Starting a Small Business

Guide to Resources for Starting a Business

Want to start a business? Free and low-cost help for starting a business is available online.
By Daniel Kehrer

	Starting a Business: First Steps Research your idea for starting a business carefully before you take the plunge Use business plan software to develop your plan for starting a business Take advantage of free advice from government agencies on starting a business

Taking your first steps to start a business can be daunting, but take heart. Many excellent websites and organizations offer help to anyone starting a business. And while starting a business requires an investment on your part, the information you need for starting a small business is generally free.

Maybe you have an idea for an internet business startup, or you are starting a small business from home, need a business startup loan, business startup software, or just want to know the basics of how to write a great business plan. Whether you are still in the idea stage of how to start a business, or you've already taken serious steps to starting a business, finding the RIGHT advice, resources and entrepreneurial communities will be vital to the success of your small business startup.

Here are four factors that improve the odds of success for anyone who wants to start a business:

1. People. If you can afford to hire employees or can bring in partners when you first start a business, DO IT. Studies show that well-staffed business startups have better survival rates than solo operations. If this won't work for you, at least seek out experienced mentors. (See the resources below to find advisors on how to start a small business.)
2. Startup capital of at least $50,000. Not easy, perhaps, but studies show that businesses starting with less than $50K have higher failure rates. That's just the way it is. The key is to have enough financing so your business can take root.
3. Training. If you can, attend seminars on how to start a small business offered through a local Small Business Development Center (see below), or enroll in a college-based entrepreneurship program to learn the ropes. You might be the smartest geek in the world, but if you have no business sense, you're in trouble.
4. Home beginnings. To keep costs low, start a home-based business. Businesses that begin this way and then move into bigger digs later have higher success rates on starting small business.

Action Steps for Successfully Starting Your Own Business

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get free counseling and advice on how to start a business Thousands of small business counselors and mentors are available to help you through Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE locations nationwide.

I recommend:  There are SBDC offices in every state, with a network of over 1,000 service locations at colleges, universities, vocational schools, chambers of commerce and other places, offering free help on how to start a small business. This service operates through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In similar fashion, SCORE will match you up with a volunteer mentor in your area for free one-on-one counseling on how to start a small business. Or ask questions online on starting a small business and receive expert answers by email within 48 hours. This free email counseling service is hugely popular with startup entrepreneurs.

Learn how to start a business the Microsoft way It's something new from Microsoft. The Startup Center is a nicely-organized list of the key tasks you need to consider in starting a business, with help, resources -- and of course, information on how Microsoft products and services can help starting small business.

I recommend:  Start at the Microsoft Startup Center home page. You'll see tabs at the top of the page covering key small business startup tasks. "The Rules" tab, for example, has advice on selecting a business structure, getting licenses, understanding tax responsibilities and buying a bar code. You can download a free business plan template and free small business accounting software.

Plug into an online community of like-minded startup entrepreneurs Nothing's a better motivator than involvement with a community of other entrepreneurs who are starting a small business – and sharing the ideas and information they've learned.

I recommend:  StartupNation is a "go-to" resource for starting small business. This site offers helpful advice and support through online seminars, newsletters, radio spots and more. Of special interest: 10 Steps to Open for Business and Key Moves for Success sections. Startup Journal, The Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs, and E-venturing, from the non-profit Kauffman Foundation, both have loads of helpful articles on starting and growing a business. And OnStartups is a cool new community offering savvy ideas and advice specifically for software entrepreneurs.

Get expert help writing your startup business plan You need a business plan to start a business. Here's where to get help writing it.

I recommend:  Bplans.com is the only address you really need to create a great business plan. This super site from the folks who publish Business Plan Pro, the best-selling business plan software, is chock full of helpful business plan info, from sample plans (60 free; hundreds more to purchase), business planning tools, ask the experts and more tools and tips for how to start a business. Find more business plan software at Business.com.

See the latest in technology for small business startup Go online to get the latest tech news and information to help with your small business startup.

I recommend:  For depth of coverage, independent opinions and a "we get it" sensibility to what startup entrepreneurs need, Small Business Computing can't be beat. Sign up for the free Small Business Computing newsletter on the home page. Great coverage of News and Trends, Business Software, Hardware & Equipment, Online Marketing, Buyer's Guides and Small Business Essentials.

Try franchising opportunities as your route to starting a small business If buying a franchise is what you have in mind, go straight to the franchising experts to start a business.

I recommend:  The International Franchise Association,