Small Business News

In today’s market, small business owners who hope to recruit and retain outstanding employees can’t help but offer health insurance plans to their staff. Not only do health benefits make workers more likely to stay with their companies, but a healthier workforce is also a more productive one. Of course, obtaining affordable health insurance plans for small teams can be a challenge. Fortunately, health insurance options specifically for small businesses are available.

While the Affordable Care Act stipulates small businesses with fewer than 50 employees are not required to provide health insurance to their employees, that doesn’t mean that they can’t offer the option to attract the best and the brightest workers. Fortunately, there is plenty of health insurance for small businesses to choose from.

How much does small business health insurance cost? It varies. Many consumers have found that obtaining health insurance coverage as a small business is more affordable than for individuals seeking insurance on their own. Through a small business health insurance option, a company contributes toward a portion of the cost as a part of the workers’ salary, then each employee pays the difference through a payroll deduction.

What the small business health insurance plan covers will vary depending on the insurance company and the options purchased, but some basic healthcare costs are always covered by law.

How does health insurance for small business work? A small business owner can choose a plan that best meets their coverage and cost needs. The business pays a portion of the premiums, and employees usually are responsible for the difference in the premiums paid as a payroll deduction. Then, when an employee seeks healthcare, they pay copays, deductibles and other noncovered costs while the insurance company pays the rest of the medical bill, provided it was not out of network care.

Like other health insurance, small business health coverage benefits cover a variety of medical services, although how much coverage can vary greatly between plans. Common coverages include:

Small business health insurance covers prescription drugs, although specific costs and restrictions will vary based on the insurance company and insurance plan.

Small business health insurance offers emergency care coverage, paying a portion of the cost when covered patients receive emergency medical care. Of course, the amount of out-of-pocket expenses will vary based on the health plan and the insurance company.

Small business health insurance also covers outpatient healthcare as part of the health insurance benefits. Specific limitations on services and out-of-pocket costs will vary based on the health plan.

Health insurance companies also cover maternity and prenatal care as part of small business health insurance benefits. Often, covered patients will have very little out-of-pocket costs to deliver a baby, but the amount will vary based on the health plan.

Many preventative healthcare services are covered in full by small business health insurance. The ACA dictates that certain preventative screenings and other healthcare be fully covered, but be sure to check the specific offerings of each available health plan.

Small business health insurance also covers mental healthcare, including many inpatient and outpatient mental health services. The exact coverage options will vary depending on the best health insurance providers and the group plans.

Many other healthcare services – including those for pre-existing conditions – are covered by small business health insurance providers, but since group coverage varies it’s important for a small business owner to investigate the various coverages from any medical plans before selecting the best for their company and their employees.

While most small business health insurance benefits are fairly comprehensive and cover a variety of healthcare services, health insurance still has its limitations and options it does not cover, including:

Under the U.S. Affordable Care Act, small businesses with fewer than 50 employees do not have to provide health coverage to their workers. Larger companies that fail to provide health insurance benefits to their employees face financial penalties from the government. Many small business owners, however, choose to offer group health insurance plans as an added benefit in order to recruit and retain the most talented workers. Small business employees who are not otherwise covered might be eligible for special plans through the ACA marketplace.

A variety of health insurance options are available to small business owners, including:

In the United States, small business health insurance is governed by the same law as most other healthcare plans: the Affordable Care Act. This law, fully enacted in 2014, requires most U.S.-based employers with 50 or more employees to provide health insurance options for their workforce. It also dictates what sort of health insurance coverage insurance companies must include in their health plans. The ACA even established a health insurance marketplace where consumers and small businesses can shop for the best and most affordable health insurance options.

While the ACA doesn’t require most small businesses to provide health insurance for their employees, it did benefit small business owners by establishing the SHOP network through which they can choose from a variety of insurance companies and health plan options.

Employers who offer health insurance benefits to their employees also must abide by COBRA. Under this law, when an employee is terminated they must be offered the opportunity to extend their health insurance coverage for one of three maximum coverage periods. Likewise, employers who offer health insurance to their workers must also follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which safeguards employees’ private personal and medical information.

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This article, "Small Business Health Insurance – What You Need to Know" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/small-business-health-insurance.html

The arrival of the internet and eCommerce has made shipping an integral part of business operations. Whether you are sending a small or large item, knowing how much it weighs will allow you to manage your shipping costs more effectively. Shipping scales or postal scales can make this possible for you.

You can weigh and print shipping labels in-house with a quality scale, the right software, and a label printer. This means you do not have to take boxes to the post office or other carriers every time you receive an order. And it also means saving the time required to carry out those tasks.

