Running a business takes a lot of time, effort and attention. For anyone who operates a restaurant, dry-cleaner, convenience store, plumbing service, shoe store or any other local small business, it can be hard to find the best ways to use the Internet and business software for the company.

And yet in today’s world, technology is a big tool for a small business. A little investment can go a long way to bringing in new customers and becoming more efficient.

How do you make a website look good–or even start one? What kind of accounting software works best? Can you put your business name onto the Google map? How do you respond to a bad Yelp review?

To answer these questions and a lot more, a new Business Resource Network Online Resource Center has just been added to Chicago’s Smart Communities program website as an easy guide to some useful resources for neighborhood businesses and entrepreneurs.

The site is a one-stop shop for information on online marketing and social media, managing your online presence, accepting credit cards online, and more.

The site also has online assistance on non-tech issues for small firms, from creating a business plan to finding funding to boosting sales.

The site is a program of the Smart Communities’ Business Resource Center program. The Humboldt Park BRN has a page on the Humboldt Park Portal, with much more information about customized assistance to business owners around like one-on-one technical assistance, workshops, technology assessments and much more.

To find out more about the Humboldt Park Business Resource Network contact Tom Otto at (773) 342-0036 ext 23 or tom@whpdevelopmentcouncil.net.