What the public data says, topic by topic
Reports
Industry and topic reports compiled from cited public sources, each ending with what the findings mean for a service business and what to do about them.
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South Carolina small business statistics 2026: a compiled outlook
South Carolina small business statistics for 2026 describe a growing, small-firm economy. The SBA counts 530,402 small businesses in the state, 99.4% of all businesses, employing 42.9% of private-sector workers. SC payrolls grew 2.3% in the year to September 2026, led by leisure and hospitality and health care, and unemployment stood at 4.0%, below the national 4.2%.
Report · Oct 22, 2026
Dental practice trends report: economics, staffing and patients
The main dental practice trends are a fiscal squeeze, tight hygienist staffing and softer patient volume. The ADA Health Policy Institute reports about one-third of dentists say their practice is not busy enough, two-thirds raised fees in 2025, and 91% of those recruiting hygienists found it very or extremely challenging. Many dentists still feel confident about their own practice.
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Report · Oct 21, 2026
Accounting and tax firms: technology and AI trends report
The main accounting firm technology trends are near-universal use of AI tools, steady time savings and a lag in training and policy. Karbon's 2026 survey of 593 accounting professionals found 98% use AI and save about 60 minutes a day on average, yet only 46% of firms invest in AI training. Thomson Reuters found AI was the only technology budget category growing year over year.
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Reports · ConsultingSouth Carolina small business statistics 2026: a compiled outlookSouth Carolina small business statistics for 2026 describe a growing, small-firm economy. The SBA counts 530,402 small businesses in the state, 99.4% of all businesses, employing 42.9% of private-sector workers. SC payrolls grew 2.3% in the year to September 2026, led by leisure and hospitality and health care, and unemployment stood at 4.0%, below the national 4.2%.Oct 27, 20268 min readReports · ConsultingDental practice trends report: economics, staffing and patientsThe main dental practice trends are a fiscal squeeze, tight hygienist staffing and softer patient volume. The ADA Health Policy Institute reports about one-third of dentists say their practice is not busy enough, two-thirds raised fees in 2025, and 91% of those recruiting hygienists found it very or extremely challenging. Many dentists still feel confident about their own practice.Oct 22, 20268 min readReports · AutomationAccounting and tax firms: technology and AI trends reportThe main accounting firm technology trends are near-universal use of AI tools, steady time savings and a lag in training and policy. Karbon's 2026 survey of 593 accounting professionals found 98% use AI and save about 60 minutes a day on average, yet only 46% of firms invest in AI training. Thomson Reuters found AI was the only technology budget category growing year over year.Oct 21, 20268 min readReports · MarketingHome buyers and sellers: how they find and choose an agentCurrent home buyer and seller trends show referrals still lead, but online research is rising fast and speed of contact decides many hires. NAR's 2025 Profile found 43% of buyers used an agent found through a referral. Zillow's 2025 research found 36% of sellers now find their agent online, up from 15% in 2018, and 47% of buyers and 59% of sellers hired the first agent they spoke with.Oct 14, 20267 min readReports · CommunicationsAuto repair industry trends: where drivers go and whyThe main auto repair industry trends are older vehicles, service shifting from dealerships to independent shops, and customers who reward clear communication. Cox Automotive found dealerships handle 12% fewer service visits than in 2018 and 45% of owners are dissatisfied with dealer service, mainly over unexpected costs and poor communication, while 49% of customers who get photos or videos of the issue are more likely to approve the work.Oct 8, 20268 min readReports · CommunicationsInsurance shopping trends: how customers compare, buy and switchInsurance shopping trends point to customers who compare often and buy across more channels. J.D. Power found 57% of auto insurance customers shopped in its 2025 study, a record, easing to 53% in 2026, with shoppers collecting about three and a half quotes and 48% of new auto policies bought digitally. Policyholders who use independent agents still want a person involved, and 83% expect a reply within one business day, according to Vertafore.Oct 8, 20268 min readReports · MarketingEmail marketing benchmarks for service businessesCurrent email marketing benchmarks put the average open rate between about 35% and 44% and the average click rate between about 2% and 2.6%, depending on the platform. MailerLite's 2025 data shows a 43.46% median open rate and 2.09% click rate; Mailchimp reports 35.63% and 2.62%. Open rates are inflated by Apple Mail Privacy Protection, so click rate is the more reliable number to judge.Oct 7, 20267 min readReports · MarketingFitness industry statistics: members, studios and spendingFitness industry statistics show record demand: the Health & Fitness Association counts 81 million U.S. fitness facility members in 2025, up 5.2% from 2024, with more than 100 million people using a facility and about 7 billion visits. More than a quarter of members belong to more than one facility, and over 75% of studio users hold another membership.Oct 1, 20267 min readReports · CommunicationsCustomer experience trends: what customers expect in 2026Customer experience trends for 2026 center on speed, memory and honesty. Zendesk found 74% of consumers are frustrated when they have to repeat themselves and 74% now expect around-the-clock service. Salesforce found 72% of consumers trust companies less than a year earlier, and both Salesforce and Twilio found a majority want to know when they are dealing with AI rather than a person.Sep 30, 20268 min readReports · CommunicationsBusiness texting report: what customers expect from text messagesBusiness texting statistics show text is the preferred channel for many routine messages: Phreesia found 48% of patients prefer appointment reminders by text, compared with 29% for phone calls and 21% for email. Customers want a real person behind the texts, with 74% in a Podium survey more likely to text a local business if a person would reply. Delivery now depends on carrier registration (A2P 10DLC) and FCC opt-out rules.Sep 24, 20268 min readReports · MarketingGoogle Ads costs for service businesses: a benchmark reportThe average Google Ads cost per lead across industries was $66.69 in LocaliQ's 2026 search advertising benchmarks, with an average cost per click of $5.42 and a conversion rate of 8.18%. Service industries vary widely: attorneys and legal services averaged $131.63 per lead, while automotive repair averaged $29.96. Cost per lead fell for the first time in five years, even as clicks got more expensive.Sep 24, 20268 min readReports · MarketingHome services spending trends: what households buy and how they hireHome services spending trends point toward maintenance and repairs over big remodels. Angi found average homeowner project spending rose 3.5% to $12,472 in 2025, with maintenance up from $1,750 to $2,041 and emergency repairs up from $978 to $1,143, while improvement spending held flat. Finding a qualified pro remains the main obstacle: 54% of homeowners struggled with it in 2024.Sep 24, 20268 min read
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