6 Best Small Business Forums In 2021. Here's All You Need to Know

Starting a new business seems fascinating; the inspiration, the excitement, the challenge, and the enthusiasm to step on new opportunities is exhilarating. Hustle into reality and make an empire of your own.

First-time entrepreneurs also go through the confluence of fear, self-doubt, and stress over expectations, and the constants nudge whether to follow their dreams or not.

Given the advancement in technology, we have something called “online entrepreneur forums”, where each of your doubts can be resolved by people with similar experiences. As an entrepreneur, you are not the only one who goes through such emotions.

Connecting with others is important, especially on a journey so difficult. Online entrepreneur forums have become a source of camaraderie and comfort. It helps to avoid mistakes and identify the best use of time.

Forums are a type of online community for budding and seasoned entrepreneurs. It is a place where entrepreneurs from around the globe come together to exchange ideas about the setting of a business. In addition to that, they also talk about marketing practices, new business ideas, techniques to see potential clients, and lookup for mentors and friends who can share the journey.

Importance Of Entrepreneur Forums

There are several challenges that business owners go through. If a business is going through its downfall, it is not doing any good to society. To serve the business community, small business forums help find interesting ways to connect with people, increase the network, and find information on resources needed for every small business.

Age does not define entrepreneurs; there are young and budding entrepreneurs who have achieved immense success in a short time. There are also long-time experts who are running the business for years and have kept a mainstream approach.

Having connected with different entrepreneurs, you will get the opportunity to understand the different success stories, stories of failure, advice, work on multiple case studies, and get the resources you need. Choosing an online entrepreneur forum is difficult, given that there are ample options on the internet today.

Look for the most popular small business forums and dig out the information you need. You can follow specific channels, take part in discussions, and work well with what you gain.

It is not necessary for you to contribute, you can be an active member just to gain knowledge. Fill in your knowledge gaps and see how other people in the market have succeeded and handled unexpected situations.

Small Business Forums

Small businesses lack the luxury of big networks of like-minded professionals. Every business has its own niche, business plan, and interest. Small business forums, also known as entrepreneur forums, have taken over to serve the small business community, with feedback and advice on their journey.

Below is a list of the best small business forums on the internet today; they are a great way to connect with industry experts and get your knowledge tested.

1. Quora

Quora has gained immense popularity, primarily because the platform allows users to spread messages to interested people. It is a targeted platform to reach a defined audience. People can ask questions about the most obscure topics, and someone will put down hours of research to give a definite answer.

As a small business owner, you get to ask questions directly related to your business. For example, what is the best conversion-focused shopping cart? Where can you buy a list of business leads? What is the best HCM software for small businesses?

Think about it!

All of your actual questions get researched answers in Quora. The platform allows users and readers to build authority and also serves as a great lead generation tactic. It will surprise you to know that big organisations and MNCs also look for answers on Quora. Your question may be a part of major news outlets, or you can also choose to answer queries put down by other small business owners.

2. Small Business Brief

The forum does not entertain fluff content. It is a comprehensive website and a treasure trove of information for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It is also a great place for collaboration, as users publish articles on business ownership based on the industry type. The articles gather interest in the form of discussions on a large number of topics.

Surprisingly, the small business brief has a free database of templates and forms that small businesses can use for common business situations. A variety of topics are discussed on the forum, for example, accounting, inventory, medical education, customer service, business advice, pest control, plumbing, shipping, social media, travel photography, hair and salon, food and beverage, and such other options, leaving no segment of the market alone.

3. Reddit

One of the most common social news platforms, Reddit allows users to vote and discuss content that other users have submitted. It prevents spammers from bombarding the reader's platform by a feature called the “Karma” points.

These points are used by users when they post useful comments and links that other readers in the community have voted for. Small communities of businesses can bring their interest together and discuss the market. Reddit encourages user submissions and helps you interact with your business followers.

One of the best features of Reddit is, it uses the best picture and features, along with the name of the person who submitted it, in the sidebar. Reddit has one of the most amazing customer services. They help the users gain information through proper channels and allow the Redditors to discuss and share photos.

With Reddit, you can create a huge network of like-minded people working in the same business niche. Brand advocates and followers can get their upcoming events and latest news by the news and calendar feature of the platform. As a small business, you can display company news on the platform and increase the percentage of goals reached.

4. BizWarriors

BizWarriors is a forum for collecting optimum resources, and connecting with entrepreneurs and business leaders. Small business owners can interact with established business owners, marketing heads, and company vice presidents, and get access to information they share on the platform.

Information related to business planning, starting a business, financing, sales and marketing, human resource, and legal advice are all available on the platform. It has become one of the leading discussion forums for entrepreneurs and small business owners. If you are looking to expand your business as an aspiring entrepreneur, you can get ideas to manage and grow your business, besides planning and dealing with the business setup. BizWarriors also provides promotional help for budding organisations to gain the needed traction.

5. Quickbooks Online Community

The platform is a one-stop solution for small business owners to deal with accounting, payroll, tax, and employee-related questions.

When you visit the QuickBooks community home page, you will find the community activity having various questions on employees and payroll, accounting, calendar, along with community guidelines. Other features to explore on the platform include bill management, business funding, cash flow, invoice payment, mileage tracking, tax deductions, time tracking, customer estimates, and multiple other items that will ensure a small business does not look anywhere else for financial support.

It is a question-answer-based community operated by both experts from the QuickBooks community, and users who work towards helping readers with their business experiences and solutions. From setting up a company to running reports and making a pictorial representation, the QuickBooks community helps you with everything.

6. Practical Machinist

Considered a virtual bulletin board and also one of the largest manufacturing technology forums on the internet today, the practical machinist platform is for those business owners who look for practical advice from business users and members. Pieces of advice are shared on topics of shop management, operation, and owner issues.

The site is filled with articles and videos on related topics. It is the manufacturing technology forum for small businesses, starting from technology equipment, hardware, and setting up small-scale industries. You will find answers from the best machining solutions to machine safety, mail promotion, and the like.

The forum also discusses topics like material handling, and rigging, abrasive machining, metrology, woodworking, and carpentry. It is a one-stop solution for small businesses looking to expand in the field of hardware and technology.

Also Read:

1) What are The Best Tech Business Ideas to Start?
2) What Are Some Good Small Business Ideas in a Residential Area?
3) Why Do Most Small Businesses Stay Small?
4) How to Get the Attention of Small Business Owners?
5) OkCredit: All you need to know about OkCredit & how it works.

FAQs

Ans. As a social platform, Reddit is safer than other business communities. However, ensure not to leak business credentials or other intellectual data that may damage operational effectiveness.

Q. Are answers on Quora accurate?

Ans. Quora has some of the best writers. However, in case of confusion, ensure checking the information from multiple references to ensure authenticity.

Q. Is there any other platform besides the aforementioned?

Ans. Honestly, the number of small business platforms available today is more than you can imagine. However, the user interface takes the lead in terms of preference.

Q. What is the best small business to get into?

Ans. Freelance developer, personal trainer, woodworker, dating consultant are some lucrative small business ideas.

Q. Can I get finance as a first-time entrepreneur?

Ans. Banks and financial institutions offer financial assistance based on a solid business plan. They also go through your credit score to assess the credibility of your bank account.