Insights

Insights

Negotiating commercial leases

Negotiating a commercial lease can be a daunting but crucial step in...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

How to improve your happy hour menu

Improving your happy hour menu and drink specials isn't just about discounts—it's...

Payments & processing

Understanding your credit card machine options

Card readers come in many shapes and sizes. From mobile POS to...

Holiday

Last-minute ideas for cashing-in on post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping

Black Friday is galloping toward us. With so much holiday shopping activity...

Start a small business

How to open a dry cleaning business

Dry cleaners turn their passion for cleanliness into a career. Learn how...

Personal services

5 beauty trends worth following in 2024 and beyond

The beauty industry has been one of the strongest market segments in...

Insights

Baking for health-conscious customers

“Little treat culture,” aka spending more on daily treats such as pastries,...

Personal services

How to attract new customers to your salon

You’ve opened up a salon you’re proud of, and your clients love...

Start a small business

How to design your bakery space

Opening a bakery or renovating an existing shop? Great bakery shop interior...

Personal services

How to grow gym memberships via gym culture

A strong gym culture can improve customer retention, reduce customer churn, and...

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)

How to improve restaurant service times at your QSR

As more restaurants lean into technological solutions to streamline operations, one tool...

Holiday

The ultimate 2024 retail store holiday checklist

Prepping your retail business for the holiday shopping season takes plenty of...

Holiday

6 ways to boost your bakery’s growth this holiday season

Bakery owners can use these festive ideas to prep for the approaching...

Money management

How to get a small business loan

There are many reasons why small businesses may need to take out...

Start a small business

How to open a restaurant in Texas

Aspiring restaurant owners can follow these essential tips to turn their culinary...

Start a small business

How to open a bakery

If you’re a cake, pastry, or cookie aficionado, you may want to...

Start a small business

How to start a personal training business

Becoming a personal trainer can be a rewarding business that improves lives....

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

How much do restaurant employees make?

Join us as we dive into the average wages for common restaurant...

Strategy

Why you should consider adding tiny cocktails to your restaurant & bar menu

Looking to grow your restaurant or bar business? Tiny drinks ranging from...

Social media

Social media 101 for bookstores

Marketing on social media for bookstores isn’t just about showing the latest...

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)

How to choose a self-ordering kiosk for restaurants

But not all self-ordering kiosks for restaurants are created equal. With many...

Marketing

10 bookstore promotion ideas to drive foot traffic and sales

Savvy bookstore owners can use these fun, creative ideas to market their...

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)

Essential equipment frozen yogurt shops need for opening day

Opening a frozen yogurt business means a tasty addition to any community...

Strategy

How boutique owners can elevate customer experience with personal styling

Offering personal styling services through your boutique can be a powerful way...

Insights

Back to school shopping trends for bookstores

Data shows that small, independent bookstores serve a valuable need for customers,...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

How to integrate technology at your full-service restaurant

From QR code menus and scan-to-order to handheld POS systems and more,...

Personal services

Essential equipment gyms & fitness studios need for opening day

Building your own gym or fitness studio starts with selecting the right...

Start a small business

How to turn your “side hustle” into a thriving small business

Side hustles are a popular way to make extra money. Turning that...

Insights

Unique packaging and gift wrapping ideas for your jewelry

Are you looking for unique jewelry packaging or gift wrapping ideas for...

Start a small business

Retail store equipment and supplies needed for opening day

Getting ready to open a new retail store is exciting, but it...

Start a small business

Jewelry store supplies and equipment needed for opening day

For new business owners, choosing the right jewelry store equipment can be...

Staffing

How small businesses can use employee discounts to retain staff

Offering personal, relevant employee perks and discounts can strengthen staff loyalty, boost...

Retail

 7 tips for photographing jewelry

Whether you operate an online or brick-and-mortar jewelry store, a display of...

Start a small business

The 15 most profitable restaurant businesses to start in 2025

Luckily in 2024, the U.S. restaurant industry continues to evolve and is...

