BizPlanIt - Virtual Business Plan   
The Virtual Business Plan walks you through the process of creating a business plan, section by section, with advice and tips for success.

Bplans.com   
Over 50 free sample business plans and marketing plans from Palo Alto Software, maker of Business Plan Pro. Also includes relevant articles, legal advice, market research resources, and tools to calculate cash flow, ROI, etc.
Free registration required for access to some features.

BusinessPlans.org   
Access dozens of actual business plans submitted in an annual business planning competition. Browse the entire list, which is organized under very broad headings.

Canada Business Service Centres Interactive Business Planner   
The IBP is the first business planning software product designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web. It will help you prepare a 3 year business plan for a new or existing business. With the IBP, you will: be guided through each section of your business plan using a question and answer format; learn definitions and tips, and view sample business plans to help you to write your own plan; have financial projections prepared for you, based upon the information you provide; and use the power of the Internet to assist you in researching your business plan.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Business Plans Index   
This index lists types of small businesses and a corresponding sample business plan, profile or book about the business with sources provided after each entry. Entries that refer to actual sample plans are in bold print. If the plan or profile is online, a link is provided. While the list covers print sources in the Business Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, many other libraries may own the same book.

How To Write a Marketing Plan   
This detailed tutorial from KnowThis.com will walk you through the process of creating a marketing plan. From competitor and financial analysis to market and pricing tactics, this tool will help you create an effective campaign.

SBA: The Business Plan   
A tutorial and outline of a business plan.

SCORE Business Templates   
Download planning and financial templates. Save the files to your computer and modify for your business needs. Includes planning and financial templates.

Tactical Marketing Plan Template   
This downloadable template from Microsoft can help direct your marketing plan creation by providing a structure in which to work. Brainstorm ideas, identify action items, and grow your plan with help from this template.

US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Tools   
Move your business planning forward with these downloadable forms from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They fall under a wide range of headings, including Starting Your Business, Business Finance, and Employee Management. Each form is designed to be customized to fit your business.

Alacra Wiki Industry Spotlights   
Features detailed proprietary reviews and commentary on the best web-based sources of industry specific content

American Society of Association Executives Gateway to Associations   
Associations often track and report on key statistics and trends for their industries. Search for trade associations, industry associations and professional associations with a presence on the InternetTIP: Scroll down to find the association search box, conduct your search, and then investigate the relevant associations' Web sites.

Best of the Business Web - Industry Websites   
Visit our Best of the Business Web directory to find the best industry information sites for various industries.

Census - Service Quarterly and Annual Surveys   
These U.S. Census reports provide nation-wide statistics on various service industries and include an annual report along with quarterly updates in some cases.

County Business Patterns   
Every five years, the Census Bureau conducts an economic census of businesses across the U.S. Use this data to access statistics on particular industries by state, zip code, or metro area. First, select a geography: either county, zip, or metro area. Then, narrow your search to a particular industry by clicking the “Details” button next to the initial numbers of your NAICS code.

Economic Census Industry Reports   
The Census Bureau conducts an economic census every five years and publishes reports organized by NAICS code. Every NAICS code is covered, and hundreds of industries are studied. From this site you’ll find a table of industry reports to get you access to nation-wide industry statistics. Click the “More” button next to the initial numbers in your NAICS code for detailed reports.

Google Scholar   
Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature and academic research. Conduct broad searches across your industry, searching by industry heading (like “restaurant”), or focus your search by adding additional search terms, like “trends” or “statistics.”

Manufacturing - Current Industrial Reports   
These U.S. Census reports provide nation-wide statistics on various manufactured products. In most cases, current year quarterly data is available. These reports are organized by NAICS code, and cover codes 311 to 366.

NAICS Codes   
NAICS codes are numbers that identify a particular type of business. Many business research publications are organized by these NAICS codes. Use this site to search or browse for a code, or compare NAICS codes to SIC codes.

Price's List of Lists   
Links to published lists and rankings of all kinds, including company rankings. Most, if not all, industries are covered. Some links do require a log-in with the publisher, but many are freely available.

Retail Annual Retail Trade Survey   
These U.S. Census reports provide nation-wide statistics on various retail industries, providing up-to-date sales, inventory, and gross margin figures, among others. Also included are reports on e-commerce sales by sector.

