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SOOR = ENTERTAINMENT

At=20 last count there were approximately 10 gazillion websites out there. = Where's a=20 business owner to start when looking for valuable information? If you're = reading=20 this, it means you're on Entrepreneur.com, which is a good start. Read = on for 64=20 more vital online spots=20 you should know about.

Accounting=20 Terminology Guide
http://nysscpa.org/pro= f_library/guide.htm
If=20 you need to know what a specific accounting term means, no matter how = obscure,=20 this is the site for you. Hosted and maintained by the New York State = Society of=20 CPAs, nearly 500 accounting terms are defined on this site, all sorted = in an=20 easy-to-use alphabetical list.

AccountingWEB
http://www.accountingweb.com/<= /SPAN>
Updated=20 daily, this site offers accounting industry news, information, tips, = tools,=20 resources and insight--everything you need to prosper and interact with = other=20 accounting professionals.

Adweek=20 Online
http://www.adweek.com/
This=20 is the online edition of Adweek, a=20 popular print magazine focusing on all things advertising and marketing. = This=20 site features the inside scoop on what's going on in the marketing = departments=20 of high-profile companies and corporations.

American=20 Association of Franchisees and Dealers
http://www.aafd.org/
This=20 organization represents the rights of both franchisees and dealers. Here = you can=20 learn about upcoming events, read some free publications online, order = other=20 publications from the bookstore, and become a member.

Backpack
http://www.backpackit.com/=
Backpack=20 is a web-based service that makes organizing your company's information = easy.=20 Backpack lets you make pages that can contain any combination of notes, = to-dos,=20 images, files and so on.

Better=20 Business Bureau
http://us.bbb.org/
Browse=20 or search for a business or charity's reputation. Included are = instructions for=20 how to file a consumer or B2B complaint.

BizBuySell
http://www.bizbuysell.com/=
Looking=20 to buy a franchise? There's a good chance you'll find one here. From = restaurants=20 in California to auto shops in Florida, you can search more than 25,000=20 businesses currently for sale, many of which are franchised.

Bizwomen
http://www.bizwomen.com/
Bizwomen=20 is an online community for women business executives and entrepreneurs = to=20 connect, support one another, learn and grow. You can share and explore = ideas=20 with women across the United States or in your neighborhood to help grow = your=20 business.

Business=20 Owner's Tool Kit
http://www.toolkit.com/
With=20 an emphasis on problem solving, this site features more than 5,000 pages = of free=20 cost-cutting tips, step-by-step checklists, real-life case studies, = startup=20 advice, and business templates to small-business owners and=20 entrepreneurs.

Business=20 Owners Idea Cafe
http://www.businessowners= ideacafe.com/
Managed=20 by successful entrepreneurs and the authors of several guides on forming = and=20 running a business, this site includes numerous award-winning resources, = along=20 with practical advice, business news and humor.

BrandChannel.com
http://www.brandchannel.com/
Run=20 by internationally acclaimed brand consultancy Interbrand, = BrandChannel.com=20 provides a global perspective on brands and the art of branding. Site = features=20 include in-depth feature articles, conference announcements, career = resources=20 and access to white papers.

Brandweek
http://www.brandweek.com/
A=20 leading source of news and information for the branding industry, it's = also the=20 only online trade magazine to offer saturation coverage at all levels of = the=20 brand-activation process.

Catalyst
http://www.catalystwomen.org/<= /SPAN>
Catalyst=20 is a leading corporate research and advisory organization that works = with=20 businesses to build inclusive environments and expand professional = opportunities=20 for women.

Chief=20 Marketer
http://www.chiefmarketer.com/<= /SPAN>
A=20 content-rich website, Chief Marketer provides marketing executives with = insights=20 into key marketing issues, innovations and practical = solutions.

CPAdirectory
http://www.cpadirectory.com/
When=20 April rolls around and you find yourself scrambling to find a CPA, this = site=20 will help. Billed as =93the largest online database of Certified Public=20 Accountants,=94 here you can search for CPAs by ZIP code, name, industry = or area=20 of specialty.

