Starting your Internet Online Business
Starting a business requires completing a number of steps and make key decisions. Though part of your overall plan, you’ll need to select a location, decide on a business structure, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. In addition, determining which financing options will meet your short-term needs and long-term goals is crucial. Within this section, we’ll provide information on these topics along with guidance on buying an existing business, copyright and trademark issues, and getting support from an outside expert.
1. Find A Mentor
Never think you can do it alone! One of the best ways to insulate yourself against business failure is to find and work with a mentor, someone with business experience who can guide and assist you. You may want to start on the Internet for mentoring in marketing a small business.
2. Finance Start-Up
All businesses require some form of financing. An integral component of starting a successful business is raising sufficient capital. There are many challenges here, but numerous resources are available to help you.
General Financing And Accounting
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► Start-Up Costs
Plan for the initial expenses your business will have.
► Estimating Costs
Learn to anticipate your initial business cost.
► Breakeven Analysis
Know when your business breaks even and when you can expect a profit.
► Financing Basics
How do you plan to finance your business? This is especially important for new enterprises.
► SBA's Role
What the SBA offers to help your small business grow and profit.
► Equity Capital
Learn about the pros and cons of offering stock.
► What's A Surety Bond?
Learn what a surety bond is and if it can help your business.
► Learn About SBA's Surety Bond Program
Detailed explanation about how this program operates.
► Handling Finances
It is essential for the business owner to know how to manage his/her finances.
► Personal vs. Business Finances
You must know your personal finances and credit before starting out on your own.
► The Benefits Of Making Your Banker Your Friend
Cultivating a friendly relationship with your banker will benefit your business in many ways.
► Borrowing Money
Know the essentials in borrowing money. Can your business afford it?
► Fair Credit Reporting
Learn where your credit report comes from and how it affects your loan prospects.
► Credit Scoring
Know how the bank uses a credit scoring system to determine their acceptance of your loan application.
► Credit Factors
The basic elements examined in every loan application.
Loan and Funding Information
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► Finding Capital
Know how to find various sources of capital to begin your business.
► Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) Program
Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which are licensed and regulated by the SBA, are privately owned and managed investment firms that provide venture capital and startup financing to small businesses. The above link will take you to SBA's Investment Division's home page, where you will also find reference to the Small Business Investment Act.
► Federal Grant Resources
A list of federal resources that could give your business a grant.
► Basic Requirements
The basic requirements for a business to receive an SBA loan.
► Eligibility Size Standards
Required size standards for a business to receive an SBA loan.
► SBA's 7(a) Loan Program
Explanation and requirements of the SBA's most basic and used loan program--the 7(a) loan.
►Applying For A Loan
Help in writing a loan proposal.
► Loan Proposals
Develop and organize your loan proposal.
► Loan Package Checklist
Make sure you have everything you need in your loan proposal.
► SBA Loan Programs
Learn which program is right for your business.
► Prequalification Programs
Businesses must pre-qualify for certain loan programs.
► Microloans
Details about the SBA's Micro-loan program.
► Certified Development Company (504) Loan Program
Detailed explanation about the SBA's (504) loan program for a non-profit Certified Development Company to assist in the economic development of its community.
► Export Working Capital
A program designed to create short-term working capital for exporters.
► Export Express
Program designed to help small businesses receive export financing.
► International Trade Loans
This program is designed to help businesses in international trade overcome competition from imports.
► Delta Loans
Loans that help small contractors transition from defense to civil contracts.
► Employee Trusts
Loans that help provide financial assistance to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).
► Pollution Control Loans
Pollution Control loans are 7(a) loans with the special purpose of pollution control.
► CAPLines Loans
Helps small businesses get their short-term and cyclical working capital.
► Certified Lender Programs
Get a loan from a certified lender who knows the policies and procedures of the SBA.
► Preferred Lender Programs
This program helps speed up the loan application approval process.
► Community Express
Program that serves geographic areas of mostly low and moderate income.
► Secondary Market Programs
Program designed to make lending to small businesses more attractive.
► Asset Sales
SBA's initiative to take advantage of the private sector's efficiency by selling its portfolio of loans and other assets in order to help manage its overall credit exposure.
► How To Prepare A Loan Package
Create the best loan package for your business.
► Never Take "No" For An Answer
Learn why your loan application was rejected and take steps to correct those reasons.
► SBA Loans FAQs
Get answers to the questions frequently asked about SBA loans.
► USDA: Farm Loans Direct
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency's Online loans and services.
► USDA: Farm Labor Housing Loans And Grants
Provides capital financing for the development of housing for domestic farm laborers.
► USDA/FAS: Financing Promotions And Exports
The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) offers funds for marketing U.S. products overseas.
► USDA: Rural Business Cooperative Service
A variety of USDA rural business development and grant programs.
