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  • 8 payroll terms every employer should know

    8 payroll terms every employer should know

    Are you an employer who has recently hired new employees? Whether you’re self-employed or work at a company that employs 10 or more workers, you need to understand how payroll works and the terms that come with it. After all, if your business runs payroll, it’s your responsibility to ensure that every employee is paid their correct wages and benefits, on time and in full! Here are eight payroll terms every employer should know

    1) Overtime

    Extra hours worked by an employee outside of their standard hours are called overtime, or time and a half. Federal law mandates that most workers be paid 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for each hour of overtime.

    2) Direct Deposit

    Direct deposit is when you authorize your bank to withdraw funds from your checking account, at a date and time you specify, and deposit those funds into another bank account. Direct deposit is an easy and secure way for employers to pay their employees without having to mail out paper checks each month.

    3) Gross Income

    Gross Income is the amount of money you earned in a year. Gross Income, also called earned income and income before taxes, does not include monies from sources such as investments, pensions,s or Social Security payments.

    4) Defined Benefit Plans

    A Defined Benefit Plan is a type of pension plan that gives a pre-determined benefit on the retirement date. Employers are legally required to offer employees this benefit, but the types and amounts of these benefits can vary greatly. The contribution to this type of plan usually only comes from the employer and taxes on the benefits are taken at retirement (benefits will be lower if withdrawal is made before retirement). Because there are many different types of Defined Benefit Plans and individual plans may vary depending on factors such as which company offers it or what union negotiated it, there’s no standard across all employers with regards to requirements for coverage and other aspects.

    5) Base Salary

    Base salary is an amount that is paid to an employee at a set rate of pay, on a set schedule. Base salary does not take into account any variable pay or bonuses.

    6) Fringe Benefits

    Fringe benefits are benefits other than wages and salary. While some employers offer these as a way to make work more attractive, they must be reported as income and are subject to employment taxes. Employees may not be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket fringe benefit expenses, but they are tax deductible by the company if the employee meets eligibility requirements and is not provided on a pre-tax basis. Common fringe benefits offered by employers include health care, retirement savings, disability insurance, life insurance, tuition assistance or discounts for employees or family members in particular situations such as childcare needs.

    7) Liability Insurance

    Liability insurance is a type of commercial insurance coverage that protects against risks and potential liability in the event that someone is injured on your property or as a result of your business’s activities.

    When it comes to liability coverage, there are several options. With higher limits, you’ll pay less per month. However, higher limits will also come with a more expensive monthly premium.

    8) Profit Sharing Plans

    Payroll is one of the most time-consuming and expensive responsibilities for any employer. Now, imagine that you could reduce the burden and save some money with a profit-sharing plan. When it comes to protecting employees from layoffs, restructuring, or closure of the business, profit sharing is definitely something to consider.

    While profit-sharing plans are not a guarantee against layoffs or business closures, when structured properly they can make an exit easier for both the company and employee alike.

    Profit-sharing plans can also lead to better retention rates by motivating employees with incentives in place for them if they stay at your company for a certain period of time.

    When an employee shares in profits, their sense of ownership increases, which decreases turnover and increases productivity among workers.

  • 7shifts Review for 2022: Is This Restaurant Scheduling Software Right for Your Business?

    7shifts Review for 2022: Is This Restaurant Scheduling Software Right for Your Business?

    If you own or manage an independently owned restaurant, you might already know that scheduling employees can be a huge headache. It’s difficult to juggle the preferences of multiple staff members, as well as your customers’ demands. Restaurant staffing software allows you to streamline the process, saving you time and money while ensuring that your restaurant runs smoothly at all times. 7shifts, one of the most popular restaurant-management solutions on the market, has been around since 2011 and has developed quite a following in that time. But is it right for your business? Read our 2022 7shifts review to find out!

    How Does it Work?

    7shifts is a cloud-based restaurant software that enables restaurants to manage their scheduling, employee time tracking, and inventory management all in one place. It takes just seconds to schedule an event by logging into the dashboard and assigning tasks to the appropriate employees. Then employees can log in at any time during their shifts to clock in or out and update any hours they’ve worked.