Retail

How to open a jewelry store

Jewelry shops can be a great addition to almost any shopping district...

Start a small business

How to start a business with no money

New businesses and services are popping up everywhere. While starting a business...

Gift cards

4 must-know trends in technology, loyalty, and gift cards for small businesses

From online ordering to digital wallets, technology is influencing how we work,...

Retail

10 ways to maximize space in your small store design

Maximizing space in your small boutique can feel like a tall order....

Insights

Top management skills all small business owners should have

The skills it takes to start a business aren’t always the same...

Marketing

5 small business website design mistakes to avoid

Does your website suffer from the common web design mistakes that frustrate...

Gift cards

New era of gift cards — Rise of digital, urban trends, and emerging industries

Stimulate more sales by keeping up with the latest gift card trends...

Insights

Renting/leasing a commercial kitchen: What business owners need to know

Need more room for your food and beverage business? Learn how to...

Loyalty

Customer churn: Why you’re losing customers and how to win them back

Customer churn is a threat to your revenue that can creep up...

Personal services

8 value-added barber shop services to consider adding to your menu

Full-service barber shops offer customers a more comprehensive experience. Some barbering services...

Marketing

8 stellar marketing and advertising examples to inspire you

Looking to refresh your marketing? Take inspiration from these advertising examples from...

Run your business

How to delegate work to succeed as a small business owner

Delegating work to others can save you precious time and energy. Learn...

Marketing

Event marketing strategies for your small business

Looking to host an event to boost your brand profile and expand...

Ecommerce

Voice shopping: What eCommerce merchants need to know

Voice shopping sounds futuristic, but it’s quickly becoming a preferred way to...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

How to write a great restaurant shift report (with an example)

Completing a daily shift report helps you share information with your team...

Ecommerce

Virtual stores and the future of eCommerce

Virtual stores utilize the latest technology, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

Free bar opening and closing checklists

Bar opening and closing checklists can help streamline your bar’s daily operations...

Gift cards

Physical vs digital gift cards: Why offering both is necessary for business success

Gift cards have become a popular choice for friends, family, colleagues, and...

Thought leadership

Earth Day and the benefits of sustainable business practices

There are ways to celebrate Earth Day every day in your small...

Strategy

How to pivot your business for growth

Thinking a business pivot might be necessary for your business to grow...

Security

How to increase physical security for your small business

Is your small business physically secure? With all the focus on cybersecurity,...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

Restaurant awards: How to get nominated and win a James Beard Award

The James Beard Awards are sometimes called the “Oscars of the culinary...

Insights

9 must-know consumer trends for 2024

What will 2024 bring for restaurant owners, retailers, and service professionals? Here...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

Food and nutrition literacy guide for health conscious restaurants

Healthy food choices are increasingly important to diners today. Learn how restaurants...

Payments & processing

5 payment technology trends to watch in 2024

In 2024, customers will continue to demand more ways to pay: from...

Strategy

15 small business tips for 2024

Your customers’ needs and preferences will continue to evolve in 2024. Evolve...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

Average restaurant owner salary in 2023

Restaurant owner salary amounts can vary dramatically based on factors such as...

Start a small business

15 of the most profitable small businesses to start in 2024

The Great Resignation has actually given birth to a large number of...

Insights

5 must-watch trends in retail small businesses for 2024

The new year’s coming and bringing a few must-know retail trends. Check...

Meet the Merchant

How Clover POS supports nonprofits

In need of credit card processing for your nonprofit? Read how Clover...

Strategy

Operational excellence: How to scale your small business

For those who own a small business, optimizing your operational processes can...

Clover app partners

The power of data-driven decisions

Learn how Analytics BusinessQ can help you unlock the potential of Clover...

Thought leadership

Sustainable business practices: Reduce your carbon footprint

For small business owners interested in implementing more sustainable business practices, making...

Run your business

5 AI tools for small business and how to use them

New small business AI tools can take on a lot of time-consuming...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

From farm to fork: How restaurants embrace tech to help ensure food safety

The integration of technology into the restaurant industry has brought about a...

