THE RESOURCES  PROVIDED HERE OFFER A WEALTH OF INFORMATION FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER

Since surfing the web for answers to your questions can sometimes be an overwhelming task, I have carefully screened and selected some of the best online business resources for you. While you can access the whole site and its home pages, I have reviewed them for you, so you know what are the strengths of each and how to look for information for the small business owner.

Business.com  -  This is a great resource which is set up as a search engine and directory to help entrepreneurs  find products & services they need for business success.  They have over 65,000 listings.  You can easily search your interested category.  Some good examples are:

• Telecommunications - a resource for business phone systems
• Computers -  a resource for business computer vendors, offering new laptop or desktop as well as server solutions
• Compuer Security -  a resource for computer security products.  Help crafting the right hardware and software solution for your business computer system.
• Hiring -  Staffing resources for your company including providers of hiring assistance and staff retention services. Companies to help with staffing strategy, hiring employees, creating job loyalty, and retaining staff.
• Employee Benefits -  Providers of employee benefits services including benefit compensation plans. Also vendors that offer information on employee health, retirement and time off benefits as well as employee benefits management services.

About.com  -  About. com was founded in 1996 with a simple premise, that people are the best Guides to the Internet. . Today, when you read an article on About.com, you are tapping into a powerful network of 500 Guides -- smart, passionate, accomplished people who are experts in their field. Almost all articles are informative, to the point, and give practical advice.  While about.com deals with all subject matter,  it does have selected features related to business.

• Best Small Business Opportunities  -  whether you are starting a new business or looking for new markets for an existing business, this article gives you exciting new ideas and small business oppportunties you may not have even considered.
• Recruiting Stars: Recruiting Great Candidates -  having great people working in your company is one of the most important factors contributing to a successful business.  These articles give you an insight how to find them.
• Business Law & Taxes:   This about guide expert walks you through the basuc steps of what are the best tax practices to imploy in your business  , and what do to to avoid an audit.

Small Business.com  -   The information you find on SmallBusiness.com is developed from lay business people like you & me.  It is set up as a wiki.  . At the top of each page, you will see photos of the people who created and have worked on that page. At the top of the right column of every page, you'll see the individuals who have made the latest changes, anywhere.  The home page seems cluttered and hard to negotiate, but in general the articles are worthwhile and include good information.     In my quick review of the site I think their "How to guide"  section can be very useful.   I have listed a couple that can be particularly helpful belwo:

• Buying a Franchise    -   By purchasing a franchise, you often can sell goods and services that have instant name recognition and can obtain training and ongoing support to help you succeed. But be cautious. Like any investment, purchasing a franchise is not a guarantee of success.  In addition, to help you evaluate whether owning a franchise is right for you, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has  information that is included in this review.
• Creating a Website   -  However, when it comes to setting up a website, there are so many options, chosing what to do is often confusing for a non-technical small or independent business owner. This guide is designed to take some of the mystery out of that decision process.
• Copyright and Trademark -   It's not easy to think about ideas as property, but for some businesses it's vital. Most of us have had an idea for a new product or service only to dismiss, postpone, or neglect it. Sometimes we later find that others had the same idea, but took it to market before we did. By that time, it is too late for us to take advantage of the idea.

All Business.com  -  this is a site which has a tagline of "The one stop resource for growing businesses".   I find that it is fairly clear and direct and has a number of useful tools.  In particular they have to sub pages which they make reference to business bloggers and business advisers who have informative solutions for business challenges

• Business Bloggers -  this includes a team of expers with years of experience in their fields providing solutions to problems.   Some categories they address are; e-commerce & internet, legal, medical, operations, and women in business.
• Business Advice -  offering targeted video or print articles with informaiton to help solve busienss problems. 

 For Product Information See:

• Business Planning -  How to Make a Business Plan
• Small Business Loans - Money for Busines Start up or Expansion
• Group Health Insurance -  Affordable Small Business Health Insurance
• Sales & Marketing -  Sales & Marketing Tools from the Experts
• Strategic Business Plans -  Profitable Business Analysis for New Project