Funding & Finances – Bloggingtips.com https://bloggingtips.com Start, Grow, and Monetize a Blog Mon, 12 Sep 2022 14:22:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Quicken vs QuickBooks: the best one for your business https://bloggingtips.com/quicken-vs-quickbooks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=quicken-vs-quickbooks https://bloggingtips.com/quicken-vs-quickbooks/#respond Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:59:56 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=95943 Read more]]> If you are a business owner, then you know that you need to keep track of your finances.

You may be wondering which software is the best for you: Quicken or quickbooks?

In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two programs so that you can make the best decision for your business.

Stay tuned!

What Is Quicken And How Does It Works?

Quicken is accounting software designed to help manage personal finances and small business finances and accounting.

The software tracks income and expenses, and provides users with reports and graphs to help them understand their financial situation.

Quicken can be used to create budgets, track investments, and pay bills online through credit card accounts.

It also includes a range of features specifically for small business owners, such as the ability to track inventory, invoices, and employee time sheets.

It can be used to track income and expenses, create budgets, and calculate taxes.

In short, Quicken is a powerful tool for managing your money.

But how does it work?

Essentially, Quicken allows you to enter your financial information into the program and then tracks your progress over time.

This means that you can see exactly where your money is going and identify areas where you may be able to save.

In addition, Quicken makes it easy to create budgets and track your progress towards financial goals.

Quicken is available for both Windows and Mac computers, and there is also a mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.

Users can choose from a variety of subscription plans, depending on their needs.

The basic plan starts at $9.99 per month, and includes features such as bill tracking and budgeting.

The premium plan, which costs $34.99 per month, includes additional features such as investment tracking and credit scores.

There is also a free trial available for new users.

What Is QuickBooks And How Does It Works?

QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software programs on the market.

Designed for small businesses and self-employed individuals, QuickBooks offers a wide range of features to help manage finances.

QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based version of the software, allowing users to access their financial data from anywhere with an internet connection.

QuickBooks Online also includes personal finance features, such as the ability to track investments and rental property owners income and expenses.

For business owners, quickbooks provides cash flow management tools to help track receipts and payments.

QuickBooks can also be used to create invoices and track inventory levels.

Overall, QuickBooks is a versatile software program that can be used for a variety of personal and business accounting tasks.

Features Of Quicken

Quicken is a personal finance tool that allows users to manage their business income and expenses, as well as their personal finances.

Quicken can be used to track bank accounts, credit cards, investments, and loans. It also includes features for creating financial reports and charts.

users can also use Quicken to connect with online banking and investment accounts.

This allows users to automatically download transactions and keep track of their finances in one place.

Quicken also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, which allow users to access their financial data on the go.

Quicken Home & Business is the most popular version of Quicken, and it offers users a variety of features to help them stay on top of their finances.

Users can enter their business income and expenses into Quicken, and they can also track their personal finances by linking their bank accounts and credit cards to Quicken.

Quicken Home & Business also offers users the ability to create budgets, track investments, and generate reports.

In addition, users can access their Quicken data from any computer with an Internet connection.

Quicken is a powerful tool that can help users manage their business income and expenses, as well as their personal finances.

Features Of QuickBooks

QuickBooks is personal and business finance software that helps you manage your finances in one place.

You can use it to track your spending, income, and bills.

QuickBooks also makes it easy to see where your money is going and where you can save.

The software is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.

QuickBooks is a great tool for personal finance management.

It allows you to see all of your financial information in one place and make informed decisions about your spending.

QuickBooks is also available for businesses, which makes it a valuable resource for small businesses.

The software can help businesses keep track of their finances, customers, and employees.

QuickBooks is a powerful tool that can help you manage your personal and business finances.

Pros Of Quicken

One of the primary benefits of Quicken is that it can save you a great deal of time.

Balancing your checkbook, for example, can be a very time-consuming task, particularly if you have a lot of transactions.

With Quicken, you can enter all of your transactions into the program and it will automatically Balance your checkbook for you.

This can save you hours of time each month.

Another benefit of Quicken is that it can help you to stay organized.

When all of your financial information is in one place, it is much easier to track your spending and keep an eye on your budget.

You can also use Quicken to set up bill payment reminders, so you never have to worry about forgetting to pay a bill again.

In addition, Quicken makes it easy to run reports so you can see where your money is going each month.

Finally, Quicken can help you to make better financial decisions.

When you have all of your financial information in one place, it is easier to see where you could be saving money.

For example, if you notice that you are spending a lot of money on dining out each month, you may decide to cut back in order to save money.

Similarly, if you see that you are carrying a high balance on your credit card each month, you may decide to pay down the balance in order to save on interest charges.

By making Quicken a part of your financial routine, you can make better decisions about how to spend and save your money.

Pros Of QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a software program designed to help businesses manage their finances, including income and expenses.

QuickBooks can be used to track sales, customers, and inventory, as well as to create invoices and reports.

QuickBooks can also be customized to fit the specific needs of a business.

QuickBooks offers many benefits for businesses, including the following:

-QuickBooks can save businesses time by automating tasks such as invoicing, tracking income and expenses, and creating reports.

-QuickBooks can help businesses keep track of their finances and make better-informed decisions about where to allocate their resources.

-QuickBooks offers a variety of features that can be customized to fit the specific needs of a business, making it a versatile tool for businesses of all sizes.

Overall, QuickBooks is a powerful financial management tool that can offer significant benefits for businesses.

When used effectively, QuickBooks can save businesses time and money, while helping them make better-informed decisions about their finances.

Cons Of Quicken

While Quicken can be a helpful tool for managing your finances, there are also several potential drawbacks to consider.

One of the biggest cons is that Quicken can be complex to use, especially if you’re not already familiar with personal finance software.

This can make it difficult to get started and easy to make mistakes that could end up costing you money.

Additionally, Quicken requires you to manually enter all of your financial information.

This means that it’s only as accurate as the data you input, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Finally, Quicken is a subscription-based service, so you’ll need to continue paying in order to use it.

While there is a free trial available, this may not be enough time to decide whether Quicken is right for you.

Ultimately, whether or not Quicken is worth the investment depends on your individual needs and circumstances.

Cons Of QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular accounting software program designed for small businesses.

While QuickBooks can save businesses time and money, there are some potential drawbacks to using the software.

One of the biggest cons of QuickBooks is that it can be difficult to use.

The software is designed for businesses with a basic understanding of accounting, but many business owners find the learning curve to be steep.

In addition, QuickBooks is only compatible with certain kinds of financial institutions, which can make it difficult to track all of your business finances in one place.

Finally, QuickBooks requires a monthly subscription fee, which can add up over time.

While QuickBooks can be a helpful tool for small businesses, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it’s right for you.

Quicken vs QuickBooks: Which Is A Better Option?

When it comes to personal finance software, two of the most popular options are Quicken and QuickBooks.

Both programs offer a wide range of features, but there are some key differences that may make one a better choice for you than the other.

Quicken is designed for individuals and households, while QuickBooks is geared towards small businesses.

As a result, QuickBooks offers more advanced features, such as the ability to track inventory and create invoices.

However, Quicken is often simpler and easier to use, making it a good choice for those who are not comfortable with accounting software.

In addition, Quicken typically costs less than QuickBooks.

Ultimately, the best personal finance software for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.

Wrapping Up

So, which is the best accounting software for your business- Quicken or QuickBooks?

The answer will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

If you want a simple program that can help you with basic bookkeeping task and personal expenses, then Quicken is probably the better choice.

However, if you need more features and flexibility in your accounting software, then QuickBooks is likely to be a better fit.

Ultimately, it’s important to choose a program that makes sense for your individual business and helps you stay organized and efficient.

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10 Best Business Checking Accounts for LLC in 2022 https://bloggingtips.com/best-business-checking-accounts-for-llc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-business-checking-accounts-for-llc https://bloggingtips.com/best-business-checking-accounts-for-llc/#respond Tue, 16 Aug 2022 07:52:18 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=93668 Read more]]> Registering your business as an LLC is an essential step in someone’s journey as an entrepreneur.

There are numerous factors to consider, and trying to keep track of everything can feel overwhelming.

Organizing your finances, however, is a priority.

We’re going to say BlueVine is the best option on the list, as they give you little to no fees for opening an account with them, they don’t require a minimum balance, and they offer excellent customer support, business lending options, and software integration.

When you decide to acknowledge your business as a separate and legal entity, it’s critical to select the best business checking account for LLC that suits your needs.

With so many options, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. We’ve done the research and have some great suggestions.

An Overview of a Business Checking Account for LLC

vector graphic showing an illustration of the best business checking accounts for llcs

In a nutshell, your business banking account will assist you with managing and tracking money from your business venture.

A bank can offer small to large business owners a specific type of checking account, regardless of their business type.

These accounts have multiple features and tools, which are valuable and pertinent to operating a business smoothly.

What Is a Business Checking Account?

Business checking accounts aren’t much different from personal checking accounts.

You can make payments, withdrawals, deposits, use a debit card, do transfers, and so on.

One of the key differences is that your personal checking account is for personal funds, while the business checking account holds money generated by your business.

More fees are generally associated with a business checking account over a personal account.

Additionally, the business checking account for LLC comes with many other benefits tailored to business owners.

For example, even your most basic account will offer invoicing services, lending options such as a business line of credit, and more.

The account may also include merchant services, which is the ideal option for those who are in e-commerce.

Here are the primary reasons you’ll want to make a sound decision regarding which establishment gets to handle your business funds.

Why Is a Business Checking Account Important?

The primary reason that a business checking account is vital is that it allows you to track your expenses more easily.

A business account makes you look more professional and lends credibility to your company.

When you work with vendors, they’ll receive checks that have your business name and not your name and personal account info.

Additionally, you can avoid legal liability and tax fraud issues for unpaid taxes, and it helps you to budget better when your finances are separate.

Depending on the institution, you’ll also have access to a business credit card, line of credit, or a business loan when you need it.

Best Business Checking Account for LLC

The best business checking accounts for LLCs come in many shapes and sizes.

There’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why you want to survey the field and know your business goals regarding money.

The main deciding factors will be how much money you’re moving in and out of the account and the number of monthly deposits you’ll make.

Most of the basic services you’d need with your account are free, but others come with a small fee.

Take a look at these premium business checking account options for your LLC:

1. BlueVine

Our Pick
BlueVine

BlueVine is at the top of many people’s lists because it is a well-rounded and sophisticated business checking account provider.

For small businesses that are looking for a basic checking account with a few perks and don’t mind an online bank, BlueVine is the way to go.

Overview

BlueVine is at the top of many people’s lists because it is a well-rounded and sophisticated business checking account provider.

For small businesses that are looking for a basic checking account with a few perks and don’t mind an online bank, BlueVine is the way to go.

Applying for a business loan takes a few minutes; you can pay your bills and accrue interest at a decent rate without incurring monthly fees.

You can get your BlueVine account up within ten minutes with a smooth and easy application process.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Unlimited Transactions

Notable Features

  • Free debit card: As soon as your application gets approved, BlueVine will mail your debit card within ten days.
    You get to choose between a few designs and colors as well.
  • Accounting software integrations: Accounting software is critical to make it more organized and accurate for those who have difficulty balancing their expenses.
    You’ll be able to integrate Xero and QuickBooks seamlessly.
  • Business payment integrations: Connect your business checking account to payment solutions such as Expensify, PayPal, and Stripe.

