Many businesses, government and nonprofit organizations have set up home pages on the World Wide Web of the Internet where you can browse through or download helpful business information, view videos and catalogues, and place orders for merchandise, in some cases. Some of the more useful sites for small businesses include the ones listed below.

• ASK.COM and GOOGLE -- But first, if you can't find what you need at any of the sites listed below, you may want to try Ask.com, a remarkably slick, intelligent new type of search engine (more like a genie, actually) that seems to understand most questions you may ask it in English, and does an amazing job of finding answers for you, using the resources of all of the major Web search engines. While not specifically business oriented, using Ask.com is free, and it may at times make you feel like you're living in a Star Trek episode, asking "Computer" to answer your questions about almost anything in the galaxy. And, of course, you can find answers to almost anything on (nearly) everyone's favorite search engine:
  
  Google
  
  
• ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS. -- Become an expert or ask an advisor about anything from financial advice to technical support at this question-and-answer community.
  
  AskMeHelpDesk.com
  
  
• LANGUAGE TRANSLATION ON THE WEB -- If you need to read web pages that are in a foreign language, and can't afford to hire an interpreter, the Alta Vista search engine can translate the web pages from any of 11 major languages into English, or vice versa. While the translations are not perfect, they are pretty good, and are free. You can even type in text on-screen or select a foreign-language web page and see it instantly translated between English and any of the other 11 languages. Check it out next time you are trying to read a foreign web page, and are straining your memory banks, struggling to remember your high school French or Spanish....

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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUSINESS INFORMATION:

• FED WORLD -- This is the central clearing site for Internet sites that are related to the U.S. federal government. It's a good place to start to locate and review available information for a wide array of federal agencies and departments. Its Web address is:
  
  http://www.fedworld.gov
  
  
• SBA ONLINE -- The Small Business Administration has a Web site that provides tips for starting, financing, and expanding a small business. This is also a useful site for locating the Web address (and real address) of the Small Business Development Center or S.C.O.R.E. chapter nearest you, where you can obtain counseling assistance for your small business. The SBA site is at the following Web address:
  
  http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov
  
  
• BUSINESS.GOV -- This site includes many links to other Web sites and includes information on almost every subject for anyone who has dealings with the U.S. federal government. The Web address of the site is:
  
  http://www.business.gov
  
  
• IRS -- The Internal Revenue Service has a Web site from which you can download tax forms and instructions and obtain other tax information, including downloads of free tax publications. You can download the forms and other items to your computer and print them out later, if needed. You'll need Adobe Acrobat (free) or another such "reader" program to view and/or print out the files you download. The IRS Web address is:
  
  http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/
  
  
• EDGAR -- The SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) Web site contains corporate filings that have been submitted to the SEC under the securities laws, including 10K's, 10Q's and other forms. You can access the EDGAR database to search for information about any public company, at this Web address:
  
  http://www.edgar-online.com
  
  
• SEC HOME PAGE -- The Securities and Exchange Commission web site contains a wide range of information on federal securities laws and their enforcement. The SEC web address is:
  
  http://www.sec.gov
  
  
• SEC LAW -- The SEC LAW web site, which is a private (unofficial) site, provides updated information on SEC actions, including a section on small business matters, proposed regulations, and SEC news tidbits. Its Web address is:
  
  http://www.seclaw.com
  
  
• THE WHITE HOUSE -- The White House has set up this popular Internet site, which offers information on many areas of the executive branch of the federal government, among other things. The address on the Web is:
  
  http://www.whitehouse.gov
  
  
• THOMAS -- Not to be outdone by the executive branch, the U.S. Congress has set up THOMAS, a huge collection of accessible information about the workings of the Congress, including the full text of House and Senate legislation. You can now read the full text of pending bills for yourself, without need to hire an expensive and Gucci-shod Washington lobbyist to tell you what is in a proposed new bill. THOMAS can be accessed at:
  
  http://thomas.loc.gov
  
  

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STATE GOVERNMENTS BUSINESS INFORMATION:

• CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AGENCIES -- California is almost like another, slightly smaller, version of the federal government, with more state bureaucracies than you can count (including 3 different state tax collection agencies you must deal with). An excellent starting point on the Web for finding your way through the maze of California government agencies is the following web page, which links to all major California state agencies that are on the Web:
  
  California state agencies
  
  
• NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION LOCATOR SERVICE (NYS GILS) -- The NYS GILS provides a single point of access to information services provided by New York State Government agencies, the State Legislature and the Judiciary, hosted by the New York State Library:
  
  N.Y. Government Information Locator Service
  
  
• WASHINGTON, D.C. HOME PAGE -- For information on doing business in the District of Columbia, a good starting point is the Washington, D.C. home page:
  
  D.C. HOME PAGE
  
  

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PRIVATE SITES OFFERING BUSINESS
INFORMATION AND SERVICES:

• ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE ADVICE - A free online resource with reviews and comparisons of accounting software.

  www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/
  
  

• PROFESSIONAL ONLINE ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS : ACCOUNTS77 - Online accounting software for small businesses. Includes free 30 day trial, web based, easy bookkeeping, time saving, professional invoices. Their aim is to save you money and time while providing you online accounting software that is easy to use and available anywhere, everywhere.
  
  www.accounts77.com
  
  
• LAW OFFICE SOFTWARE PROGRAM - A program from LexisNexis Firm Manager is an entirely web-based, secure practice management application that keeps you and your practice organized and on-task at all times.
  
  http://www.myfirmmanager.com/
  
  
• PAYSLIP CALCULATOR - Calculate and print a payslip -- for free.
  
  http://www.snowdropkcs.co.uk/payslip_calculator.aspx
  
  
• BUSINESS VALUATION SERVICES - Erickson Partners, LLC is located in Dallas, Texas, has evaluated hundreds of businesses throughout the southwestern United States including businesses in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.
  
  www.ericksonpartnersllc.com
  
  
• WEB CONFERENCING - Web conferencing service with VoIP audio and free tele-conferencing. For quality web conferencing meetings courses webinars employee and web based training.
  
  www.webtrain.com/web-conferencing-pricing.asp
  
  
• THE ATTORNEYS FORUM - Legal help and Discussion Forums. Get free legal advice from Attorneys in your area.
  
  http://www.theattorneysforum.com
  
  
• MARKETING TIPS -- At the HP Small Business Community Wiki, you will find a comprehensive source of marketing tips and resources to build your brand and your business.
  
  http://expressioncentersmb.wetpaint.com
  
  
• SMALL BUSINESS LOGOS -- Small Business Logoworks helps you to create a logo for your business with the aid of expert designers, while allowing you to keep control of the process. The site also contains numerous useful articles on various small business topics.
  
  http://smallbusiness.logoworks.com
  
  
• FINANCIAL CRISIS -- Top headlines from around the world related to the global crisis, including financial news, articles, forum, dictionary with every common finance term.
  
  http://www.financialcrisis2009.org
  
  
• DIRECT RESPONSE MARKETING -- Mothers of Invention is a Boston based direct marketing agency offering award winning direct mail advertising services.
  
  http://www.themothersofinvention.com/
  
  
• TRADE FAIRS AND EVENTS - ZNET LIVE -- This useful site provides the Internet's largest directory of trade fairs and business events. It brings you an exhaustive coverage of exhibitions, trade shows & expositions, conferences and seminars for various industries worldwide, including a month-by-month schedule of such fairs and events.
  http://www.znetlive.com/directory/Business-Directory.htm
  
  
• FREE BUSINESS GREETING E-CARDS -- A helping hand, a warm gesture, a little fun and laughter can go a long way to liven up your office space, and help spruce up your work relationships. So whether you want to congratulate a colleague, or thank a client/ co-worker/ boss or joke around with an office pal, jus' pick from 123greetings.com's wide array of delightful, free 'n' animated business greeting cards and make work fun.
  http://www.123greetings.com/business/
  
