Planning

Demographics:

• AdAge.com: Demographics - Focuses on consumer trends and behavior - and how to locate prime prospects in terms of demographics, lifestyles, media preferences and purchasing behavior.
• BizStats.com - Effective and understandable online analysis of industry and small business statistics.
• Business Analyst Online (ESRI) - On demand reports and maps. Subscription Required.
• Business Indicators Analysis Tools - Business Indicators was developed by BRIDG and the University of Missouri's Office of Social and Economic Analysis (OSEDA) in response to requests for "easy to find and use data for marketing and business plans." We have pulled together various data sources to meet this demand by entrepreneurs and individuals helping entrepreneurs. Data will be updated as it is made available to us.
• Cedar National Address Server - Given a valid U.S. postal address, this web site rewrites the address in the proper Post Office format along with the ZIP+4 code. It will also print the address and barcode on an envelope and provide a street map of the address.
• Center for Economic Information (University of Missouri-Kansas City) - Provides social and economic information, gathered from a variety of sources, at several different levels of geography for the Kansas City metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
• Circular Area Profiles - Missouri Census Data Center tool that provides demographic information in any given radius area around a specified point.
• Easy Analytic Software, Inc. (EASI) - Obtain free population ring studies and demographic analysis based on the actual address of your site. Includes "The Right Site" service.
• Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council - FFIEC Geocoding System - Enter a street address and find the census tract information for that location on income, population and housing. Also find MSA Code, State Code and Tract/BNA Code for a particular street address.
• Geospatial and Statistical Data Center - County Business Patterns - Provides county, state and national level business data from 1977 to the most recent year available. Statistics include number of establishments, payroll (annual and 1st quarter), number of employees and number of establishments by size class for 2 digit SIC industry groupings.
• Melissa Data - Products and services to put together mailing lists and other data. Site includes several free lookups (addresses, ZIP codes in a radius, labor statistics, demographics, etc.)
• Missouri Census Data Center (MCDC) - Part of the Missouri Secretary of State's web site. Missouri population estimates and projections, Internet applications to design customized census reports, geographic correspondence engine (to find out what zip codes fall within a county, what census tracts fall within a town, etc.). Explore the MCDC Data Archive with UEXPLORE
• Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) - Part of Missouri's Department of Economic Development web site. Facts and figures to help understand Missouri's regional economies.
• Missouri State Archives - Part of the Missouri Secretary of State's web site. Official repository for all state records of permanent value.
• Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA) - Part of the University of Missouri System. Provides Missourians with up-to-date social, economic and demographic information about their localities.
• OSEDA - Missouri County Fact Sheets - Census data specific to each Missouri county prepared by the University of Missouri Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA).
• Population Estimates - The Missouri Census Data Center's official page for the latest population estimates. Includes population estimates for Missouri towns and counties (race, age, gender, and Hispanic detail is sometimes available at the county level), a link to the U.S. Census Bureau's population page (which includes estimates for all 50 states and a schedule of when upcoming estimates are scheduled for release), and maps, press releases, and contact information for Missouri's state demographer.
• Radio Advertising Bureau - Describes radio audiences, listener profiles, media comparisons and radio facts.
• Regional Economic Accounts - Part of the Bureau of Economic Analysis' site. Database provides local area economic data for states, counties and metropolitan areas for the period 1969-2001 (REIS).
• U.S. Census Bureau - Home page. Provides information about the people and economy of the United States.

