| Business-General | Legal |
| eCommerce | Marketing |
| Funding | Professional Services |
| Government | Social Media |
| Web | |
Business-General |
If you find these Resources helpful please DONATE! |
| Accounting Tools | |
| FreshBooks | Online invoicing & record keeping |
| Intuit | QuickBooks & other accounting software applications |
| Outright | Online bookkeeping |
| Business Professional & Social Media | |
 SEO or Search Engine Optimization Techniques (Mostly FREE) |
A clear and concise overview of how search engines operate and how to make your site stand out. (PDF format) |
| A business and employment-oriented service that provides professional networking and business connections. | |
| Professional design-Startup Pkgs - Websites, Media, PR | |
| Business - General | |
| Choosing Your Business Entity |
How to choose the proper Entity (Sub S, C-Corp, LLC, etc) (PDF format) |
| BusinessDictionary | Easy-to-use free business glossary with over 20000 terms. Concise, clear, and comprehensive. |
| Business Know-How | Info, tools & resources for home & small businesses |
| BusinessTown | Info, tools & resources for home & small businesses |
| BUZGate.org | Info, tools & resources for home & small businesses |
| Dictionary of Small Business | Directory of business terms & definitions |
| Expertise | Optimize your: Website, Social Media, Hiring & more |
| Inc. | Info, tools & resources for small & mid-size businesses |
| NetMBA | Reference source for general business topics & concepts |
| QuickMBA | Reference source for general business topics & concepts |
| Project Mgt. Institute (PMI) | Project Mgt. Videos, Articles, Certification |
| Residual-Rewards | Directory of business terms & discussions on other topics |
| Small Business Trends | Topical information about small business issues |
| Startup Savant | Reference source for all business startup topics |
| The Small Business Advisor | Info & advice on starting or running a small business |
| Business - Management | |
| American Management Assoc. | General management information |
| BizMove.com | Guides, tools & ideas to manage your business |
| BizFilings | A full-service legal & business partner for online incorporation, forming an LLC, running a business, and more. |
| Zenefits | HR, Payroll, Business Mgt. Software |
| CA HealthCare Foundation | Guide to buying employee health coverage in California |
| Cortera | Company credit & financial information |
| Northern California SBDC | Local resources to assist ongoing businesses |
| Salary.com |
Online personnel & payroll management service |
| Start_and_Manage_Small_Business.pdf | |
| Business - Networking | |
| American Express Open Forum | Small business online networking community |
| Biznik | Info sharing among local entrepreneurs |
| Business Operations - Restaurants | |
| Allfoodbusiness.com | General info about the food & restaurant industry |
| CA Restaurant Association | Info, resources & networking opportunities |
| Golden Gate Restaurant Association | Info, resources & networking opportunities |
| Restaurant Equipment World | Equipment sales, design & installation |
| Restaurant Management Center | Resources & info on all aspects of restaurant mgt. |
| Restaurant Owner | Resources & info on all aspects of restaurant mgt. |
| Restaurant Realty Company | Source for buying, selling & leasing restaurants |
| RestaurantReport | Resources & info on all aspects of restaurant mgt. |
| Restaurants For Sale Online | Source specializing in buying & selling & restaurants |
 Restaurant 12 Month PLWorksheet |
12 Month Profit & Loss Worksheet (Excel worksheet) |
| Business Operations - Retail | |
 Retail Expenses Category Listing |
Retail Startup expense categories (MS Word document) |
| Apparel Search | Apparel & textile industry directories |
| The Retail Owners Institute | Focus on retail finance, inventory mgt. & cash flow |
| Business Opportunities - Buy | |
| BizBen | Listing of small to mid-size businesses for sale |
| bizjournals | Listing of small to mid-size businesses for sale |
| CA Association of Business Brokers | Listing of small to mid-size businesses for sale |
| Business Opportunities - Franchise | |
| FranChoice | Finding the right franchise to buy |
| FranNet | Finding the right franchise to buy |
| Business Opportunities - State | |
| CA Department of Financial Institutions | Info on selling to the State of California |
| Business Plans - Samples | |
| Bplans | Free sample business plans & general information |
| Entrepreneur | Free sample business plans & general information |
| SamplePlan | Business plan templates (fee-based) |
| Business Plans - Software | |
| Fundable Plans | Web-based planning & financial forms |
| JIAN | Macintosh & Windows compatible |
| PlanWare | Various business planning software products |
| Business Plans & Tools | |
| Business Planning Tools for Non-Profit Organizations | Covers multiple aspects of running a non-profit, including how to manage and recruit volunteers. |
| BulletProof Business Plans | Business plan software, samples & information |