Postal scales and other easily available tools provide new levels of efficiency in your shipping workflow. Take a look at the different levels of scales that are available to you in the marketplace. From a desktop scale for weighing small items to a pallet scale capable of weighing thousands of pounds, there are plenty of options for scales for small businesses.

A postal scale is a weighing platform designed to weigh pieces of mail to determine how much postage they need. Most postal and shipping scales are digital now, although there are mechanical options available.

Investing in shipping and postal scales can have many benefits. Small business owners, including those on eBay and other online retailers, may purchase shipping and postal scales to save time and money as well as increase and improve their shipping processes. Check out these benefits of getting a shipping or postal scale for your small business.

There are many different kinds of postal and shipping scales available for different needs. Whether you are shipping large packages and need a high maximum weight capacity or you ship much smaller items, this list has you covered for some examples of the top postage scales for your business.

Best Postal Scale: As the top pick, this ACCUTECK all-in-1 digital postal scale offers great functionality and value for the price. A fold-up mail holder stands upright to 90 degrees for irregular packages such as rolling tubes. This is not a big scale, and as such, it has a 50-pound maximum capability with a sensitivity of 0.1oz (0-25lb) and 0.2oz (25-50lb).

The key functions for the LCD display include tare and hold and a self-calibration feature that lets you use any known weight starting from 5 lbs.

You can use 3 AAA batteries or the 5v adaptor to power the scale, measuring 9 x 1.4 x 6.1 inches and weighing only two pounds.

ACCUTECK All-in-1 Series Digital Shipping Postal Scale with Ac Adapter

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Runner Up: At 6.6 x 1.5 x 9.6 inches and 2.68 pounds, this is the smallest postal scale on this list, but it weighs a maximum of 90 pounds in 0.1 oz increments. It has a large backlit LCD display that reads lb, Kg, lb./oz., oz. measurements along with tare/hold function.

Made from stainless steel, you can power the scale with a USB cable, batteries (2 AAA), or an AC adapter.

Weighmax W-2809 Stainless Steel Digital Postal Scale, Shipping Scale With AC adapter

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Best Value: This small postal scale from AMERICAN WEIGH SCALES packs a punch for its size. It is only 8? x 8? x 2.8 inches and weighs 2.6 pounds. With a maximum weight of 55 pounds or 24.9 kilograms, this scale can go anywhere.

But don’t let the size fool you. A backlit digital LCD screen lets you see the numbers in different lighting conditions. And it can easily convert between pounds, ounces, kilograms, and grams with a sensitivity of 0.1 oz. The scale is powered with 2 AA batteries.

AMERICAN WEIGH SCALES Digital Shipping Postal Scale

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If you are looking for a heavy-duty portable digital scale maxing out at 400 pounds or 181 kilograms, this DYMO is the unit for you. DYMO is a company known for its label printers and scales. This device gives you all the smart features to connect your digital workflow.

Using a USB cable, you can connect to your PC or Mac and integrate popular online mailing and shipping services – including USP Worldship. This will make your shipping workflow even more efficient no matter where you take the scale.

The detachable LCD has a very functional design with tare, hold, and automatic shut-off, and it is all powered by 3 AAA batteries. The scale is 17.5 x 4 x 18.5 inches and weighs 12 pounds.

DYMO Digital Shipping Scale, 400-pound

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With high accuracy and mid-size capacity, the Fuzion scale offers some great value for the price. The scale has a maximum capacity of 86 pounds or 39 kilograms with an accuracy of 0.01lb. / 0.1oz. Measuring the weight in pounds, ounces, grams or kilograms, the backlit LCD will show the measurements even in bright light or outdoors.

Some features include a hold function to keep the reading locked when you remove the item, a tare function, an automatic shutdown with 60, 120, and 180-second delays, and a flip-up lid to keep items in place.

The Fuzion comes in at 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches and weighs just 1.85 pounds without the batteries. You use the AC power adapter or 3 AAA batteries to operate the scale.

Fuzion Scale, Accurate Digital Postal Scale

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SellEton is a company that specializes in large scales capable of weighing up to 10,000 pounds. If your small business does warehouse shipping and industrial weighing, this is the unit for you. You can get SellEton scales from 1,000 to 10,000 pounds, and they are made in the USA.

The software on the scale can process, save, print, and distribute the weighing data on your devices. It also has 200% overload protection and quickly connects to factory calibration for immediate operation.

The 6-digit LCD backlit display is 0.7” tall and splash-proof. It shows multiple weighing units (lb/oz/kg), Gross/Tare/Zero, and has a 15-foot cable.