SIC Codes   
SIC codes are numbers that identify a particular type of business. Although these codes haven’t been updated since 1987, many business research publications are still organized by SIC. Use this site to search or browse the Standard Industrial Classification code manual.

Special Issues Index   
Find the most useful and insightful articles and features from "special issues" of business magazines and industry trade journals. Typical features include: industry overviews and forecasts; top company rankings; salary surveys; buyers' guides; consumer surveys and profiles. Try browsing through the journal and subject lists, or search by single keywords or phrases only ("restaurant," "alternative energy," etc.) Articles may be free on the web or available via document delivery from the Hill Library's print collection.

Statistics of US Business   
Find data on the # of businesses--by state, MSA, county, etc--by # of employees and by sales. Also, business "births" and "deaths," expansions & contractions, more.

Valuation Resources Online-Industry Reports   
Use this resource to identify industry resources and data available from trade associations, publications, and research firms. Coverage includes industry overviews, trends, industry outlooks, financial ratios and benchmarking, compensation surveys, and more. Some links include free information, and some are fee-based. Site contains numerous advertisements.

Yahoo! Industry News Center   
This site offers a wide range of industry information such as recent news, statistics, and profiles of industry leaders for about 100 different industries. Though part of Yahoo!, the actual data provided in its Industry Center comes from well-known business information providers like Hoover's and Multex.

American Factfinder   
View, print, and download statistics about population, housing, industry, and business. Using FactFinder, you can also find U.S. Census Bureau products, including the in-depth demographic-rich American Community Survey; create reference and thematic maps; and search for specific data.

CenStats   
This gateway provides access to a wide range of Census data collection program areas including building permits, employment and earning data, occupation data, international trade statistics, and more. You can also access demographic and economic data for states and counties via the site's USA Counties section.

Census 2000   
Results from the latest decentennial census, such as population totals, rankings, comparisons, summaries and reports, as well as redistricting and apportionment data.

Census Housing Topics   
Statistics regarding housing, home ownership, financing, and more from these surveys: American Housing Survey; Decennial Housing Census; Housing Vacancy; Residential Finance; Survey of Market Absorption.

Census Scope   
Charts of population growth, population by race, and age distribution. Initial charts are national, but you can access state or metro area charts as well. The maps tab allows you to get state-focused charts. Again, you can zoom in to metro areas or zoom out to country view. The rankings tab allows you to select a variable (e.g., population growth) and get a ranking either of states or counties.

Census Statistical Abstract   
As the National Data Book it contains a collection of statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States. Selected international data are also included. The Abstract is also your Guide to Sources of other data from the Census Bureau, other Federal agencies, and private organizations.

DataPlace   
Data Place is one of the most comprehensive sites for finding statistics on cities, counties, and states on the web. Pulling together data from the Census Bureau, the IRS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other governmental departments and councils, this site conglomerates a complicated search into one simple interface.

ePodunk   
ePodunk provides in-depth information about more than 25,000 communities around the country. Listings also include geocoded information about thousands of parks, museums, historic sites, colleges, schools and other places across America.

HUD State of the Cities Data Systems   
Data for individual Metropolitan Areas, Central Cities, and Suburbs. Includes detailed demographic and economic characteristics of the population, latest available unemployment rates, information on Jobs, Business Establishments, and Average Pay, violent and property crime rates, local building permits.

Population Reference Bureau   
The PRB analyzes population data and research to create reports, studies, and papers on demographic trends, hot topics, and international regions. Use this great resource to investigate trends at home or abroad.

You Are Where You Live   
Enter a 5-digit ZIP Code to find the top lifestyle groups for that neighborhood. Clusters describe segments of the population by predominant demographic and lifestyle features. TIP: From the main page, click the Zip Code Look-Up tab at the top of page.

Business Registrations & Filings Databases - LLRX   
All businesses are legally required to file various forms, applications, and statements with their respective Secretary of State’s office. Use this site to locate the business registration authority for each state of the US, then contact them to track down company information.

