Small Businesses Expect a Big Year in 2014

A majority of small businesses say they grew in the past year, according to research, but even more expect to do better in 2014 than they did in 2013. Not only that, but four in 10 plan to make marketing a top priority.

Rocket Lawyer’s ldquo;December 2013 Semi-Annual Small Business Survey” found that just under 55% of US small businesses had grown in the past year—including 10% that had “boomed.” And small-business owners are optimistic about the year to come: more than eight in 10 expected better performance than they had seen in 2013.

Perhaps because they expect success, respondents to the survey indicated major plans to increase marketing and brand presence. About 41% of small-business owners said it was a top business priority for next year, making it nearly twice as important as raising funds to grow the business.

Of course, there are few sure things in life and small-business owners know it: 49.1% told Rocket Lawyer economic uncertainty was the biggest obstacle to growing their business.

Courtesy of eMarketer