Small Business Round-up – Week of June 10th

This week’s small business news review found a new lending source for entrepreneurs, small biz owners getting help from those who have been there, a free website-to-mobile converter, ways to protect small biz websites from overseas hackers, and a trend in small business mobility.

• On the Road Again
  When you think mobile these days, you probably think handheld technology. Not so with entrepreneurs who are eschewing brick-and-mortar and taking their businesses on the road. A newly formed group, the American Mobile Retail Association, estimates there are hundreds of travelling businesses across America.
• I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
  Peer-to-peer lending may be the next big crowdfunding source for entrepreneurs. Startup lenders are offering loans with terms of 2 to 5 years and interest rates between 5% and 15% to small businesses. Crowdsourcing pioneer Lending Club is getting in on the action, which can only increase alternative small business lending.                                     
• Optimized for Mobile – Free!
  Small biz owners often do not realize how critical a mobile-ready website can be to success. One company is trying to make it easier for small biz to convert a desktop website. Though mobile features are limited at no charge, the company hopes small business owners will soon realize the value of a full-featured mobile website.
• ‘Watering Hole’ Attacks on the Rise
  Think your small business website is too small for hackers to pay attention to? The truth is that, according to Symantec, almost one-third of cyber attacks target small businesses. The reason: to find unique visitors, especially the big ones.
• Bring in the Pro
  Entrepreneurs often struggle with early business development and can lose thousands while starting up. Sometimes it makes sense to find a seasoned pro to guide you through early speed bumps.