Face it: The Internet is mind candy for surfers who log countless
hours doing online crossword puzzles and sneaking peeks at
celebrity porn. But smart entrepreneurs know the Web is ALSO packed
with time-saving, money-making pointers, tips and services-plus
breaking business news-that can be used to maximize profits and
expand the limits of your business.
Skeptical? With our help, you don't need to be. The bad news
for us is that we logged countless hours eyeballing too many
business sites that just don't cut it. But the good news for
you is that by doing so, we've culled a list of 100 of the top
Web sites for entrepreneurs.
At these sites, you won't find naughty pictures or brainless
gossip, but you just may find financiers who will invest in your
business, nifty ways to get the information you need fast, or
know-how that will help you save money on things like wireless
telephony. You'll find lots more, too, because the best thing
about the Web is it's a tool that, when used properly, gives
entrepreneurs a level playing field on which to compete with bigger
businesses. If you use it shrewdly, the Web will help you be as
savvy as the biggest businesses around. So bookmark these sites-and
pay attention to them-then watch your business grow.
Find It
Information on the Internet multiplies like kudzu in a hot Carolina
summer-and the engines that help you hack through millions of
Web pages in search of what you want are essential tools. You
probably have a favorite standard search engine-Excite
(http://www.excite.com),
Infoseek (http://www.infoseek.com) or perhaps
Yahoo! (http://www.yahoo.com)-but
sometimes specialty tools do the job better. Such as?
Ask Jeeves! (http://www.askjeeves.com) A
brilliant engine, Jeeves accepts plain-language
questions-"Where can I compare cell phones?"-then offers
up its suggestions for the best Web sites.
Dogpile (http://www.dogpile.com) A metasearch
tool, Dogpile quickly sifts through most of the standard search
engines plus a few esoteric ones. It's a good way to get a fast
reading of what's on the Web.
Search-It-All (http://www.search-it-all.com)
This is the place to hunt for e-mail addresses, phone numbers and
street addresses.
Northern Light (http://www.northernlight.com) An
agile search tool, Northern Light scours more than 120 million Web
pages, including some premium content that's available only on
a pay-per-view basis. Most results are free, but when there's a
charge, you're told in advance (and prices are nominal). If
standard Web searches produce only frustration, take a look
here.
Electric Library (http://www.elibrary.com) The Library
offers a vast collection of magazine and newspaper articles.
Searching for the information you need is easy, and a free trial is
available. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month for unlimited
research.
Deja News (http://www.dejanews.com) Before there
was the Web, there were thousands of Internet discussion groups.
Those groups are still active, and many focus on business topics.
Search through what's being said with Deja News. Have people
been talking about your business? Deja News knows.
Travel
Traditional travel agents face tough times, mainly because the Web
is ideal for do-it-yourself travel planners who want to book their
own trips online. So where can you buy those tickets to
Texarkana...or Paris?
Biztravel (http://www.biztravel.com) This is
the site for business travelers who want to book plane tickets and
hotel rooms, as well as get information on destination
cities.
Cheap Tickets (http://www.cheaptickets.com) Want
a bargain flight? Cheap Tickets sells airlines' empty seats at
huge discounts. And it now offers discounts on hotel rooms,
too.
Quikbook (http://www.quikbook.com) You'll
also find hotel-room bargains here. This site offers rooms at good
hotels usually at up to 60 percent off the rack rates walk-ins get
quoted.
Zip2 (http://www.zip2.com)
Don't guess where you're going. Use these great tools to
map your destination.
Expedia Travel (http://www.expedia.com) Created by
Microsoft, this online travel agency ranks among the most popular
sites for booking trips.
Office Stuff
Who wants to buy paper and toner in person? Skip the trip and buy
everything you need for running your office online-usually with
free delivery. These three chain superstores offer similar
merchandise (and prices) at their Web sites:
OfficeMax (http://www.officemax.com).
Office Depot (http://www.officedepot.com).