Pros:

  • Unlimited transactions: You can make as many transactions as you want each month without fear of exorbitant fees.
    This benefit is particularly valuable for business owners that consistently deposit, withdraw, or transfer money from their accounts.
  • Access to cash deposits: Some business accounts only allow electronic deposits, whereas BlueVine allows checks and cash deposits into your checking account.
    Mobile banking includes the possibility of depositing a check right from your couch by taking a picture through the app.
  • No deposit: There’s no minimum amount that you have to deposit to open their business checking account.
  • No fees: Generally, there are a few for not maintaining a specific balance in your account at the end of the month.
    With BlueVine, they don’t charge you any monthly maintenance fees.
  • Physical checks: For those who prefer paper checks, customers can get two free checkbook orders each year.

Cons:

  • Limited customer support: It would be better if BlueVine offered some form of customer service around the clock.
    However, you can only contact someone from the customer support team during the week.
  • Fees: Though BlueVine accepts cash deposits, you have to pay a small fee for each one.
  • No business savings accounts: Usually, customers that sign up for a business checking account may open a business savings account at the same branch.
    This bank doesn’t offer a savings account to separate your working capital from the money you use for expenses.

Pricing & Plans

BlueVine doesn’t charge transaction or monthly fees to have a business checking account.

You don’t have to worry about balance requirements or a minimum deposit to open an account.

General fees:

  • Unfortunately, there is a fee of $4.95 for every cash deposit, and you can only deposit at a Green Dot location.
  • ATM Fees: There are no ATM fees if you use one of the MoneyPass locations.
    You pay $2.50 in addition to the operator fees when using an ATM outside the network.
Interest Rates

BlueVine offers an excellent APY on the business checking account, featuring a return of 1.5 percent on any balance up to $100,000.

You’re only eligible for this APY rate if you spend at least $500/month with your debit card or receive $2,500/month from customer payments directly deposited into your account.

Our Take

We think BlueVine is a top-tier business checking account without fees and one of the best APYs in the industry.

It doesn’t take long to open an account, customer service is reliable, and any business owner who needs an account allowing unlimited transactions should try BlueVine.

2. Capital One

Runner Up
Capital One

Capital One is a traditional bank that offers two choices for a business checking account.

There’s the Basic checking account—with mobile and online banking, unlimited fees (electronically), low balance requirements, and then the Unlimited business account.

Overview

Capital One is a traditional bank that offers two choices for a business checking account.

There’s the Basic checking account—with mobile and online banking, unlimited fees (electronically), low balance requirements, and then the Unlimited business account.

This type of business account comes with two Basic checking accounts.

Have you got complicated finances? Capital One can help you sort things out.

Remember that you must enter a physical branch to open the account at Capital One in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, and Washington D.C.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Mobile Banking

Notable Features

  • Reliable customer service: Capital One ensures that customer service is accessible 24/7 to offer support by email, phone, or in-person at one of their many branch locations (during business hours).
  • Free cash deposits: If you don’t move a lot of money in and out of the account, you should avoid fees as you get up to $5,000 in cash deposits every month at no cost.
  • Business solutions: Capital One has a solid array of business credit cards at your disposal.
    Some come with travel and cashback rewards, plus there aren’t any fees for foreign transactions.
    It’s an excellent option for those who travel abroad to conduct business.

Pros:

  • No maintenance fees: Keep the money you deposit by avoiding monthly minimum balance fees.
    This setup is ideal for new or small businesses starting to generate substantial income.
  • Competitive interest rates: Capital One’s interest rates are comparable with the best interest rates in the industry.
  • Digital transactions: You can carry out as many digital transactions as you want each month without penalty.
  • Mobile banking available: The mobile app is easy to use and allows customers to manage their funds and make decisions on the go with the Capital One app available 24/7.
  • No overdraft fees: You’ll never have to worry about paying ongoing fees because of an overdraft.
    They still provide overdraft protections, however.
  • Self-service escrow services: You can organize and manage your escrow funds anytime using the online banking program.

Cons:

  • Low savings rates: There’s no APY earned on your checking account, and the savings rate is low.
  • Can’t apply online: At the moment, you have to visit a branch to apply for an account; this is inconvenient for people who don’t live nearby.
  • Limited availability: Capital One only has physical branches in seven states throughout the United States.

Pricing & Plans

Capital One has two business checking accounts. Here are the fees for a Basic checking account:

  • Monthly fee: $15 (steep compared to competitors)
  • The bank will waive this fee if your balance is over $2,000.
  • Customers get free cash deposits up to $5,000/month.

Here are the fees for an Unlimited checking account:

  • Monthly fee: $35
  • The bank will waive this fee if your balance is over $25,000.
  • You get free cash deposits with no limits for this account.
  • You receive five outgoing wires for free with this account.

General fees:

  • ATM fees: ATM transactions are free at over 70,000 MoneyPass, Capital One, and Allpoint locations across the country.
Interest rates

Capital One doesn’t offer an APY rate for their business checking account options.

Our Take

Though Capital One isn’t available everywhere, it’s still a solid banking option with mobile capabilities.

The app is clean and easy to navigate; you can do everything through the app that you could do in person, including initiating withdrawals in advance.

Capital One also offers many other products, such as credit cards, that you might qualify for if you can get approved for their business checking account.

3. CIT Bank

Also Great
CIT Bank

CIT Bank is one of the names on the list that isn’t as popular as the others, but it should be.

As a First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company division, CIT Bank offers online banking and innovative business checking account solutions.

Overview

CIT Bank is one of the names on the list that isn’t as popular as the others, but it should be.

As a First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company division, CIT Bank offers online banking and innovative business checking account solutions.

They’re one of the only banks that allow you to have separate accounts for your LLC under the same name.

This option would be perfect for young business owners who are just starting on the road to success and want a flexible account that won’t charge fees.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Ease of Use

Notable Features

  • ATM reimbursement: One of the best features of CIT Bank is that they don’t charge any ATM fees.
    All domestic transactions at an ATM are free, and they’ll reimburse you up to $30/month when using another bank’s ATM.
  • Mobile deposits: You can make mobile check deposits through their simple and effective mobile app. You’re also allowed to do unlimited disbursements and withdrawals through the app.
  • Contactless payments: CIT Bank sends you a free debit card with EMV chip technology, allowing for contactless payment; it’s quicker and easier.

Pros:

  • No balance requirements: After you open an account, you don’t have to worry about fees for not keeping a certain amount of money in your account at all times.
  • FDIC insured: The financial institution complies with FDIC requirements and regulations.
  • Competitive interest rates: CIT Bank’s checking account pays 0.10 percent to 0.25 percent APY, which is much higher than the nation’s average of 0.03 percent.
  • Mobile-friendly: You can download the CIT Bank mobile app on your Apple or Android devices.
  • Versatility: CIT Bank offers multiple business checking account options for all types of companies, from small to large.
  • No monthly fees: Manage your business with confidence when you open an account with CIT Bank, as they don’t charge any fees for a business account.

Cons:

  • No physical branches: Though online banking is convenient; sometimes there are issues you would instead resolve in person.
    You’ll have to do your banking through the app and online only.
  • No ATM cards: You don’t get an ATM card, which is somewhat unusual with a personal or business account.
  • No signup bonus: Many banks offer an incentive for choosing to do business with them, commonly in the form of a signup bonus.
    CIT Bank doesn’t give any rewards for opening a business account.

Pricing & Plans

You must deposit at least $100 to open a business checking account with CIT Bank.

However, the account has no additional fees (balance requirements, cash deposit, overdraft, monthly fees, etc.).

General fees:

  • ATM fees: CIT doesn’t charge ATM fees, and they’ll reimburse you up to $30/month for fees incurred when using an ATM that’s not in the network.
Interest Rates

If you have a business checking account with a balance of at least $25,000, you’ll earn 0.25 percent APY.

If your balance is less than $25,000, you’ll earn 0.10 percent APY.

Our Take

CIT Bank is an excellent choice for small to large business owners that enjoy high-interest rates, low to no fees, and you don’t mind being able to visit a physical branch.

You can open your account online without the hassle, making it a quick solution for someone needing a business account for their LLC.

4. Kabbage

Kabbage

Kabbage business bank is a suitable selection for a small business owner who wants a line of credit along with a business checking account.

This institution has high approval rates for small business loans to get a line of credit up to $250,000.

Overview

Kabbage business bank is a suitable selection for a small business owner who wants a line of credit along with a business checking account.

This institution has high approval rates for small business loans to get a line of credit up to $250,000.

Kabbage also has other programs that benefit businesses, such as Kabbage Payments, Kabbage Insights, and Kabbage Funding.

A business checking account is a perfect accompaniment if you’re already familiar with these services.

Note: Kabbage is not a bank; they are a subsidiary of Green Dot Bank.

You must currently be a Kabbage customer before you can open a Kabbage business account.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Small Business Owners

Notable Features

  • Business Resources: Kabbage easily integrates with business resources they already offer, which can assist a business owner.
    They provide software and services for funding, payments, and performance insights.
  • High APY rates: The Kabbage business checking account earns 1.10 percent APY if your balance is $100,000 or less.
    You don’t get any interest for aggregate balances that total more than $100,000.
  • Unlimited transactions: You can conduct as many electronic transactions as you want without paying fees; this is a massive bonus if you constantly transfer funds in and out of the account.

Pros:

  • Savings program: One unique feature of the Kabbage business checking account is that you can create up to five “Reserves.”
    These separate savings nests help you better organize your business finances and budget how much you’re spending.
    You can utilize these reserves for individual projects, emergencies, or savings in general.
  • Free mobile check deposit: There’s no charge or limit on how many checks business owners can deposit through their mobile app.
  • Free and vast ATM network: Business owners will not incur any fees for using one of the 19,000 All point ATMs.
    You may also make cash deposits at any of the participating Green Dot retailers in the network.
  • Low to no fees: With Kabbage, there are no monthly fees for their standard services, nor do you have to maintain monthly or daily balance minimums.
  • Easy setup: The application process is easy and requires less than ten minutes.

Cons:

  • Daily limits: Kabbage limits how much cash you can withdraw daily to $2,000.
    Depending on your size and type of business, this may become problematic if you need to get more.
  • Online-only: The absence of a brick-and-mortar may not be an ideal option for someone who prefers to visit a physical branch from time to time.
  • No business integration options: Outside of the programs they offer as a bank, you can integrate your business checking account with other third-party applications for invoicing, accounting, and so on.

Pricing & Plans

You’ll see no monthly fees if you sign up for a Kabbage business checking.

You don’t have to deposit a certain amount to open an account, and you won’t face any penalties or charges for doing transactions online.

Here are some of the other fees that you can expect.

General fees:

  • Making a cash deposit isn’t free; you’ll have to pay as much as $4.95 per deposit.
  • Though you can use their Allpoint ATMs for free, you’ll pay up to $3 for each transaction with an ATM that’s out of the network due to that ATM network charging you.
  • If you travel abroad for business and use your debit card, there’s a three percent foreign transaction fee.
Interest Rates

Kabbage’s APY of 1.10 percent is higher than what most banks offer as interest on a checking account.

Remember that you can have a balance of up to $100,000 to qualify.

Our Take

Kabbage provides customers access and services as though it were a typical bank while remaining convenient with online banking features and services.

Remember that you have a better chance of qualifying for a business line of credit at Kabbage, which also offers an attractive APY rate.

5. Bank of America

Bank of America

Bank of America is another quality bank on the list that you can use to support your LLC as it develops and grows.

There are two different checking accounts that you can choose from; monthly fees accompany them, but you can waive the fees easily.

Overview

Bank of America is another quality bank on the list that you can use to support your LLC as it develops and grows.

There are two different checking accounts that you can choose from; monthly fees accompany them, but you can waive the fees easily.