Industry/Company Information:

• 10K Wizard: SEC Edgar Filings - Provides access to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings by company, ticker, form-type, word and date.
• 1997 Economic Census: Summary Statistics for United States 1997 NAICS Basis - Table uses NAICS Codes to determine how many and what kinds of establishments are found in a given state, metropolitan area or county.
• AllBusiness - Provides small businesses with a single point of access for resources ranging from start-up kits and HR advice to financing services and free business directory listings.
• BizWeb Business Guide - A business guide to 46,324 companies listed in 207 categories.
• B2B Business Directory - Provides a free online business card listing for Missouri businesses and allows users to search by business category and region for a specific type of business.
• CEO Express - Links to resources on the web for daily news and information from leading publications, business research, office tools and travel services.
• Corporate Information - Includes items such as publicly-traded company research reports, business sector profiles and SEC filings.
• Dun and Bradstreet - Provides business information for credit, marketing, purchasing and receivables management decisions.
• Global Reports - More than a half-million annual reports containing information stretching more than 30 years into financial history for companies from every major index constituency from throughout the world. (Registration and fee required)
• Hoover's Online - Provides information on companies and industries, money management, career development, business news and business travel.
• Inc.com Marketing Resource Center - Articles and tools on many facets of marketing including methods, research and advertising.
• Industry Profile Links - Profiles 28 small business entities and provides web links to associations, industry data and other realted information.
• Industry Research Desk - Provides tools for researching specific companies, industries and manufacturing processes.
• Industry Specific Business Guides - Industry specific business profiles where small businesses account for much of the activity. These profiles provide information on legal structure, taxes, hiring employees and resources.
• IndustryLink - Directory of links to industry web sites. Focuses on industry-to-industry marketing where companies sell their products and services to other companies.
• InfoUSA - Resources for sales leads, mailing lists and directory assistance service to find people/businesses.
• LogisticsWorld - Provides a list of websites related to the logistic and transportation industries.
• Manta - Offers company profiles, industry reports, business intelligence, global market research reports, and statistical market research overviews. (Registration and fee required)
• Martindale's: The Reference Desk - Contains an extensive index to on-line references, including links to on-line calculators and thousands of teaching files, multimedia tutorials and data bases.
• National Business Cards Online - Business card directory.
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Association - Find NAICS Codes, SIC Codes and detailed industry definitions. Codes identify potential customers by business activities and help define target markets. Site also offers for sale a number of commercial products to identify target markets.
• Radio Advertising Bureau - Describes radio audiences, listener profiles, media comparisons and radio facts.
• Sales and Marketing Executives International - Marketing association of professional sales and marketing managers. Contains library with over 200,000 searchable articles on sales and marketing.
• SEC Filings & Forms (EDGAR) - Part of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission web site. Provides access to registration statements, periodic reports and other forms filed by public companies through the Electronic Data Gathering, Anaylsis and Retrieval system (EDGAR).
• U.S. Business Exchange (USBX) - Source of content, expertise, tools and services to assist existing and prospective buyers and sellers of a business.
• YellowPages.com - Online yellow pages directory for finding businesses and products quickly.

Selected Government Sites - Official web sites of state and federal agencies that regulate businesses.

Advertising:

• AdMedia.org: Internet Advertising Resource Guide - List of web sites for planning, developing, managing, researching and teaching Internet advertising.
• Dealing With a Graphic Designer - Smart tips to get the most for your money when working with a design firm for logos, letterhead, direct mail and other marketing pieces.
• Frequently Asked Advertising Questions: A Guide for Small Business - The FTC's facts for business regarding a wide variety of advertising policies,
• "Hometown Business: Put Your Best Foot Forward With -- Dynamic Displays" - Things to consider when creating effective retail displays for merchandise (University of Missouri Extension Guidesheet)
• "Hometown Business: Increase Your Sales -- Invest in Advertising" - Steps to follow in planning and executing an effective advertising program (University of Missouri Extension Guidesheet)
• Mailing List Companies - List of companies that produce mailing lists.
• Selling by Mail Order - [198k] Part of SBA's Marketing Series includes information on selecting, pricing, testing and writing effective advertisements for your products or services.
• Small Business Marketing: Planning a Retail Advertising Program - Guidelines to help plan an advertising budget, select media, use cooperative advertising and prepare the ad itself.
• What Not to Do When Designing Marketing Pieces Yourself - Avoid these 10 design disasters when you're creating your own materials. From Entrepreneur.com

General Sales:

