Flint is a new company targeting small businesses. Their principles are the same as square. A mobile credit/debit card processing company that has low fees and is easy to set up. But buyer be warned. They claim to have a 1.95% fee. Which is lower than squares 2.75%.. but only for debit, credit fees are up to 2.95%. Plus, all transactions have a 10 cent fee. Which may not seam like much, but for any purchase under 30$ makes their fee up near 3%. Overall. Their rates are not all that good. Not to mention the costs. But they advertise as no card reader... but that to me is more of a pain. They require you to scan the card using your phones camera. Which not only throws in the question of security, but the actual process just seams clumsy. With Flint, they email receipts just like square, but Flint keeps your history, knows what you bought, and can email you ads...seams a bit intrusive to me. Overall, id describe Flint as a great attempt that was started 5 Years ago, but overall, they simply got beat. They don't have any standout features, and they didn't make it on the scene first meaning they really have no edge. In my opinion, id suggest either Square or even intuit. Don't fall for Flint's ads, do your homework, and decide which will be the best for you.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Is "Flint" already up in flames?
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
"Retale" not another coupon app
This new app to hit both android and iPhone came st the perfect time. With business and shoppers a like prepping for black Friday, Retale has revolutionized the way we find our deals. No more need to go buy that thick paper with thousands of ads. With Retale, simply select your area, the stores you want to show. And instantly view their weekly ads. They could not have launched at a better time. And with all businesses turning to social and digital advertising and marketing, this app is sure to explode. So far. Only positive reviews coming in at over 4.5 stars. Check it out!
***update***
NO Account needed
Monday, November 18, 2013
Trends in Business
How do business's know what to do in years come? This is a complex question, with an even more complex answer, but simply put, they look at trends, and research how these trends can help them be more successful. I came across this article on Linkedin and although a bit long and wordy, it offers a great insight on what's to come from who will be buying, to what they will be buying, and everything in between. It is a great read, and I strongly suggest that you take a look.
10 Key Trends to Watch for 2014
10 Key Trends to Watch for 2014
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Multitasking doesn't save time.
Although this isn't directly about small business and how technology can help, it is a great read and I urge all business professionals and students to read. Inc. Magazine is one of the top pieces of literature when it comes to business. While reading this article, I couldn't help but pass it along. It is a really good view on how technology Sometimes causes us to think we are being more productive, but actually slows us down. Take a look for yourself.
Multitasking
Monday, October 14, 2013
The "Square" Deal
Square might just be the most helpful, best designed, smartest app that a small business can use. So for those of you who have no idea what Square is (try to get out more) I'll give you the run down. Square is a credit card processing company designed for small businesses, but can be used no matter what the application.
With cash becoming yesterdays method of payment, small businesses and local mom and pop shops are looking for an easy way to start handling credit and debit transactions, without loosing their profit on processing fees and sign up costs. This is where square excels. Square offers two options for businesses, one meant for small businesses and one for large. For small businesses, they offer a 0% fee per swipe and $275 per month which allows for transactions up to $400 and up to $250,000 a year, if they go over either of these limits, it is then 2.75% per swipe. For larger companies they offer no monthly charges and 2.75% fee per swipe which has no max purchase. When you sign up for an account, you receive card readers, which plug into Iphones, Ipads, Androids, and Blackberries. the great part about this app is that you can spread your account on different devices, and in different locations, making it the perfect solution for all sorts of types of businesses.
I have used square in two different settings, one just selling apparel, and one in a rental shop with merchandise as well, and I must say, it is simple. The user interface is easy to handle and very streamline, it allows you to store favorite items, and set different categories, along with a manual enter option. There are even settings for tax and tips to accommodate service related businesses like your hairdresser. On square, you have the option to email receipt or have it sent to their phone by text. If you upgrade to the square register (cash register, iPad, and receipt printer) you can print your receipts, there is even a barcode attachment that you can get.
In my eyes, Square has yet to emerge himself in the large scale corporation game, like Walmart, or best buy, but for small businesses or small chains, it is in my eyes one of the easiest to use, best credit card processing service there is. Its various plat-forms allow for salesman to make sales without a trip back to the office, or for the customer to not have to find an ATM and pay a 4$ fee when they are at the beach. All in all, I think Square is a must have for small businesses of all types, and is well worth the investment.
With cash becoming yesterdays method of payment, small businesses and local mom and pop shops are looking for an easy way to start handling credit and debit transactions, without loosing their profit on processing fees and sign up costs. This is where square excels. Square offers two options for businesses, one meant for small businesses and one for large. For small businesses, they offer a 0% fee per swipe and $275 per month which allows for transactions up to $400 and up to $250,000 a year, if they go over either of these limits, it is then 2.75% per swipe. For larger companies they offer no monthly charges and 2.75% fee per swipe which has no max purchase. When you sign up for an account, you receive card readers, which plug into Iphones, Ipads, Androids, and Blackberries. the great part about this app is that you can spread your account on different devices, and in different locations, making it the perfect solution for all sorts of types of businesses.
I have used square in two different settings, one just selling apparel, and one in a rental shop with merchandise as well, and I must say, it is simple. The user interface is easy to handle and very streamline, it allows you to store favorite items, and set different categories, along with a manual enter option. There are even settings for tax and tips to accommodate service related businesses like your hairdresser. On square, you have the option to email receipt or have it sent to their phone by text. If you upgrade to the square register (cash register, iPad, and receipt printer) you can print your receipts, there is even a barcode attachment that you can get.
