Looking for some fresh ideas on how to run your business? Maybe you’re struggling to pull in customers and sales or are just looking for some more general advice?
We’ve taken a look around the web and pulled together this comprehensive list of 52 of the best business blogs which you should be following in 2016, split by categories.
Business Growth
1. QuickSprout
https://twitter.com/neilpatel https://www.facebook.com/neilkpatel/
QuickSprout is run by New York Times best-selling author and serial entrepreneur Neil Patel, and his blog covers a really wide range of business-related topics, from leadership through to social media and SEO.
He’s been named as a top influencer by the Wall Street Journal and as one of the top ten online marketers by Forbes, so he’s definitely worth paying attention to!
2. Harvard Business Review
https://twitter.com/HarvardBiz https://www.facebook.com/HBR
The Harvard Business Review is a great all-round resource for businesses, featuring advice on leadership, crisis management, and pretty much anything business-related!
Their blogs come from a range of different expert authors so you get a really good spread of knowledge all under one roof.
3. Noobpreneur
https://twitter.com/noobpreneur https://facebook.com/noobpreneur.blog
Noobpreneur started out as a personal business blog back in 2008 and has since grown into a valuable resource drawing in contributions from experts and small and big business owners on a number of topics such as doing business abroad.
4. Evergreen Small Business
This blog focuses more on the technical aspects of running your own business; things such as tax, index funds and asset allocation.
It’s not all finances though and they cover all of the usual small business topics that you would expect.
5. Gene Marks
Gene Marks is a writer who has been featured across a range of top-tier media platforms such as the Washington Post, Forbes and the Huffington Post.
All of his posts are collated on this page so you can keep up-to-date, with blogs covering everything related to business culture.
6. The Global Small Business Blog
For those businesses who are still small, but are dealing on a global scale, look no further than the Global Small Business Blog.
Even if your business isn’t quite global yet, it’s always good to keep an eye on how things are being done all around the world.
7. Google Small Business
https://twitter.com/GoogleSmallBiz https://www.facebook.com/GoogleSmallBiz/
We live in a world which is seemingly run by Google, so it definitely makes sense to give their small business blog a read.
While some of it is a bit heavily promotional on their own tools such as Analytics and AdWords, it’s still a great resource whatever your industry.
8. New Venture Mentor
http://www.twitter.com/cate_costa https://www.facebook.com/cate.l.costa
For a blog with a bit of a difference, check out Cate Costa’s New Venture Mentor. It covers all of the usual business topics, but the twist is that all of her posts are in the format of YouTube videos, meaning you can sit and have them on in the background, perhaps while you’re going for a walk or on the treadmill!
9. Mashable Business
https://twitter.com/mashbusiness
If you want your business news and tips with a dash of internet humour and memes, check out Mashable Business.
It’s also a great way to keep on top of all the latest trends in the digital world, so long as you don’t get distracted by some of the more ‘clickbaity’ pieces!
New Startups
10. Killer Startups
https://twitter.com/killerstartups https://facebook.com/killerstartups
As you can see from the name, this site is all about startups and everything you need to know to run a successful one.
Their site contains useful info on things such as helpful products and software to use and how to get the most out of your team.
11. Bplans Blog
https://twitter.com/Bplans http://www.facebook.com/Bplans
Bplans is a ‘small business planning resource’ aimed specifically at new startups and small businesses.
They have lots of helpful marketing startups for new businesses who are further down the line, such as how to build and maintain a strong company culture.
12. SME Pals
This blog started out as a companion to a series of technical books focusing on web development that its author David Mercer was working on in 2008.
Since then it has developed into an all-round blog for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
13. SmallBiz Viewpoints
http://www.twitter.com/AngelBiz http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Business-Advisors/118756701487911
SmallBiz Viewpoints is run by Harry and Sally Vaishnav, who offer lots of practical, step-based posts, as well as some wider ones such as the importance of work-life balance.
14. Small Biz Survival
http://www.twitter.com/sbsurvival http://www.facebook.com/SmallBizSurvival
This small business blog takes a particular focus on businesses which are based in rural locations or small towns.
Running a business in a small town is a very different experience to running one in a big city, and you can often find that a lot of blogs don’t really speak to your needs, which is where Small Biz Survival comes in!
15. ecommerceCEO
https://twitter.com/ecommerceCEO
If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own online business, be sure to check out Selfstartr.
They have blogs and podcasts covering everything you need to know when it comes to starting out your own e-commerce business, such as whether to go with Shopify or Woo Commerce, or Strpe or PayPal.
Entrepreneurs
16. Mixergy
https://en-gb.facebook.com/Mixergy/
Mixergy is a blog where you can learn valuable tips direct from those who have been there and done it.
It features more than 750 in-depth interviews with various entrepreneurs who have built up successful business sharing the secrets to their success.
17. Women on Business
http://www.twitter.com/womenonbusiness http://www.facebook.com/womenonbusiness
For a great blog focusing on all the latest news and information women need to be successful in business, look no further than Women on Business.