Customer=20 Service Group
http://www.customerserviceg= roup.com/
New=20 Jersey-based Alexander Communications Group (ACG) uses this site to = provide=20 practical information free of charge to customer service professionals. = If you=20 work in the customer service industry, be sure to sign up for Service = Starters,=20 ACG's free customer service industry eNewsletter.

Customer=20 Service Manager
http://www.customerservic= emanager.com/
If=20 you work in customer service, this website is=20 for you. Here you will find an active community of customer service=20 professionals, along with daily news, reviews, articles and resources = aimed at=20 improving customer service.

Customer=20 Service Zone
http://www.customerservicezo= ne.com/
Customer=20 service expert Robert Bacal's website for customer service = professionals, The=20 Zone offers information to help businesses of all sizes and their = employees=20 provide efficient and effective customer service.

Direct=20 Marketing Association
http://www.the-dma.org/
The=20 Direct Marketing Association is the largest trade association for = businesses=20 that are interested and involved in direct, database and interactive = global=20 marketing. Here you can learn more about the DMA, become a member and = access its=20 services.

Electronic=20 Frontier Foundation: Intellectual Property
www.eff.org/issu= es/intellectual-property
EFF=20 works to preserve balance and ensure that the internet and digital = technologies=20 empower consumers, creators, innovators, scholars, and average citizens. = This=20 section of the EFF website spotlights current challenges and solutions = facing=20 the intellectual property rights of everyone.

Entrepreneur.com=20 / WomenEntrepreneur.com
http://www.entrepreneur.com// womenentrepreneur.com
Published=20 by the same people who bring you Entrepreneur=20 magazine, this is an excellent site for entrepreneurs, featuring a solid = collection of articles and tips from experts, plus hundreds of links to = other=20 entrepreneurial resources on the web. WomenEntrepreneur.com offers = additional=20 articles, blogs and resources specific to women for starting and growing = their=20 businesses.

Entrepreneur=20 Connect
econnect.entrepreneur.com<= /SPAN>
Entrepreneur's=20 social networking site is a gathering place for thousands of business = owners.=20 Take part in discussions, join like-minded business owners in groups, = and give=20 and receive valuable advice from the trenches.

Entrepreneur.com's=20 Trade Publication Directory
www.entrepreneur.com/tradepublication/category/index.html
Don't=20 miss one of the internet's largest searchable databases of trade = publications.=20 From agriculture and biotech to purchasing and procurement, = Entrepreneur.com has=20 your industry's trade publication listed here.

Fambiz.com
http://www.fambiz.com/
Fambiz.com=20 is the internet's leading website for owners and employees of family = controlled=20 companies. Managed by Northeastern University's Center for Family = Business, here=20 you will find insight on every family run business topic = imaginable.

Federal=20 Trade Commission: Franchise and Business Opportunities
www.ftc.gov/bcp/fra= nchise/netfran.htm
This=20 site has lots of information, including an FAQ section, Guide to the FTC = Franchise Rule, consumer alerts, Before You Buy pamphlets, and state = disclosure=20 requirements.

Franchise.com
http://www.franchise.com/
Learn=20 more about available franchise opportunities or advertise your franchise = to=20 potential buyers at this site, which aims to connect franchise buyers = and=20 sellers, as well as anyone thinking of starting one.

Franchise=20 Expo
http://www.franchiseexpo.com/<= /SPAN>
If=20 you're thinking about buying a franchise, do your research here; you'll = find=20 detailed information on nearly every franchising opportunity known to=20 man.

Franchise=20 Zone by Entrepreneur.com
http://www.entrepreneur.c= om/franchises
Dedicated=20 to linking enthusiastic entrepreneurs with the top franchises, this site = provides all the information you need to find the best franchises and = become a=20 successful franchisee. How-to articles, advice from experts and lists of = the top=20 franchises in various categories make this the first site to turn to for = those=20 considering the purchase of a franchise.

FreshBooks
http://www.freshbooks.com/=
FreshBooks=20 is an online invoicing and time-tracking service that helps businesses = of all=20 sizes save time, get paid faster and look professional.

