Just over 20% of small businesses fail in their first year of operation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report for 2024; nearly 50% are shuttered within the first five years. The top three reasons for failure? Cash flow problems, little or no demand for your product or service and poor management, notes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. By all accounts, it takes savvy, knowledgeable owners to lead their businesses down the road to long-term success.
This section includes a variety of resources for finding information you need at little or no cost.
ADP is a global provider of cloud-based human capital management products and services. At the website, click on the Resources tab at the top of the home page, then Small Business for how-to articles, a list of webinars and events and tools for a variety of calculators for personal salary, retirement and investment decisions, a glossary and tax guides and forms.
For more than 25 years, AllBusiness.com, headquartered in San Francisco, has provided articles, resources and advice on a wide variety of business topics such as sales and marketing and financing. Add your company to the free Business Directory Listing, sign up for the free enewsletter or chat live.
On its website, American Express offers an extensive section of how-to articles and tools to help entrepreneurs manage their new and growing businesses. The resource center also highlights success stories from successful companies. Click on the Support tab at the top of the page for more how-to tips and advice.
Business News Daily’s mission is to be an online authority for start-up and early stage business owners to find the crucial news and information they need to launch and grow successful businesses. The news and resource content covers more than 30 topic categories that are vital for all businesses to succeed. Scroll to the bottom of the home page for articles on specific business topics.
Entrepreneur Media publishes nine magazine issues annually for print and/or online subscribers. Many of these articles as well as additional articles, videos, free webinars and more are offered at the website. Visitors may sign up for an enewsletter as well.
GANNON UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Gannon SBDC provides in-house services in several counties including Mercer, offering business planning, financial analysis, marketing planning and research, international trade/export, environmental services and various business planning workshops and educational programs for new and existing business activities.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS RESOURCES
The NABR identifies and honors excellence, fostering a robust community of elite thinkers while delivering a diverse array of tools and resources to executive leadership nationwide. Offers on-demand webinars and a print magazine.
NATIONAL BUSINESS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NBEA is a national professional organization devoted exclusively to serving individuals and groups engaged in instruction, administration, research and dissemination of information for and about business. Many articles, webinars and other programs are available to guests, as is a free enewsletter.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
The NFIB, a membership organization headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals, has advocated for small business for more than 75 years. It’s the only business organization with policy positions established directly by and for members. The Stay Informed tab on the home page includes sections on news, webinars, podcasts, trends and research and more.
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Pasadena, Calif., Management Library provides easy-to-access, quality information intended to help business owners and professionals grow. There are thousands of articles in the library ranging from finance to human resources to starting a business. Website visitors also may sign up for a free enewsletter.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SELF-EMPLOYED
Started in 1981, NASE was founded to provide day-to-day support including direct access to experts benefits and consolidated buying power. The Business Help section includes links to resources, “Ask the Experts” on topics like preparing a business plan and various how-to publications.
In partnership with the self-employed, small businesses and entrepreneurs since 1982, the Carrollton, Texas-based NBA provides assistance to small business owners in all stages of development. The Resources tab at the top of the home page links to how-to articles on a wide variety of topics including financing, social media, technology and human resources.
OHIO BUSINESS RESOURCE CONNECTION
The goal of this entity, operated by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, is to provide resources that help businesses contribute to Ohio’s economy. In addition to regular businesses, the website provides information for disability-owned, ethnic-minority-owned, military veteran-owned and woman-owned companies. Sign up for a free weekly enewsletter.
PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS ONE-STOP SHOP
This website, operated by the Department of Community and Economic Development, serves up a plethora of information for those thinking about starting a business or expanding an existing company. Links include guidance on writing a business plan, filing and paying taxes, state funding and becoming a government supplier. The Events section lists business-related webinars on such topics as QuickBooks Functions and Digital Advertising. The Library section includes relevant forms for starting, growing and operating your business across multiple state agencies.
The state of Ohio caters to businesses large and small, helping owners and managers find resources to start, manage and grow their companies. The Tools for Business tab at the top of the home page leads to helpful articles and other resources useful for new and existing business owners. The site also lists information about unclaimed funds, licenses and permits, hiring and training employees and labor market information.
The Chamber’s Start section promises to provide everything that you need to know to start your own business − from business ideas to researching the competition.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The SBA is the motherlode when it comes to all things small business; much information can be found on its website including various funding programs, federal contracting and links to local assistance. Links include market research and competitive analysis, information on writing a business plan, calculating startup costs and establishing business credit. For a plethora of how-to articles appropriate for new start-ups to seasoned companies, check under the Business Guide tab at the top of the home page.
The SBA’s online learning programs are designed to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way. Courses cover every stage of business including planning, launching, managing, marketing and growth plus a tutorial for the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program.
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Offers business management and education services including free, confidential, in-depth and one-on-one counseling and low- or no-cost training and assistance on topics such as strategic planning, technical assistance and information about federal, state and local programs and loan packaging. With the addition of the Export Assistance Network and the APEX Accelerator, the center’s services provide business strategies, export assistance and government contracting opportunities.