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5 Fabulous Resources to Tackle Small-Business Questions

It doesn’t matter if it’s been two weeks or several years since your entrepreneurial intuition led you to create an online enterprise; the fact remains that no matter how far your e-commerce skills take you, no small-business owner is prepared to handle the many unfamiliar hurdles that are certain to arise.

However, don’t become overwhelmed by moments of uncertainty and sink-or-swim scenarios that can generate an endless stream of questions in your mind. It’s important to know you’re not alone. And as you dive deeper into your brand development and marketing strategies you’ll find that these puzzlements will cause you to rethink the ways you once searched for answers and information.

Some of the best advice around comes directly from someone who has already overcome the same obstacle. Therefore, you’ll want to visit online resources – there are many – designed to service small-business owners with helpful tools such as Q&A forums and the ability to connect with other entrepreneurs in your industry.

Below you’ll find five valuable sources, thanks to Mashable.com, to get you started.

Quora:  “Quora is a continually improving collection of questions and answers created, edited and organized by everyone who uses it. The most important thing is to have each question page become the best possible resource for someone who wants to know about the question.”

OnStartups Answers:  “As long as your question is detailed and specific, written clearly and simply, and of interest to at least one other person somewhere it is welcome here. No question is too trivial or ‘newbie’. Oh yes, it should be about startups and small business.”

Hacker News: (with Y Combinator) “At Y Combinator, our goal is to get you through the first phase (seed funding; it’s their first step to help startups). This usually means: get you to the point where you’ve built something impressive enough to raise money on a larger scale. Then we introduce you to later stage inventors – or occasionally even acquirers.” 

Twitter:  “Twitter is a simple tool that helps connect businesses more meaningfully with the right audience at the right time. Additionally, customers can use Twitter to tell a company (or anyone else) that they’ve had a great – or disappointing – experience with your business, offer product ideas and learn about great offers they’ve selected to be notified of.”

Open Forum:  “Open Forum gives businesses the tools to connect and collaborate. Tools like the ConnectodexSM, which can help generate new leads by intelligently matching businesses with similar needs and interests. And the Idea Hub, a digital trading post of ideas and insights from industry experts and owners. Exclusive articles, videos, discussion boards and events listings can help businesses get informed and inspired.”

The above quotes are descriptions found directly on each wesbite.