Start a small business

The unique challenges of starting a veteran-owned business

Starting a veteran-owned business can come with its own set of challenges....

Gift cards

How inflation and gift availability will impact 2023 holiday shopping

According to gift card stats from the Q3 2023 Gift Card Gauge, over...

Clover partner solutions

How customer loyalty can help you beat inflation

In 2021, the assumption of stable prices was shattered as inflation surged...

Run your business

Should you sell at a farmers market? (And how to get started)

Selling at a farmers market can be an enticing and profitable opportunity...

Guides

How to ship alcohol: Navigating the regulatory maze and courier options

If you’re in the liquor business or looking to get in, the...

Gift cards

2023 gift card trends: How inflation is impacting consumer spending habits

Conducted in January 2023, the Q1 Gift Card Gauge from Fiserv assessed...

Meet the Merchant

How to handle fame: A guide for small business owners with media success

A high-profile media appearance can make or break small businesses. Learning how...

Run your business

What is safety stock? The importance of retail buffer stock

In the wake of the pandemic, businesses have learned a lot about...

Run your business

6 things to consider before opening a second location for your business

Opening a second location involves a lot of research and planning. Here...

Payments & processing

8 different types of credit cards for businesses and consumers

Asking the question of why so many different kinds of credit cards can be...

Start a small business

Wondering how to start a brewery? 3 things to know

Thinking about starting your own microbrewery? It’s a fun and vibrant business...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

How to get a Michelin Star: Criteria and best practices

For nearly a century, Michelin Stars have served as a benchmark for...

Insights

Why shopping secondhand is growing, and how to make your thrift store stand out

Following the pandemic, the popularity of secondhand shopping has taken social media...

Retail

5 common sales objections and how to overcome them

Overcoming objections is a frequent challenge in retail, and addressing them is...

Payments & processing

PYMNTS: Small businesses turn to platforms to simplify payment operations

In a collaboration with American Express, PYMNTS.com asks Andrea Gellert, head of...

Insights

Experian vs. Equifax vs. TransUnion credit reports: What are the differences?

Discover how your credit score can differ when looking at reports from...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

The 10 best non-slip restaurant work shoes for chefs and servers

Uniforms aren’t just about having the right chef’s coat or the proper...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

What to know about leasing a restaurant space

There’s a lot of thought and legwork that goes into leasing a...

Security

Importance of cybersecurity training for employees

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and losses from breaches can be devastating....

Payments & processing

Credit cards vs. debit cards: Pros, cons, and security concerns

Debit and credit cards are both convenient forms of payment consumers use...

Insights

Small businesses remain optimistic while adapting to current challenges

A survey of small business owners across the U.S. who utilize Clover...

Inspiration

10 Taylor Swift lyrics that double as advice for entrepreneurs

Taylor Swift is a singer, a songwriter, a global sensation, and… a...

Pet services

“Pawsitive” impact: Lessons from entrepreneurs fueling the pet-friendly business

Pets are a big business in the U.S., with Americans spending billions...

Insights

What the Inflation Reduction Act means for small business

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16th, and...

Resources

5 simple ways small business owners can invest in their own education

Education doesn’t have to be confined to school—it can be a lifelong...

Insights

5 lessons from Hulu’s ‘The Bear’ on how to run a small business

Hulu’s hit series The Bear is about a small business owner, and...

Run your business

5 things you wish you would’ve know before opening your retail store

Imagine if you already knew everything you needed to know about retail...

Insights

How small business owners can help banish imposter syndrome

Many small business owners struggle with imposter syndrome. They feel they’ve bitten...

Strategy

How 5 entrepreneurs turn browsers into buyers at farm and artisan markets

Summer is the season of craft fairs, farmers markets, and small businesses...

Security

What are fileless attacks? [Plus: 6 prevention strategies]

As a small business owner in a hyperconnected world, you may be...

Insights

Green-thumbed entrepreneurs share their wisdom on growing a business

The plant business is booming, fueled by flora-loving millennials. Four entrepreneurs who...

