Top 5 Metro Areas to Start a Business In

Top 5 Metro Areas to Start a Business In

Certain cities – and states – are much more favorable places for the establishment of a new enterprise. Starting any new business is expensive, and keeping costs low in the initial stages can make it possible for a small business to survive this stage, and become viable. Costs associated with corporate taxes, real estate, and the necessary equipment and materials, as well as marketing and payroll will consume the majority of any investment, whether your own money, bank loans, or funds provided by an investment partner. Choosing the right metro area to get established is an important decision. There are five places that Forbes Magazine reports as offering the greatest advantages.

Raleigh, NC tops the list, due to low business costs and an educated labor pool, according to Forbes. The news source reports in its evaluation of cities that the area has business costs that are 18% lower than the national average, and the labor pool is far more educated than the national average of 30%, standing at 42% of adults with a college degree. Des Moines, Iowa also ranks highly, with a much lower cost of living, standing at 6% below the national average, with the business costs at coming in at 17% lower. Utah has traditionally been a favorable state in which to do business, and has three cities in the top ten metro areas most favorable for business, with Provo coming in third in the list issued in the Forbes report. Colorado has two metro areas that come in fourth and fifth in this list, with Denver in fourth place and Fort Collins listed as the fifth most favorable.

USA Today used a different set of criteria to come up with the top five cities most favorable for starting a business, listing Shreveport, LA, Tulsa, OK, Springfield, MO, Chattanooga, TN, and Jackson, MS. The criteria used in naming these areas did not take into account the education level of the area, which may not be important, depending upon the type of enterprise. This list measured costs of office space, cost of living, and access to resources.

Choosing the location for business requires that you weigh all the factors that will have a potential impact upon the success of your venture, but there are other factors to consider. Your family and “roots” may be in a state or metro area that is tough for business, but your connections and quality of life are not something you are willing to sacrifice. Your new venture may not require that you have a manufacturing facility, in which case a more expensive metro area may not be such a concern, particularly with regard to the cost of real estate. The most expensive cities in which to start a business in the USA, according to USA Today, are Anaheim, CA, San Jose CA, Santa Ana, CA, Oakland, CA and Ontario CA. In fact of the top ten worst cities, six are in California.

Starting any business takes determination, money, and the willingness to devote the time to get the enterprise off the ground and into the black. An interesting fact is that the success of any enterprise is in large part the direct result of the actions of the owners, and the ability to overcome challenges. Corporate structure is a critical point, and ensuring that your new enterprise is legally protected from threats, and that the corporate structure suits the type of enterprise early in the process also gives a new business a better opportunity to become a success.

Big Business Tools on a Small Business Budget

Big Business Tools on a Small Business Budget

All businesses have to start somewhere. There isn’t one huge corporation out there that didn’t start out as a small business. The key to success for a small business will undoubtedly derive from a solid business plan that revolves around 100% customer satisfaction. Many may aim for this, but few actually achieve it. One way to achieve that customer satisfaction is as easy as getting the service or product they paid for to them in a timely manner.

Popular Shipping Systems

Timely shipping is something larger corporations have deciphered, and it is a big reason why they continue to excel. The ability to get your product out to consumers effectively without breaking the bank is key, and yet often overlooked by most start-ups. There are numerous shipping services and software that help small businesses integrate shipping systems to their business plan. Services like Veego, Orderbot, Uship, Ordoro, Shipstation and Shiply make it easy for small businesses to set up shipping systems through USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL. These cloud services offer a way for businesses to not only ship orders using a desired shipping service, but also provide a way to manage orders and keep a detailed history of every item purchased.

Orderbot – All in One Hub

Orderbot for instance, allows businesses to centralize all sales channels. It will keep track of all your sales channels in one hub. With a very user friendly interface, Orderbot makes it easy for you to keep track of invoices and to fully manage your orders from beginning to end. What really makes Orderbot stand out from the rest is their comprehensive inventory management feature. It keeps track of your inventory in real-time ensuring that you do not oversell; which can be key when attempting to keep customers happy. Consumers expect to receive what they pay for, and they want it as soon as possible. Ensuring that you do not bite of more than you can chew, the unique inventory management tool offered by Orderbot ensures that you receive orders for the inventory you actually have in stock.

Shipstation – One Stop Shop

Alternatively, Shipstation is a one-stop-shop for all of your ecommerce needs. They offer a free 30-day trial and can integrate sales channels such as Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, Bigcommerce and more. They make it easy to ship from any desired shipping service such as FedEx, UPS or USPS among others. They also offer very competitive monthly plans that do not cost an arm and a leg. With the cheapest plan starting at $25 a month, small businesses can set up a strong foundation for effective shipping. Logistics are more important than what people give them credit for. A strong and solid foundation can propel your business to the top and set it up for success.

Having a strong shipping process enables you to get your product out to customers quickly. It no longer requires owning your own cargo trucks. These new methods of transporting goods have become so cost effective that even startups and small businesses can turn a profit. These systems allow you to get products out to customers quickly, and help grow your business into large corporation easier than ever before.