focuses on lawyers and other professional services. Many law firms use this chat, and it offers service-oriented representatives with law practice understanding and knowledge 24/7/365. Ngage offers live call transferring, Google business chat and Facebook messenger integrations, Text-to-chat, Avvo and Lawyers.com chat, and Spanish Chat. Ngage can also integrate with most any CRM tool.

2. HubSpot

HubSpot’s live chat tool is fully integrated with a chatbuilder so set up and use is easy. Also, due to HubSpot being a full customer relationship management system, you can easily track conversations that you’ve had via chat and view them alongside the users’ other activities and conversations. Law firms can get started with this tool for free.

3. Acquire

Acquire offers a messaging app for lawyers that works to overcome potential client frustration. One of these features is chat continuation, which lets clients continue a chat they previously closed. There are also built-in client-feedback tools.

4. ApexChat

ApexChat specifically created its live chat for law firms and a few other business categories, so you can expect law firm-specific features. It has been around for more than a decade and includes chat agents with legal experience available 24/7, plus live call transferring.

5. Client Chat Live

Client Chat Live was created in 2008 by and for lawyers. It offers flat-rate pricing with quotes on request and free demos. Getting started is easy, and you get branded chat boxes, customizable responses and scripts, immediate transcripts, monthly reports, and operators available 24/7/365.

6. CUGIC

Specifically targeted to law firms (among other sectors), CUGIC offers multiple packages and a free trial. It has been around for more than a decade and has clients in more than 60 countries. It is customizable and multilingual and can include tracking.

7. Legal Chat 24/7

As the name implies, Legal Chat 24/7 is a live chat app targeting lawyers. You pay per lead, and setup is easy. The product comes with access to operators 24/7/365, all of whom have training using legal language. You can use customized scripts and always receive the transcripts.

8. LiveChat

LiveChat can seamlessly integrate with most of the website platforms and CRMs that you come across. It also offers message sneak peeks so you can see what prospects are writing. There is also the ability to label chats.

9. Pure Chat

Pure Chat is free and works well as a first live chat for lawyers. There are multiple customization options and a separate email form for times your chat is unavailable. This way, your law firm never misses an opportunity to engage with a potential client.

10. Zendesk Chat

Zendesk Chat is a popular live chat app for lawyers and other professionals. There are many plans to choose from with a free trial available. The chat feature works well with the other Zendesk services, and 30,000 businesses use it. The features include customization, branding, chatbots, reporting, file sending, chat ratings, offline forms, visitor lists, and triggers.

11. Zoho SalesIQ

Zoho SalesIQ comes from the same company as Zoho CRM. It is not specific to law firms but has more than 100,000 users around the world. It works well for law firms of any size and offers live representatives.

Takeaway:

Live chat apps allow lawyers to answer their visitors’ questions in real-time, “speak” to them in a personalized manner, and therefore capture more prospective clients online. Now that you’re familiar with some of the top live chat apps for lawyers, you can conduct your own research to determine which chat app is the best fit for your firm. If you have any questions on the above live chat apps for lawyers or need assistance driving more traffic to your firm’s website,

No matter what you’re going through, however, lots of entrepreneurs have been-there, done-that, too. Which means you can quickly access copious helpful information via various small business blogs and websites.

And because you’re busy running your business, we’ve done some of the grunt work for you. Here are 15 business blogs that consistently provide good ideas and tips for business in NC:

1. Seth’s Blog | seths.blog

What you’ll find: One of the most-read blogs in the history of blogging. Seth Godin writes business marketing articles in easy-to-digest sizes. He eschews lots of fancy words, too, like “eschew.”

Why it matters: Seth Godin knows what he’s talking about. He walks the walk.

Who should read it: Anyone who doesn’t have a seven-figure marketing budget.

2. Copyblogger | www.copyblogger.com

What you’ll find: Advice on how to keep fresh, compelling content on your website.

Why it matters: A company web site that’s stagnant—with no constantly fresh content—is missing out on leads.

Who should read it: Anybody who does their company’s marketing.

3. Kabbage | www.kabbage.com/blog

What you’ll find: This online lending company for small businesses provides helpful tips like Dos and Don’ts for Pitching to Investors.

Why it matters: Few other blogs address unsexy yet necessary topics like how to handle sales tax.

Who should read it: Any entrepreneur who realizes she doesn’t have all the answers.

4. Noobpreneur | www.noobpreneur.com/blog

What you’ll find: Articles written for small business entrepreneurs. The CEO of Exxon Mobil can take his eyes elsewhere.

Why it matters: It’s focused on entrepreneurial newbies, aka noobpreneurs, who are still learning the basics.

Who should read it: Anyone who is considering a new venture or has recently started one.

5. Harvard Business Review | hbr.org

What you’ll find: In-depth articles on nearly everything business-related like how to be nice about it when you need to exclude associates from meetings.