    Reviews

    Tired of wasting time manually scheduling your employees for shifts? Check out 2022, the restaurant and cafe software that does all the work for you! With a sleek interface, accessible from any internet-connected device, it takes the guesswork out of managing your business. There’s an in-depth employee database, customizable shift types and pay rates per type, weekly rotating shifts to optimize staff skillsets, and more. The best part is they have live chat support so you can get help with any questions you may have quickly and easily! Check them out today!

    Costs

    In order to use 7shifts, you’ll need to purchase the full-featured version, which costs $119 per user per year. It can be a little pricey depending on your company’s size and needs.

    7shifts is simple and easy to use but doesn’t have as many features as other software competitors like Hubstaff or Smartsheet. If you are looking for more scheduling options like prioritizing shifts by demand or revenue then this is not the right tool for you.

    The basic version of 7shifts comes with some useful reports that track your labor cost and restaurant payroll trends over time in addition to saving receipts on behalf of employees, so it could be worth it if you don’t need all the extras mentioned above.

    Features

    Restaurant software is all about efficiency, and this shift-scheduling software has a lot of features that will help you reduce the time spent in your business. Plus, it’s possible to get it customized to your specific needs. There are features here like check-in reminders and staff rotations, which might come in handy for more complicated operations. And finally, the good thing about 2022 is that there are pricing options to fit any budget – it’s designed to grow with your business.

    Meredith Henning reviewed 2022 on October 13th, 2018 Love 5 Stars on Google Play

    Daria checked into my store at 9 am when she was scheduled at 10 am because she missed her bus!

    Bottom Line

    Here is an honest review of the restaurant management software. If you want to know more before signing up, then keep reading. With the 2020 U.S. population nearing 350 million, it’s no wonder that restaurant owners are scrambling to find a way to manage their workforce while staying afloat financially and growing their customer base! One emerging product in this niche is 2022 7shifts, a management software used by many food establishments nationwide including quick-service restaurants like Panera Bread, Sonic Drive-In, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Wendy’s.

  • 8 Retail Store Design Ideas to Give You an Edge on the Competition

    8 Retail Store Design Ideas to Give You an Edge on the Competition

    Retail store design matters more than you might think, especially as competition increases with the growth of online shopping options like Amazon and eBay. The wrong design can put off your customers, but the right one can be the difference between closing your store down and thriving in your industry. Here are eight retail store design ideas that will give you an edge over the competition.

    1) Redesign Your Shop

    1. Blend in, don’t stand out Business Insider suggests that retailers should set their store up so that it blends in with their surroundings. If you have a shop nearby, leave room for walkers past your storefront and focus on being a part of the community rather than secluding yourself from your surroundings.
    2. Don’t overcrowd the entrance- Creating negative space within the store is important because it will draw attention to the items you are promoting in that area of the store. This is done by limiting what is on the walls and focusing more light and shelves on those products.

    2) Change the Way You Display Things

    One of the best ways to make your store stand out is by changing how you display things. In general, items are displayed in order from least expensive or most popular items at the front of a store, and more expensive or less popular items towards the back. But if you want your customers to see a certain item first, this can be done by grouping them together or putting them in a prominent place. The goal should always be to make your customers feel like they’re getting their money’s worth when they’re in your store.

    3) Use Color Theory To Attract Customers

    Studies have shown that color can affect moods and emotions. When looking at how you want your customers to feel when they enter your store, consider using color theory. Warm colors like yellows, oranges, and reds are energizing while cool colors like blues and purples are calming. Selecting a particular color scheme will help set the tone for customers as they enter.

    4) Improve Lighting in Your Store

    Most stores have a lack of natural light, which can make you feel less energized and more claustrophobic. It also makes it hard to see things clearly when you’re shopping, which can lead to impulse purchases. If your store has windows, invest in floor-to-ceiling curtains that are made from energy-efficient materials such as insulated or blackout fabric.

