5 Growth Hacking Strategies That Work for Online Businesses

Growth hacking often sounds like a trend, but at its core, it is about using smart and efficient strategies to grow your business intentionally.

Online businesses face real competition. There are no shortcuts. The better path is a more focused, strategic approach to growth. Some brands struggle to acquire a few new customers each month, while others unlock strategies that turn browsers into loyal buyers overnight. That’s the edge growth hacking brings.

Here’s why this matters. 

As per PwC, about 63% of shoppers now purchase directly from a brand’s website. So, you can’t simply rely on marketplaces and third-party retailers. Instead, you’d need growth hacking strategies to help build customer relationships and grow your business naturally.

Here are five ways online businesses use growth hacking.

 

1. Leverage Product Personalization to Boost Quick Conversions

You must have noticed how people are drawn to things that feel like they “were made just for them.

That’s personalization, a powerful nudge when it comes to impulse buying.

In fact, 81% of shoppers in a research study conducted by Kickflip stated that they would be willing to pay more for customized clothing. When people feel they have control over a product’s design, they’re far more emotionally invested. And of course, emotional investment leads to quicker purchasing decisions.

For anyone in the lifestyle and retail eCommerce business, this means going beyond the monogrammed T-shirts. You can consider selling custom flip-flops, which are becoming a fashion statement in their own right. They are light, practical, customizable, and perfect for vacations, events, or even brand promotions.

Do you want to tie this idea to your brand? Then, think about “Explore how custom flip flops add a personal touch to your accessory line.” It’ll come out as a natural way to introduce the product while keeping the conversation inherent to growth.

 

2. Create a Referral Program People Want to Share

What was once called word of mouth is now referred to as referral marketing. It still works when your product or service solves a real need and leaves a lasting impression. When people have a good experience, they tend to share it with others. That creates a natural network effect.

The product should be such that it must create a feeling of something worth passing along.

That’s why you need a product that fits into their life, reflects what they value, and feels worth sharing. Think of a product like custom-designed underwear. If it is created with a focus on comfort, sustainability, or self-expression, it becomes more than just apparel. 

Referrals take it a step further since people trust recommendations from their network more than any ad. They tend to refer to products that make them feel good or reflect their values. 

According to a Harvard Business Review study, referred customers are 30% to 57% more likely to bring in new buyers. That’s compounding growth on autopilot.

Here’s what makes products like custom underwear a perfect fit for this strategy:

• Exceptional comfort or design that sparks conversation.

• Commitment to sustainability or ethical sourcing.

• Products that feel like a personal upgrade. People love sharing what makes them feel good.

 

3. Build a Scalable Customer Support System Using Knowledge Automation

Repetitive customer questions can overwhelm your team and slow response times. A strong support system combines human help with automation to stay efficient.

This is precisely where you can benefit from the knowledge that automation enters the picture for customer service. It is to ensure that your team has access to reliable resources where they can learn through interactive guides, searchable FAQs, and chatbot-driven workflows. 

Here’s a bonus: this mindset works inside your company, too. Equip your team with internal tools, such as searchable FAQs and a learning content management system, so they can solve problems more efficiently and stay focused on higher-value work.

It ensures that your teams are not stuck handling repetitive training but learning to handle nuance and scale your service quality.

Give your support structure some breathing room, and it starts to move faster.

 

4. Maximize Social Media Impact with Strategic Content Scheduling

You have many social media channels to drive growth, but it’s about timing and consistency. Otherwise, the visibility will drop. This is why you need planned content calendars.

Scheduling tools help simplify this. You can batch-create your posts, map out your calendar, and automate publishing while staying focused on engagement.

Brands that plan are 3x times more likely to hit their goals. The goal differs based on your business type and target audience. 

For instance, a B2B brand looking to build credibility can benefit from automated LinkedIn post scheduling. It’s an effective way to maintain a steady voice on the platform that decision-makers check.

If you’re trying to reach decision-makers or nurture B2B leads, use the post scheduler to stay visible without becoming a content machine.

Create a week’s worth of content, schedule it in advance, and maintain consistency without losing sight of your long-term goals. This is how you stay visible without burning out and overcoming the digital transformation obstacles and challenges.

 

5. Use Data-Driven Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

A lot happens between when someone lands on your site and when they hit ‘Buy.’

Maybe they scroll past your offer. Maybe the call-to-action isn’t clear. Or maybe the layout feels off on mobile. In any case, you need conversion rate optimization because it is not just about vague fixes but tracking, testing, and adjusting based on what the data shows.