You can go back and forth between the accounts as your business needs change.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Convenience

Notable Features

  • Cash Flow Monitor: With the help of the cash management tool, you can connect to payroll, accounting, and analytics apps to aid you in making better business decisions.
  • Business Products: Bank of America offers many business products such as CDs, lending products, and savings.
    Additionally, you can access financial analysis through Merrill financial advisors.
  • Signup bonuses: If you can meet specific qualifications, you can be eligible for $100 to $500 signup bonuses.

Pros:

  • Cash-back program: Customers with statement credit can redeem them for cash back for any amount and any time.
  • Large ATM network: You don’t have to travel around town looking for an ATM—at least one that won’t charge you an arm and a leg. With approximately 4,100 branches and over 16,000 ATMs, an ATM is always near you.
  • Low minimum requirements: At Bank of America, you don’t have to worry about adhering to exorbitant minimums to open a checking account—the minimums are surprisingly low.
  • User-friendly: No need to wrestle with a complicated mobile service that’s difficult to use. Bank of America’s mobile app is user-friendly.
  • Business integrations: Integration with accounting apps and other software is possible through the online business checking account.

Cons:

  • Low-interest rates: Bank of America offers a surprisingly low APY rate of 0.01 percent, which is noticeably lower than other banking companies.
  • Slow customer service: An essential component of a good bank is excellent customer service with prompt response times.
    Unfortunately, at BoA, a complaint can take several days to resolve.
  • Difficult to waive monthly fees: The amount of money you need to become exempt from the monthly maintenance fee is exorbitant.

Pricing & Plans

Bank of America offers two types of business checking: Business Advantage Fundamentals and Business Advantage Relationship.

You need a minimum deposit of $100 to open an account.

Here are the fees for maintaining the Business Advantage Fundamentals account:

  • The maintenance fee for the Fundamentals account is $16/month.

However, you can waive the fee if you maintain an average balance of $5,000.

Additionally, you must spend at least $250 with your debit card in each statement cycle.

Alternatively, you can join their rewards program to avoid the fees.

Here are the fees for maintaining the Business Advantage Relationship account:

  • The Relationship checking account carries a monthly fee of $29.95.

You can get it waived if you keep at least $15,000 in your account each month.

Opening a savings account comes with a fee of $10/month which the bank waives if you have a minimum daily balance of $2,500.

General fees:

  • Cash deposits: Cash deposits are free for up to $7,500/month, and you have to pay 0.30 for every $100 statement cycle.
  • Transactions: Your first 200 transactions are free; you pay 0.45 for each transaction.
  • ATM fees: There’s no charge to use ATMs in the network, but for transfers, cash withdrawals, and balance inquiries done at ATMs, not in the Bank of America network, it costs $2.50 per transaction.
Interest Rates

The checking account with Bank of America earns zero interest earnings.

The business savings account earns very little interest at 0.01 percent APY, far lower than the 1.5 percent return you receive when banking with BlueVine.

Our Take

Although Bank of America is another traditional bank, it is distinguished thanks to the built-in tools designed to help you manage your business.

They have a team dedicated to small businesses at your disposal to aid you during your business experience.

6. Oxygen

Oxygen

Oxygen is an online-only bank that offers a business checking account.

You can choose the fee-free option.

Oxygen is the ideal online-only bank for freelancers that want to separate their business and personal finances.

Overview

Oxygen is an online-only bank that offers a business checking account.

You can choose the fee-free option.

Oxygen is the ideal online-only bank for freelancers that want to separate their business and personal finances.

Oxygen is for freelancers and small business owners alike.

Here you can find everything you need to manage your finances optimally.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Earning Cash Back

Notable Features

  • Mobile tools: The Oxygen business account includes cash flow projections, account statements, bills, check deposit statements, and more on the mobile app.
  • Business integration: Besides integrating the app with your accounting software, you can monitor transactions and upload and tag deductible expenses.
  • FDIC- insured: Since Oxygen is not an actual bank, The Bancorp Bank provides its services, and all deposits are insured up to a maximum of $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Pros:

  • No fees: There are no fees to worry about, and there are no minimum opening deposit fees.
  • Cash back: When you spend money with your business debit card on your Oxygen business account, you can earn 5 percent cash back on your total spending.
    The mobile app allows you to track your awards too.
  • Debit card innovation: You can have as many as ten virtual cards at one time, each with a limit of $1,000.
  • Unlimited transactions: When it comes to wire transfers, not deposits, there’s no limit on how many you can accept.
  • ATM access: You can use the Oxygen business debit card to withdraw cash from any 55,000 Allpoint ATMs worldwide.

Cons:

  • Mediocre customer service: Customer service representatives don’t always resolve issues promptly.
  • Mobile-only: The Oxygen business account does not offer web-based account access because the account is mobile only.
    You must download the mobile app to apply and manage your account.
  • No lending options: With Oxygen bank, there are no business loans or lines of credit available, which is the case with other competitors.

Pricing & Plans

There are no transfer fees, monthly fees, or opening deposits when you bank with Oxygen.

They have divided their services into elements such as Water, Air, Earth, and Fire.

These elements are known as loyalty tiers and incentivize business owners to succeed.

Fees for the various elements:

  • The basic offering begins with the Earth tier and comes with zero fees.
    With the savings option as an Earth tier member, you can earn up to 0.50 percent APY.
  • The Water is the next tier, costing $19.99 annually; this tier offers many features in addition to the 1.00 percent APY on savings.
  • The following two tiers, Air and Fire, cost $49.99 and $199.99 per year, respectively.
    The Air tier offers an APY of 2.00 percent, and the Fire tier offers an APY of 3.00 percent on savings.

General fees:

  • Cash deposits: Account holders must pay up to $4.95 for every cash deposit.
  • ATM fees: Oxygen charges a $3 fee per withdrawal for using an ATM not in the network.
Interest Rates

Oxygen’s interest rates are noteworthy and a little higher than Kabbage and BlueVine, which offer 1.1 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.

Our Take

Oxygen is definitely outside of the realm of traditional banks.

It brings much innovation and style to the financial sector, offering lucrative opportunities and options chock full of features for business bankers.

Oxygen is a banking option suitable for small business owners.

If you are someone who has yet to create an LLC, you use the Oxygen app to make your LLC through CorpNet, and then you can conveniently open your business account with them.

7. Axos

Axos

Axos is considered an online-first bank dedicated to building an excellent online experience and presence for bankers alike.

Axos is a great option for digital or small businesses and their user-friendly interface browser.

Overview

Axos is considered an online-first bank dedicated to building an excellent online experience and presence for bankers alike.

Axos is a great option for digital or small businesses and their user-friendly interface browser.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Multiple Checking Options

Notable Features

  • Merchant services: Receiving customer payments is an essential part of daily operations.
    Thanks to their partnership with Celero Merchant Solutions, they can help your SMB accept payments seamlessly.
  • Dedicated customer service: Axos provides secure mail support, built-in messaging, and 24/7 customer support by phone.
  • Unlimited features: You get unlimited transactions, payments, deposits, and credits when you bank with Axos.

Pros:

  • No fees: There are no maintenance fees for your business checking account with Axos.
  • Unlimited ATM reimbursements: One of the best perks about banking with Axos is that they’ll reimburse account holders for any ATM fees (domestic).
  • Excellent mobile app: Axos’ mobile app has useful features such as online bill payments, account access, fund transfers, and mobile check deposits, enabling you to do business easily.
    The Axos mobile app is available for Android and iOS.
  • Multiple checking account options: Axos offers business checking accounts: Business Interest Checking and Basic Business Checking.
  • Free cash deposits: As an Axos customer, you can make cash deposits free from any of the AllPoint or MoneyPass ATMs across the United States.

Cons:

  • Wire transfer fees: After the first two free wire transfers, there are fees for every outgoing wire transfer.
  • No branch locations: This may make Axos less appealing for those who prefer to speak with someone in person.
  • Maintenance fees: Business Interest Checking comes with a monthly maintenance fee; however, you can waive it.

Pricing & Plans

The Business Interest Checking account has a $10/month fee, while the Basic Business Checking doesn’t come with a monthly charge.

General fees:

  • Cash deposits: Cash deposits are free if you use an ATM within the network.
  • ATM fees: Axos doesn’t charge any ATM fees, and they offer unlimited reimbursements for in-network ATM transactions and up to $8 for out-of-network transactions.
Interest Rates

Even though Axos bank’s customers have access to many interest-bearing options, their yield rates aren’t on par with some other competitive banks.

There is no APY on their basic checking account.

Their checking account that bears interest offers an APY of 1.01 percent.

Our Take

Axos is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys online banking.

This full-service online bank offers free cash deposits across AllPoint and MoneyPass locations across the United States.

New business owners receive a $200 welcome bonus.

8. Chase Business

Chase Business

Chase Business is an excellent choice for business owners looking for a place to deposit cash.

In addition to its massive ATM network, Chase Business has many physical branches you can frequent.

Overview

Chase Business is an excellent choice for business owners looking for a place to deposit cash.

In addition to its massive ATM network, Chase Business has many physical branches you can frequent.

Chase’s business checking accounts offer cash deposits and a business debit card at their physical locations.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Integrations with Accounting Software

Notable Features

  • Mobile and online banking tools: Chase’s online banking and mobile include fraud protection, text banking, bill pay, Zelle, Chase QuickPay, and account alerts.
  • Integrated credit card processing: Using that Chase mobile app, you can accept credit card payments with the Chase QuickAccept feature; it is a pay-as-you-go integrated credit card processing service that connects to a mobile card reader to swipe, dip or tap transactions.
  • Easy application process: Getting a business account with Chase is simple and easy to sign up for.

Pros:

  • Unlimited electronic deposits: Although there are limits to specific kinds of deposits that you can make, electronic deposits do not have a limit.
  • Large ATM network: They have approximately 16,000 ATMs and nearly 4,900 branches.
    So depositing money or finding a place to withdraw money shouldn’t pose a problem.
  • Security: Chase provides free fraud protection services.
    You can be sure that your funds are safe and secure at no extra charge.
  • Third-party applications: Chase offers integration QuickBooks and other accounting software.
  • Signup bonus: When you open an account with Chase, you can earn a $300 signup bonus.

Cons:

  • ATM fees not reimbursed: There are no reimbursements for either foreign or domestic ATM transactions for customers.
  • A limited number of free transactions: In the Chase Business Complete Checking account, you’re limited to $5,000 of cash deposits per month which are fee free; this includes in-person deposits, withdrawals, and paper checks each month.
  • High fees: Customers and potential customers should be aware of the exorbitant overdraft fees.

Pricing & Plans

Chase has three business checking account options:

  • Chase Business Complete Checking: Fees are $15/month

They will waive this fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,000.

  • Chase Performance Business Checking: The fee is $30/month

They will waive this fee if you maintain a combined average beginning day balance of $35,000.

  • Chase Platinum Business Checking: The fee is $95/month

They will waive off if you maintain a combined average beginning day balance of $100,000.

General fees:

  • Cash deposits: There are no fees for cash deposits up to $5,000/month, after which you pay $4.95 each.
  • ATM fees: You’ll pay a $3 fee for using an out-of-network ATM.
  • Transactions: The first 20 physical transactions are free each month.
    After that, every transaction costs 0.40. The premium accounts allow up to 250 transactions each month.
Interest Rates

There is no APY on deposits with Chase Business Checking accounts.

Our Take

Chase business checking is a wonderful option for business owners looking for business banking from a brick-and-mortar institution.

By choosing Chase, you gain access to over 4,700 branches, 16,000 Chase ATMs, mobile and online banking, and various small-business services offered by Chase Bank.

9. Lili

Lili

Business owners of the freelancer variety will enjoy Lili, an online business checking account designed specifically for them.

