USE THE INTERNET

The World At Your Fingertips

Index for this section:

1) Useful Search Engines:

2) Sites of Interest to most small businesses

3) SCORE’s alphabetical resource list by subject for entrepreneurs

A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z

Return to top

Websites of interest to many small Businesses:

Site	URL/Address	Content
eMarketer	http://www.emarketer.com	Statistics & reports
EntreWorld	http://www.entreworld.org	1,000 plus small bus resources
Inc Online	http://www.inc.com	Tools for Small Business owners
Intn’l Trade Administration	http://www.ita.doc.gov	Export related information
IRS	http://www.irs.gov	Forms & tax information
National retail Federation	http://www.nrf.com	Largest retail association
SCORE	http://www.score.org	Free, small business counseling
U.S. Census Bureau	http://www.census.gov	Demographics, maps & counts
U.S. Federal Government	http://www.business.gov	100,000 plus databases
U.S. Patent /Trademark Offices	http://www.uspto.gov	Search, print & find
U.S. Small Business Admin	http://www.sba.gov	Everything for small business
Visa Small Business	http://www.visabusiness.com	Credit card & business info
Wall St Journal Interactive	http://www.wsj.com	WSJ online
Working Solo	http://www.workingsolo.com	For & about home based bus’s
E-mail address directory	http://www.bigfoot.com	Search e-mail addresses
Marketing data service	http://www.zapdata.com	Profiles, reports, profiles
Trade show information	http://www.tsnn.com	Where, when & what
Commerce Business Daily	http://cbd.cos.com/	Government contracting
Consumer Information center	http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov	Publications
Minority Business Development	http://www.mbda.gov	Government agency
Women Business Owners	http://www.nfwbo.org	National Foundation
SmallbizNet	http://www.lowe.org	Document database
Social Security Administration	http://www.ssa.gov	Everything about Soc Security
Thomas Register	http://www.thomasregister.com/	Directory of U.S. manufacturers
Womens Business Center	http://www.onlinewbc.gov	Women & Business
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce	http://www.ushcc.com	National information
The Company Corporation	http://www.incorporate.com	sba Business incorporation
CalGold	http://www.calgold.ca.gov	Permit, license & registration requirements made easy
Green2Gold	http://www.green2gold.org/	Saving the Earth
Women Business Owners	http://www.nawbo.org	Resource for women entrepreneurs
The Federal marketplace	http://www.fedmarket.com	About doing business with gov’t
Franchise information	http://www.betheboss.com	Information & opportunities
Business Guide to the Web	http://www.bizweb.com	Online supplier network
Federal Statistics	http://www.fedstats.gov	Statistical information
FirstGov	http://www.firstgov.gov	Gateway to ALL gov sites
Government Contracting Resource Center	http://www.govcon.com	Current business opportunities and contractor profiles
Marketplace Resource Center	http://www.imarketinc.com	Analysis of industries
Media Finder	http://www.mediafinder.com	Ad & list rates for print media
National Association for the Self-Employed	http://www.nase.org	Small business issues
Small Business 2000	http://www.sb2000.com	Small business advice
Santa Barbara Small Biz	http://www.smallbizentrepcntr.org	Local Resource
National Federation of Independent Business	http://www.nfib.org	Educational information for small business owners
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Center	http://www.uschamber.com/sb	The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Center is a one-stop shop for small businesses containing everything from practical business advice to the latest small business news from Washington, D.C.
WorkZ.com	http://www.workz.com	Create & maintain a website
Direct Marketing Association	http://www.the-dma.org	Largest association
Global marketplace	http://www.elance.com	Professional leads to services
Market for your talents	http://www.sologig.com	Sell your services
WomanOwned.COM	http://www.womanowned.com	Woman owned businesses
NOLO Law for all	http://www.nolo.com	Law in plain-English
U.S. Business Advisor	http://www.business.gov/busadv	Helping you in business

Return to top

SCORE’s alphabetical resource list by subject for entrepreneurs

A:
Advertising:
-Media Finder www.mediafinder.com  Ad & list rates for print media
Associations:
Trade associations around the world: http://www.marketingsource.com/associations Searchable option of trade associations around the world.
AT & T Toll Free:
The easy way to find toll free numbers: http://www.tollfree.att.net/tf.html

Return to top

B:
Balance Sheet:
-Describes how to prepare a balance sheet for a business: http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html Part of the Small Business administration business plan outline.