The scale weighs 174 pounds, but the total shipping weight is 200 pounds.

SellEton Floor Scales, Accurate Pallet Scale

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With up to 110 pounds or 50kg, the Smart Weigh digital shipping and a postal weighing scale is a great unit for small and relatively large items. A large platform allows you to place big boxes on top of it easily. And because the backlit LCD display is attached with a coiled cable, a large box will not cover it.

This unit has a smart tare feature to determine the net weight of your item, quick unit conversion from grams to kilogram to pounds and ounces and vice versa, and weight holding to keep track of previous items on the scale.

It is portable enough to carry at only 3.9 pounds and 8 x 8 x 1.8 inches because it works on batteries (2 AAA) and an AC adapter.

Smart Weigh Digital Shipping and Postal Weight Scale

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If your business ships large packages, you may want to invest in this floor scale by Giantex. The lb/kg conversion button makes it easy for you to convert pounds into kilograms or vice versa and the built-in sensor ensures accuracy and precision. This scale has a 4.40lbs minimum weight and 660lbs maximum weight. It can also be folded in half for easy storage.

This scale boasts extra-long battery life with over 3 months of standby time and up to 72 hours of continuous use when fully charged. It is made of rustproof stainless iron.

Giantex 660lbs Weight Computing Digital Scale Floor Platform Scale

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Another good example of a scale for smaller packages is this model by MUNBYN. This small portable scale can weigh up to 11 pounds with 0.1oz accuracy. Its small and slim design makes it portable and easy to store when not in use.

The MUNBYN digital scale features an overload function that prompts you not to exceed the maximum weight and a low battery reminder. Its dimensions are 7.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches.

MUNBYN Digital Shipping Scale

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This is the second postal scale by DYMO on our list, this time in a smaller version. This digital scale is 18.25 x 17.5 x 3.6 inches and weighs 3 pounds. It features an easy-to-read LED display, tare function, and automatic shutoff when not in use.

The DYMO shipping and postal scale connects via USB cable for an easy interface with popular online mailing and shipping sites. It can handle up to 25 pounds.

DYMO Digital Postal Scale/Shipping Scale, 25-Pound

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The Fairbanks Scales Ultegra Max R9050 is designed for the shipping and receiving of heavy packages. It features a roller top for ergonomic application and ease of use.

The Ultegra Max Parcel Scale handles most daily shipping operation requirements. It can weigh packages up to 250 lbs and features 0.05 increments for accuracy. This scale has a 21″ x 21″ platform., weighs in pounds or kilograms, and has a .5″ LCD display.

Fairbanks Scales 31082 Ultegra Max R9050 Series Roller Top Parcel Shipping Scale

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Last on our list is another heavy-duty scale. This model by Libra Measurement has a weight limit of 660 lbs or 300 kg with graduations of 0.1 lb or kg. The weighing platform is industrial-grade solid cast aluminum with a reinforced structure.

Other features of this heavy-duty scale include container weight taring to find the contents’ net weight, auto display zero reset, overloading indicator, and a low battery power indicator. The scale measures 11.81 x 11.81 x 1.38 inches and weighs 4.5 lbs.

660 lb (300 kg) Digital Heavy Duty Postal Shipping Scale

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Before looking for a shipping scale, find out the average weight of the items you plan to weigh and the volume of packages. This will help you determine the right scale. But here are some other features you should also look out for.

Even though you might be shipping light items now, you might start to ship heavy items as your business grows. Or, you may have the need to ship heavy packages once in a while. The good news is there many scales that cover this probability. However, if you know your product line will never go beyond 25 pounds, there is no point in getting a scale with a 400-pound limit. So, finding the right balance is key here.

Look for scales that can measure the item in whatever unit of measurement fits your needs. Most models come with options for pounds, grams and kilograms.

Scales are powered with batteries and A/C adapters. See if the scale you are using offers both options. You might also want to check for a scale that will save power with automatic shutoff or has some other feature meant to preserve battery life.

Look for the connectivity that will fit your PC or even smartphone. A USB or Ethernet port will give you a longer and more reliable connection. Some newer scales have Bluetooth connectivity, thus eliminating the need for cables.

You will want to ensure the display on the scale is easy for everyone to read. Fortunately, most scales have a large, well-lit LCD display. Make sure you can also see the display in the bright lights of an office or outdoors if you take the scale outdoors.

As you link with more carriers, you want to access the information you need quickly and efficiently. Whether you are costing the shipment, verifying your items, or processing your boxes, you can see those functions on display (depending on the model, of course). Look for a scale that allows for easy navigation of all this information.