Forbes’ Largest Private Companies   
Private companies often play their cards close to their vests. Forbes’ annual list of largest private companies is an excellent tool for finding annual sales, employee counts, executive officer information, and contact addresses for these large private organizations.

Hoover's   
Free company capsules provide basic company information, including brief financials and competitors. Site also contains industry; IPO info, and other content. Some data only available to subscribers.

InfoUSA   
Use InfoUSA to build business sales leads and mailing lists, residential sales leads and mailing lists, bankruptcy and tax lien lists, gather lifestyle data, and more. InfoUSA is a fee-based service.

Manta - Search for Companies by Industry   
Manta offers free access to basic information on more than 45 million public and private companies worldwide, and detailed information (with free registration) on more than 13 million firms. Use the category listings to search for companies by industry at the bottom of the home page.

Manta - Search for Companies by Name Worldwide   
Manta offers free access to basic information on more than 45 million public and private companies worldwide, and detailed information (with free registration) on more than 13 million firms. Use this engine to search by company name and location.

Reuters Investor   
Use this site to find information on publicly-traded companies, including some free analyst reports, insider trading, ratio analysis, institutional ownership, officer biographies, and more. Formerly Multex Investor.
Free registration required for most features.

Spoke   
Spoke helps you find employees at millions of companies worldwide. Become a Spoke member (it's free) and when you login, use the Find People/Companies search. Enter a company name, and Spoke will list employees and executives it has found mentioned on the Web.

Thomas Register of Manufacturers   
One of the most popular manufacturers directories for the US. Search by company name for contact info, product lines & brands. Or, search by product/service to gather list of companies that make or supply that product.
Requires free registration.

Yahoo Finance Public Company Search   
Yahoo Finance allows you to easily search for public company information by company name or ticker symbol. Quickly access a company's financial information, profile, key competitors, executives, industry news, and more.

BusinessFinance.com   
Use this excellent site to locate suitable sources of funding for starting, buying, or growing a business. Enter in basic information about your business and get matched up with local and national banks, lenders, venture capital firms, and more.
Free registration required.

Financing Sources - Quick Pick Chart   
This excellent tool from the Business Owner’s Toolkit divides funding sources into categories based on the age of your business and the length of financing. Learn more about the many ways to finance your business here.

Grants.gov   
Grants.gov is a single access point for over 900 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. The site allows visitors to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all included agencies.

SBA: Financial Assistance   
Focuses primarily on SBA programs. Includes downloadable forms, info on different programs and loans available, and lending statistics.

SBIC Directory   
This site provides a state-by-state listing of small business investment companies, giving details of preferred investments.

FindLaw for Small Business   
Get advice on numerous small business legal topics with this site from legal publishers FindLaw. From incorporation to intellectual copyright, from starting a business to closing a business, this site will guide you through the legal maze with articles, sample forms, and more.

IRS Business Structure   
When beginning a business, you must decide what form of business entity to establish. Your form of business determines which income tax return form you have to file. This site covers the tax implications and forms needed for the most common forms of business structures.

Ownership Structures   
This collection of resources from Nolo legal publishers provides background information on the various forms of business ownership, from sole proprietor to corporation to LLC.

SBA Choose a Structure   
Your business’s legal structure will have an impact on multiple aspects of how your business runs. Learn all you need to know with this SBA tutorial.

THOMAS Legislative Information on the Internet   
THOMAS includes House and Senate bills; the Congressional Record; Committee reports; and more. Site also links to legislative FAQs; congressional directories; and historical documents.

US Code at the Cornell Legal Information Institute   
A nicely outlined and searchable presentation of the U.S. code. Contains links to search engine, the U.S. House of Representative's version, and more.

Ways to Organize Your Business   
This chart, from respected legal publisher Nolo, provides pros and cons for several different ownership structures. Is a partnership best for your business? A limited liability company? Find out with this tool.

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit   
Ready-to-use business tools for asset protection, business finance, compensation and benefits, employee management, and more. Tools include sample business documents, financial spreadsheet templates, checklists, and more.

Entrepreneur.com FormNet   
FormNet is a tool designed to save you the time and expense of creating business documents from scratch. You can download and customize forms according to your needs. Each is created in Microsoft Word Document format (.doc) for versions 6.0 and above.