There’s no minimum open deposit or monthly fees, and its built-in tools are useful.

By all metrics, it’s a great online business checking account.

Overview

Business owners of the freelancer variety will enjoy Lili, an online business checking account designed specifically for them.

There’s no minimum open deposit or monthly fees, and its built-in tools are useful.

By all metrics, it’s a great online business checking account.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Freelancers

Notable Features

  • Unique tax tool: Lili offers a groundbreaking tax-saving tool designed for you to set money aside automatically for taxes on all of your income.
  • Savings tool: The Emergency Bucket is a tool that you can use to help customers to save money in the case of emergencies with small deposits made daily.
  • Balance Up: For Pro plan customers, Lili offers overdraft protection for up to $200 in purchases when you use a debit card.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use app: The app has a clean layout and is easy to navigate, which is crucial for business owners who aren’t necessarily tech-savvy.
  • Extensive ATM network: Lili presently has over 38,000 ATMs in the United States.
    Using the ATM locator on the mobile app, you can find the nearest ATM.
  • Expense tracking: Lili allows you to monitor your business expenses on the go through the mobile app.
  • No balance minimums: You don’t have to maintain a minimum balance to avoid fees.
  • Invoicing: Depending on the type of business you have, it’s convenient to be able to create and send invoices easily.

Cons:

  • Low monthly deposit limits: Lili limits mobile check deposits to $6,000/month, with a maximum allowance of six monthly checks.
    This drawback is inconvenient if you have a large company and frequently do transactions involving checks.
  • Limited lending solutions: There aren’t any beneficial lending or merchant services, which means business owners would have to look into a different institution for financial assistance.
  • Not suitable for large businesses: While Lili is perfect for small businesses, there may not be enough tools for larger companies.

Pricing & Plans

Lili doesn’t charge for their standard banking services.

Additionally, there is no minimum balance requirement, ATM, monthly, or overdraft fee.

On the other hand, Lili Pro is an upgraded option that costs $4.99/month.

With this account, there is a low monthly fee; however, there’s no required minimum balance.

General fees:

  • Cash deposits: While Lili bank doesn’t charge a fee for cash deposits, their partner Green Dot Bank does charge $4.95 per transaction.
Interest Rates

If you sign up for Lili’s standard features, there’s zero APY.

However, if you choose Lili Pro, you can earn up to 1.00 percent APY with a savings account.

Our Take

Lili is a fitting choice for a small business run by a single person.

It is a conglomeration of a business checking account and personal bank accounts, making it a perfect choice for small businesses because of the middle ground it strikes.

Lastly, they are FDIC-insured.

10. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is a versatile banking option for business owners; they offer merchant services, business loans, and three checking account options.

One drawback, in particular, is the ATM fees and the monthly fees—which are especially concerning for startups and businesses who have to deal with tight margins.

Overview

Wells Fargo is a versatile banking option for business owners; they offer merchant services, business loans, and three checking account options.

One drawback, in particular, is the ATM fees and the monthly fees—which are especially concerning for startups and businesses who have to deal with tight margins.

With that said, Wells Fargo is an ideal choice for small business owners, and they happen to be more lenient with their requirements for SBA loans.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best For: Ease of Access

Notable Features

  • Fraud protection: Wells Fargo offers zero liability debit card protection and continuous fraud monitoring; this allows business owners to rest assured that their funds are safe with this institution.
  • Numerous branch locations: It has over 4,900 branches, more than any other bank in the United States.
    Having the option to speak to someone in person in a convenient location close to your business is essential.
  • Caters to growing businesses: Wells Fargo has three business checking accounts—with every upgrade, the features increase as well.
    If your business outgrows an account, upgrade to one that allows for more deposits and transactions.

Pros:

  • Easy to apply: The application process is smooth and doesn’t take long if you have all of your paperwork prepared.
  • Low opening balance: There are three account options, each with a low deposit requirement.
  • Waivable fees: You can waive the fees by maintaining a specific balance depending on which business account you sign up for.
  • Various checking options: Wells Fargo offers several checking account options for different sizes of businesses.
  • Prompt notifications: You can get email and text alerts for account activity.

Cons:

  • Limits on free transactions: Every business checking account has a limit on free transactions.
    For example, the highest tier only allows for 250 free transactions monthly.
  • Balance Requirement: You must maintain a $500 minimum daily balance to avoid the $10 fee.
  • No free checking option: Each Wells Fargo business checking account has a fee for monthly maintenance; fees can range from $10 to $75/month, depending on the account.

Pricing & Plans

Wells Fargo offers three business checking accounts (Initiate, Navigate, and Optimized business accounts), each requiring a $25 deposit to open the account.

  • The monthly fees range from $14-$40/month, but it depends on which type of business checking account you choose.

If account holders want the bank to waive these fees, they have to maintain a $500 daily balance for the Initiate account, or $10,000 for the Navigate account.

General fees:

  • Transaction fee: You must pay 0.50 for each transaction after the first 200 allowed monthly (250 transactions are permissible for the Navigate and Optimized accounts).
  • Cash deposit fee: You’ll pay 0.30 per $100 of cash deposits beyond $5,000-$20,000 each month, depending on the account type.
  • ATM fee: Customers have to pay $2.50 for every withdrawal and $2 per balance inquiry at ATMs that are out of the network.
Interest Rates

Wells Fargo doesn’t offer an APY on the Initiate or Optimized business accounts, but interest rates vary for the Navigate account.

Our Take

The Basic Checking Account is a fantastic option for people who are just beginning or have less activity.

The minimum is very low, which allows you to waive the monthly fee.

If you happen to outgrow your checking account, there are two higher upgraded accounts that you can choose from.

They have premium benefits like banking fee waivers and higher monthly limits.

Features To Look for in a Business Checking Account

When choosing a business account, keep these features in mind before you make a decision:

Fees & Terms

It is essential to keep your fees to a minimum since you’ll be utilizing them to process your day-to-day transactions for your business.

Specifically, look at the monthly maintenance fees, transaction fees, or out-of-network ATM fees.

Interest Rates

If you have a business checking account that earns interest, ensure that fees don’t offset your earning potential and that you meet minimum balance requirements.

On another note, if you want to save money on a longer-term basis and don’t need access to your money daily, a business savings account may be the best choice for earning interest.

ATM Access

Consider questions such as where you can use your business debit card.

Do you accrue fees for using your card outside the bank’s ATM network?

Are there any ATM fee reimbursements from your business checking account?

Do you have both cash withdrawals and deposits from your ATM access?

Transaction Limits

Observing any limits that may apply to your account is essential, as you would likely have to process more transactions for every statement cycle with your business account.

Some banks may limit your deposits or withdrawals, and others may limit the number or type of transactions you can make.

Choose an account that can handle your typical transaction volume.

Ease of Integration

It’s crucial to ensure that you can connect your business checking account with your accounting and bookkeeping software.

Some banks have provided built-in functionality to make integration simple.

You should be looking for Fintech or banking services that integrate software like Quicken, Wave, Xero, Quickbooks, and Mint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions concerning a checking account for an LLC.

How to open a business bank account for your LLC?

If you are the owner of an LLC, open a business bank account by following these simple steps:

  1. Select the appropriate account. Compare several options and consider variables such as cash deposits, transaction limits, ATM access, fees, and other pertinent features.
  1. Gather your LLC documentation: The required documentation can vary according to your state and bank.
  1. Fill out, complete, and submit your application.

Does an LLC need a business bank account?

LLC is a distinct legal entity; therefore, owners have to open a dedicated business checking account for the company in question.

In short, an LLC needs a bank account because it’s incorporated.

An LLC bank account grants you easier financial management, liability protection, and a more straightforward process of filing tax returns.

Can you use a personal checking account for an LLC?

Even though no state or federal law disallows you from using your personal bank account, you should open a distinct business bank account for your LLC.

Doing so will enable you to separate your business and personal finances while maintaining liability protections.

Do credit unions offer better business checking accounts?

Since credit unions are nonprofit institutions, they usually offer lower interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on deposits.

Additionally, credit unions may emphasize customer service more than a typical bank.

However, ensure that your credit union has specific features that benefit you.

Do I need a minimum balance to open a business checking account?

After you’ve separated your personal from your business identity, you may have to deposit money initially into your account.

Initial deposits and the minimum balance amount will vary according to account type and bank.

Choose a business bank account whose initial deposit amount and minimum daily balance are reasonable for your business.

Conclusion

The best business checking account for LLC depends on multiple factors, the chief of which is your particular business goals and needs.

A business account is necessary to separate your business finances from personal finances and reap the benefits of other services and resources.

Lines of credit, credit cards, business loans, invoicing and analytics tools, and more are at your disposal with a business checking account.

BlueVine is the best option on the list, as they encompass many of the best features for a business account.

They have one of the highest APY rates on the list, which is quite generous; they don’t charge monthly fees, there’s no minimum deposit for opening an account, and the account is software-integration capable.

The next best thing is between Lili and Kabbage, as they offer similar services and have a similar fee structure.

However, Kabbage has business integration options from their company, tax and savings tools, and a high APY rate.

Sign up for a BlueVine account today or another, more traditional bank, as long as you know its fee schedule.

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Subscription Management: What It Is and 7 Platforms To Help https://bloggingtips.com/subscription-management/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=subscription-management https://bloggingtips.com/subscription-management/#respond Sat, 07 May 2022 19:36:35 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?post_type=monetization&p=86101 Read more]]> A subscription model is so popular because many find that the company and consumer benefit.

In other words, the company benefits from a consistent stream of revenue from recurring billing and increased customer loyalty.

At the same time, customers love receiving a product at their doorstep once a month or receiving unique benefits at an affordable rate.

With the growing trend toward the subscription economy, more and more businesses adopt a subscription business model.

So, as we exist in a subscription economy, businesses must recognize the importance of subscription management and subscription management software.

What is Subscription Management?

Subscription management is a business strategy used to ensure optimal customer satisfaction when using a product or service.

When a user subscribes to content, the provider must make a way for the user to easily sign-up and pay for recurring charges, renew subscriptions, and change subscriptions.

Subscription management software handles these factors associated with subscription-related products and services like recurring billing, deploying new promotions, and configuring prices.

What Characteristics Make-up Subscription Management Software? Characteristics

In general, subscription management software consists of these characteristics:

  • Manage subscription plan and pricing
  • Communicate discounts, special offers, and trial offers
  • Let customers customize their subscription plans with add-ons and payment frequency
  • Track analytics of subscription activity i.e., recurring revenue and sales
  • Secure credit card payment method
  • Automatically cancel or pause a subscriber’s subscription in event of a failed payment
  • Notify a subscriber of their upcoming subscription expiration
  • Support recurring billing processes

Why is Subscription Management Important?

Subscription management is an essential strategy for companies to provide a top-tier customer experience.

Subscription management manages all stages of the customer lifecycle.

The customer lifecycle is the three stages of a subscriber, those being:

  1. Sign-Up
  2. Current User
  3. Unsubscribe

Managing Potential Subscribers

Proper subscription management entices potential customers to sign-up for your product or services.

With a subscription management system, it’s easier to encourage customers to sign-up through free trials, discounts, and rewards.

If a business wants to increase its subscribers, it’s essential to give hesitant customers a reason to subscribe.

Subscription management software allows companies to easily offer these incentives and track the success of their offers.

Managing the Current User

Subscription management can provide hassle-free recurring subscription billing, subscription plan changes, and other related processes.

For example, subscription software allows customers to quickly upgrade or downgrade their plan, and lets companies track these changes.

In addition, subscription management software can track failed payments caused by expired credit cards or unpaid subscriptions.

