SMALL BIZ SURFING
Internet Resources for Small Businesses: From IRS Filing to Trademark Protection
Compiled and edited by Meenakshi Viswanathan and Kristen Picard
Following is a list of Web resources for small-business owners, compiled from online directories, Small Business Administration publications and the Business Journal’s archives.
FINANCING
n www.abiworld.org
Archive of more than 6,000 research documents on bankruptcy and credit-related topics, written by scholars in the field of bankruptcy law. Also analyses of current trends and legislation.
n www.betterlending.com
Hundreds of lenders and thousands of plans and programs. Find out about financing options, special programs and “niche” sources of capital, or get personalized advice by e-mail.
n www.businessfinance.com
America’s Business Funding Directory: list of potential funding sources for business or real estate projects.
n www.entrepreneurmag.com
Click on Money tab: guide to raising money for your small or home-based business.
n www.findingmoney.com
Advice on how to raise venture capital, how to find angel investors and how to obtain bank loans to start or grow a small business.
n www.inc.com
Click on Guides tab and scroll down to Finance and Capital section. Topics include angel investors, bootstrapping and venture capital among others.
n www.vfinance.com
The Venture Capital Resource Library: directory of venture capital resources and related services.
GOVERNMENT AND
ORGANIZATIONS
n www.access.gpo.gov
The Code of Federal Regulations is the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the federal government.
n www.census.gov
Census Bureau: statistical abstracts of U.S., states and regions
n www.irs.ustreas.gov
Internal Revenue Service Web site.
n www.mbda.gov
Minority Business Development Agency Web site.
n www.nawbo.org
National Association of Women Business Owners Web site.
n www.ocbc.org
Orange County Business Council Web site.
n www.oc.ca.gov
Orange County’s Web site.
n www.pueblo.gsa.gov/smbuss.htm
Federal Consumer Information Center: provides online versions of books on the legal issues involved in starting and running a small business.
n www.sba.gov
U.S. Small Business Administration provides programs, information and financing for small businesses.
HUMAN RESOURCES
n www.ehealthinsurance.com
Site for small businesses and individuals to find health insurance, with more than 4,000 plans from major carriers.
n www.employeepolicies.com
Employee policies on disk; can be customized.
n www.trainingcenter.com
Online computer training.
n www.trainonvideo.com
Video training courses and other computer information.
INFORMATION RESOURCES
n www.allsmallbiz.com
Search engine for small business-related Web sites. Also has an e-mail news service with information relevant to small businesses.
n www.bankrate.com/brm/biz_home.asp
Financial information and links on various issues related to starting and running a small business.
n www.bizoffice.com
Web site for small businesses, with links to several sites offering services to small and home-based businesses.
n www.business.com
Portal for business information.
n www.corporate.com
Information on incorporating, forming a limited liability corporation and running a business.
n www.entrepreneurmag.com
Site on how to start and run a small business.
n www.office.com
Articles and advice on starting and running a small business.
n www.profitbooks.com
Profit Source Publishing: books, CD-ROMs, links and other offerings for small businesses.
n www.score.org
Service Corps of Retired Executives is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as volunteer business counselors.
n www.smallbusiness101.com
Resources for first-time entrepreneurs, franchisees and small business owners.
LEGAL
n www.freeadvice.com
Provides free answers to legal questions.
n www.lawguru.com
Articles, frequently asked questions and news about legal issues, forms, list of attorneys, Internet law library.
n www.lawhog.com/smallbusiness.shtml
Small-business legal site for the non-lawyer. Provides answers to common questions, without jargon or legalese, plus offers ask-a-lawyer forums, discussion groups and more.
TRADEMARKS
n www.nameprotect.com
Web site offers trademark research and registration services.
n www.tmweb.com
Trademark-related information and search service for U.S. and Canadian federal trademarks.
,Compiled and edited by Meenakshi Viswanathan and Kristen Picard
