Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
What do you need to start your business? Guidance? A businessplan? Financing? Marketing strategy? Advice? Feedback?
Before spending big bucks on consultants, attorneys or otherspecialists, spend a little time surfing the Web for a wealth offree information and assistance. For would-be entrepreneurs whosebrilliant ideas are still in the intangible, conceptual stages,http://www.miniplan.com is anexcellent starting point that's ideal for free feedback andguidance. One of several interactive sites operated by Palo AltoSoftware, MiniPlan.com tests and evaluates business ideas. Justanswer some questions and receive an evaluation of your concept, amarket analysis chart, and a break-even table and chart. It'sfast, secure and confidential.
If you're only in the exploratory stage, try our mothermagazine, Entrepreneur's online library, http://www.smallbizsearch.com/starting_out.The site offers insight on choosing a business; ideas on whichsmall, inexpensive businesses to start; and information on whatyou'll need and where to get it. While you're there, accessthe vast books section as well as essential articles from theEntrepreneur family of magazines.
Ready for a real business plan? Without one, your chances ofsuccess are lower-as are your chances of getting financing. Go tohttp://www.bplans.com, whichoffers realistic advice, sample business and marketing plans,outlines, helpful hints and links to great related sites.
If you're not sure what category your business falls into(service, retail or manufacturing, for example), http://www.planwizard.com has theanswer. After responding to several questions, your business typeis defined and you're provided with the appropriate businessplan format. Sample matching plans are suggested for yourreview.
Once you've determined your financial need, check outhttp://www.garage.com for helpin getting it. Garage.com's primary objective is helpingstart-ups obtain seed-level financing through mentoring, ahigh-quality investor network, advice, research and referencematerials, and topical forums. Apply online for freemembership.
CCH Business Owner's Tool Kit (http://www.toolkit.cch.com)provides thousands of pages of essential information on starting,financing, managing and marketing your small business. Find creditreports, trademark searches, critical industry data, an archive ofrecently published news items and "Ask Alice" advicecolumns. You'll also find downloadable checklists, modelbusiness plans, forms and useful documents. Definitely worth alook.
American Express offers visitors a free Small Business Start-UpGuide (http://www6.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/resources/starting/startup)that walks you through the entire process: naming a business,licenses, the most common silly start-up mistakes, and tools andadvice to help you develop concepts and business plans. A plethoraof articles and advice cover everything from buying, managing andfinancing a business to expanding, hiring, marketing, taxes, andmoney issues of all kinds.
Entrepreneur.com (https://ugrpg.com)features not only insightful articles on starting and operating abusiness, but also tips on financing, marketing, sales andmanagement as well as links to other sites of interest tostart-ups.
Are you sure entrepreneurship is for you? The SBA helps answerthat and other questions in its free Start-Up Kit (http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/starting).The site also offers tips on what initial steps to take, financingpaths, how the SBA and others can help you along the way, rules ofthe road, and everything you wanted to know about the agency. Ahelpful little tool at any step of the way.
For online counseling from professionals with time-testedknowledge and expertise, turn to SCORE (http://www.score.org). The nonprofitService Corps of Retired Executives, a resource partner with theSBA, is ready to mentor you, answer questions and guide you instart-up endeavors. Remember, people are willing to help you. Justask.
Paul DeCeglie (MrWritePDC@aol.com) is a formerstaff reporter for Journal of Commerce and AmericanBanker.
