How small businesses are expanding their digital footprints

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2023

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More than three-quarters of small business owners believe that their company is equipped to handle any upcoming economic instability, according to new research.

The survey of 1,000 small business owners revealed that increased interest rates (61%), inflation (59%) and a looming recession (44%) are small business owners top economic concerns for the remainder of 2023.

Results revealed that record-high inflation has driven small business owners to make tough decisions about their businesses this year (62%).

Specifically, small businesses have tapped into different financial resources including savings accounts and loans (61%), adapted prices (50%) and reduced the production of various goods and services (45%).

Other small businesses have raised prices (38%) or reduced staff (35%) as a result of inflation.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Melio, the survey asked small business owners about inflation and the impact of the rocky economic climate.

Though almost half (48%) of respondents have raised their prices by an average of 7% over the last six months, those that increased their prices are still reporting an increase in repeat business (66%), sales (63%) and number of new clients (56%).

Interestingly, despite inflation and other economic concerns, 72% of small business owners feel more optimistic now about the financial prospects of their company than they did at the beginning of the year.

This might be due in part to some of the changes they have made this year: respondents have increased their advertising and marketing efforts (66%), increased their digital presence (58%) and started selling products online (52%).

In fact, more than two-thirds (67%) believe that having an online presence is more important to small businesses than it used to be.

Despite the challenges posed by inflation and interest rates, small business owners seem to adapt to the current economic climate and demonstrate impressive agility and resilience, said Tomer Barel, Melios president and COO. Small businesses are the foundation of the economy, and it is critical that they have the tools to overcome future challenges.

Small businesses are interested in digitizing or further digitizing all aspects of their businesses, including bookkeeping and payments (53%), inventory management (51%) and customer service (42%).

But even beyond the importance of their digital footprint, three-quarters feel that it is more imperative to accept forms of payment beyond cash than it used to be.

Since the pandemic began over three years ago, theres been a strong demand for tools to help small businesses digitize and that trend has only continued in 2023, said Prashant Gandhi, Melios CBO. Small businesses are embracing new technologies that can help them take control over their finances and weather economic uncertainty.

Sports

No. 7 Georgia Tech down 3 starters vs. Syracuse

Published

39 mins ago

October 25, 2025

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No. 7 Georgia Tech down 3 starters vs. Syracuse

Oct 25, 2025, 10:06 AM ET

No. 7 Georgia Tech will be without three starters — wide receiver Malik Rutherford, center Harrison Moore and nickelback Jy Gilmore — against Syracuse on Saturday.

All three were ruled out on the ACC availability report after suffering injuries during last week’s win over Duke.

Rutherford is tied for the Yellow Jackets’ lead with 23 receptions and two receiving touchdowns this season and ranks third on the team with 202 receiving yards.

With cornerback Ahmari Harvey out for the second straight week, Georgia Tech will be down two key secondary members against an Orange passing game that is averaging 294.3 yards per game (15th in the NCAA).

The Yellow Jackets are 7-0 for the first time since 1966, while their No. 7 ranking is the school’s highest since 2009.

Sports

Utah QB Dampier now probable to face Colorado

Published

39 mins ago

October 25, 2025

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Utah QB Dampier now probable to face Colorado

Max OlsonOct 24, 2025, 10:35 PM ET
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- Covers the Big 12
- Joined ESPN in 2012
- Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has been upgraded to probable for the Utes’ game against Colorado, according to the updated Big 12 availability report released Friday night.

The junior quarterback has dealt with a lower leg injury this season, and coach Kyle Whittingham said Dampier “got beat up in this game pretty good” after the Utes’ 24-21 loss to rival BYU last weekend.

Dampier was initially listed as questionable Wednesday but progressed throughout the week and took reps in practice, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior, a transfer out of New Mexico, has started every game despite the injury and ranks sixth in the Big 12 in total offense with 1,375 passing yards, 442 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns.

True freshman backup Byrd Ficklin played four snaps against BYU and would be in line to start if Dampier is unavailable Saturday against the Buffaloes (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Utah wide receiver Tobias Merriweather and defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi were downgraded from doubtful to out against Colorado. Merriweather ranks second among Utes wideouts with 130 receiving yards on eight receptions this season.

Sports

UNT QB Mestemaker has record 608 yards in win

Published

39 mins ago

October 25, 2025

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UNT QB Mestemaker has record 608 yards in win

Associated Press

Oct 24, 2025, 11:03 PM ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker passed for a school-record 608 yards with four touchdowns as North Texas scored 37 unanswered points to beat Charlotte 54-20 on Friday night.

Mestemaker completed 37 of 49 passes with one interception in breaking the record.

He covered 80 yards with three passes — the final one a 41-yard scoring strike to Cameron Dorner — on the game’s first possession to put North Texas (7-1, 3-1 American) up 7-0.

Charlotte (1-7, 0-5) answered with Liam Boyd‘s 24-yard field goal and Grayson Loftis‘ 33-yard touchdown pass to Javen Nicholas to take a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. Loftis and Nicholas then teamed up for a 64-yard score in a one-play drive and Charlotte led 17-7.

Kali Nguma followed with a 29-yard field goal and Mestemaker hit Caleb Hawkins for a 6-yard score to tie it 17-all at halftime.

Charlotte had a drive stall at the North Texas 3-yard line to begin the third quarter and settled for Boyd’s field goal and a 20-17 lead. It was all Mean Green from there.

Mestemaker passed to Tre Williams III for a 30-yard gain to the Charlotte 1 and Kiefer Sibley ran it in on the next play to put North Texas ahead. Nguma added a 41-yard field goal for a 27-20 advantage after three quarters.

Mestemaker connected with Hawkins for a 7-yard touchdown, and Wyatt Young turned a short pass into a 70-yard score and a 20-point lead after the 2-point run failed. Sibley added a 45-yard touchdown run, and Ashton Gray scored on a 32-yard run to polish off the rout.

Young finished with nine receptions for 190 yards. Dorner caught seven passes for 117 yards, and Landon Sides hauled in five for 114.

Loftis totaled 295 yards on 20-for-36 passing for the 49ers. Nicholas had seven catches for 187 yards.