    5) Rotate Products Often

    Rotating your products frequently is one of the best strategies you can employ in your retail store. If done right, this simple tactic can make all the difference between mediocre and great success. And it doesn’t even require that much work! All you need to do is regularly put new items in front of your customers with some old favorites displayed behind them. This way, customers will see what’s new as well as be reminded of what they really want at that moment.

    6) De-clutter Your Shelves

    The old adage less is more rings true in retail environments. In order to create a feeling of abundance and make items feel less like commodities, make your shelves as sparse as possible. This will increase impulse purchases by making customers want what they can’t find on the shelf. Take this idea one step further and place items in hard-to-reach locations. This will also increase impulse buys because it adds a sense of value to those hard-to-find items.

    7) Get Rid of Outdated Products

    The best way to create space and make room for new, innovative products is by getting rid of outdated items. Get rid of all old inventory and unsold items, it’s time to clear out some clutter. A clean store means a fresh start for your business.

    8) Use Smaller Packages

    Retailers are always looking for new and innovative ways to attract customers. One way you can do this is by offering smaller, more compact packages of your product.

  • How to Train New Employees in 5 Easy Steps

    How to Train New Employees in 5 Easy Steps

    Training new employees might seem like an easy job, but it’s actually quite difficult to maintain the high standards of your company while also making sure that your new hires are doing their jobs as well as they can be. Here are five essential steps you can take to ensure that you’re doing everything possible to train new employees so that they can excel in their roles in the future.

    Step 1. Schedule a First Meeting

    Schedule the first meeting with your new hire at their earliest convenience to go over any paperwork that might be required, and to take care of any necessary HR stuff.

    It’s important for the two of you to have some uninterrupted time together before jumping into training. This is your chance to make a great impression on your new hire and build rapport from the start. A well-thought-out questionnaire beforehand can help things run more smoothly. Questions should include: Why did you apply for this position? and What do you know about our company?

    Step 2. Talk About the Job

    In this section, you should be as detailed as possible about the duties, hours, and expectations of the position. Here is a list of what you can cover:

    *Duties- state the basic tasks this employee will be doing.

    *Hours- Be sure to specify working hours, including times that are not normal for most people.

    *Skills – mention skills necessary for this position. Make sure you provide details on what level of experience is needed for the role and how much experience they should have if they do have any.

    Step 3. Set Goals and Deadlines for Learning

    Set Goals and Deadlines for Learning: Now that you know what skills the new hire should have, determine how long it will take for the person to be ready for duty. We recommend at least one week before expecting a new employee to start working, depending on their background and experience. It’s important that they are trained properly so they can understand how everything works in your company. It’ll also give you time to teach them about specific workplace policies, like what information is shared on social media, when passwords are updated, and whether employees are able to take outside jobs. As far as goals go, set weekly objectives with deadlines that align with their timeline expectations of progress. For example, you’ll need four hours of training today before you leave work.

    Step 4. Create a Game Plan

    1. Set goals for the next evaluation period and provide guidance for what the employee should focus on until the next evaluation.
    2. Discuss how you want to review their performance when they come back, including when and where you plan on meeting with them.

    3. Set a date/time frame for when you’ll do your first follow-up review (within one month).
    4. After this meeting is finished, end with a discussion about whether or not they feel they are improving (to gauge their morale).

    Step 5. Evaluate Performance

    Evaluate their performance. You need to do this at least every quarter, but you should do it as frequently as possible. Let your new hires know when they’re doing a good job, perhaps even recognizing exceptional achievements with glass awards, and let them know when they aren’t meeting expectations, too. Provide constructive criticism on areas that need improvement – don’t wait for the employee to figure out what’s wrong on their own! By providing ongoing feedback, you can help your employee identify how he or she needs more training.

  • HubSpot vs Salesforce: The Best CRM for Your Business

    HubSpot vs Salesforce: The Best CRM for Your Business

    What’s the best CRM? Is HubSpot better than Salesforce? What about Zoho or Zendesk? Whatever the answer, it’s important to understand what makes each CRM unique, and which solution will work best for your business. In this article, we’ll examine HubSpot and Salesforce side by side to determine which CRM deserves your business, and why. Let’s start with the basics…

    What exactly is a CRM?