Staples (http://www.staples.com).
Computer RX
Computers can be cranky beasts, but help is only a few mouse clicks
away. More high-tech companies are getting out of offering free
telephone help; instead, 900 numbers are proliferating. But those
same companies have typically set up Web sites that offer ample
free help. So if your hardware or software is acting up, first pay
a visit to the manufacturer's Web site. If you can't find
the solution you need there, check out these all-purpose fix-it
sites:
BugNet (http://www.bugnet.com) When software is
angrily crashing, dash to for info on work-arounds and fixes.
Although it's a subscription site, there are plenty of freebies
available, too.
AntiVirus Research Center (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html)
Maybe the most comprehensive information storehouse about computer
viruses, AntiVirus is sponsored by Symantec, the maker of the
Norton AntiVirus programs.
ZDNet (http://www.zdnet.com) From MacWorld to
PC Computing, all the magazines from the biggest publisher of tech
periodicals are online, with troubleshooting tips and more.
The List (http://www.thelist.com) Search for a
new ISP here-almost all the possible choices are listed, and
searches can be made specific to your locality.
Steve Kropla's Help For World Travelers (http://www.kropla.com) This site is a
required stop for travelers wrestling with difficulties getting
online. Best advice: Check it before you head out of town with your
laptop to get the scoop on staying connected in hotels around the
globe.
Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com) The
world's dominant software company serves up bug fixes
(patches), templates and plenty more free stuff. Anybody running
Windows needs to stop by here at least a few times a year.
Transmit It
Whether you're shipping a package, sending a letter or signing
up for a cell phone, you'll find guidance-and tips on how
to save money-on the Web. And don't forget that the Net
can be the smartest way to send and get faxes, too.
Wireless Dimension (http://www.wirelessdimension.com)
This site offers tools that provide instant comparisons of cell
phone deals.
SmartShip (http://www.smartship.com) This site
lets you compare the costs of shipping a package via FedEx, UPS,
Airborne Express and the U.S. Postal Service. And, once the package
is shipped, SmartShip lets you track it. A handy ZIP code finder is
also featured.
TeleWorth (http://www.teleworth.com) Here
you'll find a swift way to compare long-distance telephone
providers. Are you getting the best deal? Check this site, and
you'll know. Inputting the required data can be cumbersome
(have a recent phone bill handy), but the money-saving comparisons
ought to justify your efforts.
JFAX (http://www.jfax.net)
You can get a second phone number-for faxes, voice messages or
both-for $12.50 per month plus a one-time $15 setup fee. JFAX also
provides discount Internet faxing services.
MySoftware's Mail Tips (http://www.mysoftware.com/mailtips/index1.htm)
Its goal is to save you money and time when you send "snail
mail," especially bulk mailings.
Shopping
The Internet is emerging as the shopping mall of the future. There
are already great computer shops online, and other vendors-of
products ranging from books to cars-are beginning to make their
presence felt. Some of the best places to shop include:
CompareNet (http://www.comparenet.com)
Here's the place to compare cell phones, computer gear and
personal electronics gadgets to scope out which ones will serve you
best. This isn't so much a shopping site as an electronic
Consumer Reports, with a format that makes product comparisons
easy.
Bottom Dollar (http://www.bottomdollar.com) This
site sets the pace for "shopping bots," Web robots that,
at your command, scour the Net and report back on the prices
charged by e-commerce sites for specified products. It doesn't
get any easier to find the best buys.
JemComputers (http://www.jemcomputers.com) This
is the place to find deeply discounted prices on refurbished and
discontinued computer gear. Name brands abound, and savings can be
jaw-dropping.
CDW Computers Center (http://www.cdw.com) A broad selection of
well-priced products-everything from desktop computers to printers
and scanners-can be found here.
Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) This bookseller
may be the Web's best e-commerce site. Even if you don't
want to buy a book, check out Amazon.com to see brilliant
e-commerce in action. While you're at it, look into
Amazon.com's "associates" program (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/associates/associates.html),
which pays commissions on any books you sell from your Web
site.
Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com) You can't
buy or lease a car here, but you'll find all the information
(dealer price, rebates and so on) you need to cut a good deal
wherever you decide to shop.
Uncle Sam
The U.S. government wants to help you succeed-and it provides
some dandy Web sites that can help put you on the fast track.
U.S. Small Business Administration (http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov)
Find tips on financing, SBA services and more. This site is a
must-bookmark for any entrepreneur.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov) Want to file for a
patent or trademark? Find general information as well as rules and
regulations; download the necessary forms; plus get guidance on the
how-tos of filing.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (http://www.eeoc.gov/small/index.html)
Federal laws protect employees from age, sex and race
discrimination; sexual harassment; and much more. You need to know
the facts, and this EEOC page-tailored for small
businesses-provides the scoop.
Fed World (http://www.fedworld.gov) This site is
an intelligent gateway that helps users gain better access to the
tons of stats and information compiled each year by the U.S.
government.
EDGAR Online (http://www.edgar-online.com)
Retrieve all government filings (10ks, 10qs and more) made by
public companies and general SEC information at no cost.
IRS (http://www.irs.ustreas.gov) Get
obscure tax forms and even tips on taxes and small business at this
(perhaps surprisingly) smart and fast-paced site.
StatlUSA Internet (http://www.stat-usa.gov) This site
offers a treasure trove of federal government statistics and
reports. The good stuff isn't free, but charges are
minimal.
The Federal Marketplace (http://www.fedmarket.com) Want to do
business with the federal government? This site tells you
how.
Doing Business Online
What do you need to know and do to produce a sparkling Web site
that garners hits-and customers? Find out by checking out these
resources:
Electronic Commerce guide (http://e-comm.internet.com)
Here's a sprawling resource with plenty of e-commerce
information for both beginners and experts.
Sell It On The Web (http://www.sellitontheweb.com)
Get more tips for effective e-commerce here.
E-Commerce Research Room (http://www.webcommercetoday.com/research)
This site offers more than 1,500 reports and resources focused on
e-commerce.
Emarketer (http://www.emarketer.com/welcome.html)
Emarketer provides lots of stats, facts and tips about selling
online.
E-commerce News (http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news)
The site delivers on its name-if it's news about selling
online, it shows up here.
Builder.com (http://www.builder.com) From CNET
(http://www.cnet.com), the vast
computer information site, Builder.com is one-stop shopping for
advice and the tools you need for creating Web sites.
InterNIC (http://www.internic.net) This is the
place to check on the availability of domain names and, likewise,
the place to register the name you want for your Web site.
News & Information
As the Web revolutionizes business, more news organizations are
rushing to polish their Web sites. If you need to know
something-anything, really-you'll likely find the
answer fastest by looking to these "best of breed" news
and information sites, including:
CNN (http://www.cnn.com) If
it's news-national, international, business or
state-you'll probably find it at this well-organized
site.
Money Net (http://www.moneynet.com/home/MONEYNET/homepage/homepage.asp)
This site is crammed with breaking financial news provided by
Reuters news agency.
Quicken.com/Small Business (http://www.quicken.com/small_business)
Get the scoop on taxes, borrowing and most things financial at this
rich site.
Quote.com (http://www.quote.com) Track stock
movements here.
The Motley Fool (http://www.fool.com) Still irreverent
about investments, the Fools still have one of the Net's best
and most popular sites.
The Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/twc/homepage.twc)
Get speedy weather reports about your own area, travel destinations
or pretty much any place you request.
My Netscape (http://www.mynetscape.com) Create a
Web start page using Netscape's tools. Tech news, business
news, even a personalized horoscope are yours with just a little
effort.
Competitive Intelligence
Get the goods on your competitors, partners, vendors-whoever
crosses your radar screen-by employing the many research tools now
on the Web. Some sites charge fees, but a few good ones are still
free. Either way, information is still power and it's yours to
grab online.