  
• BOOK OF LISTS -- The Streetwise Small Business Book Of Lists (Adams Media; 2006) is a collection of over 500 critical lists of information every business owner or manager needs to know to make decisions quickly and manage more effectively.  Painstakingly compiled from hundreds of business experts, publications, government resources and websites, the Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists is a one stop answer book for every business owner's questions. Learn what are the lowest-cost franchises to start up, the ten things to consider before buying a new phone system, the most popular ways to decrease  your company's health insurance costs, the top methods for speeding up your cash flow, the most effective steps for reducing travel expenses and much more! For more information and more lists, see:
  
  http://www.smallbizlists.net
  
  

  

• INTERNET HOME BASED BUSINESS GUIDE. -- One of the very best online opportunities available for student and home moms to start business from home. The best way to earn money from your home in your spare time. For more information, see:
  
  http://www.work-at-home-guide.com
  
  
• CB VATAMERICA (RECOVERY OF EUROPEAN VALUE-ADDED TAXES) -- For U.S. companies that incur European value added-taxes (VAT taxes) in European countries, from activities as wide-ranging as imports/exports, trade shows, or employees' expenses of traveling on business in Europe, VATAmerica offers help in the often complex task of obtaining full or partial refunds of such VAT taxes, and does so at interbank currency exchange rates, which can save you a bundle when you do receive a VAT refund.
  
  http://www.VATAmerica.com
  
  
• YOUR FRANCHISE HOME.COM -- A top site for information on franchised businesses, including information on a wide range of franchising categories, links to other helpful franchise sites and franchise ratings.
  
  http://www.yourfranchisehome.com
  
  
• FRANCHIS OPPORTUNITY -- Use franchiseexpo.com's directory to find top franchise opportunities. Buying a franchise can become a prosperous business decision. See what business opportunities await you.
  
  http://franchiseexpo.com
  
  
• PEERSPECTIVES -- Formerly the "Entrepreneurial Edge," this is probably the best site for general business information on the Internet, created by the Edward Lowe Foundation, a private philanthropic organization. It contains a vast number of business resources, and you can order whole books or for a modest fee, pick a subject and use their "fax-on-demand" service to fax specific information back to you on the subjects you select, for a nominal charge. Visit Peerspectives Edge at the following Web address:
  
  http://peerspectives.org
  
  
• MARKET RESEARCH -- Two key sites for locating companies that are on the Net are BizWeb and the Commercial Sites Index. BizWeb is sort of a "yellow pages" listing of companies, arranged by category, but also includes a handy search engine. The Commercial Sites Index lists thousands of companies that have set up a home page on the Net. Access BizWeb at:
  
  http://www.bizweb.com
  
  
• ISO ONLINE -- The International Standards Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, operates this highly useful informational site on ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards, which are becoming increasingly important quality assurance standards for companies operating in international markets. Its web address is:
  
  http://www.iso.org
  
  
• TECHNOLOGY EXPORT MANAGEMENT -- This private web site offers a wealth of free information on exporting goods and services to all parts of the world, provided by an export management consulting firm. The Web address is:
  
  http://www.techxport.com
  
  
• THE COPYRIGHT WEBSITE -- Contains helpful information and advice on how to copyright your writing or other creative works, including a special emphasis on copyright laws as they apply to Web publishing. The Web address for this site is:
  
  http://www.benedict.com
  
  
• AMERICAN CITY BUSINESS JOURNALS -- This site, maintained by the publisher of business journals in more than two dozen major U.S. cities, contains links to each of those local business journals, including sample articles you may view on-line, and the ability to sign up for a subscription to the journal (if any) in your city. The Web address is:
  
  http://www.bizjournals.com
  
  
• INCORPORATE IN DELAWARE OR NEVADA -- AS AN OUT OF STATE CORPORATION. -- CenterPoint Corporate Services provides the best way to take advantage of the business friendly corporate environment of Delaware or Nevada. Incorporate in Delaware or Nevada with the help of this excellent company and operate as an out of state corporation, if your business is based in another state. Limited Liability Company (LLC), C corporation, or S corporation documents are prepared correctly and filed accurately:
  