Start with heatmaps and highlight what users tend to focus on. Conducting A/B tests can help clarify which headline, button color, or page layout results in more clicks. With funnel tracking, you can exactly identify where drop-offs happen.

Utilize tools like Google Optimize, Hotjar, or Crazy Egg, where even minor tweaks can convert casual visitors into buyers.

 

Key Takeaways

No single growth strategy works for every business. What matters is how quickly you can test ideas, track the data, and focus on what delivers results. Businesses that grow tend to act more quickly and with greater clarity than those that stagnate.

 

 

Fynn Moves Your Business Forward Faster 
Meet Fynn, your AI assistant, built to simplify business planning, funding, operations, and growth. With a fully connected Business Platform and Financial Network, Fynn helps you turn ideas into action, secure funding, streamline operations, and accelerate success.
From business planning to seamless execution and smarter financial connections, Fynn keeps everything and everyone in sync—so you can focus on what truly matters, in business and in life. 

How AI and Automation are Transforming Human Resources

AI and automation have become powerful tools for small businesses, especially when managing your team. These technologies can help you improve productivity, reduce manual work, and simplify complex HR tasks, freeing up your time to focus on growing your business.

From hiring to employee engagement and payroll, AI is changing how business owners like you approach human resources. According to Gartner, 52% of HR professionals are already exploring ways to use generative AI in their systems, and the opportunities are only growing.

This article highlights how small business owners can benefit from the best AI tools in HR and how they can help streamline their people operations.

 

Benefits of AI and Automation in HR

AI tools can handle repetitive tasks, provide real-time insights, and reduce administrative burdens so you can make smarter decisions faster. Here are four key benefits:

1. Reduces Hiring Bias: AI simplifies data analysis and makes it possible for hiring managers to make accurate choices in areas like employee recruitment, performance reviews, and leadership development. It helps avoid bias in the hiring process by automating the selection process, thereby ensuring impartial and fair applicant selection.

2. Save Time with Automation: According to Deloitte, HR professionals spend over half of their time on administrative work. As a small business owner, automating tasks like leave tracking, time-off requests, and onboarding paperwork can significantly reduce your workload and help you stay organized.

3. Smarter Decision-Making: AI can identify employee performance and engagement trends, giving you a clearer picture of what is working and where to improve. It can even help spot early signs of turnover or employee burnout.

4. Better Data Security: AI helps you manage employee data securely by reducing manual entry errors and offering features like encryption, access controls, and agentless backup. This added layer of protection ensures sensitive information remains safe without requiring additional software on every device. It is especially important when storing payroll, tax, or benefits information.

 

7 Ways AI is Revolutionizing HR for Small Businesses

Here are seven practical ways small business owners can use AI to improve HR operations:

 

Smarter Hiring and Resume Screening

AI-powered tools can sort through job applications to find candidates that match your job descriptions faster and more accurately than manual screening. This reduces time-to-hire and ensures a fairer process.

Example: CVViz automatically matches resumes with job requirements based on keywords, experience, and skills.

 

24/7 Chatbots for HR Support

AI chatbots can answer common employee questions anytime, from benefits to vacation policies. During onboarding, they can guide new hires through your company’s process, saving you hours of back-and-forth communication. Many chatbots now include audio translator features, which help overcome language barriers and improve communication with multilingual team members.

Example: SAP Joule is an AI-powered chatbot that supports employee questions across HR tasks.

 

Predictive Talent Insights

Want to know which employees are thriving or at risk of leaving? AI can track performance, engagement, and attendance patterns to help you retain top talent and make smarter staffing decisions.

Example: Harver helps match candidates with roles where they are most likely to succeed.

 

Personalized Training Paths

AI can identify skill gaps and create custom training programs for each team member. This helps you upskill your team while aligning their growth with your business goals.

 

Real-Time Performance Feedback

Move beyond annual reviews. AI tools can provide instant feedback based on real-time data and team input. This keeps your team motivated and makes performance reviews more objective.

Example: WebHR tracks goals, performance, and feedback in one platform to support ongoing growth. This is true even in fast-paced digital environments like AliExpress Dropshipping businesses, where remote teams handle logistics, customer service, and marketing.  

 

Automation in Payroll and Compliance

AI tools can pull data from different systems, such as time tracking, tax records, and insurance programs, to calculate pay, deductions, and benefits accurately. Platforms like FINSYNC simplify this process by combining payroll management, payments, and financial reporting in one place. 

 

The Final Verdict: Will AI Replace HR Roles?