    Customer relationship management, or CRM, the system is used to manage an organization’s interactions with customers. It may include marketing data and customer records. A CRM can be customized to meet a particular business’s needs.

    How do I know if a CRM is right for me?

    It’s hard to make a decision about the right CRM because there are so many options. How do you know which one is best? A good place to start is to ask yourself these three questions: 1) What’s your budget? 2) What’s your staff size and organizational structure like? 3) What are the use cases that you’re looking to solve?

    Salesforce and Hubspot have been in the business of helping organizations better organize and manage their leads, contacts, and accounts for years.

    Which HubSpot vs Salesforce comparison should I choose?

    Both Hubspot and Salesforce are great tools for small businesses, but the best decision for your organization depends on what you need out of a CRM system. For instance, if you need more marketing integration and automation, then HubSpot might be a better option. If, however, you primarily need to manage your sales pipelines, then it would make sense to go with Salesforce.

    What are the pros and cons of each solution?

    There are two main types of customer relationship management (CRM) tools out there that can be used by marketing and sales teams, HubSpot and Salesforce. These two systems allow you to stay on top of leads, follow up with prospects and customers, set appointments, make notes, take actionable tasks, and more.

    There are many similarities between the two systems as well as a few major differences. One similarity is that both systems allow you to track a contact’s journey through the conversion process from lead to customer by creating different stages in their profile. Another similarity is that both have powerful integrations with other platforms such as Slack and Google Drive; additionally, both can integrate data feeds from things like news sources or social media accounts.

    How much does it cost to use either tool?

    Hubspot’s basic package is the most expensive of the three, starting at $200 a month, but offers some features that may be vital to your business. For example, you have the ability to create custom workflows that help your sales process run more smoothly.

    Salesforce and Service Now are both priced lower and offer an even playing field when it comes to CRM tools. You will pay different prices depending on how many seats you purchase as well as how much storage space your company needs.

    What features/benefits am I going to get from using this tool in my business?

    I’m going to start off by saying that both HubSpot and Salesforce are fantastic platforms with a lot of benefits. What you should use will largely depend on what your specific business needs are, how you work and how advanced your tech skill set is. For example, if the majority of your team works remotely then an online-based platform like HubSpot might be a better fit.

    Do I need more than one tool to run my company’s marketing?

    There are many tools you can use to manage your marketing, but when it comes down to the most basic functionality of being able to email prospects and customers, nothing beats HubSpot.

    When is the best time to use which platform?

    SalesForce is the best software to use when you are more established and have a higher turnover in your business. HubSpot, on the other hand, is better when you need more marketing tools to find new customers and keep your current ones happy.

    What’s unique about each solution (and what makes them different)?

    With a different focus on integrating marketing, sales, and customer service, HubSpot is best for B2C (business-to-consumer) companies.

  • Looking for the best mileage tracker apps for small businesses

    Looking for the best mileage tracker apps for small businesses

    It’s hard to know exactly how much money your business makes off of the miles you drive from job to job, or how you can optimize the efficiency of this part of your business. How many miles are you really driving every day, and how can you reduce that number? Is there an app that will help you manage all this information? Yes, there is! Today we’ll be covering five of the best mileage tracker apps for small businesses that will make tracking your daily mileage more convenient than ever before. Let’s get started!

    #1 – Freshbooks

    FreshBooks is one of the most popular accounting software in Canada and the United States, with more than five million users worldwide. FreshBooks is designed to keep track of your business’s finances by giving you a complete overview, including invoices, expenses, reports, and payments.

    It also offers time tracking as an option so that you can stay on top of your team’s hours and get paid accurately every time they work on a project for your company. Another perk is that it has integrations with other software such as Google Drive and Slack which makes it easy to share documents with clients or colleagues. With FreshBooks, there are multiple options depending on your needs; from basic to premium – all at an affordable price starting at just $19 per month.