In my eyes, Square has yet to emerge himself in the large scale corporation game, like Walmart, or best buy, but for small businesses or small chains, it is in my eyes one of the easiest to use, best credit card processing service there is. Its various plat-forms allow for salesman to make sales without a trip back to the office, or for the customer to not have to find an ATM and pay a 4$ fee when they are at the beach. All in all, I think Square is a must have for small businesses of all types, and is well worth the investment.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Be part off a Team
I know what everyone in going to say, "Teamviewer wasn't even on that list, and definitely not one of the apps we requested more information about" so first off I will start by saying sorry guys. But after starting my sophomore year, I realized how great of a program this is. Now let me warn you, there are some skeptics out there and nasty posts abut how some people may be able to hack your computer and watch everything your doing. First off, welcome to the 21st century, this isn't new and second off, unless your writing top secret nuclear launch codes, or working on a high tech new app, does it really matter? I don't think any hacker cares who your talking too, or what your latest report is about.
Now that all of that is behind us, lets dive into whAt the program is, and how it can help you. Teamviewer takes it a step beyond Dropbox when it comes to remote storage/access. With Teamviewer, you don't just upload your files and gain remote access, you literally have your home computer at the palm of your hands, on your laptop, smartphone, or work computer, across town, or halfway across the world. I know this blog is about how technology helps small business, and I'll get there, but first I am going to fill you in on how this program can help you, even if your not the next Shark Tank success story.
For students: Your heading to class and you remember you forgot to print your paper, no big deal, your right at the library, you head in and go to print and then you realize you never saved it online if you use Team viewer it's not an issue at all. Log in and have access to your entire computer. Now I know what your thinking, that's a lot of what ifs. And to answer that, in my opinion, the best use. Your in a computer based class but don't like using PCs or Macs, not an issue, use Teamviewer and all of a sudden that PC at school is now your smooth MacBook Pro. Making your life, and the student next to you, a whole lot easier.
For large businesses and schools: with Teamviewer, cross country presentations are simple, log in and everyone can view your computer, just make sure to select the broadcast option, not control. And for teachers, you can now get the attention of all your students, but what makes this program different? The ability to have control over any computer. Is an employee having trouble with entering data in LA? From NY you an control their computer and walk them through how to do certain tasks, instead of just verbal commands, they can see it being done, live, on their computer. Having an IT issue? Now your professionals can control a computer from across the country or school, and reconnect to that pesky printer, or locate those sneaky hidden files.
For small businesses: let's face it, we all love word, excel and PowerPoint, and quite frankly, quick notes on our phones doesn't quite make the cut. Sure you can use docs if your a big google fan ( like myself) but other need word to be able to function. Now with Teamviewer, you have every program and file that your home computer has, but on the go. No mobile condensed version, full function because it doesn't have to fit on your 16 gig iPhone, along with your 8000 songs and 2 thousand pictures. It's your computer, your basically just using your phones touch pad as a mouse and keyboard. So besides having a desktop at the palm of your hands, you can now stream your computer to your business partner and work on the same logo in photoshop together, no more emailing back and forth. And sense you can have multiple people using the computer. It limits the amount of devices you need to buy programs for. All in all, Teamviewer has nailed ever aspect of remote computing.
Teamviewer
Now that all of that is behind us, lets dive into whAt the program is, and how it can help you. Teamviewer takes it a step beyond Dropbox when it comes to remote storage/access. With Teamviewer, you don't just upload your files and gain remote access, you literally have your home computer at the palm of your hands, on your laptop, smartphone, or work computer, across town, or halfway across the world. I know this blog is about how technology helps small business, and I'll get there, but first I am going to fill you in on how this program can help you, even if your not the next Shark Tank success story.
For students: Your heading to class and you remember you forgot to print your paper, no big deal, your right at the library, you head in and go to print and then you realize you never saved it online if you use Team viewer it's not an issue at all. Log in and have access to your entire computer. Now I know what your thinking, that's a lot of what ifs. And to answer that, in my opinion, the best use. Your in a computer based class but don't like using PCs or Macs, not an issue, use Teamviewer and all of a sudden that PC at school is now your smooth MacBook Pro. Making your life, and the student next to you, a whole lot easier.
For large businesses and schools: with Teamviewer, cross country presentations are simple, log in and everyone can view your computer, just make sure to select the broadcast option, not control. And for teachers, you can now get the attention of all your students, but what makes this program different? The ability to have control over any computer. Is an employee having trouble with entering data in LA? From NY you an control their computer and walk them through how to do certain tasks, instead of just verbal commands, they can see it being done, live, on their computer. Having an IT issue? Now your professionals can control a computer from across the country or school, and reconnect to that pesky printer, or locate those sneaky hidden files.
For small businesses: let's face it, we all love word, excel and PowerPoint, and quite frankly, quick notes on our phones doesn't quite make the cut. Sure you can use docs if your a big google fan ( like myself) but other need word to be able to function. Now with Teamviewer, you have every program and file that your home computer has, but on the go. No mobile condensed version, full function because it doesn't have to fit on your 16 gig iPhone, along with your 8000 songs and 2 thousand pictures. It's your computer, your basically just using your phones touch pad as a mouse and keyboard. So besides having a desktop at the palm of your hands, you can now stream your computer to your business partner and work on the same logo in photoshop together, no more emailing back and forth. And sense you can have multiple people using the computer. It limits the amount of devices you need to buy programs for. All in all, Teamviewer has nailed ever aspect of remote computing.
Teamviewer
Saturday, September 7, 2013
25 Best Apps for Small Businesses
Hey everyone, here is a great read that I just came across while looking up some of the best apps for Small Businesses. I'm planning on featuring 5 of these Apps in some up coming posts so make sure to stay tuned to learn what my perspective is, and hey if its popular enough, I'll write a post featuring the top 25 Apps in my eyes for successful small businesses. Remember to follow, subscribe, comment, and share. Let me know what Five you want to know more about.
Read more Here
Read more Here
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