A recent American survey revealed that 41% of the U.S. workforce fears that AI will eventually replace all or parts of their work responsibilities in the near future. 

So, is this true? Should employees be worried about being replaced by AI?

Not at all. AI will help business owners do more, not less, with their employees. While some administrative tasks will become automated, human insight and leadership are essential for building a great team culture. AI gives small business owners the edge they need to compete with larger organizations without needing a full HR department.

The future of AI is not about replacing your team but equipping you with the right tools to support them. If you are ready to work smarter, now is the time to explore how AI can transform your business.

 

 

Fynn Moves Your Business Forward Faster 
Meet Fynn, your AI assistant, built to simplify business planning, funding, operations, and growth. With a fully connected Business Platform and Financial Network, Fynn helps you turn ideas into action, secure funding, streamline operations, and accelerate success.
From business planning to seamless execution and smarter financial connections, Fynn keeps everything and everyone in sync—so you can focus on what truly matters, in business and in life. 

 

3 Steps to Increase Your Profit Margin on a Project

Every project tells a financial story. The question is whether that story ends in growth or unnecessary waste. Your profit margin reflects the strength of your operations and the clarity of your decisions. It shows how well your business converts effort into measurable results.

For entrepreneurs and small teams, even a slight margin improvement can free up resources, fund new ideas, or simply make the next project smoother. Margin gains are not always dramatic, but they add up. The businesses that grow sustainably often know how to fine-tune performance, identify blind spots, and adapt quickly.

Reaching that point takes more than good instincts. It requires visibility into how your projects run from start to finish. That visibility starts with tracking what matters and building processes that support smarter, faster decisions.

Here are three practical steps to help you increase the profit margin on your next project, beginning with what you already know.

 

Step 1: Look Back Before Moving Forward

Examine what you have already done before trying to improve what you do. Past projects are full of insights if you know where to look. You can uncover patterns that lead to overspending, find weak points in your workflow, or spot areas where you leave money on the table.

Are your prices aligned with your value?

If your services or products consistently deliver strong outcomes, but your pricing has remained flat, you might be underselling your value. Pricing should reflect market comparisons and the quality, consistency, and expertise you bring to each engagement. Small, incremental price increases can often be introduced without pushback, especially with clear communication and demonstrated results.

Do you stick to your budget?

A project can appear profitable on the surface but lose money behind the scenes if expenses are not monitored closely. Untracked or miscategorized expenses can lead to major discrepancies. Build a routine for reviewing costs weekly. Assign every bill, purchase, and hour worked to its respective project. Systems that do this automatically will save time, reduce human error, and keep your data aligned.

Do timelines reflect reality?

When projects run long, budgets usually follow. Start by comparing your estimated timelines to the actual hours logged. Where are the consistent gaps? Are clients requesting last-minute changes that extend the project, or are internal bottlenecks the issue? Add buffers into your scheduling and be transparent about how the added scope will affect time and cost. Clear expectations lead to healthier margins.

Could any processes be automated?

Every project has background tasks that eat into your schedule but do not drive profit like sending invoices, tracking receipts, logging hours. These tasks can be automated with the right tools. Freeing up this time means more bandwidth for client work, strategy, or business development.

Are your vendor costs optimized?

Vendor and contractor expenses often increase quietly over time. Review these regularly. Determine if your team can handle the same work more efficiently in-house. Consider negotiating better terms or exploring alternative service providers. Even small cost reductions per project can significantly improve long-term profitability.

 

Step 2: Track Profitability in Real Time

Knowing your costs after a project ends is too late. Real-time profitability tracking helps you identify and fix problems early while the project is still active.

Monitor the following throughout each project:

◦ Budget adherence

◦ Hours worked by team members and independent contractors

◦ Completed milestones

◦ Out-of-pocket costs

◦ Scope changes or new tasks added midstream

When this information is scattered across spreadsheets, timecards, emails, and receipts, it becomes harder to make informed decisions. Data delays often lead to reactive choices, missed deadlines, and unexpected losses.

Centralizing these touchpoints through integrated tools saves time and improves accuracy. With a connected system, you can assign costs directly to projects, see up-to-date labor totals, and understand how changes in scope affect your bottom line. This eliminates the need for manual number crunching.

The sooner you can access this data, the sooner you can make adjustments. Real-time tracking transforms your financial story from a recap into a tool for daily decision-making.

 

Step 3: Optimize as You Go

With clearer insight into performance, you can shift from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for a project to close before you assess what went wrong, you can make changes while there is still time to improve the outcome.