    #2 – Xero

    Xero is cloud-based accounting software that helps you track your business expenses, create invoices, and manage your finances. It’s an excellent app for those who need to track their miles because it syncs with Google Maps and other services to make tracking easy. You can also export data in numerous formats, such as CSV or Quickbooks, and use email reminders to stay on top of deadlines. It’s one of the best programs out there if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that simplifies bookkeeping and expense management – so it’s perfect if you have many different employees with different needs, or just need something simple to help keep your books up-to-date!

    #3 – Uber

    The Uber app has made transportation seamless for millions of people around the world by linking riders to drivers and enabling on-demand rides in more than 600 cities. When it comes to your business, Uber makes things easy by providing an all-inclusive dashboard that tracks all your trips, expenses, and payments from one place. The dashboard also provides reports on miles driven and other vital metrics so you can stay up-to-date with your finances at all times without wasting time logging into multiple accounts.

    #4 – Automatic

    Founded in 2013, Automatic is a connected device that plugs into your car’s OBD-II port and automatically tracks driving time, distance, and fuel data. It also provides important real-time information such as location, speed limit, engine diagnostics (check engine light), and more to help you stay safe on the road.

    #5 – Strava

    Strava is an app that’s perfect for cyclists, runners, and other athletes who want to track their workouts on their phones. It’s one of the most popular GPS-based tracking services available, and it even has social features that allow you to share your progress with your friends. For an additional fee, Strava Premium users can have access to more detailed analyses such as heat maps, segment data, and more in-depth performance insights that will help them get ready for races or bike tours. In addition to all this great content, Strava has an excellent mapping interface that allows users to plan out routes before heading out on them so they can get lost less often when exploring new areas by bike or foot.

  • 6 Easy WordPress Website Builders for Building Amazing Sites & Pages

    6 Easy WordPress Website Builders for Building Amazing Sites & Pages

    Not all WordPress websites are built the same way, and many of them don’t build their site correctly the first time around! To save you some time and heartache, we’ve put together this list of 6 easy website builders that make it simple to build out your pages and design your website exactly how you want it. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been building sites for years, these tools will help you create and design your WordPress site easily and quickly!

    1) Weebly

    Weebly offers a ton of beautiful designs, but what sets it apart is the accessibility and ease of use. The drag-and-drop website builder provides you with tons of pre-set elements that you can either customize or copy. If you don’t find a layout that meets your needs, simply search their public templates and themes to find what you want. You don’t need any coding knowledge or prior design experience to build an awesome site on Weebly Allsmo!

    2) Wix

    *Wix: Wix is a drag-and-drop builder with loads of great templates to get you started. Upload your logo, add a header picture and you’re ready to start customizing your new site! You can create any page you need, from About Us to Contact pages. And don’t forget about blogs–they’re easy with Wix!

    *One of the best features of Wix is their website builder doesn’t require coding knowledge. All changes are made in visual editors that are intuitive and allow plenty of different layouts. Plus, they have full e-commerce integration so adding an online shop or marketplace store is as easy as it sounds Skyward FBISD.*

    3) Squarespace

    1) Squarespace is one of the easiest website builders to use. You just add images, text, and a few interactive buttons and you have a beautiful site. One really easy-to-use function is an in-built design lab that allows you to upload your own photos or choose from some cool ready-made templates. The interactive buttons make it easy to order your custom logo as well. With a simple press of a button, all your pages will change over with the new look of your home page automatically.

    2) It’s important to note that while Squarespace has good prices, they aren’t free – so this might not be the best option if you’re looking for more customized design options.

    4) Jimdo

    Jimdo is a cloud-based website builder that has simplified the process of creating a new website or publishing your content to an existing site.

    The Jimdo platform includes everything you need to create and publish a new site, such as drag-and-drop templates, photo uploaders, unlimited text editors,s and more. Simply log in to the service with your desired username and password and then design your site’s pages to suit your needs.