Hoover's Online (http://www.hoovers.com) Research the
competition at this site. Some reports have price tags, but most of
what you'll need you can find for free.
Company Lookup (http://www.companylink.com/companylookup.cfm)
News, research and contacts for 100,000 companies are what
you'll find here.
Companies Online (http://www.companiesonline.com)
From Dun & Bradstreet, this site offers information on just
about every public and sizable private business on the Web.
BBB Online (http://www.bbbonline.org) Find
information on customers and vendors quickly.
Company Sleuth (http://www.companysleuth.com) An
absolutely terrific deal-it's free. Give Company Sleuth the
names of up to 10 public companies, and it'll track news, stock
prices, analyst reports and much more. You'll also get e-mail
alerts when big news about the companies breaks.
KnowX.com (http://www.knowx.com) This site is the
place to search through public records-bankruptcies, lawsuits,
judgments and others-and it offers a fast way to do your due
diligence on prospective partners and big customers. Searches
aren't free and neither is reading the detailed results they
turn up, but between $3.95 and $15 will get you the scoop on just
about anybody or any business.
CreditFYI (http://www.creditfyi.com) You can
find full reports on how even small companies handle their debts,
and much of the info derives from Experian (nee TRW Credit). The
cost per report: $14.95.
Staff Search
Post want ads, even read resumes of job seekers at the big
help-wanted online emporia. Tip: Want-ads can also provide you with
just the info you need to set salaries for positions in your
business, so check all these main sites:
Monster.com (http://www.monster.com)
CareerMosaic (http://www.careermosaic.com)
JobOptions (http://www.joboptions.com)
CareerPath.com (http://www.careerpath.com)
Get Cash
Short on capital for growing your business? The Web may have
solutions:
MoneyHunter (http://www.moneyhunter.com) The
online kin of the TV series MoneyHunt TV, this is a good place to
start your search for financing.
Bankrate.com (http://www.bankrate.com) Compare
credit card deals with a few mouse clicks.
Garage.com (http://www.garage.com) Hunt for venture
capital and angel financing here.
Lending Tree (http://www.lendingtree.com) Shop
online for credit cards, even car loans, by filling out an
application at this site. The app gets forwarded to participating
banks, which get back to you with an approval and terms. It's a
simple way to comparison shop for borrowed cash.
Vfinance.com (http://www.vfinance.com) Here's a
rich venture capital library, with plenty of links to venture
capitalists with cash to invest.
GE Small Business Finance (http://www.ge.com/capital/smallbiz/index.htm)
General Electric lends millions yearly to entrepreneurs. Find out
how to get your share.
Reference
Who needs expensive, bulky encyclopedias and specialty
dictionaries? The Web provides it all for free:
OneLook Dictionaries (http://www.onelook.com) Some 75
dictionaries-from slang to physics and accounting-are online and
searchable.
Funk and Wagnalls (http://www.funkandwagnalls.com)
Log on to this dandy multimedia encyclopedia.
Information Please (http://www.infoplease.com) Once a
staple in every business library, this information resource (on
current events, trends, government offices and much more) is now
presented at no charge on the Web.
Roget's Thesaurus (http://www.thesaurus.com) Need a
better word to complete a thought or letter? Get it here.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (http://www.columbia.edu/acis/bartleby/bartlett)
Find out who said what, where and when.
AltaVista (http://www.altavista.com) Stumped by
a foreign word? A great-fast and free-translation service hides on
the home page of this popular search engine.
Going International
Big dollars are made in export and import. Here are some links that
will get you started and help you do it better:
Trade Information Center (http://infoserv2.ita.doc.gov/tic.nsf)
This site from the U.S. Department of Commerce brims with links,
tips, how-tos and details on federal help for exporters.
International Business Forum (http://www.ibf.com) Here you'll find
extensive information on opportunities in foreign markets.
