Web Sites for Small Businesses

Allbusiness.com
Downloadable forms, contracts, expert business advice, directories, and other resources for small and growing businesses and entrepreneurs can be found here. The site has been recommended by the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Fortune, among others.

Bay Area BusinessWoman
An online magazine for women in the business world, this site aims to connect women in business, the community, and the arts.

Business Owners' Idea Cafe
Billed as "a fun approach to serious business," this site features networking opportunities along with all kinds of information on starting and running a small business.

Edward Lowe Foundation
This nonprofit agency focuses on "second-stage" businesses, those that have survived the start-up process and are ready to take steps to improve and expand their businesses.

Elance
This site matches freelance graphic designers, bookkeepers, legal consultants and other specialists with businesses that need outside services. Small businesses can list projects for free and get bids from freelancers, who pay a fee to list their services.

The Entrepreneurs' Help Page
Young business professionals created this site in order to help young and inexperienced entrepreneurs have access to the basic information needed to start and run a business. Information on insurance, business financing, loans, legal matters and management issues are included. The site also includes sections on marketing, strategy, setting up an office, and business humor.

Health Coverage Guide
Wondering where to start in providing health coverage to your small business employees in California? This philanthropic organization gives you a step-by-step guide to setting up health plans, and includes legal considerations. Operated by the California HealthCare Foundation.

MoreBusiness.com
Operated by a business consulting firm, Morebusiness.com provides articles, business how-to's, templates for business plans and various forms, and financial calculators and tools. A free newsletter offers helpful articles and tips for the small business owner.

MyOwnBusiness.com
Founded by a Los Angeles entrepreneur in response to the 1992 riots, the nonprofit My Own Business offers a free online course in how to start a small business. Fee-based courses are also offered.

Nolo Small Business Law Center
Nolo focuses on the legal aspects of small business enterprises. The site includes free articles and links to material from writing business plans and choosing a name, to business structures, employee issues, taxes, licensing, and numerous other areas of interest.

The Small Business Institute
Affiliated with California State University, Fresno, this site offers free help in developing a business plan. Its goal is to meet the needs of ethnically diverse small business entrepreneurs.