| Center for Business Planning | Business plan software, samples & information |
| MasterCard | Several easy to use business guides |
| The One Page Business Plan Co. | Business plan software, samples & information |
| SWOT Analysis | An Essential Guide to SWOT Analysis |
| Debt Payoff Calculator | The Simple dollar debt payoff calculator |
| Business - Sourcing | |
| Better Business Bureau | Provides a listing of accredited businesses that pledge to adhere to the BBB Code of Business Practices. |
| ThomasNet | Industrial manufacturers, distributors and services directory |
| MacRAE's Blue Book | Directory of industrial suppliers |
| Process Register | Online industrial buyer\'s guide |
| Business Start-Ups | |
| Wicked Start | Turn Your Idea Into a Business - FREE Service |
| Steve Blank | Startup Guru, Lean Startup |
| About.com:Small Business | General small business information |
| AllBusiness.com | Info & tools to help small business start-ups |
| Business Owner's Toolkit | Info & tools to help small business start-ups |
| MWBE.com | Support for minority & women business entrepreneurs |
| SME Toolkit | Info, tips & resources on all aspects of business |
| StartupNation | Variety of info on all aspects of starting a business |
| Powerful Presentations | Communicate Better, get your point across, get noticed |
| The Entrepreneur's Help Page | Info & tools to help small business start-ups |
| WomanOwned | Info, tools & networking opportunities for women |
| Renaissance Entrepreneurs | Support for Bay Area entrepreneurs |
| PitchForce | Entrepreneur Pitch Events |
| PitchEnvy | Gallery of Successful Pitch Decks |
| Founders Institute | Entrepreneur Training & Startup Launch Program |
| Y Combinator | Incubator provides seed funding for startups |
| SeedCamp | Incubator for early stage companies |
| GSV Labs | Accelerate global innovation |
| Plug & Play | Global Business Accelerator |
| Top | |
eCommerce |
|
| eCommerce - Marketing | |
| MarketingTips | Online business marketing resources & training |
| Multichannel Merchant | Online business marketing resources & training |
| eCommerce - Payment | |
| 2CO | Internet payment service |
| Elavon | Internet payment service |
| PayPal | Internet payment service |
| Square | Internet payment service |
| eCommerce - Security | |
| VeriSign | Tools & services to protect online transactions |
| DocuSign | Secure electronic signature technology and digital transaction management services. |
| Online Selling | |
| craigslist | Community of buyers & sellers |
| eBay | Community of buyers & sellers |
| Etsy | Community of handmade merchandise buyers & sellers |
| Shopify | Shopify is the best ecommerce platform that has everything you need to sell online, on social media, or in person. |
| Amazon PRO Selling | Sell like a Pro |
| Top | |
Funding |
|
| Funding - Angel Investors | |
| Keiretsu Forum | All Types, $250K-$5Mil, Randy Williams CEO |
| DreamFunded | Invest or sell private shares, Manny Fernandez CEO |
| Life Science Angels, Inc. | Bio/Life Science, $200k-$700K, Allan May Chairman |
| Funders Club | Online funding |
| Investors' Circle | Green/Solar, $200k-$500K, Deb Parsons Co-Director |
| Angels' Forum | All Types, $250K-$500K, Carol Sands Manager |
| Band Of Angels | Tech/Bio/Mobile, $300-$1Mil, Ian Sobieski Director |
| North Bay Angels | Tech/Mobile, $250-$1Mil, David Hehman Chairman |
| Angel Capital Association | Directory of angel investor organizations |
| Funding - General | |
| BizBuyFinancing | Info on various sources for business loans |
| BusinessFinance.com | Info on various sources for business loans |
| Consumer Credit Counseling Services | Local credit counseling & debt consolidation advice |
| OBDC Finance | Local commercial loan sources and services |
| Prosper | Online peer-to-peer lending service |
| CrowdFunding Sites | |
| goFundme | The worlds #1 personal fundraising site |
| indiegogo | The largest global fundraising site |
| KickStarter | Largest project fundraising site |
| CrowdRise | Raise money for any cause that inspires you |
| Funding - Grants | |
| Foundation Center | Source for non-profit funding & grant writing information |
| Funding - Microloans | |
| Kiva Local | Local community microloan program |
| Opportunity Fund | Local community microloan program |
| Pacific Community Ventures | Local community microloan program |
| Working Solutions | Local community microloan program |
| Kabbage | Small Business Loans |
| Lighter Capital | Small Business Loans |
| Funding - Venture Capital | |
| DFJ | Global Venture Funding, Contact Mohanjit Jolly |
| Garage Technology Ventures | Funding for California hi-tech start-ups, Bill Reichert CEO |
| Google Ventures | Venture Capital |
| SamSung Ventures | Venture Capital |
| Microsoft Ventures | Venture Capital |
| vFinance | Directory of venture capital firms |
| Seed Round Term Sheets | Seed Round Term Sheet Templates |
 Anti-Dilution Term Sheet |
Understanding the term sheet (PDF format) |
| Top | |
Government |
|
| Government - County | |
| Alameda County | Fictitious name registration |
| Contra Costa County | Fictitious name registration |