This might mean reallocating your team’s hours to higher-impact work, updating your invoicing schedule, or refining your agreement with a vendor. In some cases, live financial insights may reveal that bringing a previously outsourced task in-house would save both time and money.

Find ways to accelerate incoming cash. Tools like CollectEarly™ can help you get paid once an invoice is accepted, strengthening your cash flow without disrupting the client experience. Better cash flow gives you more room to make thoughtful decisions instead of rushed ones.

AI-generated insights, like those from Fynn, can alert you to potential cost overruns or suggest ways to optimize your spending mid-project. These insights are invaluable when managing multiple projects at once, and every detail cannot be reviewed manually.

Modern project management is not just about getting work across the finish line. It is about delivering consistent, profitable results. When you track the right information and stay flexible, every project becomes a learning opportunity and a chance to improve the next one.

 

Fynn Moves Your Business Forward Faster 

Meet Fynn, your AI assistant, built to simplify business planning, funding, operations, and growth. With a fully connected Business Platform and Financial Network, Fynn helps you turn ideas into action, secure funding, streamline operations, and accelerate success.
From business planning to seamless execution and smarter financial connections, Fynn keeps everything and everyone in sync—so you can focus on what truly matters, in business and in life. 

What Should Your Marketing Agency’s Gross Profit Goal Be?

If your marketing agency is not setting and tracking a clear gross profit goal, you may be leaving money and growth potential on the table.

Gross profit is not just a financial metric. It is a reflection of how efficiently you run your agency, how accurately you price your services, and how prepared you are to grow. When you define a clear gross profit goal, you equip your team with a benchmark that ties strategy to performance.

Yet many agencies, even those with creative flair and strong client relationships, miss the mark when it comes to financial planning. The good news is that with the right approach, insight, and tools, it is easier than ever to take control of your profitability.

Why Gross Profit Deserves Your Focus

At its core, gross profit is your revenue minus the direct costs associated with delivering your services. It tells you how well you are turning your efforts into earnings before factoring in broader business expenses like rent, insurance, or administrative payroll.

For service-based businesses like agencies, this margin becomes the foundation for all other strategic decisions: hiring, investing in new tools, expanding service offerings, or even surviving periods of client churn.

A consistent gross profit margin signals that your agency is operating with efficiency, pricing with intention, and managing workloads in a scalable way.

However, gross profit is not static. It fluctuates with changes in project scope, team performance, technology costs, and client demand. That is why tracking it monthly, not quarterly or annually, is essential. The more frequently you assess your gross margins, the faster you can adjust and optimize.

 

What Is the Right Gross Profit Margin for a Marketing Agency?

Industry benchmarks suggest that a healthy gross profit margin for marketing and advertising agencies ranges from 20% to 30%, depending on the size of your team, the complexity of your services, and how much you invest in operations.

Mike Rowan, CEO of KPI Target, sees this range as a practical guidepost for success. “We typically aim for a gross margin of around 25%,” he explains. “It accounts for everything we need to deliver high-quality service, people, tools, systems, software, and even the time it takes to manage relationships.”

You are not just selling time; you are providing access to an intelligent, integrated system that includes a coordinated team, marketing automation, CRM connectivity, project management, and real-time performance insights.

These elements make your agency scalable and valuable to clients, but they come with actual costs that must be factored into your pricing model.

Many agency leaders forget to build these expenses into their blended hourly rate. The result? Burnout, tight cash flow, and underperformance.

Technology is often the silent culprit. Tools like data analytics platforms, email marketing systems, SEO software, and third-party data subscriptions can rack up thousands in monthly spending. If not priced into your services, those costs quietly chip away at your margins.

 

How to Set and Reach a Realistic Gross Profit Goal

Setting a goal is only the first step. Reaching it requires a combination of accurate data forecasting, disciplined expense tracking, and forward-looking decision-making.

Start by asking yourself the following:

• Have you included all direct costs in your pricing model? Be sure to count employee time, contractor fees, tools, and subscriptions used to fulfill deliverables.

• Are your service offerings profitable? Sometimes, popular services are not the most profitable ones. Consider discontinuing or restructuring underperforming offerings.

• Are you investing enough in sales and marketing? Ironically, some marketing agencies neglect their own lead generation and brand building, limiting future revenue.

• Do you review financial performance monthly? Regular review gives you the ability to correct course early and take action when trends emerge.

Tracking trends over time helps you identify the drivers of profitability. Is your margin dipping because of scope creep? Are new hires not yet performing at capacity? Are software costs outpacing revenue growth?