Gift cards

Detecting and preventing eGift card fraud

Most small business owners love the idea of gift cards — and for good...

Run your business

6 business management tools every home services business needs

Rising demand creates a mix of opportunities and challenges for home service...

Start a small business

10 business lessons from ‘Shark Tank’ for entrepreneurs

The goal of the show is to elicit funding from these angel...

Insights

Music festivals are back! How entrepreneurs can get in on the fun and boost business

Music festivals are back, and with them, an influx of crowds ready...

Run your business

How to make a killer project cost estimate

You’ve made a strong first impression, and you’re about to land a...

Inspiration

Yes, small business owners take vacations. Here’s how they do it.

Small business owners need vacations more than anyone, yet are way less...

LGBTQ+

How small businesses can celebrate Pride Month in a genuine way

Pride Month can present an opportunity for small businesses to express their...

Staffing

How three small businesses are dealing with the incredible shrinking workforce

After the biggest disruption to the American workforce in modern history, small...

Accounting

How small businesses can analyze and improve their profit margins

As the cost of doing business fluctuates, so does your bottom line....

Insights

Small businesses are fighting a two-headed dragon: Inflation and supply chain disruption

Inflation and Supply Chain Disruption are huge forces that are dealing unprecedented...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

Food and beverage industry trends for 2022

The food and beverage industry is on the rebound, but continues to...

Insights

Pros and cons of using travelers checks when going abroad

When traveling abroad, it’s important that you are able to buy the...

Crisis support

Three ways small businesses are helping Ukraine

The small business community has been stepping up to raise money and...

Insights

How inflation impacts businesses and ways to overcome it

This is certainly true for the average consumer; however, for small business...

Meet the Merchant

How Clover POS supports working mother entrepreneurs

For Mother’s Day, we are celebrating the amazing women who balance motherhood...

SMB

10 strengths local businesses can lean into

Small business week is here! In celebration of the many ways local...

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)

6 reasons Clover is a perfect POS for coffee shops

Coffee shops are fast-paced, high volume, constantly changing businesses. Having a POS...

Insights

4 ways to reduce stress for small business owners during tax season

Tax season presents a reliable source of stress for small business owners....

Insights

10 ways merchants can (and should) lower their stress levels

With all the uncertainty in the world right now, stress is at...

Resources

Top podcasts for small business owners and entrepreneurs

Tuning into a podcast is convenient, allows for multitasking, and can feel...

Insights

2022 technology trends to watch in food and beverage businesses

Forecasting food-service trends for 2022 means leaning on hard data and lessons...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

What is fine dining? Here’s a guide for creating a special restaurant experience

There’s something gratifying about providing this special experience for others — which...

Accounting

What is the Employee Retention Credit?

The IRS provides an explanation of the Employee Retention Credit on this...

Run your business

What is the difference between eBusiness, eCommerce, and social commerce?

If you’re interested in moving part or all of your business online,...

Run your business

How and why merchants need to take a vacation

It can be tough to take time off when you run a...

Clover partner solutions

1099 vs W-2: What You Don’t Know Could Cost You

Employers often refer to independent contractors as "1099" and employees as "W-2"...

Run your business

How and why your small business needs great photos

Good photography can make a huge difference in the crucial first impression...

Staffing

W-2 vs. 1099: Choosing between employees and contractors

Either way, the majority of new hires will likely fit into one...

Meet the Merchant

How 3 Clover Merchants are taking it to the streets

In our Meet The Merchant series, we’ve met SMB owners who’ve found...

SMB

7 small business types that will thrive post-pandemic

As the pandemic begins to wind down in the U.S., for many...

Legal

Doing Business As (DBA): What it is & when to file one

There is another, simpler approach known as “doing business as.” Usually abbreviated...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

What is a pop-up restaurant?

How do pop-up restaurants work? How do you start one, and why...

Insights

5 small business trends & practices that aren’t going away post-pandemic: retail edition

These trends shaped the retail industry during COVID-19 and will continue to...