Companies can also automatically track customer retention and reward loyal customers with awards.

Moreover, companies can integrate subscription management software with other management systems like their billing model software to improve their revenue analytics.

Managing Unsubscribers

Although cancellations mark the end of the customer lifecycle, it’s still crucial for companies to handle cancellations for the sake of the user and the company.

For example, inadequate management of subscription cancellations could result in users having access to their benefits despite canceling.

Subscription management software can allow customers to cancel their recurring payments or cancel immediately.

If a company offers immediate cancellation with a refund, the software will automatically issue a refund.

In addition, subscription management software works to follow through on uncollected payments.

For example, with a failed transaction, the system can notify customers of failed payments and attempt to charge the card again.

Most importantly, subscription management software can ask customers to explain why they cancel.

Feedback is crucial for a company since it explains why companies may be losing subscribers.

Lastly, subscription management software can keep recent unsubscribers in its database, so the customer can quickly reactivate their subscription if they want.

Without subscription management software, companies waste valuable time.

But, with subscription management software, companies don’t need to allocate time tracking the customer lifecycle.

Top Subscription Management Software

Although subscription management software is a powerful tool, it becomes an optimal solution when combined with other managing software like subscription billing software.

In addition, a company looking to ensure the best subscription management solution should integrate it into other tools like its online shopping platform and financial software.

After seeing the benefits of subscription management, here are seven platforms to help efficiently manage your subscriptions and overall customer satisfaction.

Recurly

Our Pick
Recurly

Recurly is an all-in-one subscription management and subscription billing platform that supports companies in any industry looking to manage their subscriptions.

In 2020, Recurly managed over $7 billion in transactions and over 40 million subscriptions and recovered $610 million in declined credit card transactions.

Recurly is an all-in-one subscription management and subscription billing platform that supports companies in any industry looking to manage their subscriptions.

In 2020, Recurly managed over $7 billion in transactions and over 40 million subscriptions and recovered $610 million in declined credit card transactions.

How it Works

Recurly’s subscription and billing management platform is easily integrable into the client’s current Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, data systems, accounting systems, and other tech managing software.

Its subscription managing software consists of various subscription tools like billing models, trials, promotions, and personalized offers.

In addition, the company offers other essential tools like recurring billing, recurring payments, customer retention intelligence tools, and in-depth subscription analytics.

The platform offers three plans: basic, professional, and elite.

In addition, it supports 18 languages and 140 currencies.

The basic plan is optimal for businesses with less than $1 million in subscription revenue.

The professional plan is ideal for those earning $1 to $25 million in subscription revenue, and the elite is optimal for those with over $25 million in subscription revenue.

Key Features

The key features of Recurly are:

  • Subscription management:
    • Coupons, gifts, and promotions,
    • Multiple gateways,
    • Multiple payment methods,
    • Multiple currencies,
    • Advanced analytics,
    • Trial performance insights,
    • Secure checkout
  • Payment failover and routing
  • Product and promotion insight
  • Dunning campaigns
  • Revenue recovery
  • Churn analysis
  • Billing management:
    • Machine-learning retry logic
    • Subscription billing terms
    • Tax management
  • Data imports and exports
  • Third-party integrations
  • Multiple API keys.

Pricing

Pricing for Recurly’s subscription management tools is monthly for $249 or annually for $199/month for the basic plan.

Those interested in the professional and elite plans can schedule a demo through the Recurly website.

The platform also offers a free trial here.

Zuora

Runner Up
Zuora

Zuora is the “only SaaS platform that automates all subscription order-to-revenue operations in real-time.”

The subscription management company offers an all-in-one platform to manage billing, revenue, and transactions.

Zuora is the “only SaaS platform that automates all subscription order-to-revenue operations in real-time.”

The subscription management company offers an all-in-one platform to manage billing, revenue, and transactions.

How it Works

When businesses use Zuora, the company assigns them a customer success manager to help organize their desired outcomes.

The company asks new clients to consider one of their five focuses: subscription design, subscriber experience, financial model, business operations, and technological infrastructure architecture.

From there, the Zuora representative guides the business to choose its initiative based on its chosen focus.

Key Features

The key features of Zuora’s subscription management software are:

  • Billing management:
    • Various pricing models
    • Subscription changes
    • Track subscription lifecycle across multiple platforms
    • Invoicing, collection, renewal
    • Analytics
  • Revenue management:
    • Real-time insights with revenue automation
    • Transaction price allocation measurement
    • Past transactional data
  • Payment management:
    • Over 35 payment gateways and 180 currencies
    • Machine learning payment collection to minimize churn
  • SDK and APIs to integrate into existing technology infrastructure architecture

Pricing

For more pricing information, interested users can call a Zuora representative or fill out the form on its website.

While pricing for Zuora depends on the business size, the subscription management platform offers a free trial here.

Skio

Also Great
Skio

The founder and CEO of Skio created the Skio subscription management software from his experience as an engineer building apps for subscription discounts at Hulu and increasing user conversation on Pinterest.

The founder and CEO of Skio created the Skio subscription management software from his experience as an engineer building apps for subscription discounts at Hulu and increasing user conversation on Pinterest.

How it Works

The company’s subscription management helps brands on Shopify manage their subscriptions.

Skio offers a standard and custom subscription management plan for businesses to choose from.

With the help of Skio tools, brands have successfully reduced churn, improved customer experience, increased subscribers, improved payment security, and updated their user interface.

The company offers a standard and custom plan.

Skio’s custom plan is ideal for businesses handling a large payment volume or those with a unique business model.

The company also offers easy migrations of more than 10,000 ReCharge subscribers without affecting payment or customers.

Key Features

The key features of Skio are:

  • 1% + $0.20 transaction fee
  • 3% group revenue pricing
  • No expiration date
  • Supports migrations of over 10k+ subscribers
  • 1-click checkout
  • Gift transfer
  • Password login
  • Hosted subscription portal with new features automatically applied
  • Group subscriptions
  • SMS subscription management
  • Automated SMS subscription management
  • Free shipping for subscriptions
  • Audit login logs
  • Multi-currency and 24/7 support
  • graphQL API
  • Public comparison table
  • Public investor page

Pricing

Pricing for Skios subscription management is $399/month for the standard plan and a 14-day free trial.

For custom plans, interested businesses can fill out Skios online demo request form to talk to a representative for more information.

Recharge

Recharge

Recharge serves over 50 million subscribers and over 15 thousand merchants through its subscription management platform.  

Recharge serves over 50 million subscribers and over 15 thousand merchants through its subscription management platform.  

How it Works

Recharge has a standard and pro subscription management plan.

After choosing a plan, the platform can quickly connect to the existing tech infrastructure and pair it with its payment processor.

Recharge supports leading payment processors like PayPal, Shopify, Stripe, and Authorize.net.

The subscription management company offers its clients a white-glove service, consisting of 24/7 care and consultations to maximize business opportunities.

Key Features

Recharge’s key features are:

  • Supports major payment processors and credit cards
  • Easily integrate with commerce tools, like Klaviyo, Gorgias, Churn Buster, and Avalara
  • RechargeSMS for customers to update and change orders
  • Upsells to increase Average Order Value (AOV)
  • Automated SMS and email notifications
  • Customers can easily delay shipments or skip a subscription instead of canceling
  • Customize automatic payment recharge
  • In-depth performance measurements
  • Real-time product performance
  • Custom subscription models with APIs

Pricing

Recharge’s standard plan has no monthly fees with a 1% + $0.10 per transaction, and its pro plan is $300/month with a 1% + $0.19 per transaction.

While Recharge doesn’t offer a trial period, the standard plan’s zero monthly fees allow clients to install and customize Recharge for free until their first subscriber.

Interested parties can navigate here to start their subscription management with Recharge.

Chargebee

Chargebee

Chargebee is a subscription and billing management and SaaS product company.

Chargebee supports many popular currencies and global customers depending on a business’ payment processor.

The company focuses on subscription automation as a solution to automate every step of the subscription lifecycle.

Chargebee is a subscription and billing management and SaaS product company.

Chargebee supports many popular currencies and global customers depending on a business’ payment processor.

The company focuses on subscription automation as a solution to automate every step of the subscription lifecycle.

How it Works

Chargebee allows businesses to easily transition their revenue model into a subscription model without disrupting workflow.

After set up, they integrate the platform into existing tech infrastructure for a company-wide transition towards a subscription-focused business.

Chargebee offers four plans tailored to essentially every stage of a business.

Its plans are rise; ideal for startups, scale; suitable for fast growth scaleups, enterprise; ideal for large businesses, and launch; perfect for startups in their early stages.

Key Features

The key features of Chargebee’s subscription management plan are:

  • Experimental pricing models, like flat pricing, volume pricing, quantity-based, stairstep pricing, and tiered pricing
  • Upsell options like recurring add-ons and bundles
  • Tax management
  • Promotional campaigns like gifts, discounts, and coupons
  • Automated trial reminders and trial extensions
  • Automated billing and recurring payments
  • Configurable set-up for failed payments
  • Subscription lifecycle management
  • Churn management
  • Self-service subscription editing features
  • Supports multiple gateways, payments, and currencies

Pricing

Charbee offers annual and monthly payments for its plans.

The pricing for its four plans are:

  • Rise: annual pricing at $249/month or monthly at $299
  • Scale: annual pricing at $549/month or monthly at $599
  • Enterprise: custom pricing depending on a client’s needs
  • Launch: annual pricing at $0/month or monthly at $0 until reaching revenue of $100k

Stripe

Stripe

From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Stripe is the global provider for millions of companies to manage their finance and payments through a single platform.

The company operates its processes of over 250 million API requests daily and 135 currencies and payment methods across more than 35 countries.

From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Stripe is the global provider for millions of companies to manage their finance and payments through a single platform.

The company operates its processes of over 250 million API requests daily and 135 currencies and payment methods across more than 35 countries.

How it Works

Stripe is an all-in-one payment management, financial service, and business operation platform suitable for all business sizes.

Specifically, its subscription billing management offers a code and code-free way for companies to build their subscription checkout page with additional features for full customization.

The platform allows businesses to immediately begin collecting recurring payments with APIs.

Key Features

The key features of Stripes subscription billing management system are:

  • Allows all billing models, like flat rate, multiple prices, per seat, and usage-based
  • Churn reduction with smart retires, automated retries, and automated payment updater
  • Automated reporting and revenue analytics
  • Code-free end-to-end billing
  • Testable billing models
  • International payments
  • Integrates as an in-between process of CRM and accounting systems
  • Tax management
  • Match brand with customizable invoices
  • Automate Business-to-Business (B2B) payments

Pricing

Stripe offers a starter at 0.5% on recurring charges and a scale at 0.8% on recurring charges.

The platform’s starter comes with a customer portal, automatic collection, and recurring billing.

In addition to the starter plan, Stripe’s scale plan comes with a connector for NetSuite and quotes.

Chargify

Chargify

Chargify is a Business-to-Business (B2B) SaaS subscription management company for growing companies.

Chargify is a Business-to-Business (B2B) SaaS subscription management company for growing companies.

How it Works

Chargify works instantly through a test account for businesses to set up a platform.

After set-up, the client connects to their payment gateway and merchant account to begin collecting revenue.

The platform manages subscriptions by tracking the customer lifecycle to reduce churn and promote better customer relations.

Key Features

Chargify’s key features for its subscription management are:

  • A customizable and responsive sign-up page
  • APIs for seamless integration into existing shopping processes
  • View billing history, balances, coupons, renewal dates, and more
  • Billing adjustments
  • Modify subscriptions
  • Create one-time charges
  • Self-service option for users to change orders and manage account
  • Automated emails
  • Monitor subscription and revenue changes

Pricing

Chargify offers three plans and a custom plan depending on needs.