FindLaw Corporate Contracts   
Real examples of deals, contracts, and agreements within and among companies, primarily in the Technical sector. Search for agreements by keyword, or browse the directory categories for specific types of agreements. Great tool for the small business person or manager who wants to see examples of how specialized contracts are written.

IRS Small Business & Self Employed Community   
Forms & guides, advice for small business taxation issues. Includes links to other government agency pages of interest to small business owners and self-employed individuals.

IRS Tax Forms   
Forms, instructions, publications, and notices. Both current and previous years (back to 1992) available.

Legal Forms Archive   
The Internet Legal Research Group claims to have the Internet's largest collection of free legal forms -- 2,000+ and growing. A number of the forms are adapted for state-specific use. ILRG is so confident in the legality of their forms that they will pay $50 to any person who can demonstrate that one of their forms is not compliant with state laws.

Microsoft Office Templates   
Downloads thousands of ready-to-use templates for your Microsoft products. You'll find PowerPoint backgrounds for sales presentations, Excel spreadsheets for HR and finance, flow charts, organizational charts, and more. Just download any template to your computer and easily customize for your needs.

Onecle   
Onecle collects public domain business and legal contracts from actual U.S. business entities. Access samples of no-compete contracts, consulting agreements, severance contracts, and much more.

Business Insurance Information   
From basic discussions of key business insurance areas to tips for saving money, this site from the Insurance Information Institute provides a good primer on insurance issues. Tip: Scroll down on the first page for a list of topics covered.

Insure U for Small Business   
This site, from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, provides in-depth information on workers’ comp, property and liability, commercial auto, and several other types of small business insurance.

Unemployment Insurance Employer Assistance   
This site for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Employer Assistance Office, provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, contains UI employer information, support, publications, and links to the online self-service system.

American Time Use Survey   
The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities, such as paid work, childcare, volunteering, commuting, and socializing. Estimates show the kinds of activities people do and the time spent doing them by sex, age, educational attainment, labor force status, and other characteristics, as well as by weekday and weekend day.

Consumer Expenditure Survey   
Learn more about how much the average American spends on various types of products or services with the Consumer Expenditure Survey. Find spending by age, geographic region, income, race, occupation, and more.

International Market Research Library   
The U.S. Government is the largest producer of research in the world. The U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library features thousands of free reports in a number of categories. The Library mainly focuses on market research reports in relation to exporting your products and/or services to other countries.

Market Research.com   
Collection of 50,000+ publications from over 350 leading research firms.
Purchase only the information you need with the Buy by the Slice option. Instant Online Delivery available for most publications.
Document purchase required.

Marketing Charts   
This site pulls market research charts and graphs from various reports and press releases, and organizes them by industry, demographic segment, and geography. While the scope of the site is largely focused on the marketing, advertising, and publishing industries, numerous other industries are covered. Tip: Find the site table of contents in the right-hand column, under the heading marked “Topics.”

Online Member Directory - AIIP   
The Association of Independent Information Professionals brings free-lance researchers together in this searchable online directory. Hire one of these Info Pros to conduct specialized research in support of your business development -- be it vertical industry research, telephone interviews, or sales prep work.

Price's List of Lists   
Links to published lists and rankings of all kinds, including company rankings. Most, if not all, industries are covered. Some links do require a log-in with the publisher, but many are freely available.

Quirk’s Marketing Research Review Archive   
Quirk’s Marketing Research Review has been publishing articles featuring excellent market research on varying topics since 1986. Access this full-text research online at no charge. Most current articles, however, are not available online without a subscription.

Special Issues Index   
Find the most useful and insightful articles and features from "special issues" of business magazines and industry trade journals. Typical features include: industry overviews and forecasts; top company rankings; salary surveys; buyers' guides; consumer surveys and profiles. Try browsing through the journal and subject lists, or search by single keywords or phrases only ("restaurant," "alternative energy," etc.) Articles may be free on the web or available via document delivery from the Hill Library's print collection.

Surveys of Consumers   
From U of Mich's Survey Research Center. Surveys cover consumer attitudes towards the economy, their personal finances, buying habits for selected big-ticket items, and more. Free registration required for access.