| Solano County | Fictitious name registration |
| Government - Federal | |
| Business.usa.gov | Info & tools to help small business start-ups |
| Internal Revenue Service | Tax info, forms & EINs (employer identification numbers) |
| Small Business Administration | Services, tools & tips for small businesses |
| Government - General | |
| State and Local Gov. on the Net | Directory of U.S. state, county & city government websites |
| CourtSystem.org | Directory of Legal and Law Enforcement addresses |
| Government - State | |
| CA Business Portal | Info about starting a business in California |
| CA Employment Development Dept. | California payroll tax information & forms |
| CA Franchise Tax Board | California corporate tax information |
| CA Sec. of State - Business Programs | General information about doing business in California |
| CA State Board of Equalization | California business tax & fee information |
| CalGold | California business permits information |
| California Tax Service Center | Guides to California income, payroll, sales & use taxes |
| State of California | General information about California |
| Intellectual Property | |
| U.S. Copyright Office | Copyright information |
| International Trade - Exporting | |
| Export.gov | Info about exporting from the U.S. |
| International Trade Administration | Government assistance programs for exporters |
| International Trade - Financing | |
| Export-Import Bank of the U.S. | Info about financing small business exports |
| INCOTERMS | Explanation of international terms of sale |
| International Trade - General | |
| CalChamber | Resources & contacts for California exporters & importers |
| Port of Oakland | Directory of Northern California resources |
| International Trade - Importing | |
| U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Info about importing into the U.S. |
| International Trade - Partners | |
| Federal Maritime Commission | Directory of licensed U.S. freight forwarders |
| Global Sources | Database linking buyers & sellers worldwide |
| Kompass | Database linking buyers & sellers worldwide |
| NCBFAA | Directory of Customhouse Brokers & Freight Forwarders |
| International Trade - Research | |
| Alibaba.com | Online source for products, suppliers & buyers |
| PIERS | Commodity, exporter & importer information |
| TradePort | California export & import data & trade leads |
| USA Trade Online | U.S. export & import census data |
| Inventors - General | |
| InventNET | Info & advice about developing & marketing inventions |
| Small Business Investors Alliance | Local networking organization for prospective investors |
| Will It Sell? | General information for inventors |
| Inventors - Patents | |
| Delphion | Patent search |
| FreePatentsOnline | Patent research & general information |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office | Patent & trademark information |
| Top | |
Legal |
|
| Legal - General | |
| BusinessLaws.com | Legal documents & information |
| FindLaw | Legal documents & information |
| LegalZoom | DIY Legal documents & information |
| Nolo | DIY Legal documents & information |
| Legal - Employment Law | |
| LawRoom | Employment Legal documents & information |
| Legal - Incorporation | |
| CA Department of Corporations | California business incorporation information |
| Harvard Business Services | Delaware Business incorporation information & services |
| MyCorporation | Business incorporation information & services |
| The Company Corporation | Business incorporation information & services |
| Legal - Startups | |
| Royse Law Firm | Roger Royse provides Legal services for early stage companies |
| Start-Up Forms Library | Key legal forms to start and grow your company |
| CooleyGo | Startup legal resources |
| WilmerHale Launch | Explore - Grow - Launch |
| Founders Workbench | Building on your ideas |
| Startup Company Lawyer | Resources, Forms, Answers |
| Top | |
Marketing |
|
| Market Research - General | |
| Alameda County Library | Access to various databases & other information |
| Hoovers | Basic information about thousands of companies |
| ReferenceUSA | Business & consumer database - available @ libraries |
| U.S. Census Bureau | Business & consumer information & projections |
| Market Research - Location | |
| City-Data.com | Detailed city & zip code information |
| ePodunk | In-depth information about communities & counties |
| New Geography | Demographic & economic information |
| Market Research - Statistics | |
| Statista | Find statistics, consumer survey results and industry studies from over 22500 sources on over 60000 topics on the internet's leading statistics database |
| Bizminer | Industry research & data (subscription-based) |
| BizStats | Financial & operating data for business planning |
| STAT-USA/Internet | Source for U.S. business, trade & economic information |
| Marketing - General | |
| Huthwaite | Techniques for business-to-business (B2B) selling |
| Marketing Teacher | Source of information on a variety of marketing issues |
