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One
of the federal government's
best web sites for small
businesses just got better.
The SBA is pleased to
announce improvement in one
of its finest resources,
www.sba.gov.
According to a recent online
survey of those who visited
the Web site, the SBA
equaled or exceeded the
benchmark standards set for
111 federal government
agencies as measured by
ForeSee Results, Inc. and
provided in the research
company's Web Site
Satisfaction Performance
Report to SBA.
"At SBA, our goal is to help
small businesses by giving
them the tools they need to
succeed," said SBA
Administrator Steven
Preston. "Whether you need
help developing a business
plan, targeting clients,
establishing a budget, or
accessing financial
assistance, the SBA Web site
is the ideal place to
start."
Recently called the "Best
stop for one-stop shopping"
by Money Magazine, the SBA
continues to improve and
build the Web site's
reputation in order to help
small businesses start, grow
and succeed.
After a concerted effort to
improve all aspects of the
Web site from a user-
centered approach, in
mid-to-late 2006, the agency
outperformed standards in
areas such as: design,
navigation, site performance
and search capabilities. It
also exceeded standards for
its ability to return
visitors to the site and
have them recommend it to
others. Content,
functionality and overall
satisfaction either equaled
or exceeded benchmarks in
various survey segments.
The SBA Web site offers more
than 20,000 pages of
information on starting,
financing, developing and
managing a successful
business. Topics include
information on SBA-backed
financial assistance,
contracting opportunities,
training and counseling,
disaster recovery, and
international trade, to name
just a few. Useful links to
regulatory compliance and
forms through
www.business.gov and
numerous related key sites
are also available. On
average, the site sees over
one million unique visitors
per month.
Small
businesses can access online
tools such as timely advice
from experts, podcasts on
topical business issues and
services, a library,
periodic newsletter, startup
guide, statistics and much
more. Key contact
information for local SBA
District Offices, Small
Business Development
Centers, Women's Business
Centers, SCORE Chapters and
Veterans Business Outreach
Centers nationwide and in
U.S. territories, are
available.
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