The plans and pricing are:

  • Essential: ideal for startups, starting rate of $599/month
  • Standard: ideal for businesses with less than $6 million of recurring revenue, starting rate of $1,499/month
  • Specialized: ideal for businesses with more than $6 million of recurring revenue, starting at $3,499/month

For a custom quote, fill out Chargify’s online form to talk to an expert.

Is it Worth it to Use Subscription Management Software?

With the multitude of subscription management platforms available, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to use subscription management software.

We can see how important it is by examining the pros and cons of using a subscription service.

Pros

Here are four pros of subscription management software

  1. Subscription fees are more appealing than one-time fees
  2. Subscription-based business models offer consistent and predictable revenue
  3. Increased customer loyalty
  4. Automated orders, tracking, and deals lessen the time spent manually tracking subscription processes
  5. Reach more customers with affordable pricing, multiple payment options, and personalized offers

Cons

Here are three drawbacks of subscription management software:

  1. The subscription economy means more competition
  2. Business must always update their products to stay relevant after changing to a subscription business model
  3. Contacts can seem less desirable than one time purchases

Final Thoughts

Businesses that invest in a subscription-based pricing model can increase users and customer loyalty through the entire customer lifecycle.

Using subscription management software makes managing a subscription model easier through automation, add-ons, bundles, customer loyalty rewards, promotions, and retries.

While customer retention is increasingly difficult to maintain as more companies adopt the subscription model, e-commerce platforms like the seven listed above can help overcome the cons of subscription management and, in turn, increase recurring revenue altogether.

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6 Best Business Credit Cards For Startups In 2022 https://bloggingtips.com/best-business-credit-cards-for-startups/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-business-credit-cards-for-startups https://bloggingtips.com/best-business-credit-cards-for-startups/#respond Fri, 06 May 2022 21:19:28 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?post_type=reviews&p=86072 Read more]]> Beginning a new business can be challenging, but having one of the best business credit cards for startups can make many aspects easier and streamlined.

You’re probably using FreshBooks or QuickBooks to track expenses and income, but what about funding your business when you need cash?

Learn about the cards, what they offer, benefits to cardholders, and how you can apply for your own today.

Can You Get a Business Credit Card at Startup?

You can get a business credit card if the startup owner approves the business credit card.

Can You Apply for a Credit Card With Your EIN Number?

You can use your EIN to apply for a business credit card.

Your EIN is your employer identification number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

However, to do this, you must also supply the credit proprietor with your social security number.

Once you establish your business with the IRS and receive your EIN, you will be able to apply for a small business credit card using this number.

How Much Business Credit Can I Get?

The amount of credit you get on your business card will depend on many factors.

You can get as little as $5,000 if you have few business expenses, employees, and property.

But you can also receive as much as $250,000 if you need expensive equipment, a team of employees, or space to rent.

There are more factors to consider, such as your personal credit score, assets, or proven profits, but you won’t know how much you can get until you reach out t credit proprietors and apply.

Do You Need a Business Credit Card?

You don’t have to have a small business credit card.

However, many perks come along with a designated business card, and it can also protect your personal finances from becoming muddled with your business finances.

Benefits of a Business Credit Card for Startups

When starting a new business, you must determine what you need and what you don’t.

A small business credit card isn’t technically a necessity, but there are many benefits it can offer startups.

Track Expenses Easily

Tracking your business expenses is a crucial part of running a business.

If you don’t keep track of business costs, it can easily become a massive problem when tax season rolls around or your next budget meeting.

Putting all or most expenses on a designated business credit card

It Doesn’t Affect Your Personal Credit Score

It’s useful to keep your personal credit score and your business’s credit score separate.

If your company goes under or struggles, it won’t directly or immediately affect your ability to apply for personal credit cards, personal loans, finance a car, or rent a home.

Lowering your credit score is easy, but getting it back up to a decent number can take years or never happen.

It’s best you avoid this disaster, even if your business is likely to succeed.

Welcome Offers

Credit card companies and banks love to offer you enticing offers to welcome you as one of their customers.

There can be cash bonuses, airline miles rewards, reduced or eliminated fees on charges abroad, and more.

These offers can be beneficial when running a startup because these little rewards can make business operations easier and more lucrative.

Business Perks

Many welcome offers are also on personal credit cards, but business perks are different.

Business perks are offers and rewards specifically designed for small businesses to be successful while using their credit.

Overall, using a business credit card can improve your business credit, helping to establish a reputation in the financial world.

But there are also some perks designed to help with payroll or equipment costs.

High Credit Line

Business credit cards are for entities expected to be profitable.

Because of this, many credit proprietors offer much higher lines of credit, as they expect a large amount of credit will yield higher profits from the business.

If you only get a few thousand dollars of credit for an entire business it likely won’t be enough to help you succeed.

Best Business Credit Cards for Startups

To ensure you choose the best business credit card for your startup, this is a roundup and review of the best business credit cards.

vector graphic showing an illustration of elements related to the best business credit cards for startups

These cards are excellent for businesses just getting started that will benefit the most from perks, rewards, and flexible fees.

To reap the rewards that business credit cards have to offer your company while in its infancy, check out these six exceptional business credit cards.

1. Ink Business Preferred

The Ink Business Preferred credit card has major benefits for small or large startups.

Our Pick
Ink Business Preferred

When applying for this business credit card, it’s best to have a FICO score of at least 700.

Some business owners can qualify for this card with a score as low as 640, but those people typically have other assets or evidence of financial reliability.

Credit Score Requirement

When applying for this business credit card, it’s best to have a FICO score of at least 700.

Some business owners can qualify for this card with a score as low as 640, but those people typically have other assets or evidence of financial reliability.

Welcome Offer

Chase Ink Business has a welcome offer that states if you spend $15,000 or more on purchases within the first three months of the account opening, you can receive $1,000 cashback or $1,250 worth of travel credit.

APR  

The APR will be between 16.24% and 21.24%.

The APR will be decided based on your creditworthiness.

Annual Fee

The annual fee for the Chase Ink Business Preferred card is $95.

As far as credit card annual fees go, this amount is reasonable and fairly average.

Benefits

For every dollar you spend, you receive one point toward rewards and cashback.

For every dollar you spend with the Chase Ink Business card on shipping, advertising, internet, cable, phone services, and travel, you earn three points!

You can also add employee cards to the account for no additional fees.

When redeeming points with Chase Ultimate Rewards, you will earn 25% more.

So this card is an excellent choice for someone that must travel or send employees on trips a lot for business reasons.

2. American Express Blue Business

For the AMEX Blue Business card, you have two options: points or cash.

There is the Blue Business Plus card and the Blue Business cash card.

The Plus card focuses on giving you points back on travel and other expenses, while the Cash card gives cashback on any purchase.

Runner Up
American Express Blue Business

For the AMEX Blue Business card, you have two options: points or cash.

There is the Blue Business Plus card and the Blue Business cash card.

The Plus card focuses on giving you points back on travel and other expenses, while the Cash card gives cashback on any purchase.

Credit Score Requirement

The lowest credit score you can have and still qualify for the AMEX Blue card is typically around 670.

However, they prefer applicants to have a FICO score over 700 and closer to 730.

In general, AMEX is known for having steep requirements for credit qualifications.

Welcome Offer

The welcome offer for the Plus card is 15,000 card membership rewards points after you spend $3,000 on an eligible purchase within your first three months of opening the credit account.

On the cash card, the welcome offer is a cash bonus of up to $500 if you spend $5,000 on the card within the first six months and then $10,000 on an eligible purchase within the first year of having the account.

APR  

The first year has zero APR, and after that, it can be between 13.49% to 21.49%.

The APR depends on your credibility and current use of the card.

You will likely receive a lower APR if you use and pay off the card within the first year.

Annual Fee

There is no annual fee on this business credit card.

The lack of annual fees is excellent for those that only want to use the card as needed after the first year.

Benefits

The lack of an annual fee is one major benefit of using the AMEX Plus or Cash business card.

But you can also get reward points, travel credit, shopping benefits, and more.

When traveling, you automatically get theft and purchase protection insurance on rental cars.

You can also access their global assist hotline, a 24/7 assistance line for cardholders traveling.

You get 2% back on the first $50,000 you spend, and 1% after that.

When shopping, you receive additional warranties and purchase protection plans via AMEX.

3. Capital on Tap Business Card

The bright yellow Capital on Tap business card is for small businesses that need lines of credit to be successful.

For this card, you can only get a line of credit of up to $50,000, which is why only smaller businesses consider this the best credit card.

Also Great
Capital on Tap Business Card

The bright yellow Capital on Tap business card is for small businesses that need lines of credit to be successful.

For this card, you can only get a line of credit of up to $50,000, which is why only smaller businesses consider this the best credit card.

Credit Score Requirement

They want you to have a credit score of 670 or higher, making them one of the lower requirements on this list.

Unlike other cards that give a wide range and consider other factors, Capital on Tap is simpler to qualify for with a moderate or fair FICO score.

Welcome Offer

The welcome offer on this card is also pretty straightforward.

They offer $200 back if you spend $15,000 on a purchase in your first three months.

Not the best welcome offer on this list, but their other benefits and focus on small businesses still make them great options for startups that need a line of credit.

APR  

The Capital on Tap card has a wide range of APRs you can get.

They span from 9.99% to 34.99%.

However, 9.99% is among the lowest APRs you can get on a business credit card.

So if you have good credit, you can save money on interest fees with this card.

Annual Fee

This is another card with no annual fees! It’s as simple as that.

Benefits

The lack of annual fees and the possibility of such a low APR are two of the main benefits that small business owners appreciate.

In addition, you can also get unlimited free 1.5% cashback on any purchase made with the charge card, making business expenses an asset to your credit.

Capital on Tap can also give you unlimited employee cards to give your team free of charge, so they can handle some of the combined purchases and expenses while you can still monitor the account.

And lastly, there are no foreign exchange fees, making it easier to do business abroad and travel for your company.

4. Brex 30 Card

For small businesses, the Brex card is hands down one of the best options.

It has incredible benefits with few fees and makes it easier to manage your small business expense and be successful.

Brex 30 Card

For small businesses, the Brex card is hands down one of the best options.

It has incredible benefits with few fees and makes it easier to manage your small business expense and be successful.

Credit Score Requirement

The Brex card works differently in that they don’t base your eligibility on your personal credit score or personal guarantee.

Instead, they base eligibility on cash flow, spending patterns on a purchase, and investors.

Essentially, the Brex corporate card agrees to issue a credit to a business heading toward success rather than a financially stable individual that owns a startup.

Welcome Offer

Their welcome offer is 50,000 signup bonus points after spending more than $9,000 in the first 30 days of the account opening for the credit card.

This welcome offer works for businesses actively growing and likely to spend around $10k within the first month.

APR  

There is no interest within the first year of the account opening the credit card.

After that, it is a variable APR between 13.49% and 21.49%.

These rates are variable, meaning they can change over time depending on your spending and paying habits.

Annual Fee

No annual fees here!

Because this corporate card is to help you grow and be more profitable, they don’t want to weigh you down with unnecessary fees, so they don’t.

Benefits

The benefits of this corporate card focus on earning points on specific combined purchases.

The reward system works by offering:

  • 7x the points on rideshare
  • 4x the points on Brex travel
  • 3x the points on restaurants
  • 2x the points on recurring software (Photoshop, Excel, etc.)
  • 1x on everything else

They also perform receipt matching on expenses to prevent or catch fraud, and you can give your team an unlimited number of employee cards and set a specific credit limit on each one.

