5 things to consider when choosing a business gas card

5 things to consider when choosing a business gas card

Business gas cards are a great way for businesses to monitor and control their fuel expenses, which can ultimately help them save money. Regardless of the size of the fleet, a company can benefit greatly from using these cards. However, with so many options available for business gas cards, it can get tough to choose the right one. So, to make it easier, here are 5 important things businesses should consider when choosing a business gas card.

Requirements of the business
Firstly, business owners must determine their average monthly fuel requirements before considering the details and features of a gas card. They must also consider the number of vehicles in their fleet and the gas stations they prefer so they can choose an appropriate gas card.

Look for a card with data collection
Business owners or fleet managers can also consider getting business gas cards that offer data collection. This feature can track the fuel purchases of all the drivers in their fleet, making it easier for them to understand their drivers’ spending habits and determine where they can improve. Secondly, data collection also helps business owners calculate the total fuel their entire fleet uses, the type of fuel they purchase, and the gas stations from which they get the fuel.

Consider a card with limited spending
Many business gas cards also have a feature that allows business owners and fleet managers to limit or control their drivers’ spending power at the gas stations. The owners and managers can set a limit on the card for each one of their drivers to control their spending. Besides gas stations, this feature also allows them to regulate purchases made at convenience stores. Ultimately, it prevents misuse of gas cards and saves a lot of unwanted expenses.

Choose a card that offers easy online access
Before the internet became easily accessible, fleet managers had to spend a lot of time and effort to keep a record of their drivers, fleet, and fuel expenses. It required manual paperwork and collecting receipts, all of which needed to be stored carefully to protect the data. However, with the availability of business gas cards, managing these tasks has become much easier. This is because many business gas cards create online records for all necessary data so that fleet managers and business owners can access all the important information with just a few clicks.

Ensure the card has appropriate security features
It is also crucial for business owners to select a gas card that has all the required security features. This includes PIN protection and notification alerts, among other things. With gas cards having PINs, business owners would not have to worry much if the cards get stolen. And with notification alerts, fleet managers and business owners would be able to keep track of every transaction in real-time.

Previous Read

10 mistakes to avoid when starting a business online

Starting a business online helps you fill in market demand at a lower cost. Such an initiative also helps you grow your business to its fullest potential without worrying too much. While there are not many barriers against it, some mistakes might lead to problems and hinder growth. You can easily avoid these errors to enhance your business. Herein, we help you understand how to steer clear of such slip-ups. Avoid these mistakes starting an online business Usually,  there are multiple factors involved to make your business a successful one. They influence not only your business's growth but also your financial stability. So, here is a guide to aid you in expanding your business online by avoiding a few mistakes: Excess focusing on low-priority tasks Yes, details are important, but let's not obsess over everything. Instead, it's better to keep a check on things that would help your business grow, like the credibility of products and services. It will set you apart from the others and help you gain a loyal consumer base.  Less stress on funds An online business might not need much money to begin with, but it does need a considerable amount to help it sustain itself. So having a financial plan ready with an assigned budget may be of great help.   Lack of a gameplan A fleshed-out business plan is the most important thing you need when starting a new business, either online or offline. Factors of a plan encompass products and services, financial projections, market analysis, etc. These help your business grow and also give a clear understanding of what you need to do further. Not processing negative feedback When you start a business online, it might be tempting to only listen to the fans and ignore anyone who has anything negative to say. But usually, negative feedback tells you what you're doing wrong or what more needs to be done, ensuring the growth of your business.  An undetermined target audience A target audience is very important for a business as it gives it a focus. Finding a niche not only helps you meet customer needs but also understand how you will fare in the market.  Selling too many products One of the biggest mistakes while having an online business is spreading yourself too thin by introducing too many products. Instead, focus on the branding of your business, and help your audience connect to it. This step will automatically attract the right customers,  Not keeping an eye on the competition Every business has a competitor, and a thorough competitor analysis helps you strategize your next steps to beat them. Also, try your best to understand their powers and weaknesses to decide what you can do differently and earn more customers.   Lack of website optimization Usually, people wait for about two seconds for a webpage to load. If your website does not load within that timeframe, you might lose out on many potential customers. Optimizing your website and adding a call to action in cases like these may help increase your sales. Delaying launch dates It is important to talk about your product and build anticipation around it before the launch, but this doesn't mean you take months or years to bring out your product. This delay will not only discourage your customers from waiting for the product but also impact your sales in the long run.  Solving less-insignificant issues As a business owner, you start to solve a problem, but if the issue is deemed insignificant by many people, it might hinder the growth of your business. So do your research and not put all your eggs in one basket.

Next Read

5 mistakes to avoid when buying a POS system

POS systems, or point-of-sale systems, are handy for most retail businesses and restaurants. They make payments easier, help the staff monitor inventory, improve customer experience, and provide several other benefits. Since these systems are so useful, many businesses are now installing them. While POS systems are easily available, owners must choose carefully. Steering clear of certain common mistakes can help one select a system that integrates smoothly with their operations. Choosing a cheap system Vendors offer POS systems at different price ranges. So, while searching the market, individuals will find certain options that are priced very low. Those new to POS systems may buy them, thinking they are saving money. But the problem with cheap POS systems, most of the time, is that they have only a few features. After buying these systems, business owners realize their mistake and pay extra to unlock necessary features. Not checking all the functions A POS system is only as good as its functionality. So, when purchasing a new POS system for a restaurant or retail business, one must check it thoroughly to ensure it has all the functions needed. For example, it should be able to search for particular items in the inventory, create an entry for new items, help place an order, etc. Besides having these features, one must ensure the system is easy to understand and use. The business will have to spend more time training its staff if the POS system has a complex user interface. Skipping the demo Not sitting through the demo is another mistake business owners and managers must avoid when choosing a new POS system. The demo helps one understand how the system works. Buyers get an opportunity to ask questions and spot issues in the product, which can help them make better decisions. Besides providing a demo, some vendors may allow the business to test the system themselves, which is a huge benefit. Not researching vendors When purchasing a new POS system, one must research and compare vendors. The internet has made this step very easy. A simple search on the web will provide the details of the best POS vendors in the market. But one must not choose any name that pops up. An important part of the online research involves checking the customer ratings and reviews of the vendors and their systems. Individuals should also check if the vendors they shortlist provide good customer support. Not consulting other team members While business owners purchase a POS system, the staff operates it. That's why one should involve them in the decision-making process. A good way to do that is to take a few key members to choose the new system and see its demo. This way, they can see if the system is efficient, easy to use, and right for their operations and give their suggestions.

Our Blogs

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
Read More
Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.
Read More
4 popular credit cards for college students

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
Read More
What you must know about guaranteed business loans

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.
Read More
5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
Read More
How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.
Read More