Why do entrepreneurs need resources?

Entrepreneurs need access to resources as they learn how to start and run a business so that they can benefit from the knowledge and experiences of successful business owners. Even if an entrepreneur works with a team, they need to have enough well-rounded expertise to assure the quality of everything their business produces. They also need resources in order to access and analyze data so that they can make decisions about product design, marketing, pricing and other critical elements of their business.

The only way entrepreneurs can make informed decisions about their business is to use a variety of resources to learn new skills and educate themselves on relevant issues. As their business becomes successful, entrepreneurs stillneed resources to help them delegate tasks and manage growth. The internet has a wealth of accessible information and services that can help entrepreneurs save money and provide a strategic guide for their business decisions based on best practices.

Read more: How to Grow Your Business

Common useful resources for entrepreneurs

Whether you’re starting a business or looking for ways to improve operations of an existing business, all potential business owners can benefit from seeking out a range of resources. Many popular resources include free advice alongside paid options for people who want to get access to advanced tools or information. From blogs to software to web applications, here are some of the most useful resources for entrepreneurs available online today:

MailChimp

MailChimp is a comprehensive marketing platform that is great for small business owners who are still learning business basics and building their audience. Use their free service, which includes access to a variety of marketing channels, email templates, website constriction, targeted advertising and other useful features. You can also opt for one of their paid plans, which offer access to extras like branding tools, customer support, advanced testing and analytics. Entrepreneurs can use MailChimp to access information about their target customers and create automated outreach designed to convert the most customers.

Slack

Slack is a cloud-based chat platform that provides messaging and web conferencing tools for individuals and small businesses. Slack provides the option for users to create separate servers and channels for different subjects while still maintaining a simple and well-organized user interface. Slack also integrates easily with other common business applications such as Google Drive and Microsoft Office products. Business owners can use the free version of Slack or pay a small monthly fee for expanded access to messaging history, group video and voice calls, increased security and customizable compliance settings.

Stripe

Any entrepreneur involved in e-commerce can benefit from using Stripe, an online payment processing resource. They offer a secure platform for collecting user payments, billing customers on a payment cycle, managing corporate expense accounts and other services related to web payments. Stripe also includes financial reporting and reliable payouts, allowing entrepreneurs to be confident in their finances and easily access their profits.

ProBlogger

Regardless of the industry an entrepreneur chooses to work in, blogging is a great marketing strategy that helps consumers discover businesses through written content. ProBlogger offers free resources and paid courses providing expert guidance on how to get the most out of your business’s blog. They have guides on how to attract readers, come up with ideas for content and use web technology effectively.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free web service that tracks how users interact with your webpage and produces reports on web traffic. Google Analytics is a great tool to learn in-depth information about how your target audience responds to your web content. It has features that let entrepreneurs see which advertising methods result in the most traffic, what your users search for, where they abandon their shopping carts and other useful details.

Squarespace

Entrepreneurs need to have a strong web presence in order to create brand visibility and connect with their audience. They can use Squarespace to design, build and host a website. Squarespace offers high-quality templates for a streamlined user interface along with a blog, webinars, help guides and a forum where Squarespace users can develop their skills.

Docracy

When entrepreneurs need legal documents for their business, they can find free open-source templates on Docracy. Users can find industry-specific legal templates for entrepreneurs, freelancers, writers, developers, designers and other business professionals. Docracy includes standard legal documents for licensing agreements, offer letters, operating agreements and other contracts.

Paul Graham

Paul Graham is a successful businessman whose website hosts dozens of free essays and articles about how to be successful in business and engage an audience. Learn about technology, writing, start-ups and business philosophy from the perspective of an experienced and successful entrepreneur. His writings cover a range of specific topics and broad ideas about leadership, so you can look for advice that relates to your particular situation.

The Funded

Entrepreneurs can read honest reviews and evaluations of venture capital sources such as investment firms or private investors. The Funded offers inexperienced entrepreneurs with community support and guidance to help them select the best business partners and avoid making bad deals.

Mashable

Entrepreneurs can stay informed on social media and technology by reading articles on Mashable. They cover a range of topics related to digital culture and have a small business category with straightforward articles on common tech trends and business resources. Their articles provide detailed reviews of new tech products, overviews of digital trends and recommendations for useful tools for entrepreneurs.

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Frequently asked questions about entrepreneur resources

Here are some of the common questions about finding good resources for entrepreneurs and business owners.

What are the best free resources for entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs will find different resources useful depending on their industry level of experience, but most small business owners can benefit from these free resources:

• DropBox: File storage and management
• Google Docs:Spreadsheets and word processing
• Mockplus:Design prototyping application
• Mantis:Software for finding bugs in code
• SnapEngage: Customer engagement chatbot

What types of resources do entrepreneurs need?

Entrepreneurs need to use resources from different categories, such as:

• Funding
• News
• Advertising
• Social media
• Website creation
• Employee management
• Analytics
• Manufacturing
• Sales