Drawing on contributions from an international team of writers, the blog aims to “Broaden the online discussion between today’s male and female business thought leaders.”
18. Richard Branson
http://twitter.com/richardbranson http://www.facebook.com/richardbranson
If you’re looking to become an entrepreneur, who better to learn from than the best!
Richard Branson’s personal blog may come across as more of a blog about his life, but he argues that entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, not a career, and his blog is the perfect place to gain inspiration.
19. Side Hustle Nation
https://twitter.com/nloper https://en-gb.facebook.com/SideHustleNation/
If you’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit but are struggling to get things off the ground and can’t quite afford to give up the day job, check out Side Hustle Nation.
It outlines how you can kick start an entrepreneurial career, even if you’re still working part-time.
20. The Work at Home Woman
https://twitter.com/TheWAHWoman
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own home-based business, you really should check out this blog from Holly Reisem Hanna.
Her posts cover topics such as time management, scam prevention, and how to find your niche.
21. Both Sides of the Table
https://twitter.com/msuster https://facebook.com/msuster
Mark Suster has literally been on both sides of the table, starting out as an entrepreneur and eventually becoming a venture capitalist himself.
This puts him in a unique position to be able to advise entrepreneurs and startups, and his blog is a very valuable resource.
22. Entrepreneur
https://twitter.com/entrepreneur https://www.facebook.com/EntMagazine
All the latest advice, trends and news that you’ll ever need to read an entrepreneur or small business owner.
23. EOFire
https://twitter.com/johnleedumas https://en-gb.facebook.com/EOFire/
Short for ‘Entrepreneur on Fire’, EOFire is run by John Lee Dumas and takes a podcast format, where he speaks to some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, picking their brains to find out the secrets to their success.
Marketing
24. Buffer
https://twitter.com/buffer https://www.facebook.com/bufferapp
Buffer is a tool used for scheduling social media posts across a number of platforms, but their blog is also a really handy resource.
They don’t just cover marketing though, but also touch on topics such as productivity and business growth.
25. The Content Strategist
https://twitter.com/contently https://www.facebook.com/contently
The Content Strategist is the blog of Contently and is a great resource for all things related to content marketing.
They provide some really good real-life examples of content marketing done right, and some interesting pieces on how less can sometimes be more when it comes to content.
26. The Moz Blog
http://twitter.com/moz http://www.facebook.com/moz
Moz is perhaps the most read marketing blog out there, with a particular focus on SEO and inbound marketing.
They explain SEO in an easy to understand but knowledgeable and well-researched way, and they also offer a host of free tools which can help you analyse how your site is working.
27. The GoDaddy Garage
http://twitter.com/godaddy http://facebook.com/godaddy
You’ve probably heard of GoDaddy’s web hosting through their various TV and radio adverts, but did you know they’ve also got a very knowledgeable business blog?
They focus on how best to run your website and market your business online as well as other small business tips.
28. The Pipeline
http://www.twitter.com/TiborShanto http://www.facebook.com/Renbor.SellBetter
This blog is focussed specifically on sales, and is run by Tibor Shanto, who has trained hundreds of sales reps and has plenty of invaluable advice to share.
He’ll help you get more out of your selling and develop fruitful customer relationships.
29. Social Media Examiner
https://twitter.com/SMExaminer https://en-gb.facebook.com/smexaminer/
Nowadays, every business needs to be using social media as part of its digital marketing efforts, and this blog is the number one resource to help you out.
The blog will help you learn how best to connect with your customers, drive traffic to your website, increase awareness, and ultimately boost your sales!
30. Likeable Local Blog
https://twitter.com/likeablelocal https://www.facebook.com/likeablelocal/
Think your business is too small to need to be doing digital marketing? This blog will show you how you can use the internet to attract business even just in your local area, whether it be through social media, content marketing or paid advertising.
31. HubSpot
https://twitter.com/HubSpot https://www.facebook.com/hubspot
HubSpot are an authority when it comes to marketing and sales in the digital age, offering a constant supply of fresh insights from a range of experts.
Covering every aspect of the customer journey, from email marketing to converting your new leads into customers, HubSpot is a great marketing resource.
32. AWeber Blog
https://www.twitter.com/aweber https://www.facebook.com/aweber
For a blog focused entirely on email marketing, look no further than AWeber. Their blog offers tips on how to run the best possible email campaign and how to start and maintain an email list.
A must read for anyone who wants to get the most out of their email marketing.
33. Copyblogger
https://twitter.com/copyblogger
If your website is struggling to produce quality content, check out Copyblogger. They’ll help you develop content which will earn you links, drive traffic to your site and ultimately boost your revenue.
Having good, strong content is a must if your business has an online presence, and this blog will help you out massively in this regard.
34. Seth Godin
http://twitter.com/ThisIsSethsBlog http://www.facebook.com/sethgodin
Seth Godin is one of the leading voices when it comes to digital marketing, with 18 best-selling books under his belt.
He posts a wealth of useful information on his blog, mainly focusing on marketing and leadership development.