In addition, some scales have high precision sensors and other features to ensure the most accurate readings, so you always know exactly what your shipping costs will be.

Choose a scale made of a material that will last and that will accommodate the weight of the packages you will be shipping. Businesses that only ship small or lightweight packages can likely get away with a plastic scale. But if you’re shipping large and heavy items, the best shipping scale is made of a material like stainless steel that can handle the weight.

There are digital and mechanical scales. True enough, you can calibrate them, but this is another task your small business doesn’t want to be doing. While the mechanical scales are OK, they can wear down over time, especially if you use heavy items.

On the other hand, a digital scale provides more options in today’s digital world. Besides being more accurate and easier to calibrate, you can use the technology to do more. With the right scale, you can connect it to your PC and link up with your carrier to access shipping labels, manage your receipts, get updates, specials, etc.

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This article, "Best Postal Scales for Your Small Business in 2022" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/best-postal-scales.html

Business travel is often necessary, but it’s also where businesses tend to spend the most. Businesses of all sizes need to be financially responsible when it comes to business travel to ensure that the travel is a suitable investment and done in a fiscally conscious way. We’ll go through some of the best international business travel tips to help you save money on business travel.

There are many benefits to traveling for less for businesses, such as:

It can often be difficult for businesses to keep costs at a minimum for travel, but we’re going through the top business travel tips to show you how to save money while traveling.

One of the best-kept secrets in the travel industry is that flights don’t cost the same throughout the week. Generally, Fridays/weekends and Mondays tend to be the most expensive days to travel, so you can save money by booking mid-week flights.

One of the higher costs for businesses tends to be the dreaded foreign transaction fee. However, businesses can offset that by identifying credit card companies and bank cards that offer perks like no foreign fees to save money. Also, research partner banks before leaving to know which ATMs to use, as some ATMs will charge you more if they are not a partner bank with your local institution.

This is a common business travel tip because it does help! It’s not always feasible to plan business trips early, but the ideal timeframe is to book three months ahead to get the best prices.

Often seats are cheaper or more expensive during different times of the week or months, depending on public holidays and other events. However, if you’re flexible with dates and can move things around, you can often get great deals you wouldn’t otherwise.

Any travel, including business travel, needs some level of accountability. Whether you or a staff member are traveling, establishing a budget (albeit a flexible one) helps set expectations on spending habits right from the start.

Air travel often ends up being the costliest part of a trip, so it’s essential to look for flight deals where possible to find cheap flights and skip baggage fees to save more.

Before booking your flight, make sure to compare options. Many airlines list different prices on various third-party sites, or you might find that some third-party sites are limited in their selection. Make sure to compare prices with at least 2-3 providers before you book.

Depending on your location, you can find great travel deals and offers by subscribing to different mailing lists. There are some focused solely on Europe, while others have a wider reach, so it might take some digging to find the right one for you. But you can find the best price for major cities through these mailouts.

Airlines charge for pretty much everything, so researching beforehand is crucial. One of the charges that catch people by surprise is fees for their baggage. This can include fees for checked bags (mostly budget airlines) and fees for excess weight. Before your next trip, check airline baggage requirements, so you don’t get hit with a random charge.

Airport parking is notoriously expensive, and it can add up with other expenses. Skipping airport parking can make the trip cheaper, although perhaps less convenient. Compare pricing between nearby airport parking garages beforehand.

The best way to score deals on airline flights is through research. Third-party websites usually offer the cheapest fares, but airlines often try to undercut that if you book directly. Before booking your final destination, check airline websites directly to see if they can offer cheaper flights than the third party.

Hotel costs can drive up travel budgets, especially if they come with many additional charges. Don’t spend money on things that aren’t necessary. We’ll go through some top ways to save money on hotel rooms.

The type of hotel booked for business travel makes a difference in budget. Avoiding resort fees and amenity costs can help budget travelers save money while on the trip. In addition, motels, business hotels, and other establishments might be able to offer better deals.

Like air tickets, an advanced hotel booking is another way to keep the travel budget down. Many hotels offer deals like a free night for advanced bookings and may offer cheaper room rates.

If a lot of money is being spent on hotels, consider signing up for specific hotel rewards programs. Loyalty programs have a lot of value for frequent business travelers, including budget travelers over time. Having a preferred hotel also makes tracking expenses easier and might offer other benefits depending on the hotel partnership.

Hotel location might not be as important if a city has a great local transportation network. For example, hotels near the airport or city center tend to cost far more and might not even be worth it, depending on the city. Before booking, do some research on the country and the best ways to get around to help you determine which areas to look for hotels in.