Business Education:
-National Federation of Independent Business: http://www.nfib.org  Educational information for small business owners.

-Small Business Center for Education: http://sba.gov/training

Business Issues & Advice:
-National Association for the Self-Employed www.nase.org Small business issues
- Small Business 2000 www.sb2000.com Small business advice
-Online tools for small businesses: http://www.inc.com/tools/  Checklists, sample documents, and many other items to assist a small business.
Business Plan:
-This is an easy to follow, step-by-step approach for this complex subject: http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html Prepared by the Small Business Administration. . It offers a a self paced activity that can be downloaded or viewed online.
Business Plan Samples:
-Samples of completed business plans for various types of businesses. http://www.bplans.com/samples/index.cfm?affiliates=bplans
Business Plan Software:
-Free shareware and software for writing a business plan with template and tools for business planning, financial projections and strategy development: http://www.planware.org/freeware.htm
Business Publications:
-Search online for articles from current business publications: http://www.bpubs.com
Home Based Businesses:
Working Solo www.workingsolo.com  For & about home based businesses

Return to top

C:
California Business Information:

Cash Flow:
-Generating a business cash flow projection:     http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html
Part of the Small Business Administration business plan outline.
Census:
-U.S. Census Bureau Demographics, maps & counts: http://www.census.gov
Chamber of Commerce:
-U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: http://www.ushcc.com  National information
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce: www.chamberbiz.com  300 state & local sites
Computer Help:
-Learn how to save money on your small business computer support costs at smallbiztechtalk.com: http://www.smallbiztechtalk.com
Contracting:
- Commerce Business Daily http://www.ld.com/otherbid.html Contracting Offices: City/State & local by state.
-Commerce Business Daily http://www.ld.com Information & links for government bidding.
-Government Contracting Resource Center www.govcon.com  Current business opportunities and contractor profiles
Copyright:
-How-to Information from the U.S.Copyright Office: http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright
Credit Cards:
- Visa Small Business www.visabusiness.com  Credit card & business info

Return to top

D:
Databases:
-U.S. Federal Government ~100,000 plus databases: http:// www.business.gov 
Demographics for State & County:
-Census Bureau:
http://www.census.gov/main/www/subjects.html

Demographics from Census Bureau:
-Census Bureau:
http://venus.census.gov/

Dictionary:
-Small Business Dictionary: Provides definitions as a ready reference to 2,500 of the most commonly used small business terms.
http://www.small-business-dictionary.org
Documents:
-Document database: http://www.lowe.org  SmallbizNet
Domain Naming:
-Several sites for obtaining domain name availability. Also provide real time registration for a domain name.
http://www-internic.net
Very easy to use.
http://www.verisign.net Verisign web site.
-Another resource for registering your domain name and getting help setting up your business's web site: http://www.namesdotcom.com/

Return to top

E:
E-Mail Addresses::
-E-mail address directory http://www.bigfoot.com  Search for e-mail addresses
E-Merging Businesses:
-Find email addresses by using a search engine provided by Big Yellow http://wp.bigyellow.com/info.bela/email1.htm
-E-Merging Business magazine: http://www.ebmagz.com Features rich content about all facets of entrepreneurship. Look for the e-b guides throughout the magazine, which highlight useful hotlinks for small business people.
Exporting/Importing:
-Exporting: The Small Business Administration, Dep’t of Commerce and Ex-Im work cooperatively to assist American small business exporters.
http://www.sba.gov/oit
http://www.buyusa.com
http://www.exim.gov
-Intn’l Trade Administration http://www.ita.doc.gov Export related information

Return to top

 