    5) eWebBuilder

    One of the most powerful, professional, and user-friendly free website builders on the market is eWebBuilder. With a whole range of website templates to choose from, it’s perfect if you’re looking for something sleek and modern, with one-click functionality. The best part? You can create a stunning website in less than five minutes!

    web builder’s advanced features ensure your site runs at optimal speed, so potential customers will be able to view all your content without any problem.

    6) Media Temple

    Launched in 1998, Media Temple is a web hosting service that offers a range of innovative features and powerful tools to design, maintain, and host your website. In our pursuit to make advanced web development as accessible as possible, we built Divi by Elegant Themes which is one of the best all-in-one WordPress builders available.

    We have designers and developers on staff who can assist with any project needs or questions thetechnotricks.

  • How to Do Payroll in Washington, D.C: The Definitive Guide

    How to Do Payroll in Washington, D.C: The Definitive Guide

    The federal district of Washington, D.C., has unique payroll tax laws that might confuse you if you’re doing payroll for the first time in Washington, D.C.. In this guide to doing payroll in Washington, D.C., we’ll cover everything from how to calculate payroll taxes, to where your business can get help with its payroll taxes, to what federal and local government agencies you need to report your taxes and pay your employees to. You’ll even find links to free forms your business might need!

    What is payroll?

    Payroll is one of the most crucial yet overlooked aspects of operating a business. When you’re ready to start your own company and work for yourself, you’ll need knowledge about how payroll works: what it does, how it benefits you and your employees, how much it costs to offer an employee wage or salary as well as what the federal and state rules are for paying employees or salaried workers in Washington D.C., Maryland or Virginia.

    Does my business need an accountant or bookkeeper?

    An accountant or bookkeeper is useful for managing finances and taxes when starting a business. However, this does not mean that you need one on the payroll.

    Employee vs independent contractor

    Many businesses have employees and independent contractors. Businesses with employees need to make sure that they are paying workers their required wage, withholding the appropriate tax withholdings (e.g., federal income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes), and making contributions for employment-based benefits like health insurance premiums, life insurance premiums, worker’s compensation premiums (for eligible states), and state unemployment insurance payments (in most states).

    Independent contractors do not have any wage requirements or employee benefits.

    Understanding your tax obligations

    As an employer in the District of Columbia, you will be required to withhold both Federal and DC taxes from your employee’s wages. Generally, the amount withheld by employers is calculated using either the Social Security wage base for employees earning $118,500 or less (in 2017), or twice the Social Security wage base for employees earning over $118,500.

    Hiring employees

    For each employee, you will need their social security number, address, and phone number (before the first pay period). You will also need their bank information for direct deposit. They may also want you to fill out a W-4 for them with their allowance for withholdings on their wages per federal tax law regulations.

    Tax forms for employers

    Establishing a business with any number of employees and you will need to comply with federal and state payroll tax laws that regulate how much you can withhold from your employees for tax purposes, how often you can pay them (weekly, biweekly or monthly) and when their payment cycles will start based on their pay frequency (beginning on the first day of work or retroactively). This section covers both federal and state payroll tax obligations.

    Tax withholdings from employee paychecks

    Generally, you must withhold 7% of an employee’s gross wages (the amount before taxes) and pay this to the District on their behalf as follows: 3% withholding for income tax; 2% withholding for disability insurance premium; and 1% withholding for emergency medical insurance premium. If the wages are taxable, you must withhold 2% of the gross wages (again before taxes) as both income tax and Medicare withholding unless one of the exceptions applies.

    Federal wage and tax statements (Form W-2)

    Both employers and employees must prepare Form W-2, but the process for doing so is different. Employers should provide copies of the form to each employee and file a copy with their federal employer identification number (FEIN) at the time they are filed with IRS. This can be done electronically or by mailing a copy to an address provided on the form itself.

    State wage and tax statements (Forms 941)

    The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) imposes a tax on employers of 6% of the first $7000 wages paid to each employee during the calendar year with respect to their employment. The FUTA is an excise tax that is imposed on your company for employing people who may not be able to pay taxes themselves. Employers must remit payments quarterly by January 15th, April 15th, June 15th, and September 15th.