• 2008 Missouri Retail Promotion Calendar
  
• Agricultural Marketing Service - Part of the USDA site with market news area including price reports, such as daily commodity reports and report summaries
• Baby Boomers: Know this Consumer - Baby boomers represent the generation with the greatest buying power in the history of the country. You should carefully consider your product's appeal to this huge market and determine how you can deliver it.
• "Building Your Brand" - This publication examines what branding is, why it is important, and the necessary steps to brand your product. (University of Missouri Extension Guidesheet)
• Built It and They Will Come ... Or Will They? - Your business is launched. How do you get the word out? How to establish a circle of referrals.
• Co-existing with the Big Retailers - The things the big retailers cannot offer are the elements that provide smaller retailers opportunities to not only survive but even thrive in the same communities as the retail giants.
• Competing in a Big Box World - Small businesses must learn to adapt and focus on being flexible in response to the changing marketplace. This article provides tips for determining your strengths and using them to compete with the big guys.
• Competing With Mass Merchandisers - With the recent expansion of mass merchandisers into almost every locale, how can the small business survive? This study's results can help you understand how to compete - from merchandise and marketing to service and customer relations.
  
• Electronic Commerce (see also Web Marketing)
  • B2B Business Directory - Provides a free online business card listing for Missouri businesses and allows users to search by business category and region for a specific type of business.
    
  • CommerceNet - Provides research on emerging e-commerce business and technology trends and developments.
  • Guide to E-Commerce - Part of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations web site. Portal site that provides links to general sites; industry associations and organizations; October 21, 2008ine news and U.S. government sites.
  • International Small Business Consortium - Helps small and medium-sized enterprises make better use of the Internet.
  • Managing the Digital Enterprise - Part of the North Carolina State University E-Commerce Learning Center web site. Free online course to understanding e-commerce. You will use the power of the Internet to learn about the subject firsthand.
  • Put Your Company on the Web - Initial questions that businesses should ask when considering a Web site. Basic guidelines for setting up a company Web site plus a review of domain names, hiring a web developer, customer service, promotion, legal issues and a glossary of terms are included. Also available in PDF [1,293k]
  • Web Marketing and E-Commerce - Main page of Wilson Internet Services. List of links to online articles about effective web marketing and to various web resources for doing business on the Internet.
  • Writing for the Web - A common mistake made by many who write for the Internet is to assume that writing for the computer screen is like any other writing. Nothing could be further from the truth. This article provides basic web writing guidelines.
    
• Gear Up Early For Holiday Sales - Seventeen helpful tips for retail and service businesses for success with the busy holiday season.
• "Hometown Business: Keep Them Coming Back for More -- Customer Loyalty" - Things to consider when addressing your customers' needs and wants (University of Missouri Extension Guidesheet)
• How Can I Compete with the Big Discount Stores? - Nine successful survival strategies for small business retailers that want to stay competitive in today's market
• Marketing - This will guide you through the process of developing a marketing plan by breaking it down into its many components such as research, pricing, advertising and others.
• Media Relations 101 - Getting your business into the local media can be an effective way to increase awareness of you and your products or services. This primer will help show you ways to get to know the media in your area and to build positive relationships.
• Predictable Patterns Produce Memorable Marketing Mantras - A review of the book, Powerlines: Words that Sell Brands, Grip Fans and Sometimes Change History, by Steve Cone.
• Sales & Marketing Management - Contains information for executives involved in the management of a company's sales and marketing efforts. Annual features include "Best Sales Forces" and "The Survey of Buying Power," a reference guide to consumer purchasing trends.
• SalesLobby.Com - Provides business-to-business networking, the latest industry information and online applications for sales and marketing professionals.
• Selling by Mail Order - [198k] Part of SBA's Marketing Series providing basic information on running a mail order business. Includes information on selecting, pricing, testing and writing effective advertisements for your products.
• Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers - For many farmers, marketing and selling their products are the most challenging parts of the farm enterprise, especially when selling directly to consumers. This University of Missouri Extension publication is a comprehensive guide to the marketing aspects of selling food products including a selling checklist, building customer relationships, nonverbal communications, meeting needs, creating printed or online materials and being a good salesperson.
• Small Business Marketing: How to Expand Your Market - Common growth strategies for expanding your business.
• Sometimes the Best Strategy is Just to Show Up! - Knowing your customers will make you more effective in sales and marketing. Effective marketing will position your organization to be there when the sale is made.
• Stanislaus Business Building Ideas - Library of successful marketing contributions from independent restaurateurs including image building, operations, boosting sales, customer loyalty and sales and working with employees.
• Trade Shows
  • Tips for Trade Shows - Attending trade shows provides an opportunity to gather market information, network with competitors, court new customers, and generate product sales. Important preliminary planning cam maximize the potential for payoff.
  • Trade-Show-Advisor - Educational resource with articles to help exhibitors maximize visibility, sales leads and revenue at trade shows. Topics include successful tradeshow planning, marketing, exhibit booth displays, giveaways, banners, trade show staffing, promotions, graphics, media packaging etc.
  • Trade Show News Network - Search for trade show events by industry. Offers trade show information, resources, solutions and a forum for exhibitors, producers, designers, marketers and attendees.
  • Trade Shows Work ... They Mean Business - A discussion of trade shows, how they contribute to a business marketing strategy and tips for success.