  http://www.centerpointservices.com
  
  
• LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY FORMATION. -- CenterPoint Corporate Services offers business incorporation and limited liability company formation services, with an emphasis on Nevada and Delaware LLC's and corporations:
  
  http://www.centerpointservices.com
  
  
• LAWINFO.COM LEGAL INFORMATION SITE. -- A very comprehensive site, offering legal information and online legal forms to consumers, small business, and attorneys. One of the most complete sites on the Internet for U.S. legal information, much of it free:
  
  http://www.lawinfo.com
  
  
• SMALL BUSINESS WEBSITES THAT WORK. -- Companion site to the book of the same name, including excerpts and extensive resources for profitable online business. Published in the U.K., the information on how to run a profitable small business website is invaluable in any country:
  
  http://www.sean.co.uk.books/sbwtw/index.shtm
  
  
• 2010 CALIFORNIA REQUIRED NOTICES KIT. -- The CalBizCentral 2007 California Required Notices Kit here! This labor law poster, featured through the California Chamber of Commerce, features all 16 required state and federal notices all California businesses must display in the workplace:
  
  http://www.calbizcentral.com/store/products/pages/california-employment-poster.aspx
  
  
• SOUTHERN UTAH REAL ESTATE. -- If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Southern Utah, contact the Bontadelli Team at ERA Real Estate in Cedar City. For information on available properties in the area and contact information, see:
  
  http://www.cedarcity-realestate.com/
  
  

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FINANCING SOURCES:

The following are some of the best web sites for locating financing for your business, including loans, venture capital, and information on self-financing through an IPO (initial public offering) over the Internet:

• MY.CAPITAL.COM. -- This site provides a searchable database of more than 4,000 venture capital firms and startups looking for business capital. In addition, investors and entrepreneurs looking for capital can post their profiles in our real-time database for interested parties to find them. This service is also free. Go to:
  
  http://www.mycapital.com/
  
  
• LENDERS' INTERACTIVE SERVICES. -- This is an excellent starting point for your search for financing. This interactive site asks you for information about your business, then recommends lenders that may match with your needs, and you can even request that those lenders contact you. Go to:
  
  http://www.lendersinteractive.com
  
  
• SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. -- Of course, one of the best places to find out about the many available SBA loan programs is at the SBA's home page, which contains a wealth of small business loan information, and lists of Certified Development Companies in each state, at:
  
  http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov
  
  
• LOAN PROCESS. -- For information on how to go about obtaining SBA-guaranteed loans or other sources of startup capital, visit the MoreBusiness.com web site and see their helpful guides to startups, financing, or download free business shareware programs, at:
  
  http://www.morebusiness.com
  
  
• FINANCE HUB. -- Approach any or all of long list of bankers for financing at once through this site, which provides links to nearly 100 banks in the U.S. and Canada, at:
  
  http://www.financehub.com
  
  
• SHARPENING YOUR VENTURE CAPITAL PRESENTATION. -- This site will help you to sharpen your presentation to venture capitalists. Check it out at:
  
  http://www.vfinance.com/
  
  
• VISTAWEB -- GOING PUBLIC ON THE NET. Visit this site to get information and advice you can use, to help you decide if your company is one that could or should consider an initial public offering (IPO) of stock over the Internet, which an increasing number of small firms are now doing:
  
  http://www.vistaweb.com
  
  

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BUSINESS HOW-TO BOOKS (SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR STATE):

The STARTING AND OPERATING A BUSINESS IN THE U.S. series of small business tax, legal, and practical guides for each of the 50 states and D.C., are authored by Michael D. Jenkins, J.D., CPA. ("Starting and Operating a Business in California," New York, etc.)

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The print versions of this series sold well over a million copies over two decades, but the final (2000) print version is now several years out of date, and is no longer in print, (although used copies are available through Amazon.com).

The new software/electronic book versions have replaced the 51 print editions formerly published by Oasis Press and the single all-states U.S. Version (which was published by Running 'R' Media).