Answering these questions allows you to improve your pricing, shift resources, or refine your sales strategy.

 

Build a System That Supports Growth

Agencies that prioritize consistent investment in their own operations are better equipped to grow sustainably. Running internal marketing and sales programs reinforces the value of strategic planning and positions your agency to lead by example.

Rather than waiting for new business to come in or reacting to revenue shortfalls, agencies that invest in themselves actively shape their future. They build pipelines, strengthen their brand, and stay top of mind with prospective clients. This proactive approach creates stability and opens the door to bigger opportunities.

It also allows for smarter scaling. With predictable revenue and clearer insight into performance, your agency can hire with confidence, test new service offerings, and take on more complex projects without compromising profitability. Growth becomes intentional, not accidental.

 

Financial Visibility is a Growth Strategy

Financial clarity is often the missing piece. Many agencies rely on spreadsheets or fragmented tools that make it difficult to see where their money is going or how their decisions impact profitability.

Having full visibility into your cash flow, projections, and spending gives you the power to lead with confidence. You can prepare for seasonal slowdowns, take on risks with purpose, and make smarter decisions about growth.

This is where the right platform, such as FINSYNC, can make a meaningful difference by centralizing financial insights and guiding better business decisions in real time.

Once your gross profit goal is in place, the FINSYNC Business Platform helps you bring your plan to life by syncing planning, payments, people, and performance so that you spend less time reacting and more time growing.

 

Fynn Moves Your Business Forward Faster 
Meet Fynn, your AI assistant, built to simplify business planning, funding, operations, and growth. With a fully connected Business Platform and Financial Network, Fynn helps you turn ideas into action, secure funding, streamline operations, and accelerate success.
From business planning to seamless execution and smarter financial connections, Fynn keeps everything and everyone in sync—so you can focus on what truly matters, in business and in life. 

FINSYNC + CO.STARTERS + AI Tools: A New Roadmap to Go from Business Dreams to Financial Success

Turning an idea into a thriving business is no small feat for many entrepreneurs. It’s a journey that involves countless steps, from refining a business model to managing finances efficiently and knowing when to make strategic upgrades to your already established company. Recognizing these challenges, FINSYNC has recently streamlined its approach to supporting entrepreneurs more effectively at every stage of their journey.

 

Entrepreneurs with a Business Idea 

Starting a business often begins with a dream or a vision, but turning that vision into a sustainable venture requires clear direction and the proper support. That’s where FINSYNC steps in—providing a guided pathway for businesses to grow and succeed.

Entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to life with FINSYNC’s AI-powered tools and the CO.STARTERS program, where community leaders provide expert guidance and resources to help you get started and succeed.


1. Start with your business plan: Use our AI Assistant, The CO.STARTERS Canvas, to transform your idea into a clear, actionable business plan customized to your vision and goals. By answering a series of questions, entrepreneurs can create a clear and concise plan that outlines their vision, goals, and strategies.

Start Your Business Plan with AI-Powered Tools

2. Once your CO.STARTERS Canvas business plan is complete: Connect with a local accelerator and get matched with an expert who will help you refine your strategy and grow your business.

Get Matched with an Expert

 

Entrepreneurs Looking to Grow

If you already have an established business, you will want to leverage software solutions and local financial services to simplify your operation with FINSYC’s all-in-one business platform. Software that syncs with your bank will ultimately help you build a thriving business in less time.

• Streamline Cash Flow Management, Accounting, and Payroll: Manage cash flow, automate accounting, and process payroll effortlessly—all from one platform integrated with your local bank or credit union.

• Gain Insights and Optimize Your Business: Access detailed reports and insights to help you make informed financial decisions and improve your business operations. 

Get Started Today

 

Why FINSYNC: More Time For The Moments That Matter

With seamless connections to local financial institutions and AI-powered insights, FINSYNC not only helps you achieve business success but also gives you back valuable time. Time that entrepreneurs can reinvest in their businesses or spend on the personal moments that matter most.

Tailored to Your Stage: Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your growing business, FINSYNC’s platform adapts to your needs with personalized tools and expert support.

Affordable Pricing, Amazing Difference: Transform traditional business banking into an all-in-one platform with the software and local services essential for success.

Community and Support: Join a community of entrepreneurs and local professionals committed to helping you succeed at every stage of your journey.

 

How To Reduce Small Business Costs with AI

As a business owner, you will be familiar with the many costs of running your operation. These include office space rent or mortgage, staff salaries, day-to-day operations, or marketing expenses.