Expanding Internationally, American Express's Small Business
Exchange (http://www6.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/segments/expand_intl.asp?aexp)
This site is a resource specifically aimed at importers and
exporters.
ExporTutor (http://web.miep.org/tutor) From
Michigan State University's International Business Center, this
tutorial brings you up to speed on how to be a fast-paced
exporter.
International Business Kiosk (http://www.webcom.com/one/world)
This site offers detailed information on everything from visa
requirements to exchange rates.
The Professionals
Need a lawyer? An accountant? Other professionals to help you with
your business needs? The Web will take you to them.
CPA Finder (http://www.cpafinder.com) Indicate
the type of accountant you want and where you are, and this engine
will point you to local CPAs.
Attorney Find (http://www.attorney-find.net)
Sort possible lawyers by location and specialty, then get links to
their Web sites so you can check them out before calling.
Lawyers.com (http://www.lawyers.com) Here
you'll find information on just about every lawyer in private
practice in the United States, from Martindale-Hubbell, publisher
of a premier legal directory.
Business Law Lounge (http://www.lectlaw.com/bus.html)
From The 'Lectric Law Library, this is the place to do your own
research.
SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business (http://www.score.org) Get free business
mentoring from someone with real-world experience at the SBA's
Service Corps of Retired Executives' site.
SHRM Online (http://www.shrm.org) Learn about the laws
and policies that impact your business-and find links to
consultants who can offer timely counsel at the Society for Human
Resource Management Web site.
Strictly Small Business
As the importance of small business in the economy grows, more
sites are tailored to the specific needs of entrepreneurs. Places
to begin include:
Entrepreneur.com (https://www.entrepreneur.com) Well
where'd you think we'd start? We offer news, tips, and
everything else you need to start, run and grow a business. Check
out articles from our full archive of Entrepreneur magazines back
to 1991, network with other entrepreneurs in our chat community,
post questions and information to our forum, and access our
comprehensive small-business search engine, Smallbizsearch.com
(http://www.smallbizsearch.com)
Hewlett-Packard Small-Medium Business (http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/sbso/home.pl)
Discover how to make technology work for your business.
Intel Small Business Computing (http://www.intel.com/businesscomputing/small/?iid=)
Here's a terrific site with information on Internet business,
business technology and other small-business topics from the
mammoth chip maker.
Office Depot's In Business (http://www.officedepot.com/inbusiness/index.asp)
You'll find tips and templates (balance sheets, collection
letters, harassment policies, etc.) at this handy site.
Visa Small Business Site (http://www.visa.com/cgi-bin/vee/fb/smbiz/main.html)
Visa offers resources, links and special promotions for card
holders.
Guerrilla Marketing Online (http://www.gmarketing.com) From
pointers to consultants, plenty of useful stuff is at your
fingertips here.
Business Owner's Toolkit (http://www.toolkit.cch.com) From
business, legal and tax information publisher and software provider
CCH Inc., this is an essential bookmark for entrepreneurs. Get
templates, advice, business credit reports and more.
Freebies
The Web is loaded with freebies-and many of them are incredibly
valuable tools and services. Among the cream of the crop:
eOrganizer (http://www.eorganizer.com) Keep
online to-do lists, appointment schedules, birthday lists, etc.-and
get e-mail reminders when the dates near.
LinkExchange (http://www.linkexchange.com) Get
your ads on the Internet free of charge via this reliable program
from MSN Microsoft.
Angelfire (http://www.angelfire.com) Free space
for Web pages is yours at this Lycos Network site.
Shareware.com (http://www.shareware.com) For both
Macs and PCs, this is the place to find "try before you
buy" software.
Free Forum (http://www.freeforum.com) Get free
books, magazines, catalogs and an astonishing array of other
goodies at this site.
AmExMail (http://www.amexmail.com) Free,
Web-based e-mail providers are ubiquitous, but this service from
American Express offers powerful tools (mail rerouting, vacation
replies) not widely available elsewhere.
This story appears in the July 1999 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