International Trade:

• Bureau of Consular Affairs - Part of the U.S. Department of State web site. Foreign travel warnings and Consular sheets.
• Bureau of Export Administration - Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce web site. Export control and licensing regulations.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Traveler's health information - for travels outside the U.S.
• China Business Net - China business guide; trade fairs and exhibitions; statistics; regulations; points of contact for leaders of state councils and ministries/commissions/bureaus; and important web links to international trade organizations.
• China Today - Comprehensive information base on today's China.
• Chinapages - Lists trade categories to help find companies or products of interest which are labeled "MADE IN CHINA."
• Center for International Business Education and Research - Part of the University of Kansas web site. The CIBER assists small- and medium-sized companies with exploration of trade opportunities and developing international business skills. Particular emphasis is placed on the emerging role of electronic communication resources (the Internet) in developing international business opportunities for firms located in the heartland of the United States.
• Commercial News USA - United States Department of Commerce showcase for American-made products and services. Designed to help American companies promote products and services to buyers in other 145 countries.
• Embassy.org - Foreign Embassies & Consulates located in Washington, D.C. and throughout the U.S.
• Export.gov - U.S. Government export portal providing access to a global listing of trade events, international market research and practical tools to help with every step of the export process.
• Export Portal-U.S. Department of Commerce - International trade assistance.
• Export-Import Bank of the U.S. - Official export credit agency of the U.S. Government.
• Foreign Agriculture Service-U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agriculture export assistance, programs and services.
• GlobalEdge - Part of the Michigan State University - Center for International Business Education and Research (MSU-CIBER) web site. Index of international business resources on the Internet.
• Globalspeak.com - Video webcasts on export topics, including "How-to-do-Business."
• International Monetary Fund - IMF lends money to member countries in economic crisis.
• International Relations Council - Programs and events on economic and trade policy worldwide.
• International Trade Administration - U.S. Department of Commerce - Get online international trade assistance with tariffs, taxes, documentation, research, rules and trade events.
• Links to United States Embassies and Consulates Worldwide - Information and services.
• Market Access and Compliance-U.S. Department of Commerce - Helps American exporters facing foreign trade barriers and assures that foreign countries comply with their trade commitments.
• Missouri Department of Agriculture - Provides market development information and export assistance for Missouri agricultural products.
• Missouri Business and Community Services Global Business Assistance - The Missouri Office of International Trade & Investment offers international finance programs, trade statistics, information on logistics and distribution and necessary forms for exporting.
• Office of Foreign Assets Control - Part of the U.S. Department of Treasury web site. Information on trade sanctions and embargoed foreign countries.
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - Information on trade agreements and policies.
• Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance - Global religious holidays and cultural considerations.
• Overseas Private Investment Corporation - OPIC supports, insures and finances foreign investment projects.
• Passport Service and Information - Part of the U.S. Department of State web site. Passport services and information on how to apply for a passport.
• SBA: Office of International Trade - Part of the U.S. Small Business Administration's web site. Offers export finance and other loan and lenders programs.
• Stat-USA Internet - Business, trade and economic information. National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) Subscription Required.
• St. Louis Center for International Relations - The primary office for international relations and protocols, providing international resources in St. Louis.
• RCGA - St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association - Chamber of Commerce and economic development organization for the Greater St. Louis region.
• The Virtual International Trade Center - Part of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce World Trade Center web site. Provides resources needed to grow a business in the global marketplace.
• The White House - Homepage. Information from the President and Congress.
• The World Factbook - Part of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) web site. Guide to country profiles.
• Trade Information Center - Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration web site. International trade information from 40+ government agencies.
• U.S. Agency for International Development - Information on projects and procurement funded USAID.
• U.S. Census Bureau - Foreign trade statistics and Schedule B Codes.
• U.S. Council for International Business - ATA Carnets-merchandise passports that simplify customs procedures for the temporary importation of commercial samples (CS), professional equipment (PE) and goods for exhibitions and fairs (EF).
• U.S. Customs Service - Home page. Top news and press releases. Information on duty rates, harmonized tariff schedule (HTS), rulings and regulations, small importer, publications and forms.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture - Main page for Dept of Agriculture including top news and press releases.
• U.S. Department of Commerce - Main page for Dept of Commerce.
• U.S. Department of State - Main page for Dept of State.
• U.S. Government Printing Office - Access to government information and publications.
• U.S. Small Business Administration - SBA's main page includes top news and press releases. Click on "Search All SBA" to find SBA's "Breaking Into The Trade Game: A Small Business Guide."
• U.S. Trade and Development Agency - Information on feasibility studies, infrastructure and industrial projects overseas.
• U.S. Treasury - Homepage. Top news and press releases.
• USA Trade Online - U.S. export and import information on more than 18,000 commodities. Subscription Required.
• World Bank Group - Multilateral lending agency. Reduces poverty and promotes economic growth in developing countries.
• World Trade Center Associations - Post and review trade opportunities, access valuable international trade databases and communicate with newly-found business prospects through a worldwide network of locations.