Each of these electronic books will guide you through the business startup process, including plain-English explanations of complex legal and tax requirements, detailed checklists, and fill-in copies of required federal tax and regulatory forms for your business. Existing businesses will benefit from the broad, up-to-date coverage of federal and state tax and business laws that apply to your business, and income tax and estate planning strategies to help your business keep more of what it earns.

The author, MICHAEL D. JENKINS, a Harvard lawyer and former Big 4 CPA, previously wrote or coauthored all 51 state books in the Starting and Operating a Business series, most of which were co-authored by Ernst & Young or other business experts in the various states.

The new versions include a software front-end program ("The Small Business Advisor") which:

• "Interviews" you about your existing or planned business, asking you a series of simple questions (such as which state you will do business in, how many employees you have, what type of legal entity you will adopt, how many owners, whether you have pension plans, your average gross sales, foreign ownership, if any, type of employee benefit plans you have, etc.);
• Uses the interview information you provide about your business to create a customized version of the entire "Starting and Operating a Business in ...(your state)" book, and saves the files on your computer as HTML files, readable by your web browser. Throughout this entire book the content is based on YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FACTS, and YOUR STATE LAWS AND TAXES, as though an attorney and CPA wrote the entire book specifically for you. At any time, you can change some of the information about your business that you entered in the "interview" (such as number of employees, legal entity type, etc.), and the software will instantly re-create a new book, based on the new facts, in about 1 or 2 seconds -- so you can do "what-if" simulations to see how, for example, hiring another employee or two or increasing your annual gross sales to a higher level may affect your tax burdens or your regulatory obligations as an employer;
• Uses the interview information you provide about your business to create a detailed business startup checklist, based upon your specific fact situation, in YOUR state. The checklist can run from 3 to as many as 6 or more pages, depending on the complexity of your situation and the size of your business, number of employees, etc.;
• Offers "one-click" easy printing of the entire book, if you wish to print out any state edition, as you have customized it. (Each edition is about 450 to 550 pages in length; the books in this Starting and Operating a Business in the U.S. series are the most comprehensive and up-to-date small business tax and legal guides available at any price.);
• Includes, in fill-in .PDF file format, linked to from the book pages, various critically important federal tax and regulatory forms you may need, such as the IRS application for taxpayer I.D. number (Form SS-4), S corporation election (Form 2553), entity tax classification election form (Form 8832), immigration Form I-9 you must complete when hiring each employee, and a state sales tax resale exemption certificate that can be used in all but a few states;
• Includes an entrepreneurial "self-test" to help you decide if you have what it takes to become a successful business owner; and
• Provides an extensive, very detailed outline of a business plan, with instructions, advice, and helpful explanations for every part of the business plan, to help you write a business plan that make a good impression on prospective lenders or investors.
  
  There's nothing else available ... ANYWHERE ... like these CUSTOMIZED small business guidebooks, downloadable or on CD-ROM, covering a full range of the major state and federal taxes, laws, and business regulations that apply to most small businesses -- plus practical advice on many small business topics, ranging from site selection to accounting. All information in each edition updated in the last 1 to 12 months. (We fully revise and update one of the 51 state editions per week -- for every week of the year but Christmas. The "national" portions of the books have all been updated in the last 12 months, with one or two of the 17 "national" chapters updated each month throughout each year, to keep the information throughout the series extremely fresh.)

Editions for all 50 states and a D.C. edition are now fully updated and available for sale, $29.95 for a single-state edition. A $99 Professional Version is also available, which includes the state information for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is an ideal resource for law and accounting firms or other business advisors. All editions are thoroughly footnoted throughout.

See our Product Information web page for more details about this software/electronic book package or CLICK HERE TO ORDER through one of the secure ordering links to our online vendor, the oldest software vendor on the Net, SWREG.ORG.

For more information on any when any state edition of the "Starting and Operating a Business" electronic book series was last fully revised and updated, click here.

...Or, for more on this series and its author, see click here.

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