F:
Federal: (see also Government section)
-The Federal marketplace: http://www.fedmarket.com About doing business with gov’t
Federal Regulations:
-Search capability for finding information on federal regulations by topic: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/index.html
Suggest you first read "helpful hints."
Franchise Resources:
-Search 4000 plus franchise listings, 5000 plus financing sources, and industry headlines: http://www.franchiseworks.com
Use this site to search for opportunities and information.
Franchising Information:
These sites provide information and resources on franchise opportunities: http://www.startupjournal.com
http://4prg.com
http://www.ifranchise.net
http://www.franchiseworks.com
http://betheboss.com

Return to top

G:
Government: (See also: Federal)
-Doing business with government: http://www.fedmarket.com - Gateway to all Government sites.

Return to top

 

H:
Home Based Businesses: (See Also "Business")
Working Solo http://www.workingsolo.com  For & about home based businesses

Return to top

 

I:
Import/Export:
-State and City listing of Ex-Im Bank partners. http://exim.gov/index.htm Provides the names of people to contact for help in exporting/importing products and services
Income Projection Statement:
-Prepare an income statement for a business: http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html
Part of the Small Business Administration business plan outline.
Incorporation:
-Business Incorporation: http://www.incorporate.com/scorelearn Learn about incorporation and limited liability companies (LLCs) from The Company Corporation®. This specific section of the site provides clear and useful information about the advantages of corporations and LLCs as business structures.
Internet Learning Tutor:
Improve Intenet skills: http://www.superpages.com/ilt A free online interactive training series for web users who want to improve their Internet skills.
IRS:
-Forms & tax information http://www.irs.gov

Return to top

L:
Leadership:
-Entrepreneurial Leadership:
http://www.entreworld.org
Entreworld.org, run by the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, provides resources and supports initiatives to improve the environment within which entrepreneurs operate.
Legal Documents Online:
G-enerate many legal documents online: http://legaldocs.com/ This site offers the ability to generate many legal documents online. Many are free and others vary in cost from $2.50 to $27.75. Samples are provided for review.
Legal Information Online:
-Small Business Law Center: http://www.nolo.com/category/sb_home.html Visit the Small Business Law Center and a lot more on this web site.
Library of Solutions:
-A library of solutions to problems, projects, and tasks for small business: http://www.how-to.com The How-To Company is creating a library of solutions to problems, projects, and tasks for small business. In addition to these step-by-step solutions, the company is creating related educational content to enrich your learning experience.

Return to top

M:
Marketing:
-Direct Marketing Association http://www.the-dma.org Leading marketing association
-Marketing data service: http://www.zapdata.com   Profiles & reports
- Marketplace Resource Center http://www.imarketinc.com Analysis of industries
Marketing Services:
-Global marketplace http://www.elance.com  Professional leads to services.
-Sell Your Services: http://www.sologig.com Market your talents.
Marketplace for Industrial Buying:
-ThomasRegional.com http://www.thomasregional.com/newtrd/index.html Search for access to products and services from industrial distributors and manufacturers.
Minority Owned Businesses:
-Minority Business Development: www.mbda.gov Government agency

Return to top

N:
NAICS:
-This Census Bureau site shows the comparison classification numbers.
http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naicstab.htm
The North American Industrial Classification System of 1997 now replaces the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) of 1987.

Return to top

P:
Patents:
-The comprehensive discussion prepared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office." http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/
Patent Search:
-US Patent & Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov
Patent General:
- U.S. Patent /Trademark Offices Search, print & find patent information: www.uspto.gov 
Postal Rates Domestic:
-Calculate postal rates for domestic mailings:http://postcalc.usps.gov/
Postal Rates International:
-Calculate postal rates for international mailings:http://ircalc.usps.gov/
Publications:
-Publications: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov Consumer Information center
-Media Finder http://www.mediafinder.com  Ad & list rates for print media

Return to top

 

R:
Recruiting:
-Get help finding employees or listing job openings using http://www.careerbuilder.com
Resources:
-1,000 plus small bus resources www.entreworld.org EntreWorld
Retail:
-National retail Federation www.nrf.com Largest retail association

Return to top

 

