Ideas & Advice

A small business blog with helpful tips, practical advice and inspirational stories.

Business Tips

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What we learned: Hiring employees & growing a staff

Hiring your first employee is a major step for a small business owner. When you decided to start your business, […]

How to launch & market your summer side hustles

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to branch out, or just want to earn a bit of extra cash […]

From creative experimentation to creative entrepreneur, read Nicola’s Success Story

After creating fun accessories to cheer up her friends and family during lockdown, Nicola turned her products into a business […]

A love of animals leads to a dream come true, read Ellie’s Success Story

The Enterprise programme helped Ellie, 22 from Sandwell, rebuild her confidence and give her focus to grow her business in […]

How to have the best small business summer ever

There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a challenging experience for many small business owners. But as […]

7 ways to increase small business customer engagement

You’ve probably heard the term ‘customer engagement’ while marketing your small business. Customer engagement encompasses all of the ways you […]

5 tips for building trust & credibility as a small business owner

You pour your heart and soul into your business, but can others tell you’re the real deal? In a highly […]

Small business spotlight: Saffron & Rose Ice Cream

When Ali Kashani-Rafye took his family and their small ice cream business all the way from Iran to Los Angeles […]

Adapting to change: Serving up something new with food truck-inspired takeaway

Adapting to change: Serving up something new with food truck-inspired takeaway Estimated reading time: 7 minutes The COVID-19 pandemic threw […]

How to design a label

Personalised labels are an affordable way to add professionalism and personality to your products, packaging and more. But with so […]

How to respond to negative reviews as a small business owner

In this article you’ll learn some tips on how to respond to negative reviews including the following: Acknowledge the issue […]

Rooted in community: How Kelly Polanco stands out at local events

Rooted in community: How Kelly Polanco stands out at local events Estimated reading time: 4 minutes One of the best […]

How to create a stand-out shopfront

How to create a stand-out shopfront Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Summer is the perfect time for window shopping. And […]

Think outside the shop with a pavement pop-up

Think outside the shop with a pavement pop-up Estimated reading time: 3 minutes This is the perfect time of year […]

How small business owners can celebrate (& honour) Pride celebrations

June is the start of global Pride celebrations…and as a small business owner, it’s a great time to show your […]

Shape up your outdoor classes

Shape up your outdoor classes Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Warmer weather is here…and with it is the perfect opportunity […]

How to open a restaurant in 8 steps

Do you have an idea for the perfect restaurant, but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Unless you’re […]

How to work from home with kids

The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic as COVID-19 spreads rapidly around the globe. For most non-essential employees, our […]

Design Tips

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How to use the back of business cards: 11 creative design ideas

Your business card contains a lot of essential information about your business. Your logo should be loud and proud on […]

How to design a brochure in 8 steps

Are you ready to take your small business brochure design up a level? After all, you pride yourself on what […]

Business card design ideas for different industries

We chatted with Mark LaRosa, a Creative Manager at Vista, for his insights on business card design. Read on for […]

6 ways to make your product packaging market itself

Each time a customer buys something from your business, whether online or in person, it’s a golden opportunity to get […]

Outdoor event marketing & branding to help you stand out

Outdoor events, like craft fairs and farmers’ markets, are great places to make meaningful connections, attract new customers and build […]

How to design T-shirts in 8 steps

We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on creating impactful T-shirts. Whether for your […]

Attract attention with these signage design tips

We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, to get some tips on creating stand-out signage. Read […]

The best colours for logos

Decide what colours work best for your logo with these tips and advice.

How to design merchandise for your business

Find out how to design merchandise for your small business.

What makes a good logo?

Read our guide on how to create a great logo for your business.

Business card dimensions & size guide

A business card is a marketing classic for a reason – as a small business owner you’ve probably passed them out […]

Understanding Logos

Why having a memorable, well-designed logo should be at the top of any small business’s list of priorities. As the […]

Outdoor event marketing & branding to help you stand out

Outdoor events, like craft fairs and farmers’ markets, are great places to make meaningful connections, attract new customers and build […]

Event branding: Give your recurring events a unique look

Event branding: Give your recurring events a unique look Estimated reading time: 4 minutes One of the best ways to […]

How to create (& use) a logo for your yoga studio

We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on getting the right logo look for […]

How to create a logo for your gym or fitness studio

We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on getting the right look for any […]

Build a brand that builds a following

People love swag, whether it's a T-shirt from their favourite brewery or a promotional tote bag from a local shop.

Design decoded: The top 12 easy to read fonts

How important is it to choose the right font for your website? With a legible font, your business’ message comes […]

Marketing & Advertising

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6 unexpected ways to use stickers for small businesses

Stickers are amazingly versatile tools for promoting your brand. You probably showcase your branding on your essential marketing materials, like […]

Ready, set, glow: How this woman-owned business continues to grow

To be successful, small businesses have to grow — whether that means evolving their offerings or ensuring their customer bases […]

Social Curations Terms And Conditions

Image Use Agreement We love your image and know others will benefit from seeing it. As you consider allowing us […]

Email marketing subject lines: 7 guidelines & best practices

Email is one of the most budget-friendly marketing tactics available to small businesses, but it is only effective when your […]

How to combine online and offline marketing strategies to build a small business community

Customers are the backbone of any successful small business. As such, if you want your small business to continue to […]

8 website merchandising tips for your online shop front

We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on creating a website that makes the […]

How to start marketing your spa, salon or gym again

COVID-19 was tough on small businesses across the board — including wellness and personal service-based businesses, like fitness studios, salons […]