Fundability
http://www.fundability.com/
Fundability=20 is a marketplace where entrepreneurs and investors can find funding = success.=20 Founded by entrepreneurs and investors, Fundability's Company SnapShot, = Deal=20 Search Engine, and DiligenceRoom provide intelligent online tools for = the savvy=20 entrepreneur.

Glide
http://www.glidedigital.com/
Glide=20 is a complete mobile desktop providing a secure and scalable platform = for=20 personal and collaborative computing.

Google=20 Checkout
http://www.googlecheckout.com/
This=20 online payment system works alone or as an alternative to systems = already in=20 place. Customers don't have to share credit card information with = merchants that=20 use the system, and identity protection is increased.

Google=20 Docs
www.google.com/docs
The=20 folks at Google deliver a free web-based word processor and spreadsheet, = which=20 allow you to share and collaborate online. Google Docs accepts most = popular file=20 formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, and = more.

Hoover's
http://www.hoovers.com/
Hoover's=20 gives you access to up-to-date information about industries, companies = and key=20 decision makers. Great for professionals working in sales, marketing, = business=20 development, and others who need intelligence on U.S. and global = companies,=20 industries, and the people who lead them.

Idea=20 Locker
http://www.bkfk.com/
One=20 of the best invention/patent sites on the Web for novice innovators of = all ages,=20 this site is specifically designed for kids. It provides information on = how to=20 invent, famous inventors and discoveries.

Internal=20 Revenue Service
http://www.irs.gov/
Business=20 owners can get all of their federal and business tax information--not to = mention=20 forms--directly from the source. It's also a good place to stay current = on tax=20 laws that affect business owners.

Jobfox
http://www.jobfox.com/
Started=20 by the former CEO of CareerBuilder.com, Jobfox walks you through = creating a=20 skills inventory and then tells you which employers are looking for = people with=20 those exact skills. The Jobfox site also provides a free trackable = resume and=20 career web page to showcase your skills, experience and work = samples.

Kauffman=20 Foundation
http://www.kauffman.org/
The=20 Kauffman Foundation delivers an up-to-date and relevant website = dedicated to=20 furthering our understanding of the phenomenon of entrepreneurship and = to=20 advancing entrepreneurship education and training. Check out the = Resource Center=20 for getting started information on business operations, sales and = marketing,=20 human resources, finance and accounting, and the like.

LinkedIn=20 Jobs
www.linkedin.com/jobs
Whether=20 you're looking for a new job or trying to help someone else find the = perfect=20 job, LinkedIn can help you find and get in touch with the people you = need to=20 contact. Create a profile and click the Jobs tab to get = started.

Microsoft=20 Small Business Center
www.microsoft.com/smallbu= siness
A=20 vehicle for selling various Microsoft small-business products, this site = also=20 provides plenty of excellent information and advice entirely for free. = If you're=20 starting or running your own small business, Microsoft's Small Business = Center=20 is an excellent place to learn from the experts.

Mint
http://www.mint.com/
Entrepreneurs=20 can get help with the personal finances, money management and budget = planning.=20 In addition, Mint offers free financial planning software.

National=20 Association for the Self-Employed
http://www.nase.org/
The=20 NASE provides its self-employed members with support, education and = training.=20 The organization conducts surveys relevant to the needs of the = self-employed and=20 posts articles business owners can use.

National=20 Association of Women Business Owners
http://www.nawbo.org/
NAWBO=20 is a fierce advocate for women business owners, providing resources and = support.=20 It can help women get access to government contracts that most business = owners=20 don't know about.

PayPal
http://www.paypal.com/
Perhaps=20 the best-known payment system, PayPal allows web sites to receive and = send money=20 electronically. Business owners and customers find PayPal easy to = use--and=20 secure.

Salesforce.com
https://www.salesforce.com/
Easy-to-use=20 web-based customer relation management tools for your entire company, = including=20 online solutions for sales, service, marketing, and call center=20 operations.