35. WordStream
https://twitter.com/WordStream https://www.facebook.com/wordstream
If you have a particular interest in Google AdWords and PPC advertising, make sure to check out the blog from WordStream.
Their site is also home to the “PPC University” a free guide to everything to need to know regarding pay-per-click.
Retail/eCommerce
36. Retail Minded
https://twitter.com/RetailMinded https://www.facebook.com/RetailMinded
If you’re in retail, then you definitely want to check out Retail Minded. It contains everything from practical advice on things such as packaging and payment systems to more wide-ranging pieces on how to get the most out of your retail business.
37. ShopKeep Blog
https://twitter.com/shopkeep http://www.facebook.com/ShopKeepPOS
ShopKeep provide cloud-based POS systems and their blog takes a look at retail businesses in general.
Their blog posts cover topics such as how to choose a POS system and successful business ideas for small towns.
38. Vend Retail Blog
https://twitter.com/vendhq https://www.facebook.com/Vend.POS
Vend is another retail focused blog, which we like for its “Vender of the Week” feature which offers an in-depth interview with a business owner and gets their insights on their industry and retail in general.
39. Trellis
https://twitter.com/GrowWithTrellis https://www.facebook.com/growwithtrellis/
The Trellis blog focuses on e-commerce, featuring articles such as practical tips concerning certain content management systems and more general pieces and tips on e-commerce in general.
40. Intelligent Retail
https://twitter.com/epossoftware https://www.facebook.com/IntelligentRetailUK/
With a belief that the future of retail is multichannel, this blog is a big proponent of selling both online and offline and is a great resource for those businesses wishing to make the move online.
41. SnapRetail
https://twitter.com/snapretail https://www.facebook.com/snapretail
If you’re looking to take your business online, or perhaps launch an entirely new business online, make sure to check out SnapRetail.
They cover everything from how to sell your products using Facebook to how much shipping is right to charge your customers, and are a great resource for all things e-commerce.
42. Medallion Retail
https://twitter.com/MedallionRetail https://www.facebook.com/MedallionRetail
Medallion Retail specialise in providing high-level retail insights, giving a fresh new look on the industry and giving information on all of the latest developments in retail.
From big-picture posts on the industry as a whole, right down to retail displays and shopping bags, Medallion has you covered.
Industry Specific
43. Restaurant Engine
https://twitter.com/restauranteng https://www.facebook.com/restaurantengine
This blog focuses specifically on the restaurant industry, offering posts on a range of relevant topics such as social media, how to SEO for a restaurant, and how to make the most out of technology in your restaurant.
44. Modern Salon
https://twitter.com/ModernSalon https://facebook.com/ModernSalon
If you run your own salon, check out Modern Salon. They offer all the latest industry news as well as style inspiration and how-to guides to make sure that you’re giving your customers the best service possible.
45. The Franchise King
https://twitter.com/FranchiseKing https://www.facebook.com/TheFranchiseKing/
For those who run a franchise, or are considering doing so, we’d recommend taking a look at The Franchise King.
It’s a great resource for help on how to research, find and choose a prospective franchise as well as advice on how to run one.
46. Franchise Solutions
http://www.twitter.com/franchisesale http://www.facebook.com/franchisesolutions
Another blog which is ideal for prospective franchise owners, Franchise Solutions offer expert guides on buying a franchise, as well as just about anything related to buying a franchise.
Others
47. Indeed Blog
http://twitter.com/indeed https://www.facebook.com/Indeed
You probably know Indeed as one of the top recruitment websites out there, and their blog focuses on giving advice not just for jobseekers, but also for recruiters.
Whether for a business looking for new staff or perhaps for a recruiter working on behalf of someone else, they’re one of the best recruitment resources on the web.
48. Wasp Barcode
https://twitter.com/WaspBarcode https://www.facebook.com/waspbarcode
This blog focuses mainly on business management systems, and things such as inventories, and asset, time and schedule management, using real-life examples to back up their points.
49. Exit Promise
https://twitter.com/exitpromise https://www.facebook.com/ExitPromiseForEntrepreneurs
This blog specialises in tips for selling a business and raising capital, with tips on exit planning and valuing your business.
In addition, they also cover all of the usual tips for small businesses such as growing profit and setting KPIs.
50. 5 Minute Bookkeeping
https://twitter.com/5MinBookkeeping https://www.facebook.com/5MinuteBookkeeping/
As you might have guessed, 5 Minute Bookkeeping has you covered for everything you need to know when it comes to bookkeeping, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to QuickBooks.
If you’ve ever wanted to improve your bookkeeping practices, this blog is definitely worth even a quick browse.
51. Zoho Blog
https://twitter.com/zoho https://www.facebook.com/zoho/
Zoho offer a cloud-based suite of software for a number of business functions, and as such, their blog mainly focuses on the software side of things.
52. VentureBeat
http://twitter.com/venturebeat http://facebook.com/venturebeat
VentureBeat is a more news-based blog, keeping you up to date with all of the latest news and current events which are likely to affect businesses.