If travel budgets are still high and too much money is being spent, there are other travel tips that you can keep in mind for the trip itself to cut down on costs – let’s look at some of the top ones:

Travel insurance is a necessary part of business travel because it can help cut down emergency costs. Flight cancellations, missed flights, and more tend to go under the remit of travel insurance and help ensure that you aren’t spending tons of money on fees and penalties.

Going back to the above point about location, using public transport can help bring down costs enormously. If the trip is for a few weeks, it might be worth looking into rental cars, but again, it depends on the city and where you’ll spend most of your time. But taking local transportation can be better for budgets and encourages you to explore the city more.

Local markets and street food are cheaper and often better than fancy restaurants. If you’re a budget traveler, make sure to explore the local restaurants and find out where the locals eat. Not only will you save more money in the long run, but you’ll explore diverse food cultures by eating street food – particularly in areas such as South America, Southeast Asia, Central America, and others. As a budget traveler, you can also consider making your own food to save on costs for long trips.

You should definitely explore the city while traveling, but it can be hard to balance that with costs. But there are lots of fun, inexpensive activities such as free walking tours you can take advantage of. You can also ask your hotel or ask other travelers for recommendations for tourist attractions with free admission or low admission cost.

The best way to save money while traveling is to do your research beforehand. This includes research for deals on hotels and airfare and little things that help keep you from spending money. This can consist of finding partner banks so that you’re not charged for ATM fees and checking foreign transaction fees on your bank card and credit card as well.

Your budget will very much depend on what your round trip destination is. It’s a great idea to research the country beforehand, including average spending per day, to help you gauge how much you should be saving realistically. Some countries are incredibly expensive, while others can be very cheap, but it depends on the type of experience you want to have and how much you can realistically save before the trip.

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This article, "How to Save Money While Traveling for Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/how-to-save-money-while-traveling.html

Tourists and business travelers need ways to save money; small business owners need ways to make money.

Where’s the common ground? How can you turn tourists and business travelers into customers?

We asked Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success for Constant Contact, for his best ideas. Constant Contact is a company that specializes in email marketing software tools.

Whether someone is just passing through the area, or spending a few days in the area, make sure that the traveler’s check in at your business is top notch.

“You’re looking to create a great experience that someone will talk about,” Charest said. “That will make them want to come back whether it’s during their current stay or in the future.”

The types of deals you offer may have varying value, depending on the customer’s status. Is the person a long-term or pass-through traveler?

“For example, a restaurant or bar can offer a deal for multiple visits in one week, or a deal for people with out-of-state IDs a certain distance away,” Charest said.”

If you’re feeling the pinch of inflation and have to raise prices, offer an explanation. You can do so on social media or at your place of business. It’s no surprise – customers are experiencing the same challenges you are.

“Often, customers can relate and most of them actively want you to succeed,” Charest said. “Giving them a chance to understand what you are going through, and a way to support you through it, is a great way to forge strong relationships and cultivate a loyal audience.”

Charest described tourism as an industry heavily influenced by word-of-mouth.

“Focusing on the overall experience and the little details can go a long way in enticing people to talk about and refer to a business,” he said. “Give your staff permission to “wow” guests with the little things that make you stand out, and ultimately make your business to go-to spot.”

Charest said that small business owners can launch a referral program, for example, having a customer earn a small kickback or discount by recommending their business.

“Email marketing can help to keep a business top-of-mind and communicate deals, even with customers who are only passing through,” Charest said.

The right small businesses partnering together – especially through their marketing efforts – can serve to build up business for everyone involved, Charest said.

Charest advised reaching out to customers not only through the email lists, but also through local newspapers and social media. Using mass advertising is the way to let customers learn about deals and take advantage of them.

“For example, I heard about a rock-climbing gym right next to a brewery, and a hand stamp from the gym will offer you a discount at the brewery,” Charest said. “Although these businesses have different email lists and customer bases, co-branded promotions ending up helping each other.”

If you offer something unique to the area, which can’t be found anywhere else, make that known, Charest said. Or, if your business provides more of a “grab and go” type of interaction, make sure that experience goes smoothly and satisfies your customers’ needs.

Collecting email addresses does more than help you provide information about upcoming promotions or events.

“You can also reach out to survey them to find out what they enjoyed most, or even what you could improve,” Charest said. “This intel will allow you to attract more people in the future and even drive repeat business.”

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This article, "10 Tips to Attract Tourists and Travelers to Your Small Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/attracting-tourists-to-your-small-business.html