Small=20 Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/
Here=20 you can learn how to start your own business and finance it. The site = also=20 provides information on business opportunities, local SBA offices, laws = and=20 regulations, and much more.

Survey=20 of Current Business
www.bea.gov/scb
The=20 monthly Survey of Current Business is the definitive source of = information by=20 the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis about its economic accounts. = Monthly=20 updates present the latest national, international, regional, and = industry=20 estimates, and keep business leaders up to date on relevant BEA issues = and=20 initiatives.

Survey=20 Monkey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/
Put=20 your finger on the pulse of your customers with this free basic service. = Create=20 and publish custom online surveys to gather data you can use.

TradePub.com
http://www.tradepub.com/
If=20 you're looking for a trade publication, you're likely to find it here. = This site=20 features an extensive list of free business, computer, and engineering = trade=20 newsletters and magazines, all of which you can subscribe to for=20 free.

U.S.=20 Chamber of Commerce
http://www.uschamber.com/
Find=20 your local branch, figure out how to start, learn about new taxes and = much more=20 at the national Chamber of Commerce site.

U.S.=20 Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/
Find=20 all of the forms, publications and information you need to copyright = your=20 original work.

U.S.=20 Department of Labor: Office of Small Business Programs
www.dol.gov/osbp
The=20 OSBP promotes opportunities for small businesses, especially = disadvantaged=20 businesses, women-owned businesses, HUBZone businesses and businesses = owned by=20 disabled veterans.

U.S.=20 Patent and Trademark Office
http://www.uspto.gov/
Official=20 site for searching the U.S. patent database. Includes international = treaties,=20 statutes and patent news.

VentureDeal
http://www.venturedeal.com/
Easy-to-use=20 database with the latest information on U.S.-based venture-backed = technology=20 companies, senior management, company financings, and M&A = transactions.=20 Updated daily, this site offers a convenient way of accessing critical=20 information related to business development, funding searches and = venture=20 capital investment goals.

VisualCV
http://www.visualcv.com/
VisualCV=20 reinvents your resume using technologies that transform the way in which = resume=20 data is presented, accessed and shared. VisualCV allows you to easily = build and=20 manage online career portfolios that come alive with informational = keyword=20 pop-ups, video, pictures and professional networking.

Wesabe
http://www.wesabe.com/
The=20 site offers financial advice, analysis and planning for business=20 owners.

Word=20 of Mouth Marketing Association
http://www.womma.org/
Official=20 website of WOMMA, where you can find the latest thinking on a variety of = Web 2.0=20 marketing strategies, including word of mouth marketing.

Work.com
http://www.work.com/
The=20 small-business owner's manual on where to go, what to know, and how to = get the=20 most value from the ever-growing array of web resources for business. = The site=20 features more than 2,000 how-to guides written by business experts and = organized=20 by common business tasks and challenges.

Women's=20 Work
http://www.wwork.com/
Women's=20 Work is dedicated to helping women move from standard 9-to-5 jobs to = flex=20 careers--telecommuting, small business and=20 other options. This site is packed with articles, advice, how-to guides, = flexible career choices, and success stories to inspire and = motivate.

Wufoo
http://www.wufoo.com/
Wufoo=20 is a web-based application that removes inefficiency and tediousness = from the=20 form-building process. Wufoo reduces what used to take trained = professionals=20 days (if not weeks) into something that can be done by anyone in=20 minutes.

Yelp
http://www.yelp.com/
Yelp=20 provides a fun and engaging website for =93passionate and opinionated = influencers=20 to share the experiences they've had with local businesses and = services.=94 Watch=20 out because =93yelping=94 can be quite addictive.

Zimdesk
http://www.zimdesk.com/
Zimdesk=20 provides all the features and functionality you would expect from a = standard=20 desktop PC. The difference is that Zimdesk runs from an internet = browser,=20 allowing you to access all your applications, files, games and = accessories from=20 any computer.

Zoho
http://www.zoho.com/
Zoho=20 offers a suite of office productivity tools online, including a word = processor,=20 spreadsheet program, invoicing tool, presentation creator, = web-conferencing=20 functions and calendar organizers