Research
Reference Sites
Search Engines
Subject Directories
Topic Guides

Small Business Resources Online

Presentation:
Here is a PowerPoint presentation given to Tom Tanner's BUS-195 class.

Regional:

  • Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia, Inc. - A private non-profit organization supported largely by membership dues paid by business and professional groups. Provides company reports, helps resolve disputes, and promotes ethical business standards.
  • City of Roanoke - Click on "Business." Links include: BizNews Newsletters, Business Assistance, Business Licenses, Economic Development, Estimated Business Tax, Facts & Figures, Forms, and more.
  • Roanoke County - Click on "Doing Business." Links include: Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development, Purchasing Bids and Proposals, and Taxes/Licenses/Permits and more.
  • Center for Innovative Technology - CIT offers statewide programs and services to help build and grow technology-based businesses and research capabilities, or to use technology to improve productivity and sharpen your competitive edge.
  • New Century Venture Center - Mission is to increase the rate of small business successes by making it easier for such companies to prosper during the early stages of business development. Offers seminars on topics such as QuickBooks and marketing your business. Offers residency to qualified entrepreneurial ventures with several office services provided free and several more offered on a fee-based option. Provides assistance and services to home-based businesses as well.
  • Operating a Business in Salem - Guide to tax and license requirements, real estate and property assessment, employment, and business assistance. 
  • Roanoke County Dept. of Economic Development - Information on financing, corporate training, and a profile of the Roanoke Valley area. Offers assistance on building site selection. 
  • Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce - Among the many membership benefits are a listing in the Business Resource Guide, a link from the Chamber's website and promotion and referral from the center information desk. A directory of members is available on the website.

  • SCORE Roanoke - (Service Corps of Retired Executives) --Counselors to America's Small Business. Offers free business counseling and low-cost workshops. 
    250 Franklin Road, Federal Building, Room 716
    Roanoke, VA 24011
    PHONE: (540) 857-2834   FAX: (540) 857-2043

Virginia:

  • Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) - Dedicated to the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of minority businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Services include certification, education, training, outreach, marketing and general assistance.
  • The Virginia Department of Business Assistance - Mission is to promote economic growth by helping Virginia businesses prosper. Links include: access to capital, small business counseling, workforce training, and business problem solving. Online publications include: manufacturing in Virginia, industry snapshots, and economic conditions.
  • Virginia Economic Development Partnership - Focus on cultivating new business investment, fostering international trade growth and encouraging the expansion of existing Virginia businesses. An extensive library section includes: targeted industry brochures, business forms, reference maps, and numerous other publications. There are also tools for site selection and services for international trade as well as a database for Virginia statistics.
U.S. Government: 

Commercial:

  • Entrepreneur.com - This is a very busy website. Lots of content, but also lots of links to various commercial ventures out for your dollar. You can: ask the experts, find how-to guides, find out the hot 100, search the career journal, listen to Entrepreneur Radio, etc.
  • Small Business Advisor - Click on the advisor to find articles of interest to small business. Find newsgroups, stock quotes, and checklists. Also find businesses marketing services especially for small businesses.
  • Small Business Development Center -  There is a large amount of information here. Included are links to business plans, industry information, associations, Spanish language business documents, and publications. Too many to list.
  • Small Business Law Center - Under law centers click on small business. Content here is unique in focusing on the legal aspects of running a business. Topics include business plans, choosing a name, legal structures, accounting, and intellectual property. The home page of this site includes legal advice on a wide variety of related topics as well as a legal dictionary, legal encyclopedia and links to other legal sites.
  • Yahoo's Small Business Center - Sell your products online at the Yahoo store or Yahoo auctions. Create a web presence by purchasing a domain or web hosting. Promote your business by having Yahoo sponsored sites. Fee-based services for businesses are the main focus of this website. One special feature is a link to the Thomas Register of Manufacturers.