Get Started Today:

Money Insider

News and Views from Business.com editors

08/28/2008

New Super-Fast Satellite Broadband Service for Small Biz

HughesNet Business Internet has just launched, offering high-speed satellite broadband Internet to millions of under-served small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. Prices start at $60/month and businesses can choose from seven different plans, with speeds up to 1Mbps on the uplink and 5 Mbps on the downlink. Since it's satellite, service is available anywhere -- an especially good option for businesses outside the reach of terrestrial cable and DSL providers. Hughes is also offering service options such as broadband backup to ensure consistent connections and a virtual private network (VPN) for secure networking among business locations. All plans include professional installation designed for commercial locations. -- Daniel Kehrer, Editor

08/25/2008

QuickBooks Online Offers More Mobile Mojo

Intuit has launched both iPhone and BlackBerry integration with QuickBooks Online, the front-running web-based small business accounting application with about 130,000 users. These early version web-based mobile applications are part of a wider strategy Intuit plans to expand this fall with more online services that connect to its market-leading QuickBooks products, new web-based applications and tools that will let some 250,000 QuickBooks users network among themselves. Available on IntuitLabs.com, an early concept release site, the new BlackBerry and iPhone apps for QuickBooks Online will let users check bank and credit card balances; track who owes them money and who they owe; find vendor and customer contact info with addresses via Google Maps and run balance sheet and P&L reports. -- Daniel Kehrer, Editor of Business.com

08/09/2008

Tool for Predicting Startup Success

YouNoodle, an online platform for startup entrepreneurs, has created a new web-based tool that lets you plug in business startup data and predict the company's future outcome based on scientific models and projections. Startup Predictor is free to use (registration required) and any startup can try it. The model uses historical data from past startups for analysis, and the site maintains that answers provided for the analysis are kept private. Startups seeking funding can show potential investors the business' predicted value in three years, the unique YouNoodle score and also receive a certificate to prove it. -- D. Kehrer, Editor of Business.com

08/08/2008

Free Help for Billing and Collecting Electronically

PayItGreen, a non-profit alliance of major financial services companies, is a great new resource for businesses of all types and sizes looking to convert customers to electronic bills, statements and payments. The site is loaded with free stuff that can help any business get started with electronic billing and payment collection, including ways to pitch it to customers as both a money-saver and a better solution for the environment. First, download the free Resource Toolkit for Businesses. It has video and audio rich media programs, sample press releases you can use, statement stuffers, a customer letter and PayItGreen logos and graphics you can use on your own website. -- Daniel Kehrer, Business.com Editor

07/22/2008

Equifax Launches Credit File Locking Service

Equifax, one of the major credit reporting firms, has launched a new identify theft prevention product that lets consumers lock or unlock their Equifax credit file, receive alerts if their personal information appears on shady websites, access ID theft resolution experts 24/7 and receive credit monitoring alerts about key changes in their credit files from the three largest credit information companies. Equifax ID Patrol costs $14.95 per month and is aimed at helping people better protect their financial information. -- D. Kehrer, Business.com Editor

07/21/2008

New Deposit Service for Cash-Heavy Companies

If you run a "cash-heavy" business -- like a grocery store or restaurant -- that uses an armored courier to carry cash and check deposits to the bank, BB&T Corp's new Vault360 might be able to consolidate your cash deposit accounts, cut fees and put money to work faster. With $137 billion in assets, NC-based BB&T is the nation's 14th largest financial holding company. With Vault360 service, BB&T is partnering with armored couriers to transport check and cash deposits to one of several commercial vault centers across the country for next-day processing and crediting. It also lets you convert checks to electronic deposits, and is available even to businesses operating outside BB&T's 11-state territory. -- Daniel Kehrer, Business.com Editor

07/11/2008

Parking Costs Are Rising

As if the soaring cost of driving isn't enough, the cost of parking is also rising, says the 8th annual Parking Rate survey from real estate services company Colliers International. The June survey covered 64 metro areas in North America, and 74 in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Even though the U.S. economy has slowed, office occupancies remain near cyclical peaks, helping push monthly parking rates higher. The cost of parking has increased by 2.8 percent (monthly rates) in the U.S., in response to ongoing demand and only limited new supply. Daily rates also moved higher -- increasing 4.3 percent over the past year. Leading the U.S. was Midtown Manhattan, whose median rate was a remarkable $58 per month. The Midtown high now registers $750 per month. See the complete city-by-city breakdown. -- D.K.

Expert Advice

Small Business Accounting Software

By Frances Sharpe

Choose a financial program that fits your needs and your budget

Gone are the days when paper-based ledgers were the only option to track key accounting tasks. Now, a plethora of small business accounting software choices are available. Accounting software can help your business in numerous ways: reducing errors, saving time, organizing customer data, streamlining payroll and giving you a complete view of your company's financial status. With a clear picture of your financials, you can make smarter business decisions. Before choosing among software accounting systems, here are some key questions: Can it scale or upgrade if my business grows? Is it easy to learn and easy to use? Does it have all the features I need? Does it have features I don't need? Will it run on my computer? Will it work on an office network? Does the vendor offer online and phone support? Is the price right for my needs?...
Read more