For Subscribers

It Figures 01/02

Financing sources, whom customers trust, what makes Internet visitors buy and more

By Steve Cooper

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

WHERE ARE THE ENTREPRENEURS TURNINGfor business financing? Here's how much use of the following financing sources increased in 2001 as compared to 2000:

SOURCE: D&B's "20th Annual Small Business Survey"
TRADING UP
DON'T FORGET YOUR INDUSTRY RESEARCHEighty-three percent of small-business owners read trade magazines, and 73 percent visit trade Web sites. And some went to a lot of B2B trade shows last year:

SOURCE: Yankelovich/Harris Interactive Strategic Consulting Group
IN SERVICE WE TRUST
WHERE IT'S EARNEDthrough brilliant packaging, a great ad campaign or responsiveness to their questions, customers' trust is a key component to a company's enduring success. Here's what customers had to say about trust in a recent survey:

SOURCE: Booth-Harris Trust Monitor

Continue reading this article — and all of our other premium content with Entrepreneur+

For just $5, you can get unlimited access to all Entrepreneur’s premium content. You’ll find:

  • Digestible insight on how to be a better entrepreneur and leader
  • Lessons for starting and growing a business from our expert network of CEOs and founders
  • Meaningful content to help you make sharper decisions
  • Business and life hacks to help you stay ahead of the curve

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.

Business News

'I Don't Feel Like It's Unreasonable': A-List Actor Refused Service At Hotspot For Not Following Dress Code

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe had quite the afternoon after trying to stop at a Japanese steakhouse in Melbourne, Australia following a game of tennis.

Business News

The 'Airbnbust' Proves the Wild West Days of Online Vacation Rentals Are Over

Airbnb recently reported that 2022 was its first profitable year ever. But the deluge of new listings foreshadowed an inevitable correction.

Business Solutions

Master Coding for Less Than $2 a Course with This Jam-Packed Bundle

Make coding understandable with this beginner-friendly coding bundle, now just $19.99.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas To Start Right Now

To start one of these home-based businesses, you don't need a lot of funding -- just energy, passion and the drive to succeed.