Pricing - Links to Recordkeeping/Accounting section, including information specifically about pricing products and services

Procurement (Selling to the Government):

• Bonding Basics - Bonding protects the government from financial losses. This article explains the types of bonds and when they're required for federal contracts.
• FedBizOpps.gov - Federal Business Opportunities web site. Useful resources for conducting E-Business (EB) and E-Commerce (EC) within the Federal contracting community.
• GovCon - Information resource for the government contracting industry. Features government bid opportunities, teaming partners, products, services, educational resources, career services, industry news and more.
• GSA's How to Sell to the Government - Part of the U.S. General Services Administration web site. Provides assistance for placing businesses on GSA's bidders mailing list, obtaining information on contracting opportunities and for receiving helpful information if you are new to federal procurement.
• Guiding Your Business Toward Selling to the Government - Article explains government contracting and the types of help PTACs provide to small businesses interested in selling to the government.
• Minority-owned Businesses Should Explore Government Contracting Opportunities - Selling to government entities offer unique opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
• Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers - Assistance for competing on government contracts.
• (Most) Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Doing Business with the Government and Were Afraid to Ask ... the PTAC FAQ - Helping demystify the government contracting process, the PTAC FAQ helps explain the process, language and how to obtain assistance.
• Proposal Writing - Government Contracting - Provides assistance with proposal and grant writing and finding goverment bid opportunities
• SBA: Government Contracting - Part of the U.S. Small Business Administration's web site. Advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement world.