Even though the BIC site contains a vast collection of information and links, it is designed to be simple to navigate and find what you are seeking quickly. It takes just a minute to get to know the main areas of the site:

The main menu, or top navigation bar, links you to pages where you can find local small business resources; videos that explain financial statements, personal networking, and other business-related topics; demographic information for any zip code in the United States; business news and upcoming events; and BIC’s easy-to-use registration form so you can personalize your experience.

Just below the main menu on the BIC home page you’ll see a central box with four smaller icons below it.

Click one of the icons to see featured content.

The four icons, when clicked, allow you to access the following four areas:

1. What’s New – The latest news about BIC events, changes to the web site, etc. Click a news item to see the whole story.
2. Events – Shows the top four items from the BIC Events Calendar. Click an event title to see the entire calendar.
3. Featured Article – Highlights an article determined by BIC editors to be of greatest interest to entrepreneurs.
4. Featured Video – Click here to read a summary of one of BIC’s EDC videos and play the video or see a list of all training videos.

Click a topic to see related articles and links.

The business topics menu, or left navigation bar, is split into four main categories: Money, Markets, Management, and Technology. These topics are rated the most critical business information for entrepreneurs. Click any of the four main categories and you will find a portal page with links to related articles, videos, tools and templates, podcasts and blogs. This information has been developed and compiled by the BIC staff and outside business experts. It’s a great place to explore the fundamentals of starting and running a business with a few quick clicks.

Type a search term or sentence into the text box, then click "Search."

Just above the left navigation bar are a text box and button for the BIC’s powerful business search tool, and a link to “Suggested Searches,” which gives you search results for a collection of the most frequently-asked business questions.

Type a word, a phrase, or even a sentence or two into the search text box, then click the “Search” button. You’ll be directed to the main search interface, where you can click on the results and find information from other business web sites, as well as relevant content from within the BIC site. The BIC staff has screened thousands of business-related web sites so that your search results will only include sites with the highest reputation and authority.

Click “Suggested Searches” under the search box and you’ll go to a page of questions that have been determined the most crucial to small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. When you click on a question you’ll be directed to the search interface, where you can see search results related to the question. Try it out and see what a powerful tool this can be to increase your business knowledge!

The BIC has compiled an extensive database of community resources in many U.S. metro areas that can help you on your way to success. These resources include local and state government that provide business services, business associations, and local small business lenders. Find local resources in your area by clicking the “Local Resources” link under the “Local Information” button in the main menu.

On the “Local Resources” page, you’ll see the box shown here:

Enter your zip code and radius, or click "Browse by Locale."

Type in the zip code for your business location, select a radius within which you want to search for resources, then click “Find” to instantly generate a list of agencies, non-profits, associations, and other helpful business resources in your community.

You can also click “Browse by Locale” to search within a particular state, city, or county. Once you’ve selected a geographical area, simply click a category of interest to find local resources in that category. The seven categories of local small business resources are shown below.

Click a category to view resources in your area.

In addition to finding helpful local organizations on the BIC, you can also obtain valuable market research data through the Demographics area. Click “Demographics” under the “Research” button on the top menu.

You’ll see this box:

Enter a zip code and range in miles, then click "Find."

Now simply enter the zip code where your business or planned business is located, select a radius in the “Range” drop-down box, and you’ll receive information on that area’s population makeup, income, age, and other data that can help you select a business location and make better marketing decisions.

The final major element we’ll discuss is the BIC’s Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), a virtual library of training materials. This collection of video tutorials and other educational tools will help you learn and grow as an entrepreneur. The EDC can be accessed by clicking the “EDC Videos” button under “Training” on the top navigation menu.

Or, click the green briefcase icon shown here:

Click the EDC briefcase to find videos and other helpful tools.

That sums up the main features of the BIC web site and how to find your way. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just drafting your first business plan, you’ll find valuable tips and resources to help you grow as an entrepreneur and business owner. Have fun exploring the site!