The 5 marketing materials you need to start a business

Marketing is one of the most important elements of successfully launching a new business. And to effectively market your business, […]

Create a restaurant patio with kerb appeal

It’s time to take your dining room outside… or, if you embraced outdoor dining last year, it’s time to reopen […]

Pivoting with purpose: From greenhouse to garden pizzeria

Small businesses constantly have to adapt, whether it’s a change in location or a logo adjustment. One business that’s no […]

8 restaurant promotion ideas to boost take-out & delivery

The small business world has completely shifted in the past year – but the restaurant industry has been hit especially […]

4 steps to using leave behinds in your marketing

Make a lasting impression – whether you’re replacing a leaky pipe, painting a house or shovelling someone’s driveway – with […]

Tips for selling on Etsy for small business owners

The business world has been shifting to e-commerce for years. But recently that shift has accelerated even more, and today, online […]

Local awareness for small businesses

Not all small business owners have brick-and-mortar shopfronts — so, you may have to get creative with where you hang […]

How to use SEO for your small business

As a small business owner, you probably know that it’s important to be searchable and accessible online. Search engine optimisation […]

Show up, stand out: Handyman Marketing Ideas from Mark Monjonell

One of the biggest challenges small business owners will face is standing out from the competition — regardless of what […]

How to write a great ‘about us’ page

A website is a great asset for any small business… especially now, when people are spending more time online. But, […]

5 ways to use touch-free and remote payments

In a world of social distancing and mask-wearing, touch-free transactions are quickly becoming the norm. We’ve seen many small businesses […]

Branding

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Colour psychology for business branding: How to choose the right colours

We chatted with Dr. Sally Augustin, PhD, an environmental and design psychologist, to learn more about the psychology of colour. […]

Create a unique look for your business & watch it grow

Beautiful design can help your business grow – especially when it translates into branding that works everywhere your customers see […]

Branding made for word-of-mouth marketing

As a small business owner, there are plenty of things you can do to make your brand stand out. But […]

Redesign resolution: A new look sparks a brand transformation

MY MARKETING MUST-HAVES Redesign resolution: A new look sparks a brand transformation Estimated reading time: 6 minutes A new year […]

A glossary of branding terms that every small business owner should know

If you own your own business, chances are you’ve heard the term “branding.” But there’s a plethora of other words […]

How to brand your business in a post-pandemic world

Thanks to social distancing, masks and an increasing vaccination rate, we’re moving closer to normality than at any other point […]

Design that works everywhere you do

When it comes to branding your small business, consistency is key. Whether you’re adding a page to your website or […]

Should you rebrand your small business?

The world — and the world of small business — is constantly evolving. Maybe you started out as just a […]

How to create a brand style guide

We chatted with Tristan LeBreton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, for tips on creating a brand style guide. Read […]

Our customers share tips on how to get the most from stickers and labels

Whether you promote in shops, at fairs or online, the presentation of your products speaks volumes about your business. And […]

5 point-of-sale marketing tactics

Whether you run a retail shop or a quick-service restaurant, the checkout experience plays an incredibly important role in the […]

Seasonal

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Your ultimate wedding planning guide

Congratulations on getting engaged! Now that you’ve celebrated your engagement with family and friends, it’s time to set a wedding […]

40+ save the date quotes for every personality

Save the dates are an early heads-up for your friends and family, basically asking them not to make any big […]

Save the date wording – what to write and how to write it

So, you’re getting married? Congratulations! Now it’s time to get organised –and one of the first steps is to let […]

What to write in a wedding thank you card: Everything you need to know

You’ve said your vows, opened gifts and maybe even been on your honeymoon…now, it’s time to sit down and write […]

When to send save the date cards

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! From the engagement to the planning, it’s such an exciting – and busy – […]

6 unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Yes, we know, we should show our love for those around us every day and […]

When to send Christmas cards: Christmas card etiquette and timing

Planning for the festive season? Christmas cards are a great way to get in the festive mood while reminding your loved ones […]

two men exchanging a canvas photo print as a gift at christmas

First Impressions Count

With our research revealing that it takes just 14 seconds to decide whether a gift will be kept, returned or regifted, we know the pressure is on to find the perfect gifts this Christmas.

Seasonal photo ideas for a picture-perfect Christmas card

Christmas is right around the corner. And if part of your family’s Christmas tradition is sending out Christmas cards, now’s […]

How to write the perfect Christmas card message

It’s nearly that time of year again, and we’ll soon be decking the halls, wrapping presents and celebrating with loved […]

Personalised Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list

Christmas is all about connecting with loved ones — whether in person or via post — with heartfelt gifts and […]

The subtle cues small businesses can use to harness Christmas spending

Every business, big or small, has its own ways of interacting with customers. But there are some small things you […]

Behind the scenes: Christmas card trends for 2021

What does it take to make Vistaprint’s annual Christmas card collection? Around nine months of work, 50 people — including […]

The three you need: Set up for success & make the most of the festive season

Set up for success & make the most of the holiday season Christmas is right around the corner, and for […]

Christmas giveaway ideas for your small business

Christmas is right around the corner, and if you want to promote your business, connect with customers and ramp up […]

Your 2021 Christmas Handbook

Your 2021 Christmas Handbook Preparing your business for Christmas starts now…and we’re here to help you get ready for the […]

20 business Christmas card messages for 2021

It’s that special time of year again, which means it’s time to prep for the Christmas rush. As a small […]

Uni essentials: Room decoration ideas

Get your uni bedroom looking it best with our tips and inspiration.

Ideas & Advice

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