to those you can implement with the whole team. Any time you feel a lull in workplace productivity, read up on this one.
5 Small Biz Trends
Sometimes, when it comes to getting informed all you really need is a refresher: a blog that will provide you with general business-oriented information (such as how-to’s), industry news and trends, and a mix of blog posts coupled with news, images, videos, and advice. With articles such as best accounting software for small businesses and the dos and don’ts of retail, Small Biz Trends is one of the most thorough business blogs out there. They’ve even got a resources page with guides for how to apply for loans and create social media calendars.
Sure, the number of blogs worldwide is estimated to reach 31.7 million by 2020, but we have the feeling that even then, this is going to be one of the best blogs out there for small business owners.
When it comes to running a business, there are lots of challenges on the road to success — which is why it’s so important to stay as informed as possible with blogs like these. Whether you’re looking to enhance your social media presence or write a new business plan, these blogs will make a huge difference when it comes to knowing what you need to get the job done.
What business blogs would you recommend to readers?