    Calculating annual payroll taxes

    Unlike other taxes such as sales and property taxes, payroll taxes are paid with every paycheck. For example, if a company pays its employees $10 per hour for 20 hours per week the annual gross salary is $40,000.

    Expenses related to commuting by bicycle, public transportation, etc.

    Bicycle commuting is a great way to save money and feel good about your contribution to the environment. It’s also a lot easier on your body than sitting in a car all day!

    Documenting expenses related to business travel and entertainment

    It is customary for employees traveling out-of-state to submit receipts related to expenses such as travel and lodging. These types of payments are considered out-of-state expenditures and may be deducted as long as they adhere to certain tax guidelines with the IRS.

  • How to Launch Your Bookkeeping Business in 8 painless steps   

    How to Launch Your Bookkeeping Business in 8 painless steps  

    If you’re reading this, it means that you’ve decided to open your own bookkeeping business, and you want to know exactly how to do it in the least amount of time possible! Well, there are no shortcuts to success, but these eight simple steps will help you launch your new bookkeeping business in less than four months while making you as much money as possible along the way.

    1) Write down your bookkeeping business plan

    You may have started your bookkeeping business as a side hustle, but it is time to make it official. Whether you just want the peace of mind that comes with having a legitimate business or you want more visibility, there are many benefits that come with hiring a lawyer and filing the necessary paperwork. Here’s how:

    1) Decide on an entity type.
    2) The two most common choices are sole proprietorship and LLC. A sole proprietorship is the easiest option because no formal paperwork needs to be filed. However, this will limit your liability protection if something goes wrong because your personal assets are at risk. An LLC offers more liability protection while also providing tax advantages, but it requires a little more work upfront.

    2) Choose a location

    Consider the location of your business. A number of factors will be important, including cost, accessibility, and visibility. According to The Balance, an accountant’s office should have a professional appearance. It is typically located on the main street where passersby can see it clearly from the sidewalk. This will make potential clients more likely to stop by for bookkeeping services.

    3) Get legal and accounting advice

    The first thing you should do is find a lawyer and an accountant who can help you with the legal and accounting aspects of your business. You will need both of these professionals at different stages of starting your company, but it’s best to get them on board as soon as possible.

    4) Create an invoice design that stands out

    Invoice design doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler the better. Remember, you want your customer’s attention, not their confusion.

    5) Advertise your services (online & offline)

    We offer a range of services that can be tailored to meet your needs. These include:

    -Bookkeeping and financial statement preparation

    -Income tax preparation and filing

    -Payroll processing -Payroll tax reporting and remitting

    -Accounting, business consulting, and many other bookkeeping-related services.

    6) Manage your time

    The key to success is not just having a plan, it’s sticking with the plan. One of the best things you can do for your new business maps out an achievable daily schedule and stick with it. This might sound tedious, but it’ll help you feel more organized and productive. And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by starting your own business, you can always start small by offering bookkeeping services on nights and weekends before expanding into full-time hours.

    7) Maintain relationships with customers through regular communication and providing value

    #1 – Send a Welcome email. The first time you communicate with your customers, make sure you’re warm and friendly. Introduce yourself and offer a way for them to contact you if they have questions.

    #2 – Keep in touch. Once you’ve established contact with your customers, stay consistent with your communications so they know they can rely on you. If you are providing a service like bookkeeping or income tax, provide regular updates on their account status so they know where things stand at any given time.

    #3 – Answer their questions promptly. It’s not always possible to do this, but try your best! It will give the impression that customer service is important and that not only are you competent but also reliable and trustworthy as well.

    8) Track progress on social media and have fun!

    1) Create your company’s social media presence.
    2) Create a professional logo.
    3) Come up with a catchy name for the company, and then register it with the state.
    4) Design your website, and make sure it’s mobile-friendly.
    5) Gather customer testimonials from satisfied customers.
    6) Hire staff, including an accountant/bookkeeper and marketing team member, if possible.
    7) Develop a business plan that outlines your goals for the next year and five years down the road (if you are ambitious).
    8) Start marketing your services!