Staffing

Minimum wage by state

A minimum wage is the lowest legally allowed hourly amount that employers...

SMB

The 10 worst time wasters for small business owners

While you can’t create time, you can maximize this limited resource in a way...

Insights

The cashierless store trend

Some retailers may be reluctant about using the “honor system” when it...

Payments & processing

Use Google Assistant™ to make payments with your voice

To begin using Google Assistant, you only need to say, “Hey Google”...

Money management

The 6 biggest money mistakes SMBs make

Below are six of the biggest money mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying...

Clover app partners

Three questions to ask as you plan for the holidays

The surge in holiday spending makes it an ideal time of year...

Accounting

4 reasons why winning awards is important for your business

Given this flood of marketing messages, it’s simply not possible for any individual to...

Insights

March is National Credit Education Month

Why is National Credit Education Month important? Your credit score is what...

Insights

How different age groups prefer to pay

Although cash is convenient for smaller one-off transactions, using paper money carries...

Insights

Redesign your mental model: Forget resolutions and reshape habits

Most of us resolve to change things up in the New Year....

Inspiration

Top shows & documentaries for entrepreneurs on Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services

That’s why budding entrepreneurs should take occasional breaks to recharge their batteries. Popular distractions...

Full Service Restaurants (FSR)

Business refresh: Creating a resolutions menu for your restaurant

Local, plant-based, gluten-free—is your menu ready for the 2020s? Check out these...

Insights

Pros and cons of using a credit card when traveling abroad

When traveling abroad, cash is definitely a viable option. Almost every merchant on...

Payments & processing

How soon until wallets and cash are a thing of the past?

Roughly 30 percent of Americans don’t carry any type of cash at all, and...

Insights

The pros and cons of a universal currency

There is approximately $80 trillion in circulation worldwide, but only $5 trillion of this...

Payments & processing

Google Wallet vs. Google Pay: What’s different?

This article explores these complementary payment technologies – highlighting their differences and...

Meet the Merchant

What online-first retailers need to know before opening a physical location

“Click-to-brick” is the new moniker circling the internet, referring to digital natives...

Accounting

The 2019 guide to back-to-school planning

Back-to-school season is the second biggest shopping period of the year. Deploying...

Biz ops

How to increase ticket size at your restaurant

Any successful restaurant owner knows that, in order to thrive, they need...

Run your business

5 things you can learn from Small Business Revolution

The online reality show Small Business Revolution - Main Street takes a...

Accounting

The quick & dirty guide to SEO for your small business

You need to be visible online to get more customers. That all...

Biz ops

How smart restaurants deal with rising labor costs

Hourly wages in the restaurant industry are on the rise. For merchants...

Customer service

How to make an unbeatable in-restaurant experience

Today’s consumers have more options to choose from than ever for dining...

Biz ops

How top food trucks pick the best spots

Few businesses depend on location for their success as much as food...

Insights

Study Shows Loyalty Programs Increase Purchases by 20%

When thinking about the value proposition of a loyalty program, the benefits...

Biz ops

5 reasons restaurants fail & how to avoid them

If you’re in the restaurant business, somebody’s probably told you that most...

Insights

Merchants share their advice for work-life balance

Running a small business can be all-consuming. Being passionate about your work...

Customer service

Four smart ways you should approach your gift cards program

Gift cards are far from a last-minute gifting option. In fact, people...

Accounting

How to run a successful sales promotion

This post examines the threats and opportunities of a number of promotional...

Insights

13 must-reads for every coffee shop business

The coffee business is thriving but competitive. To stay ahead, you need...

Clover webinars

Designing social ads for your business that really work

You probably already know that social media is a free (or low-priced)...

Insights

Business scenario: Negotiating your first store lease

Whether you’re opening a business for the first time, expanding out of...

Insights

Business scenario: Negotiating a lease renewal

Rent is one of the largest expenditures for business and can make...

Insights

Business trends & research roundup: millennial customers

What are the experts, surveys and latest research reports saying about appealing...