Why it matters: HBR started nearly a century ago. They’ve learned a few things since then.

Who should read it: Anyone who wants to start a sentence with “Harvard Business Review says…”

6. Insights by Stanford Business | gsb.stanford.edu/insights

What you’ll find: In addition to entrepreneurship, topic categories range from accounting to social impact.

Why it matters: Harvard isn’t the only college with a lot of smart people.

Who should read it: Anyone seeking knowledge beyond the usual startup tips. For example, the potential effects of CEO activism.

7. Fast Company | www.fastcompany.com

What you’ll find: a broad range of topics including books that business owners should read.

Why it matters: Fast Company regularly curates lists like the most innovative company and the best world-changing ideas.

Who should read it: Anyone who likes to keep updated on the latest business, marketing, and entertainment trends.

8. MarketingProfs | www.marketingprofs.com

What you’ll find: In addition to the training content it provides, MarketingProfs posts articles, like how to put together an effective video marketing program.

Why it matters: Video marketing, such as the power of video testimonials, is essential for small businesses.

Who should read it: Anyone who knows they don’t know it all.

9. Hubspot | blog.hubspot.com

What you’ll find: A treasure trove of advice broken down by marketing, sales, service, and trends.

Why it matters: As a marketing automation company, Hubspot preaches the importance of solid content in emails and on websites. The blog proves they practice what they preach.

Who should read it: Anyone seeking practical advice on what makes effective web marketing.

10. Entrepreneur | www.entrepreneur.com

What you’ll find: A massive amount of content aimed at anyone who is, was, or intends to become an entrepreneur.

Why it matters: With more than 40 years of publishing under its belt, Entrepreneur has reported on nearly every conceivable type of small business venture.

Who should read it: Anyone seeking inspiration or cautionary tales from the stories of other entrepreneurs.

11. Duct Tape Marketing | ducttapemarketing.com/blog/

What you’ll find: Hundreds of blog posts broken down into helpful categories like lead generation, SEO, and content marketing.

Why it’s important: As the name implies, Duct Tape Marketing knows most of entrepreneurs aren’t sitting on a pile of cash.

Who should read it: Anyone sitting on a pile of pennies.

12. American Express | www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/

What you’ll find: Trending topics, yes, but also advice on perpetual challenges like managing cash flow.

Why it’s important: American Express was one of the first companies to see value in creating exclusive online content for its business members.

Who should read it: Any entrepreneur who prefers the color black to red.

13. Forrester | go.forrester.com/blogs/

What you’ll find: Business insights with a technological bent.

Why it’s important: Forrester charges their clients a lot of money for in-depth research, but their free articles also provide value.

Who should read it: Anyone interested in learning how emerging technologies can help them succeed.

14. StartupNation | startupnation.com

What you’ll find: Daily tips designed for entrepreneurs such as how to get your business off the ground with time management techniques.

Why it’s important: Articles are brief yet give plenty of practical tips for startups.

Who should read it: Any entrepreneur who wants to skip the fluff and get down to business.

15. Small Biz Survival | smallbizsurvival.com

What you’ll find: A resource uniquely designed for small town/rural entrepreneurship.

Why it’s important: A lot of great entrepreneurs reside far from D.C. or Charlotte and right here in Currituck County.

Who should read it: Entrepreneurs who embrace the potential of small town North Carolina.

As we said, it takes a special kind of person to start and run a small business. And we know your time is at a premium. We've curated these sites to save you the time of doing it yourself, and also because they offer a lot of great advice.

And don't forget, any time you need it, Currituck County Economic Development is here to provide more specific advice. We'd love to hear from you.

What is the best consumer review site?

What Are The Best Product Review Sites?.

Consumer Reports. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports is one of the internet's oldest and most reliable product review sites. ... .

Best Products. ... .

CNET. ... .

Wirecutter. ... .

OveReview. ... .

Byrdie. ... .

The Spruce. ... .

Bestcovery..

Which is best website for business news?

Top 15 Business Websites.

Bloomberg. Bloomberg delivers business and markets news, data, analysis, and video to the world, featuring stories from Businessweek and Bloomberg News..

Bloomberg BusinessWeek. ... .

Business Insider. ... .

CNBC. ... .

CNN Money. ... .

Financial Times. ... .

Forbes. ... .

Google Finance..

What is the best website for business ideas?

Bookmark these business websites.

AllBusiness.com. This is one of the most comprehensive sites on the web for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. ... .

Bloomberg. ... .

Business Insider. ... .

CNBC. ... .

Financial Times. ... .

Forbes. ... .

Inc. ... .

Inman.com..

Where can I find reviews for businesses?

Best Consumer Business Review Websites in Your Industry.

Google Business Profile - A must for every local business..

Yelp - Great for organic local search..

Facebook -

1 social network..

Angie's List - The home of home services. ... .

Better Business Bureau (BBB) - A place for business owners to build trust and credibility..