Education: AA Liberal Studies, Limestone University
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
Modern technology has made it easier and more affordable than ever to have a call center to field incoming and outgoing calls for your business. In this post, we’re going to look at what a call center is, what duties call center agents can tackle, and how you can get started with a call center for your business.Â
If you want to ditch your outdated system altogether or need a new one, you can sign up with a VoIP provider. Many VoIP providers don’t require a separate SIP trunk — allowing you to access great features and reliable service all on one affordable monthly phone bill.
If your business doesn’t rely heavily on a phone system, you may not have to purchase equipment at all. Instead, you can download apps from your VoIP provider to make and receive calls, use other communication tools, and manage your phone system from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Before simply signing up with a VoIP provider, we recommend doing your research. As you learn more about the features, pricing, and options available to you, utilize free trials and demos from the best VoIP providers to find your perfect phone system.
Frustrated with your phone system? If you have an outdated system, there are plenty of issues that may be plaguing your business. Here are some challenges business owners often face with their outdated systems.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology allows businesses to make and receive calls over the internet, offering more features, better call clarity, and typically lower costs compared to traditional landlines.
Instead of waiting until the last minute, why not continue researching VoIP and making plans to upgrade to a modern phone system? Start with the best VoIP phone system providers, sign up for a free trial or two, and experience the power of VoIP for yourself before making a decision.
If you’re already signed up with a provider, you should be able to sign up either online through your dashboard or with a quick call to the sales department. You’ll be able to select your phone number, review the changes, and get your number set up the same day.
If you don’t know where to start, begin your research with our vetted list of the best business phone systems. There are options available to meet the needs of nearly any business. Many of these options offer free trials, so you can get hands-on with the service before signing up.
While there are some exceptions, most businesses are ready for VoIP phone systems. Existing contracts, lack of stable internet, and businesses that don’t need a phone system may need to do some more research before taking on VoIP.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