5. Amazon Business Prime

If you use Amazon a lot for your business, this card can do wonders to boost your cashback and save you money on company expenses.

The corporate card is technically an AMEX card but offers more flexibility for those looking to qualify with a lower FICO score.

Amazon Business Prime

If you use Amazon a lot for your business, this card can do wonders to boost your cashback and save you money on company expenses.

The corporate card is technically an AMEX card but offers more flexibility for those looking to qualify with a lower FICO score.

Credit Score Requirement

Their credit score requirement is pretty relaxed, but they want applicants with a FICO score of 690 or higher.

However, this isn’t a difficult card to qualify for compared with other options on this list.

Welcome Offer

Their welcome offer is a $125 Amazon gift card for an Amazon purchase upon approval for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.

So all you need to do is qualify and signup for the card, and you receive this gift card.

There is no spending requirement.

But this is a low offer compared to other cards.

APR  

The APR on this card will be between 14.49% and 22.49%.

This rate is considered fair but not excellent.

So make sure you pay this card on time and in full to avoid such fees and save your business money.

Annual Fee

Here is another card with no annual fees.

In general, newer credit cards and banks have been moving away from annual fees because they are an unnecessary money grab, considering the proprietors usually make plenty of interest profit.

Benefits

No surprise, you get rewarded when you shop on Amazon or affiliated companies.

So you get 5% back on U.S. combined purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market.

You earn 5% back on the first $120,000 spent each year with an Amazon Prime card membership.

You also get 2% back on purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and wireless phone services purchased directly from service providers, and 1% on everything else.

6. Costco Anywhere Business Card

If you shop at Costco already, you earn money back on those purchases.

However, they require good credit, and many may not like their benefits as much as other cards on this list.

Costco Anywhere Business Card

If you shop at Costco already, you earn money back on those purchases.

However, they require good credit, and many may not like their benefits as much as other cards on this list.

Credit Score Requirement

For this card, you need an excellent credit score of at least 750.

Don’t bother applying if your FICO score is below this, as they refuse to assume much risk when issuing this line of a statement credit.

Welcome Offer

There is no welcome offer on this card.

There are no introductory APR or fee waivers, and no other signup bonuses or rewards.

APR  

They have a variable APR, with the average rate being 15.49%.

This rate is pretty low, and they tend to lower it when you stay on top of your payments while spending significantly.

Annual Fee

There are no annual fees on this card, exemplifying,

again, how statement credit proprietors are trying to move away from these unnecessary charges.

Benefits

There are no annual fees or foreign purchase fees.

You also get ​​4% on gas, including gas at Costco in the first $7,000 per year and then 1% after that.

Plus, 3% on restaurants and qualifying purchases while traveling worldwide, 2% on all other purchases from Costco and their online store, and 1% on all other qualifying purchases.

Wrapping Up

If you’re beginning a new company, it is valuable to have a line of statement credit designated for your business.

Startups often need money to make money, and the business cards on this list all have unique benefits and rates that can work for different businesses.

You shouldn’t risk your personal credit card when you can establish the finances of your company separately with one of these supreme business credit cards.

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FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: What’s the Best Accounting Software? https://bloggingtips.com/freshbooks-vs-quickbooks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freshbooks-vs-quickbooks https://bloggingtips.com/freshbooks-vs-quickbooks/#respond Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:01:18 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=82259 Read more]]> With the perfect accounting software, you’ll have the opportunity to monitor your incoming and outgoing money. Can’t decide between FreshBooks vs QuickBooks?

The differences between these two can make a significant impact on small and large businesses alike. Let’s go over the features of both programs to help you find the ideal accounting software for your needs.

What Is FreshBooks?

In general, FreshBooks is an excellent option if you are looking for an intuitive accounting experience with a seamless user interface.

Many of its features are well-rounded and allow businesses to get support with expenses, time tracking, invoicing, and more.

Over recent years, FreshBooks has experienced a facelift by offering an assortment of new features ideal for small businesses.

Some of its features are also great for mid-sized businesses, keeping on track with industry-leading accounting software.

Features of FreshBooks

One of FreshBooks’ most significant benefits is that it works well for contractors, freelancers, and small businesses.

Let’s take a look at some of the most impressive features you’ll appreciate having on hand.

Easy-to-Read UI

If you are looking for straightforward accounting software for bloggers, FreshBooks is a great option.

With its easily readable user interface, you most likely won’t need any guidance to begin using the software after signing up.

All of the information you need is available on your user dashboard and is organized into five charts.

Users can review their total profit, outstanding revenue, revenue streams, unbilled time, and spending.

All of the data is updated in real-time, so you have the most relevant information available throughout the day.

Fortunately, this outline makes it significantly easier for first-time users to get the hang of.

Efficient Invoicing

One of the essential features of any accounting software is its invoicing.

After all, it is how you acquire your income.

FreshBooks is intuitively designed to offer streamlined invoicing, allowing you to create recurring invoices.

Plus, you will be able to send invoices through email, customize your invoice layout, and accept online payments.

Another exciting feature is its tracking software, which alerts you when your customer has viewed your invoice.

This aspect alone makes it significantly easier to track payments and ensure they are made to your company on time.

Time-Tracking Software

With FreshBooks, freelancers and contractors can finally streamline their business practices through their invoicing software.

You’ll find that time-tracking within the program allows you to calculate the total time spent on a specific project.

Employees and self-employed individuals can monitor every minute per project and track payments per project.

Once you’ve finished the task, you’ll simply need to press a single button to generate your invoice.

Then, make any necessary edits and send the invoice to one of your contacts to receive your billable time.

Automatic Payment Integration

Another significant feature that puts this program ahead of the rest is its automatic payment integration.

It is a far more time-efficient option, as you don’t have to set up your PayPal or Simple Port login manually.

Additionally, if you’re not a fan of PayPal’s fees, you can opt to integrate a different merchant account.

With the implementation of processing payments through third-party gateways, you can take advantage of lower fees.

Also, it allows you to use the same merchant account connected with virtual terminals, online stores, and other platforms.

Similar to sending individual invoices through FreshBooks, this process allows you to email invoices and accept payments.

Simplified Payroll

When it comes time to pay your employees, all of the metrics must be accurate.

As mentioned, FreshBooks has an intuitive time-tracking feature built into the software.

For payroll, employees can enter their specific hours into the program, helping synchronize payments.

On the employer end, you’ll be able to take the inputted hours and the rate of pay for each employee to calculate payroll.

Many customers have said that managing their employees’ pay will only take a few minutes, making the process more simplified.

Multiple Payment Options

With the ability to manage customer payments directly through the platform, ensuring your invoices are paid effortlessly.

With FreshBooks, clients have multiple online payment options, including credit card, direct debit, and ACH.

They also offer payment processing through PayPal, Stripe, and FreshBooks Payments.

As an added benefit, if your business uses Stripe, you could save on a few fees.

At this time, FreshBooks currently offers free integration with Stripe.

What Is QuickBooks?

QuickBooks is a fantastic option for mid to large-sized businesses and can also be helpful for some small businesses.

This platform offers in-depth accounting with a comfortable user interface.

There are three distinct versions of QuickBooks, with QuickBooks Online being one of the most popular.

You’ll also be able to choose from QuickBooks Desktop or the Enterprise Solutions Suite.

The Enterprise Solutions Suite is the platform highly recommended for larger businesses.

Features of QuickBooks

If you’ve looked into accounting software before, you have likely heard of QuickBooks.

After all, it held a large chunk of the market. Let’s take a few moments to explore the features of QuickBooks.

Extensive Features

There’s no doubt that QuickBooks is one of the best programs for managing your business’ accounting.

Their platforms contain many features, including income and expense tracking on top of essential reporting.

Many of the components are highly rated for startups but can also be beneficial for established businesses.

With an account, you’ll have access to cash flow statements, profit and loss statements, accounts payable, and invoicing.

The flexibility of QuickBooks cannot be understated, as businesses can track their inventory and report their sales numbers on the platform.

As with most accounting software, the more upgraded your account is, the more features you’ll be able to unlock.

Diverse Integrations

When using accounting software, you will need to ensure it allows you to integrate with various platforms.

QuickBooks is known to work well with many platforms for payroll, invoicing, bill paying, and more.

Through the platform, you’ll be able to effortlessly manage bank accounts, payroll software, and credit card accounts.

As an added benefit, you can browse through the various financial tools to add to your account for further compatibility.

Currently, QuickBooks Online allows integration with up to 650 other business-related tools.

It automatically syncs your data from other platforms, like Justworks, Gusto, and PayPal.

Simple User Interface

Like FreshBooks, QuickBooks is known for its convenient user interface designed for beginners.

With that said, there are also more advanced features that experienced accountants can put to good use.

Even so, all of the features are easily accessible, even if you have limited finance experience or require simple bookkeeping.

What’s more, QuickBooks has a diverse support team that you can reach via phone, online chat, or email if any issues arise.

Users can find an assortment of quick tips and virtual lessons on the platform to learn how to use QuickBooks effectively.

You’ll also have access to a virtual orientation, which guides you through the most important features you are bound to use.

Cloud Storage

Making sure your accounting information is accessible from anywhere is ideal for all businesses.

While on a trip, for example, you will want to ensure that you can track and manage invoices, payroll, and more.

QuickBooks stores all of your records on the cloud rather than designating a specific computer to house your information.

This process not only helps ensure that your records are in a safe and secure location but that they are easily accessible.

Every time you update an invoice or a record, it will automatically update itself in the cloud.

All you need is a password and username to get into your company file to access stored information. 

You’ll find this feature handy when tax season rolls around.

Your accountants can review your up-to-date books, receipts, and invoices regardless of where they are located.

Easily Managed Taxes

If there is one thing businesses worry about all year long, it’s tax season.

You’ll want to ensure all of your financial information is readily available, allowing you to complete your taxes faster.

With QuickBooks, you can file tax reports and monitor income in real-time without needing third-party software.

FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: Comparison

Now that you have a good idea of the features of both FreshBooks and QuickBooks, let’s compare the two.

Both platforms are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. However, they also have a couple of significant differences.

Features – Winner: QuickBooks

There’s no doubt that FreshBooks and QuickBooks offer many of the same features, such as payroll and invoice management.

However, FreshBooks is continually evolving to provide many of the features that QuickBooks already has integrated.

As many of these features are still evolving, such as retainer management, QuickBooks is the clear winner in this component.

With QuickBooks, you’ll have more seamless integration with better options for vendor and contractor management.

Also, you’ll find that connecting to third-party apps is slightly more streamlined with QuickBooks.

Still, FreshBooks continues to add new content to the platform, so they could likely overtake QuickBooks with their extensive features.

difference between freshbooks vs quickbooks

Online Support – Winner: FreshBooks

If there’s one thing that everyone knows about FreshBooks, it is that they have some of the best customer service.

Even the company itself touts its positive customer experiences, stating that they never let the phone ring more than three times.

From a user perspective, FreshBooks takes a one-on-one approach to customer service, making every client feel unique.

You’ll be able to contact their customer service team through email and phone with the benefit of extended business hours.

Subscribers also have access to a toll-free number to connect you to a customer service rep quickly.

Some of the main areas for service include a searchable knowledge base, in-product messaging, and one-on-one assistance.

With that said, it doesn’t mean that QuickBooks doesn’t have customer service tools available. In fact, one of the areas where this platform impresses is self-education.

With QuickBooks, you will have access to a virtual orientation as well as in-product help and product training options.

The most considerable difference is that QuickBooks encourages customers to troubleshoot their issues independently first.

Once you’ve exhausted all of those options, you are advised to reach out to their customer service team.

FreshBooks, on the other hand, encourages clients to contact them first for quick and easy solutions.

