If you're thinking about starting your own business, the Internet is an excellent place to begin searching for resources and information. Some sites provide almost a step-by-step approach, beginning with formulating an idea.
The U.S. Small Business Administration contains three areas that are a must for anyone starting a new business: Starting Your Business; Financing Your Business; and Great Business Hot-Links. Under Starting Your Business, you'll find links to the Service Corps of Retired Executives who provide training and counseling at no charge; SBA's One Stop Capital Shop which addresses the financial needs of new businesses; and Business Information Centers which provide computers for accessing market research databases, software, and a mountain of information. The SBA even features a Developing Your Business Plan Workshop that will guide you from start to finish in developing a business plan. Not only that, they provide a library of shareware programs for you to download, such as Basics on How to Start Your Own Business.
FranInfo provides information on all aspects of franchising, including help in buying one. The site provides two self tests, one to determine if you're suited to franchise ownership, and one to learn what type of franchise is right for you.
The Idea Cafe features a complete resource of over eighteen ways to finance your business. You'll also find planning advice, chat rooms, and links to business sites on the Web. A search for "startup" produced Idea Cafe's All-in-One First Year Budget Worksheet which you complete online, then print out. The site even calculates the results for you, and it allows you to play with various scenarios to see how they would affect the year end balance.
Nolo Press's Self-Help Law Center features a multitude of articles providing legal help on starting a new business. The articles cover relevant issues before you start your business, legal structures, nonprofit corporations, and home-based business.
Access Business Online SuperSite contains virtually anything related to business and is truly a remarkable site. Access Business features categories such as capital sources, job network, discount products, training, legal help, and much more. The Business Manager offers assistance for new and growing companies by providing how to tips and articles, professional help, business planning, and government aid. Information is provided on topics such as taxes, advertising, personnel, recruiting, and getting leads.
Business Resource Center contains a Getting Started section which features articles in a question and answer format to help you plan your new business. The Financing Section features an overview of financing options. The site also contains a forum on Getting Started where you can post messages or read comments from others.
Inc. Online features a bulletin board on Starting a Business, a Round Table Group of consultants who offer business advice, and interactive worksheets on a variety of subjects. A Complete New Business Survival Kit lists books and articles for starting a new business, such as The Best Cities for Starting and Growing a Business. The site also contains a Software Library where you can download freeware, shareware, and demos.
The sites I've mentioned here will not only provide you with valuable resources in starting your new business but will also provide excellent advice once you get your business up and running.
Previously published in InfoAlert, a publication for business people.
