Money is on business owners' minds these days -- whether it's their own cash flow, capital for expansion, or that nagging $7.95 shipping charge they don't want to pay. AOL Small Business takes a closer look at some of the latest small-business surveys (and what they say about entrepreneurs and their wallets).
Ship it to Me, Baby
What are small-business owners looking for when they shop online? Free shipping is a crucial decision factor for 99 percent of them, according to a recent survey commissioned by Staples.
One of every two small businesses surveyed said they order office supplies online. The main benefit of online ordering: saving time, say 86 percent of survey respondents. For those who don't shop online, 50 percent said shipping costs hold them back.
As a frequent online shopper, convenience is important to me, but I'm always looking for value. Like the entrepreneurs in the survey, I'd rather stop in at the store whenever possible, if it means saving shipping costs. You may think I'm cheap, but the takeaway is: If you sell online, you need to offer free shipping.
Capital Crunch Stymies Small-Business Growth
It's not your imagination: Lack of capital is holding small businesses back, confirms the Pepperdine University Private Markets Capital Project survey of privately held companies. Seventy-eight percent of businesses surveyed say they have strong growth strategies, but only 40 percent have access to the capital they need to carry out their plans.
These entrepreneurs are optimistic, projecting an average of 10 percent growth in revenues in the next 12 months, but claiming that could increase to 25 percent if only they had access to capital. And they're eager: Sixty-three percent say they see increased opportunities for growth right now.
Business Sales Improve Modestly
Do you want out? The good news is sales of small businesses are increasing, according to the recently released BizBuySell.com Second Quarter 2010 Insight Report. In the second quarter of 2010, the number of "done deals" rose 6.3 percent compared to the same period one year ago. However, that number is down 47 percent from two years ago.
The downside: The median sale price for businesses that sold was $155,000, down from $160,000 in Q2 of 2009. In addition, BizBuySell.com notes, cash flow is being valued more highly than revenues, with cash-flow-positive companies getting more qualified bidders.
So if you're thinking about selling your company, now might be a good time. Due to the capital crunch, BizBuySell.com says, smaller deals that are easier to finance are closing faster, while larger companies linger on the market longer. However, chances are you're not going to get the price you want -- just yet. If you can hold off, it might be worth doing so.
