35 business websites you must read now

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35 BUSINESS WEBSITES YOU MUST READ RIGHT NOW


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Table of ContentsAccounting/Finance.............................................4Customer Service.................................................5Data and Data Management...............................6Digital Media News.............................................6Entrepreneurship.................................................7Family Business....................................................7General Business..................................................9Government Resources........................................9Professional Relationships/Networking..............10Marketing...........................................................11News...................................................................11Small Business Management..............................11Surveys...............................................................12Women in Business............................................12


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There are a lot of websites on the net that cater to the unique needs of business owners. They are numerous, and new ones are coming online every day. It is almost impossible to keep track of them all. Ziplocal has compiled a list of the best 35 business related websites, and broken them up into logical categories for your consumption. So whether you are looking for information on government resources, accounting, or business related news, these websites are all worth a visit. They are packed full of relevant articles, White Papers, resources, and information. Even if you are a freelancer just starting to navigate the business world, or a seasoned business professional, these sites provide a great place to start your journey.


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Accounting/FinanceAccountingWEB accountingweb.comAccountingWEB is the premier publication for the accounting occupation in the United States. This is a great place to become versed in the nuances of accounting, tax law, and Excel.

CPA Directory cpadirectory.comCPA Directory is the largest online database of Certified Public Accountants. It gives CPA’s a simple way to create a web presence by marketing and constructing a nationwide online directory of CPA’s. CPA Directory has resources for small business owners and CPA’s including information on tax issues, financing, marketing, and technology.

Fresh Books freshbooks.comFresh Books is a cloud based accounting system. New users get thirty days to try it out for free and see if they like it. Fresh Books has a multitude of benefits including ease of use, easily customizable


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invoices, allows users to accept credit card payments, see when your invoice is viewed, multi-currency invoicing, and late payment reminders.

Mint mint.comMint is a free web based personal finance management service. Mint allows users to track investment, credit card, bank, and loan transactions through a single, simple to use interface. You can also create budgets and set goals for saving and spending.

Paypal paypal.comPaypal is a valuable resource for accepting payments from customers all over the world. Paypal allows customers and business owners send and receive payments on the internet using bank accounts, credit cards, and Paypal account balances.

VentureDeal venturedeal.comVentureDeal is a startup and venture capital database. VentureDeal is an in-depth startup and venture capital database that is updated daily with the latest information on venture capital firms, executives, company transactions, and North American startup companies.

Customer ServiceCustomer Service Group, Alexander Communications Groupcustomerservicegroup.comThe Customer Service Group website is a valuable resource for any company, including health-care, that has front line customer service representa-tives. The resources include a monthly newsletter for customer service managers and employees, recogni-tion kits, training guides, and many resources specif-ically for those in the healthcare fields.


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Salesforce salesforce.comSalesforce provides companies with a system for automatically escalating and routing important events, and an interface for task and case management. The Salesforce customer portal allows customers the capacity to track their own cases, and includes a social networking plugin that permits the users to become involved with conversations about their company on a variety of social media platforms. Sales Cloud includes a real-time sales tool called Chatter, and Salesforce also provides a variety of analytical tools.

Data and Data ManagementHoovers hoovers.comHoovers offers proprietary marketplace data through their amalgamated workplace solutions and online outlet. Hoovers has information on more than 85 million corporations, 100 million people, leads, industries, companies,analysis, and list building. Hoovers is the single largest source ofbusiness information anywhere.

Wufoo wufoo.comWufoo is an online form builder that makes it simple to create, share, and obtain your data. It allows you to customize templates. create visuals of your data, and accept payments. Both free and unlimited plans are available.

EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneur.com entrepreneur.com/smbresourcecenterEntrepreneur.com is chock full of how to guides and resources for business owners including information on how to get financed, start up costs calculator, free business forms for download, the basics of


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building an online business, and a primer on employee benefits.

VentureDeal venturedeal.comVentureDeal is a startup and venture capital database. VentureDeal is an in-depth startup and venture capital database that is updated daily with the latest information on venture capital firms, executives, company transactions, and North American startup companies.

Zoho zoho.comZoho is a web-based online office suite that contains spreadsheets, presentations, databases, word processing, note taking, customer relationship management, wiki’s, invoicing, project management, and other applications. There are subscription’s available for organizations and free applications for individuals.

Family BusinessFambiz fambiz.comFambiz is the foremost resource for advisors, academics, and family business executives. Affiiliated with Northeastern University, Fambiz offers a database of family business related articles, news briefs, reference tools, research materials, and useful links to family business executives. Fambiz exists to help family businesses and the unique challenges and opportunities that they face.

General BusinessBizFilings toolkit.comBizFilings has a myriad of resources for the small business owner including free informational downloads, articles on topics including marketing, finance, and human resources.


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Business Owners Idea Cafe businessownersideacafe.comBusiness Owners Idea Cafe is a fun website with sundry resources for startup entrepreneurs, small business owners, and experts to help them run and grow their business. You can apply for small business grants, chat with other business owners in the small business forums, and download what you need in the way of White Papers, podcasts, magazines, and downloads on topics including franchising, entrepreneurship, and small business management.

Linkedin Small Business smallbusiness.linkedin.comLinkedin Small Business helps you to build your brand and to connect with the right people. There are many resources including guides on professional branding, small business marketing, advertising, sponsored updates, sales, finding leads, and how to hire the right person for the job.

