Here are seven sources that provide insight and information on small businesses. 1. The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index , a quarterly survey of small business owners, is packed with enlightening insights on owners’ perceptions of current and future business conditions. Here are a few findings from the 2014 third quarter report: Small business owners are feeling better about their current business financial situation, with 62% rating it as very or somewhat good, up from 57% in the second quarter 2014. Cash flow over the past 12 months is at a six-year high. Ease of obtaining credit in the past 12 months is up significantly—32% of small business owners say that it has been very or somewhat easy to obtain credit in the past 12 months. 2. The Hartford's 2014 Small Business Success Study found that m ore small business owners are feeling successful and fewer are concerned about macroeconomic factors. However, the majority of them continue to be risk averse and have put a hold on hiring. 3. Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey asked 12,000 owners which localities are welcoming to small businesses. The owners reported that taxes are a less important factor than the ease of regulatory compliance in determining the overall friendliness score of a jurisdiction. Owners in Utah, Idaho, Texas, Virginia, and Louisiana gave their states the highest rating for friendliness to small business. 4. 2014 Infusionsoft Small Business Market Survey explored the mindsets of respondents and found dramatically different opinions about what it means to be a small business owner. The survey came up with four attitudinal-based profiles of modern small business owners: Freedom Seekers, Passionate Creators, Struggling Survivors, and Legacy Builders. Freedom Seekers, for example, value having the ability to escape from the corporate world and the opportunity to make more money. 5. AT&T Small Business Technology Poll 2014 examined how small businesses are using smartphones, tablets, and mobile apps. One finding: Two-thirds of small businesses say they are saving money by using mobile apps. The majority of those businesses estimate they are saving up to $6,000 per year. 6. Small Business Digital Trends looked into the state of digital marketing at 2,200 U.S. small businesses. Among small businesses that have a website, 81% serve as their own webmaster. 7. VerticalResponse explored how small businesses are using social media in their everyday activities. Among the findings: More than 50% of the respondents have a company blog, and 35% are using YouTube as part of their social media activities.
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