 

While you may be unable to eliminate these expenses, AI can help you reduce costs across these areas through automation and optimization. 

 

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, leverages technology to efficiently address challenges that traditionally require human insight and decision-making. If you have used tools made by top generative AI companies like ChatGPT or Microsoft CoPilot, you have likely seen firsthand how AI can positively influence your business.

 

Streamlining Marketing and Sales Through AI

 

Keeping up with the latest trends, crafting compelling ad copy, and selecting the right visuals for a single social post can be time-consuming. AI can simplify your workflow, giving you more time to focus on the creative stuff you love. Whether you’re starting a new venture or launching a campaign, even choosing the perfect brand name becomes easier with the help of an AI business name generator, ensuring alignment with your target audience and brand identity.

 

AI could be used for things like helping content marketers create outlines, humanize AI text, overcome writer’s block, or write advertising copy that will best resonate with a target audience. With the right prompts, you can have these tools create ad copies as well.

 

For visual content, tools like DALL-E 3 and Upscale Pro can generate and enhance the quality of images for your marketing assets. While basic versions of these tools are free, even the paid versions are often more cost-effective than hiring an agency.

 

It’s important to remember that while AI can create, it can’t yet analyze results or iterate on them like a human team can. However, we’re getting closer to that reality.

 

AI also boosts productivity in sales operations. Various AI tools can transcribe meeting notes, schedule appointments, use sales bots to handle inbound queries, and even create personalized outreach scripts.

 

Optimizing Office Space

 

AI-powered design tools can assess your space and offer suggested layouts that will improve comfort and efficiency. This can save you both money and the hassle of working with an expensive interior design firm.

 

These tools consider your industry, company culture, and aesthetic preferences, offering color schemes and accessories that match your vibe, all at a fraction of the cost. Plus, you can see a 3D preview of your office before making any changes.

 

Tools like RoomGPT and ArchitectGPT allow you to input details about your space and vision, rendering a visual of your dream office. In the end, you have a workspace that is both functional and fabulous.

 

AI can also help you cut down on energy costs by analyzing your lighting and climate control systems, suggesting adjustments that reduce consumption without compromising comfort, a win for both your budget and the environment.

 

Software Tools

 

Every industry has software tools that help make things run smoother. With new AI software tools, your team can get things done faster, send business proposals, and track their KPIs with ease. Instead of spending hours learning a new feature, you can simply ask the software to handle it. 

 

Plus, with AI handling some heavy lifting, your employees can spend more time on strategic work instead of getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty details.

 

Improving Customer Service

 

With AI-powered tools, businesses can automate routine tasks and streamline workflows, saving time and cutting costs. According to a Zendesk report, many companies believe AI can help create those warm, human-like interactions that build customer loyalty.

 

For instance, free AI chatbots can handle basic inquiries around the clock, meaning customers get help whenever needed. AI voice bots can interpret customer requests and deliver responses in a natural, human-like manner. This technology improves the customer experience.

 

AI systems also reduce the need for a large customer service team, allowing agents to focus on more meaningful tasks. This even enhances customer service applications by helping agents personalize their approach based on customer feedback and satisfaction tools.

 

Predictive Maintenance and Inventory Management

 

For small business owners, equipment breakdowns can be a costly nightmare. AI models, built on thousands of past scenarios, can analyze data from your machines to predict when they might fail. This fully extends the life of your equipment and saves you money on unexpected repairs.

 

AI tools are also ideal for Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management. They can analyze sales patterns, seasonality, and customer behavior to determine the optimal stock levels, helping you avoid overstocking or stockouts.

 

Cost-Effective Compliance and Security

 

Regulatory compliance can be a significant expense for small businesses, but AI can ease the burden. By automating data collection and reporting, AI simplifies the compliance process, reducing the need for manual monitoring and labor costs. You’ll spend less time on paperwork and more time growing your business.

 

Tools like Sprinto and Compliance.ai offer fully automated security compliance solutions. Additionally, AI enhances security by monitoring your network and devices for unusual activity.

 

Some studies suggest that AI in project management could reduce business costs by as much as 50%.

 

Wrapping Up

 

Utilizing AI as a small business owner helps you get ahead of the future and compete in today’s market. AI offers innovative ways to cut costs and improve profits, making now the perfect time to harness its power.

 

About FINSYNC

 

FINSYNC is a leading financial technology company dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through an all-in-one platform that manages banking, payments, cash flow, payroll, accounting, and more. Through its CO.STARTERS Program, FINSYNC is committed to building stronger communities by empowering entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed. For more information, visit FINSYNC.com.