Ease of Use – Winner: FreshBooks

QuickBooks is popular for many reasons, but when it comes to its ease of use, FreshBooks is the clear winner.

It is designed with beginner accountants in mind as well as freelancers and small business owners.

As you can imagine, most of these professionals don’t have extensive experience with time tracking, payroll, or taxes.

With that said, FreshBooks is perfectly outlined to make it easy to get through all of the features they offer.

The most important info you need for your business is available immediately with real-time updates on your dashboard.

Also, the user interface is clean but still informative to help you manage your finances. 

Another considerable advantage is that help is available from every screen you navigate to.

You’ll be able to immediately contact their customer service team, read blurbs with important data, and more.

QuickBooks has an easy setup process, but it requires a little more navigation to access the features you are looking for.

As someone with experience, the platform should be easy enough to manage.

However, it is not the simplest layout for first-time users or people with limited accounting experience.

Pricing – Winner: FreshBooks

When it comes to comparing QuickBooks and FreshBooks with pricing, it is relatively close between the two.

Both platforms allow you to choose between different packages depending on the features you need and the number of your clients.

It is important to consider the cost of each plan paired with the features it offers to decide which is best.

To make the platforms easier to compare, let’s look at their individual packages in more detail.

FreshBooks Plans and Pricing

Below are the rates to consider for each of the plans available from FreshBooks.

Lite – $6.00/mo (60% off for six months)
  • Five billable clients
  • Unlimited invoices
  • iOS and Android integration
  • Sales tracking with reports
  • Unlimited expenses and estimates
  • Credit card and bank transfer payments
Plus – $10.00/mo (60% off for six months)
  • 50 billable clients
  • Unlimited invoices
  • Auto expense tracking
  • Unlimited proposals and estimates
  • Recurring client retainers and billing
  • Business health reporting
  • Double-entry reports
  • Accountant invitations
  • iOS and Android integration
  • Mobile mileage tracking
Premium – $20.00/mo (60% off for six months)
  • Unlimited billable clients
  • Unlimited invoices
  • Bill payment and vendor tracking
  • Project profitability tracking
  • Customizable email templates
  • Customizable email signatures
  • Auto expense tracking
  • Unlimited estimates and proposals
  • Auto late payment reminders
  • Auto late bill fees
  • Credit card and bank transfer payments
  • Checkout link integration
  • Business health reports
  • Recurring client retainers and billing
  • Accountant invitations
  • Mobile mileage tracking
  • Financial and accounting reporting
Select (Custom Pricing)
  • Unlimited clients and invoicing
  • Lower credit card transaction rates
  • Capped ACH fees
  • Two team member accounts
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Custom onboarding services
  • Migration support
  • Removable FreshBooks branding
  • Dedicated support number
  • Checkout link, credit card, and bank transfer payments
  • Accept credit card payments via phone
  • Recurring client retainers, subscriptions, and billing
  • Auto expense tracking
  • Auto late payment reminders
  • Accountant invites
  • Financial and accounting reports

QuickBooks Plans and Pricing

To compare, let’s review some of the most popular QuickBooks plans.

Simple Start – $12.50/mo
  • Income and expense tracking
  • Invoicing with accepted payments
  • Maximized tax deductions
  • General reporting
  • Receipt capturing and organization
  • Cash flow management
  • Tax and sales tracking
  • 1099 contractor management
Essentials – $25.00/mo
  • Income and expense tracking
  • Enhanced reporting
  • Cash flow management
  • Three users
  • Pay and manage bills
  • Time tracking
  • Sales and tax tracking
  • Maximized tax deductions
Plus – $40.00/mo
  • All of the features of Essentials
  • Comprehensive reporting
  • Five users
  • Track inventory
  • Track project profitability
Advanced – $90/mo
  • All of the features in Plus
  • 25 users
  • Business analytics
  • Business insights
  • Batch expenses and invoices
  • Customized access with role management
  • Premium applications
  • Dedicated account team
  • Automated workflows
  • Company data restoration
  • On-demand training

Final Thoughts

When comparing FreshBooks vs QuickBooks, there’s plenty to consider.

FreshBooks appears to have a better user interface with impressive customer service to help freelancers and small businesses.

In comparison, QuickBooks has far more features.

However, it’s available at a greater cost, making it ideal for mid to large-size businesses.

For another alternative, check out Quicken Vs Quickbooks to see if either of those solutions is a good alternative for your needs.

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9 Different Ways to Get Business Financing for Your Blog or Business https://bloggingtips.com/business-financing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=business-financing Sun, 20 Sep 2020 19:00:55 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=2623 Read more]]>

With more business owners, bloggers, and entrepreneurs either launching new businesses or startup of their own, or focusing on branding, it’s important to ask yourself if you are taking advantage of the financial upswing?

The majority of site owners and bloggers start out with nothing, however, initial startup costs and financial investments are always going to be something to consider.

As unemployment rates flirt with record lows, consumer confidence continues to skyrocket. That has boosted the average annual expenditure consumers put towards goods and services.

The important question here is… What does that mean for you?
It means that if you can launch your business in today’s marketplace, your opportunity to recoup your investments and turn staggering profits are astronomical.
The only issue is that finding funding to launch your business can be a challenge.
With new businesses comes the need to fund office spaces, equipment, employee salaries, and more while you work to get a foothold in consumer’s consciousness.
The good news is that there are lots of ways you can secure business financing and in today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever.
Below you will find a list of nine solutions that can get your website, blog, startup or local business funded today.

9 Different Ways to Get Business Financing for Your Blog or Business

1. Bank Loans

We’ll open up our list of funding solutions with what is perhaps the most conventional business financing option available to you: bank loans. Bank loans get acquired by setting an appointment with a loan officer at any major financial institution.
During that appointment, you’ll likely get asked to provide information regarding the business you’re looking to open up. You will also share what your plan is to turn a profit.
In the latest edition of the State of Online Banking, it was also highlighted that other factors like your current finances and credit will enter into the consideration of your prospective lender.
If your lender feels that your plan is sound and trusts that you’ll be able to pay back your loan, you will receive your funding at an interest rate agreed on by you and your lender.
Getting bank loans can be difficult given stringent criteria often set by lenders to mitigate their risk.

2. Online Loans

Online loans are similar in some aspects to getting a traditional bank loan.
When we say “online loans”, we’re referencing solely internet-based lenders. Typically, these loans come in at higher interest rates than what traditional lenders would offer.
The plus side to taking out this type of loan is:

  • A) You can secure them quickly.
  • B) You won’t have to answer many questions.

To secure an online loan for your business, you may need to do as little as just show you have income and a checking account. More thorough online lenders will also make it a point to run your credit.
If you go down the online loan path to secure your business’ funding, you’ll want to pay very close attention to interest rates and fees. Many online lenders border on predatory and falling into debt with one of them could spell ruin for your company.

3. Borrow Against Your Stock Portfolio

If you have extensive investments in the stock market but little in the way of cash to fund your business, there are companies out there that will allow you to use your stocks as collateral and borrow business financing against their value.
These types of loans solutions are excellent. This is because they provide another lever prospective business owners can pull to get their products to market.
There are regulations and details you’ll want to brief yourself on prior to exercising this option. Not all market investments will be eligible to borrow against. Which ones are eligible will be determined, in part, by each individual lender.
Be sure to do your research before transferring your portfolio to an online lender. Ensure that you’re not entering into a predatory arrangement that could result in the loss of your investments.

4. Credit Cards

Another go-to means of securing business financing are credit cards.
Many people have experience using traditional consumer credit cards. Business credit cards can be different in what they look for in applicants and what they offer to users.
For starters, in order to secure a business credit card, you may be required to provide an EIN number on your application. This number can get acquired for free by registering for one through the IRS.
For sole-proprietor businesses, some card applications will accept your social security number in lieu of an EIN.
If your application gets approved, your business credit cards will typically come with a much higher limit than you’d get through a standard card. It may also offer you perks that award cash back on things like internet service, transportation, and more.
As with all credit products, stay mindful of your card’s interest rate. Be sure that you’re managing your payments in a way that will keep your company from falling into insurmountable debt.

Related: The best business credit cards for small businesses

5. Consider Leveraging Your 401K

If you’ve worked as an employee for another company, you probably have a nest egg built up for your retirement. In most instances, borrowing against that nest egg would result in steep penalties.
However, investing your 401K in business financing, if managed by a tax professional who is experienced in setting up C corporations, can be accomplished without incurring fees.
The same is true if you to borrow against your IRA or ROTH IRA.
Remember, there are risks involved when funding your business with your retirement accounts. If your business fails, not only will you lose your job but your retirement gets lost too.

6. Crowdfunding

While not for everyone, crowdfunding is a low-risk means of getting a business idea off the ground.
Crowdfunding is the process of pitching average people on your business idea. This is typically done by showcasing a “media kit” online which gets made up of videos that describe your idea, information on how your idea can revolutionize a market, and more.
If enough people get compelled by your vision, they can pledge micro investments ($5.00 and up) to help you meet your funding goal.
In exchange for their investments, pledges get prizes depending on how much they invest. Prizes get described in an incentives document your organization will create.
The difficult aspect of crowdsourcing is that very few ideas get funded successfully. You’ll need to invest in a showy pitch/media kit to come anywhere close to your funding goal.
The good news is that if your idea does get funded, beyond giving investors their prizes as promised, you are not beholden to your investors. They are not entitled to royalties on your business’ future success.
Oculus is a notable project made possible through crowdfunding which was later sold to Facebook for 2 billion dollars.

7. Kiva

Kiva is a business financing provider that gives free funding to businesses that are usually based in 3rd world countries. Still, many businesses that are US-based can also get funded through the platform.
In order to get funded through Kiva, you’ll likely need to be part of a disadvantaged community as investors on the platform are interested in helping reshape economies by assisting underserviced populations open businesses.
Still, no matter what your background is, given that Kiva is 100% free, there’s no downside to putting your ask out on the platform.
Kiva offers a flexible payback structure on all business financing serviced through its platform and repercussions for not paying back loans are nominal. Despite that, given the incredible value Kiva provides to underserved entrepreneurs, the graciousness of borrowers has fueled a loan payback rate of 96.8%.

8. Family and Friends

If you’re lucky enough to have a great support network of family and friends, you may be able to secure business financing by pitching them on your idea.
For some, going into business with family members is a rewarding experience that can bring them closer together. For others, being in business with family and owing them money can lead to friction which can decimate relationships.
For that reason, we recommend you tread lightly when looking to engage family and friends for loans. Be sure that nobody is staking their livelihood on your success, and be honest in your intentions to pay people back.

9. Paypal, Kabbage and Online Lending Programs

As you can imagine, the internet has drastically changed the way financing and banking works in the world today.
To bring our nine point list of financial solutions to a close, we simply have to add some amazing opportunities that can be found through providers like Paypal and Kabbage. Both of these platforms allow for businesses to borrow money, almost instantly.
In both cases, all it takes is creating an account and filling in some company details.
For anyone using Paypal to collect and pay for business services online, Paypal Working Capital is perfect.
Kabbage is also great for Paypal users as well, as you can connect accounts and increase the credit line based off your income/revenue history.

Wrapping Up

You have a killer business idea, and all that stands between you and your success is getting the funding you need to get it off the ground. To that end, we recommend leveraging any one of the business financing tips we’ve listed above.
Given their diversity of approaches, you’ll find the success you’re looking for leveraging at least one of them!
Want more of the most thought-provoking advice your business can leverage to find success? Do you want that information online right now?
If so, get the big picture when it comes to local and global economic questions. Start diving deeper the our content pool at Blogging Tips!

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