| Professional Services Marketing | Marketing & communications for professional services |
| Marketing - Promotion | |
| Area's Best Business | Alternative solutions to reaching potential customers |
| Chief Marketer | General advice & information on promoting your business |
| GoLogo | Logo advice & design |
| PR Toolkit | Info, tips & tools for effective company communications |
| Marketing - Survey Tools | |
| QuestionPro | Online survey tools and information |
| Survey Monkey | Online survey tools and information |
| Zoomerang | Online survey tools and information |
| Marketing Plans | |
| Mplans | Free sample marketing plans & general advice |
| Top | |
Professional Services |
|
| Professional Services - Financial | |
| CalCPA | Directory of California certified public accounts |
| California Board of Accountancy | Directory of various financial service providers |
| CPAdirectory | Directory of California certified public accounts |
| Echx | Payroll outsourcing service |
| Paychex | Payroll outsourcing service |
| Professional Services - Insurance | |
| Insurance Information Institute | General information for business insurance |
| Professional Services - Legal | |
| Alameda County Bar Association | Directory of Alameda County lawyers |
| American Bar Association | General information for legal services |
| Contra Costa County Bar Association | Directory of Contra Costa County lawyers |
| Attorneys.com | Matches local Attorneys to your legal issue |
| Lawyers.com | Directory of legal services |
| Martindale | Checkout Attorney's background & qualifications |
| Solano County Bar Association | Directory of Solano County lawyers |
| Professional Services - Real Estate | |
| Loopnet | Commercial real estate resource |
| Zillow | Commercial & Residential real estate resource |
| Cityfeet | Commercial real estate resource |
| Top | |
Social Media |
|
| Social Networking | |
| jabezenterprisegroup | Resources to help you setup social networking |
| Add This | Tools to spread & track web content |
| Delicious | Bookmark organizing tool |
| Digg | Web content evaluation |
| Social Marketing - Blogs | |
| Blogger | Blog set-up |
| Copyblogger | Develop creative writing & content marketing skills |
| LiveJournal | Crossover social networking & blog platform |
| Moveable Type | Variety of social publishing platforms & services |
| WordPress | Open source software you can use to create a beautiful website, blog, or app. |
| Social Marketing - Email | |
| Constant Contact | Email platform & templates |
| Lyris | Email platform & templates |
| Social Marketing - General | |
| 2hats Consulting | Tools & support for small business owners |
| Boot Camp Digital | Live & online training programs |
| eMarketer | General information about digital marketing & media |
| Grow Smart Business | Info, tools & insights on how businesses use social media |
| Mashable | Info, tips & resources to using social media |
| Sustainability | |
| Bay Area Green Business Program | Resources to help small businesses become sustainable |
| Earth 2017 | Practical advice on becoming a sustainable business |
| Triple Pundit | Info on the triple bottom line - people, planet & profit |
| Trade Shows | |
| BizTradeShows.Com | Industry-specific trade show information |
| Trade Show News Network | Industry-specific trade show information |
| Trade-Show-Advisor.com | Info, resources and tips on trade show participation |
| Top | |
Web |
|
| Website - DIY Development | |
| Squarespace | Build your website for FREE |
| Wix | Build your website for FREE |
| CoffeeCup | Website information, software & support |
| HTML Goodies | Website information, software & support |
| Weebly | Build your website for FREE |
| HTMLCenter | Website information, software & support |
| Website - Domain Names | |
| checkdomain.com | Establishing a domain name for your website |
| Sedo | Source for buying & selling domain names |
| Website - Free Hosting | |
| Bravenet | Website information, tools & support |
| Netfirms | Website information, tools & support |
| Webs | Website information, tools & support |
| Website - Keywords | |
| Good Keywords | Info & software to maximize keyword results |
| Google AdWords | Improve your Google search results |
| Website - Linkage | |
| Onlywire | Info & software to integrate with social networks |
| Website - Management | |
| Google Analytics | Tools to analyze website traffic & marketing effectiveness |
| LinkPopularity | Search engine optimization training, tools & tips |
| searchengines.com | Search engine optimization training, tools & tips |
| SEO Book | Search engine optimization training, tools & tips |
| Website - Paid Hosting | |
| 1&1 | Full-service website support |
| Go Daddy | Full-service website support |
| Hostway | Full-service website support |
East Bay SCORE Resource Center
East Bay SCORE Resource Center
Starting a new business is a large undertaking. Fortunately, there are numerous excellent resources online and at your fingertips. East Bay SCORE has compiled the following resources that we think will be valuable for anyone running or starting a business.