  • The Lowdown on Food Truck Insurance: Cost & Coverage

    The Lowdown on Food Truck Insurance: Cost & Coverage

    Food trucks are rising in popularity, and there are now over 6,000 of them operating throughout the United States. If you’re planning on launching your own food truck business, you’re going to need some sort of Food Truck Insurance in order to protect your investment! Here’s an overview of what you can expect to pay for insurance coverage and other details about how that works.

    What is Mobile Food Truck Insurance?

    Food truck insurance covers both the trailer and any additional vehicles. The cost of mobile food truck insurance is determined by the size of the vehicle and any other risk factors. In general, food trucks that travel at high rates of speed or over steep inclines are more expensive to insure. This makes it difficult for some smaller, slower-moving trucks with lots of specialty items on board to stay competitive with the larger, faster ones while still being able to keep up in cost. But there are also a few things you can do to make sure your business has lower insurance premiums. To start, drive as little as possible; this will decrease your exposure to risks like accidents and weather delays. Keep your equipment in good condition too so you won’t have mechanical failures out on the road. Finally, if possible, try not to hire anyone else to help you man your food truck—more drivers under one policy means a higher rate from insurers.

    What Does A Food Truck Insurance Policy Cover?

    The type of food truck insurance you need is going to depend on the industry you’re in and what it is your truck does. For example, if you have a concession stand or roadside eatery that operates out of a food truck, then your coverage needs will likely be different than those who are catering an event. Depending on the state in which you operate, there are both federal and state laws that dictate when you need to get insurance for your vehicle- like when it’s being used for business purposes and when it’s not. When the latter situation applies, many things can go wrong- from somebody rear-ending your truck to someone spilling hot soup all over the interior of your vehicle- but either way, your truck could become unusable bec How Much Does The Average Commercial Auto Policy for a Small Business costs?

    Does My Business Need Commercial Auto And General Liability Insurance?

    Having commercial auto and general liability insurance is one of the most important things to keep in mind when operating a food-based business. These two coverages not only cover potential accidents but can also serve as an umbrella policy that provides extra protection should you have any claim costs. They also provide protection against various liabilities, such as someone getting sick from eating your food. So which coverage is right for you? It depends on what your needs are. General liability insurance covers lawsuits filed by customers alleging negligence or failure to meet certain standards like serving spoiled or tainted food. And while it may seem like it would be cheaper than having individual policies, this isn’t always the case because often there are several small claims per year instead of one large expense with a different company. Commercial auto insurance covers injury to pedestrians struck by vehicles while they’re delivering goods or picking up supplies–it’s important if you want to get paid if something happens during delivery. A lawyer can help you make sure all bases are covered; if not, it’s possible that you could be legally liable for damages even if there was no wrongdoing on your part!

    A commercial auto policy is a package policy that combines coverage for your vehicle with other types of business-related expenses. What makes it ideal for small businesses is that this policy provides coverage for losses incurred as the result of fire, theft, vandalism, and other natural or man-made disasters. It also covers auto rentals if your vehicle is stolen or damaged. Pricing will vary depending on the value of the vehicle and can cost around $400-$600 per year.

    What Is the Best Mobile Food Truck Insurance Company?

    When it comes to food truck insurance, there are many factors that can affect your decision of what company is best for you. One important consideration is the type of cuisine that you plan to serve. While most mobile food truck insurance policies are quite similar, if you’re not serving up traditional Mexican or Korean BBQ fare, then you might have to compare your options carefully as certain insurers may decline your coverage. If the success of your business hinges largely on where you can do business–i.e., whether or not a nearby parking lot or public space will allow food trucks–then local regulations are also something to consider. For instance, in some parts of California and Florida, permission from the city council must be granted before setting up shop. Many cities also require food trucks to adhere to strict health codes and stay at least 500 feet away from any restaurants with established menus. Some companies offer mobile vending packages that include all these items and more; these packages usually include locations throughout the country so be sure to ask which areas they cover before signing on with one provider.