Microsoft For Your Business microsoft.com/en-us/businessMicrosoft Business is full of resources for business owners and has many resources to help you grow your business online, market your business, manage your finances, incorporate or form an LLC, social media marketing, and obtain government and business contracts. The website has videos, articles, customer success stories, e-guides and White Papers.

National Association of the Self Employed nase.orgA comprehensive website offering a wide range of resources and tools to assist small business owners run their business successfully. There is a newsletter and additional resources available only to NASE members.

Business Utility Zone Gateway buzgate.orgThe Business Utility Zone Gateway, or Buzgate is an online portal that links business owners with local resources. Buzgate provides resources and entrepreneurial education to the self-employed, freelancers, small and medium sized business owners in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the district of Columbia. Simply choose your state from the drop down menu to gain access to educational sites, and free government and nonprofit small business assistance programs.


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Government ResourcesBetter Business Bureau (BBB) bbb.org/usThe Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a non-profit organization based on promoting better relationships between business and consumers. The BBB website is a resource for information on self-regulation, scams that can affect businesses and consumers, and educates consumers and business about responsible e-commerce and advertising practices.

Internal Revenue Service irs.govThe IRS website is a valuable resource, it will give you assistance in selecting a tax preparer, let you know your rights as a taxpayer, download tax forms, find answers to common tax questions. check the status of your return, pay your bill, and assist you in resolving various tax issues.

Small Business Administration sba.govFounded in 1953, the Small Business Administration has administered millions of contracts,

counseling sessions, loans, loan guarantees, and other forms of help to small businesses. The SBA helps business through it’s four primary functions: small business advocacy, entrepreneurial development through technical assistance, training, information, and education, business financing, and government contracting.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce uschamber.comThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the worlds most promi-nent business organization, embodying the successfulness of more than 3 million businesses large and small. The Chamber of Commerce is their voice in Wash-ington D.C.

United States Department of Labor: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization dol.gov/oasam/programs/osdbu/sbrefa/main.htmThe Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) implements the Department of


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Labor’s imperative to assure acquisition opportunities for HUBZone businesses, businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, women owned businesses, small businesses, and small disadvantaged businesses. The website includes a comprehensive small business resource center, vendor outreach, compliance resources, and links to additional resources of interest.

Whitehouse Resources for Business in Americawhitehouse.gov/economy/business/resourcesA list of resources for entrepreneurs and business owners including supporting business innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, resources for manufacturers, and building a 21st century workforce. If the information you are seeking is not listed, an e-mail address is provided so you can request it.

Professional Relationships/NetworkingLinkedin Small Business smallbusiness.linkedin.com Linkedin Small Business helps you to build your brand and to connect with the right people. There are many resources including guides on professional branding, small business marketing, advertising, sponsored updates, sales, finding leads, and how to hire the right person for the job.

MarketingAdweek adweek.comAdweek is the news authority for advertising, media, and marketing professionals. Adweek is an integral read for content creators, media buyers, CMO’s, agency heads, creatives, and anyone who wants to be current in the terrain of digital media.


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Word of Mouth Marketing Association womma.orgThe Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) is the official trade association devoted social media and word of mouth marketing. WOMMA was founded in 2004 and is the leader in ethical word of mouth marketing practices through professional education opportunities, information sharing with top industry marketers, and the WOMMA Summit. The WOMMA website has a lot of resources free and for members including online resources, research, and the WOMMAPEDIA.

NewsBusiness Insider businessinsider.comBusiness Insider is a news source for business professionals covering technology, finance, politics,strategy, life, and sports.

Inc. inc.cominc.com is the online companion to Inc. magazine. inc.com is teeming with inspiration, information, practical advice, and small business ideas.

Forbes forbes.comforbes.com is the online companion to Forbes magazine. Forbes is a business magazine that features articles on industry, marketing, finance, communications, technology, the law, and science.

Small Business ManagementNational Association of the Self Employed nase.orgA comprehensive website offering a wide range of resources and tools to assist small business owners run their business successfully. There is a newsletter and additional resources available only to NASE members.


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Business Unlimited business-unlimited.comBusiness Unlimited attends to client companies to advance their performance through the adoption and understanding of best practices. Business Unlimited works with clients using an inclusive range of outplacement services, management consultancy, and executive recruitment services. There is a services section with free resources available to those who sign up and create an online account.

National Federation of Independent Business nfib.com/business-resourcesThe National Federation of Independent Business is America’s leading small business advocacy organization. The NFIB website is brimming with resources for small business owners including advocacy, news, events, and small business resources such as hiring and workplace issues andbusiness strategies and tips.

Surveys Survey Monkey surveymonkey.com

Survey Monkey is a cloud based service which provides free, customizable surveys. For a fee users can upgrade their accounts to include sample selection, data amylases, data representation tools, and bias elimination.

Women in BusinessBizwomen bizwomen.comBizwomen is a valuable resource for women in business. This is the place to go when you are seeking up to date news stories about women in business, and the unique issues that affect them. If your company has a superstar female employee you can submit her picture and a short biography which will be posted on the website.


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This is a great way to promote your superstar female employees and keep your companies name in the news at no charge to you!

Entrepreneur.com- Women Entrepreneurs entrepreneur.com/topic/women-entrepreneursTopics of interest to women in business including articles on how to be a better negotiator, women to watch in the franchising sector, inspirational woman CEO’s, and how to maintain awork life balance.