S:
SCORE:  
-Free, small business counseling: www.score.org
Search Engines: (see also "Web")
-Directory Guide: www.directoryguide.com  400 search engines, etc
Services: (see also Marketing)
-Global marketplace http://www.elance.com  Professional leads to services.
-Sell Your Services: http://www.sologig.com Market your talents.
Small Business:
- U.S. Small Business Admin. http://www.sba.gov Everything for small business.
Small Business Terms:
-Glossary to familiarize yourself with business and industry terms. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/business/specials/glossary/index.html
Visit The Washington Post .com Business Organized alphabetically.
Social Security:
-Social Security Administration http://www.ssa.gov  Everything about Soc Security
Starting a Business:
-Check out the online guide to starting a business, from developing the business plan, to choosing the insurance company. http://www.thinkinglike.com/ Thinking like an Entrepreneur is a site authored by a small business professional writer.
Statistics & reports:
-eMarketer http://www.emarketer.com
-Federal Statistics http://www.fedstats.gov  Statistical information
SuperPages.com:
-Find products and services: http://www.superpages.com Superpages.com allows small and medium sized businesses to find the products and services they need online.
Suppliers:
- Business Guide to the Web http://www.bizweb.com Online supplier network

Return to top

T:
Tax Forms & Publications:
-Select and download any IRS form or publication: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/index.html
Tax Help for Small Businesses:
-Get specific assistance and information directly from the IRS http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/bus_info/index.html
Tax Preparation Software:
Online software product for preparing business and personal tax returns—without having to install software: http://www.preptax.com"
Thomas Register of Manufacturers:
-Use the search feature to access the database to locate suppliers or customers: http://www.thomasregister.com/Home.aspx?sid=&uuid=TRGuest
Requires a free pre-registration.
Tools for Small Business owners:
-Online tools for small businesses: http://www.inc.com/tools/  Checklists, sample documents, and many other items to assist a small business.
Trademark:
-Comprehensive process prepared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/doc/basic/
Trademark Search:
-Use this site to search the U.S. Patent and Trademark database: http://www.uspto.gov
Pre-registration is required. A fee charged for each search.
Trade Shows:
-Find trade shows, exhibitors and suppliers or add your event to the searchable industry trade show database at the http://www.tsnn.com Trade Show News Network.
Trade Shows:
-Add your trade show to this site listing events internationally, read industry white papers and take a look at feature articles at http://www.scheduleearth.com
-Trade show information: http://www.tsnn.com Where, when & what

Return to top

V:
Veterans:
Information about joboffers for military personnel and veterans.: http://www.vetjobs.com The site connects transitioning military personnel and veterans and businesses who are searching for highly trained, reliable employees.

Return to top

W:
Wall St. Journal:
- Wall St Journal Interactive http://www.wsj.com  WSJ online
Web Information:
- Community Business Association website with links & information http://cbatucson.org/bri.htm
Web Search Engines:
- Directory Guide http://www.directoryguide.com 400 search engines, etc
Web Site Development:
-Learn all the how-to’s of starting, marketing, selling and maintaining your small business Web site at Poor Richard’s website http://www.poorrichard.com
-An all-in-one e-business center that offers some free and some for fee services to create and customize your web site, conduct e-commerce and more: http://www.bigstep.com/score/
-Create & maintain a website: http://www.workz.com
Web Site Evaluation:
-Evaluate your web site using the Bobby: http://www.cast.org/bobby/ This site shows your ranking in several search engines.
Women in Business:
-Women Business Owners: http://www.nfwbo.org  National Foundation
- Women Business Owners: http://www.nawbo.org Resource for women entrepreneurs
-Womens Business Center http://www.onlinewbc.gov  Women & Business
-Woman owned businesses http://www.womanowned.com A resource for women in business.

Return to top

 

Z:
ZipCode Lookup
-ZIP Codes provided by U.S. Postal service: Search by City or Zip code http://www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html

Return to top

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above listings represent only a sampling of information and links listed on the web. As this is an everchanging environment, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the links or search engines. If you have a problem, please notify the Webmaster. Click here for an e-mail form.