Business Resources on the Internet

 

 

Startup Journal: The Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs

www.startupjournal.com

The Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs provides information on franchising, financing, and general information on running a business.  Includes a database of businesses and franchises for sale, mini-business plan tool, case studies and more.

 

My Own Business: Free Course on How to Start a Business

www.myownbusiness.org

Popular online course on how to avoid failure in starting and operating your own business.  This course is run by MOBI (My Own Business Inc.), a nonprofit organization composed of successful business owners and professionals who donate their time and experience to point out common, but avoidable, mistakes. Topics include: Deciding on a Business, The Business Plan, Computer and Communication Tools, etc.  This site is also available in Spanish at http://www.myownbusiness.org/espanol/index.html

 

Entrepreneur: Starting and Growing a Small Business

www.entrepreneur.com/

Written with practical information and concise, hands-on advice, the website covers the latest developments in technology, money, management and marketing. It includes franchise and business opportunity databases, free e-mail accounts, a chat room, and classifieds as well as articles from Entrepreneur Magazine.  Also available in Spanish.

 

Minority Business Development

www.mbda.gov

Information from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to assist minority business enterprise owners to establish or expand their businesses.

 

Business Finance

www.businessfinance.com

Search the funding criteria of over 4,000 sources for business loans, venture capital, equipment leasing and commercial real estate financing.  Free registration.

 

Small Business Administration

www.sba.gov

The official home page of the Small Business Administration, the website provides information on starting, financing and expanding a business, including a list of “great business hotlinks”, a library of business shareware, and links to SBA online classes. Topics include franchising, business plans, etc.

 

SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Businesses

www.score.org

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) gives small business owners guidance in establishing and maintaining successful enterprises.  The Web site offers disaster advice, links to calculators, free software, business plans, trade shows, and other business resources.  Counselors representing more than 600 skills are available for assistance.  Links to Template Gallery (Business Toolbox) and 60 Second Guides (Learning Center).  For an effective search, you must choose from a list of areas of expertise.

 

Business Owner’s Toolkit

www.toolkit.com

This website offers free information, forms and downloadable checklists, model business plans, and other documents on many topics including employee management, compensation, office equipment, etc.

 

Idea Café

www.businessownersideacafe.com

The Business Owners Idea Café has a fun approach to serious business.  Developed by successful entrepreneurs and authors of published guides on forming and running a business, it includes resources, practical advice, business and marketing plans in both service and manufacturing sectors, and business news.

 

CalGOLD: Business Permits Made Simple

www.calgold.ca.gov

Provides businesses with information on permits and other requirements of California agencies at all levels of government.  Searchable by type of business and location.

 

California Business Portal

www.sos.ca.gov/business/business.htm

Links to “Starting a Business” which addresses many important decisions to make and rules, procedures and filing requirements.

 

Business.gov

www.business.gov

This site is a gateway to government business information.  Formerly BusinessLaw.gov, the site guides you through the maze of government rules and regulation, and provides access to services and resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business.  Includes launching your business, managing your business, growing your business and getting out of business.

 

Internal Revenue Service: Small Business and Self-Employed One Stop Resource

www.irs.gov/businesses/small

This site provides a guide for employers to federal and state tax and wage reporting information … from starting a business, hiring employees, and understanding reporting requirements to closing a business.

 

Insure U for Small Business

www.insureuonline.org/smallbusiness/

From the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), this site seeks “to provide information, tips and considerations about insurance for owners of small companies and home-based businesses”.  Insurance topics include workers’ compensation, business property and liability, commercial auto, and group health and disability.

 

HealthCoverageGuide.org

www.healthcoverageguide.org/

From the California HealthCare Foundation, this site provides “independent, unbiased information” to help “small business owners in California” decide whether to offer health insurance to employees and to choose the best plan for their company and employees.  The site includes legal considerations, coverage eligibility, and step-by-step planning guide for setting up a business health plan.

 

Search Engine Optimization for Small Businesses

www.seomoz.org/blog/the-beginners-checklist-for-small-business-seo

If a small business wants to succeed today, it needs to be findable online.  SEOmoz has published a lengthy, but good search engine optimization checklist: The Beginner’s Checklist for Small Business SEO.

 

 

 

 

 

Buena Park Library District

www.buenaparklibrary.org

August 2008