SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
Start-Up
Biz StatsThis is the leading online source for small business statistics, including financial ratios, benchmarks, and information as specific as the safest and riskiest types of small businesses.
BplansOwned and operated by Palo Alto Software, Inc. as a free resource to help entrepreneurs plan better businesses, the site contains guidelines for writing business marketing, Web strategy, and advertising plans; it also contains the largest single collection of free (and some for-fee) sample business plans.
California Business PortalThis guide to starting a business in California is maintained by the Secretary of State; it is available in English and Spanish.
Entrepreneur.comMaintained by Entrepreneur Magazine to support new business ideas and growing companies, the site contains tips, articles, and online resources on everything for people starting a small business. It is also available in Spanish as Soy Entrepreneur.
Idea CafeThis site, developed by successful entrepreneurs and authors of guides on forming and running a business, contains a wealth of information on starting a small business in an entertaining, step-by-step manner.
PatentCafeGuidance and helpful tips on how to market and patent new products.
SBA's Sample Business PlanRecommended for anyone starting a business, this is a very good general outline for a business plan.
Small Business Startups: Business Plans & EntitiesThe Microsoft Small Business Center provides links to important issues dealing with business plans & entities: 1) Is LLC the best entity for your business? 2)'Oedipus Wrecks' and other business names to avoid 3) Pick the business entity that's right for you 4) How to write a business plan 5) Start your business partnership off right 6) How to find America's best-paying cities 7) More pros than cons to becoming an S corporation 8) Sole proprietorships: simple, but not very flexible 9) C corporations: Benefits are a big (deductible) benefit 10) Best and worst states to run a small business 11) 7 biggest mistakes of business startups.
Startup JournalAn online resource updated daily by The Wall Street Journal, this site contains practical tools, links to reliable resources, timely news, and information on current business opportunities.
Start-up KitsThese kits offer how-to guides, start-up cost estimates, research tips, and links to associations and franchises for over 40 types of businesses.