Spotlight on Small Business Owners: LM Frame & Gallery’s Christophe Choquart

Christophe Choquart followed his passion for art and opened LM Frame & Gallery in July of 2020 in Marietta, GA. We had the opportunity to interview him and learn more about his journey and how FINSYNC has helped him along the way.

 

Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start

 

I have been a collector of art for a while, and I’ve always had the idea of opening a gallery where I could display Australian art. I ended up having the opportunity to purchase my gallery in July of 2020, right in the middle of COVID. When I saw that the business that was previously located here was going to close, I decided to follow my passion and open LM Frame & Gallery. I was looking to diversify and create an ecosystem with an art shop that could be a one-stop shop for art and framing.

 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

 

There have been many challenges! Due to COVID, we’ve experienced supply chain issues. It has been challenging to keep up with inventory and inflation. As a small business owner, there are always things that need to be fixed. You’re accountable for every single mistake while keeping everyone happy and managing your team. Sometimes, there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

 

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner?

 

Following my passion and making clients happy. To me, the greatest thing is working around art and helping people enhance their art with custom frames.

 

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

 

I had the opportunity to work with FINSYNC software at my previous job. I wanted to have a tool that would be a one-stop shop where I could pay my suppliers, do my payroll, monitor my P&L, check my bank information, and get bookkeeping help. FINSYNC has allowed me to have a clear understanding of my business and where I was heading.

 

What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?

 

I have Chase Bank, which is my main operating bank.

 

How does having FINSYNC connected to the accounts mentioned above make your business life easier?

 

I can very quickly categorize my spending. I have quick access to view my P&L, monitor cash flow, and make decisions based on cash flow scenarios. Having my accounts connected has helped me manage my cash flow and bookkeeping.

 

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

 

FINSYNC has allowed me to free up time to focus on running my business. I can go in at any time and see what is coming in and out. It’s such a productive tool that allows me to stay on top of my cash flow without spending too much time worrying about financials.

 

What advice do you have for those who are thinking about owning their own business?

 

It’s important to have enough money saved up to go through the beginning stages of starting a business. Make sure you have the cash to support your initial investment until your business is profitable.

 

Anything else you would like to share with other potential and actual small business owners?

 

If you are looking for an accounting plus cash flow management tool, you should try FINSYNC. The customer service is great, and they offer so many resources for your small business, such as financing. In my opinion, when looking for a tool, you need something user-friendly that’s really going to let you know what’s working and what’s not. Numbers tell a big story, and it’s better to have one tool like FINSYNC that helps you understand and move your business forward.

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

 

Top Reasons Why You Should Consider FINSYNC for Managing Your Business Finances

As a small business owner, you know the importance of cash flow management. You’re familiar with all the different factors that affect cash flow, such as demand, seasonality, and expenses. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or confused with all of the numbers, it may be time to consider a tool to help with your accounting and cash flow management.

 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss FINSYNC’S all-in-one solution and how it’s helped various small businesses across the U.S. centralize control of cash flow while getting all their finances in sync.

 

Scale as You Grow

 

FINSYNC offers plans for all business stages. If you’re just starting your business, you can start by learning how FINSYNC is revolutionizing payments. It only takes 24 hours or less to get up and running. With this plan, you’ll be able to set up business payments via ACH, credit card, and be able to issue checks remotely, and receive them through your own lockbox.

 

As your business continues to grow and other needs arise, you’re able to add more features such as payroll, accounting, or cash flow management. These features are available individually or as a Complete Solution for only $95 a month plus processing fees.

 

Save Time & Money

 

Managing your back-office without software means spending hours on tedious tasks such as time tracking, bank reconciliations, and scheduling. Automating these tasks with FINSYNC allows you to save time, work more efficiently, and focus on growing your business. In addition, understanding your current and future cash flow allows you to make better decisions that benefit your business.

 

Here are a few of our customer’s favorite features:

 

• Ability to manage your invoices and customer receipts in the same interface as your bill pay and vendor payments.

• Access to a full calendar view of all payments coming in and out of your accounts

• View all your bank accounts in one place. No more having to import data from multiple sources.

 

 

Ongoing Customer Support

 

Our customer support team is ready to help you from the moment you sign up for a free trial. Once you’ve signed up, a dedicated team member will contact you to provide assistance and walk you through the setup process. Rest assured that your questions are always answered by real humans. Say goodbye to long wait times or unanswered messages. Our team is available via chat, email, or phone.

 

Other Features Available

 

In addition to our payments, payroll, accounting, and cash flow management offerings, we’ve partnered with several service providers.

 

• Get matched with certified professional accountants and bookkeepers. Services start for as low as $20 an hour.

• Find capital for your business. Applying for financing has never been easier. Our application takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Apply once and get the best financing options to grow your business.

 

Are you ready to see how FINSYNC can transform your business? We’re happy to offer all customers a 7-day free trial of any of our plans. No credit card is required to sign up.

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

Top 5 Financial Tips for All Small Business Owners

Whether you are a small business owner or a large conglomerate, properly managing your finances is a must for any healthy business. Having full control of your finances prepares your business to stay afloat during bad times and propel it forward during the good times.

You should familiarize yourself with the following proven financial tips for small business owners that can help you to be more successful in your business.

Set a Budget

Budgeting allows you to stay goal-focused. It lets you know how much you can spend, your exact spending, and on what items. Setting a realistic budget allows you to cut down on unnecessary expenses and estimate what your profit will be at the end of each period.

Before setting your budget, it’s important to familiarize yourself with certain financials from your business such as:

Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate

As a rule of thumb, never mix your personal finances with business funds. Mingling the two can mean you may not be able to differentiate the business assets from personal ones and find it harder to reconcile the financial records.

You’ll also lose the liability protection afforded by an LLC if you commingle business and personal transactions.

Always have a separate bank account for your business. If you don’t know where to get started with selecting a bank, we’ve created a round-up of all the factors you should consider when picking the best bank for your business needs.

Analyze Your Cash Flow

Always keep track of how much money is going in and out of your business at all times. This allows you to plan in advance. By planning in advance, you’ll be able to create a better budget for things such as new raw materials, employee wages, or to build a cash reserve for a rainy day.

Most business owners claim that their business struggles with cash flow. In most cases, the root of cash flow management issues begins with not properly forecasting or projecting the cash going in and out of your business. If you find yourself struggling to manage your cash flow month after month, it may be time to consider accounting software so you are able to:

    • Connect all bank accounts and credit card accounts in one place
    • Have all payments in and out on the same platform
    • View a calendar view of every payment coming in or going out

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Professional Help

Often, small business owners struggle to keep up with accounting and bookkeeper requirements. They either end up spending more than needed or neglecting it due to time constraints. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to consider hiring a qualified professional to do the heavy-lifting for you.

Remember to revisit these financial tips to take your business to the next level.

 

Using FINSYNC’s state-of-the-art accounting software will help you stay on top of your finances.

Importance of Diversity in the Workplace

Diversity in the workplace contributes immensely to not only the success of the organization but also the overall national economy. As the world continues to become more ethnically diverse, there is growing pressure on companies worldwide to reflect that diversity through their hiring practices.

Assembling the right mix of employees on your team can be quite rewarding and challenging at the same time. In this blog post, we have rounded up some crucial tips for managing diversity in your workplace and building a positive environment.

Increased Exposure to Different Perspectives

Diverse cultural backgrounds mean willingness and openness to different learning styles, opinions, and different means of problem-solving. New perspectives help your organization to appeal to a broader customer base, solve different types of problems and open up possibilities in other ways.

Choose Inclusion

As you inch closer towards becoming a more diverse organization, do a deep dive into your existing workforce practices. An effective diversity management process requires amending system-wide existing policies and creating new ones for recruitment, performance evaluations, and promotions.

Prioritize Sensitivity Training

Instead of resorting to damage control in times of crisis, consider investing in sensitivity training to prevent a problematic situation from arising. There may be some resistance from older employees. However, sensitivity training for managers and employees can add more value to your organization. For example, awareness among managers and employees helps create a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Invest in More Than Just Hiring Practices

While weaving inclusion into the fundamentals of your recruitment process can be very impactful, don’t simply stop here. Confirming that all your personnel policies represent the company’s commitment to diversity will give employees a sense of connectedness to the company.

Building a diverse organization involves an undying commitment. The companies who succeed will find themselves ahead of the curve and reap the benefits in the long run.

Apply For Business
Checking Account

Before you get started

1

We are not able to service these businesses at the moment:

  • Crypto Currency and Money Services
  • Privately Owned ATMs
  • Marijuana-Related
  • Gambling
  • Money Services Business
  • Business headquartered outside of the U.S.
2

At this time we are offering online business checking accounts through bank partners in these states:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Idaho
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Washington

Is your business in one of these states?