Small Business Plans
This topic guide lists sources which will assist researchers in developing small business plans.
The guide focuses on suggested strategies and best places to begin research efforts. For information & assistance in using any of the sources, please contact library staff:
Market Analysis
Every small business fits into an industry category.
For example, a car wash fits into:
7542 Car Washes: "Establishments primarily engaged in washing, waxing, and polishing motor vehicles, or in furnishing facilities for the self-service washing of motor vehicles."
The number 7542 is what the government uses to identify all the firms that provide car washes (known as the Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC Code)). That way they can be compared as a group. This number is useful for researching information about your industry in databases and reference books. NAICS has replaced the SIC System and was implemented with the 2002 Economic Census. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS Code) for the car wash industry is 811192.
Begin by locating the SIC Code or NAICS Code that identifies the industry your small business will fit into:
North American Industry Classification System (U.S. Census Bureau)
Standard Industrial Classification System Search (OSHA)
Once you find out what industry your small business will fit into, use the following databases and web sites to find out more about the value of the market, market size, forecasts, etc.:
Business and Company Resource Center [AVL Access for community researchers]
Brings together in a single database company profiles, company brand information, rankings, investment reports, company histories, chronologies, and periodicals. Search this database to find detailed company and industry news and information.
For industry information:
- Click on the 'Industry' graphic.
- Enter the SIC Code or NAICs Code or Industry Description and click on 'Search'.
- From the results list, click on specific industry overview sources.
- Review the tabs across the top of the screen for further information including news, investment reports, rankings, etc.
Economic Census
The Economic Census profiles American business every 5 years, from the national to the local level.
- Use the pull-down menu to select a 'Report by State' .
- Begin selecting data by clicking on the report indicated by the first two numbers of your NAICS code.
- Click on the 'More' links to fully open the parts of the report you need.
- When you are viewing the industry report you need, look to the top right of the page. Narrow the report by county, city, or metro area.
Business Source Premier [AVL Access for community researchers]
Full-text articles and images from over 7,000 periodicals and other sources covering business, marketing, and management, economics, finance, banking, accounting, and much more.
For industry articles:
- Click the ‘Advanced Search ’ tab at the top of the search page.
- Use the pull-down menu and select NAICS/Industry Code for your industry.
Note: The NAICS Code for your industry can be located from the Census Bureau
- Enter additional search terms as needed (demographics, trends, forecast, etc.)
For industry reports/overviews (not all industries will have these available):
- Click the ‘Advanced Search ’ tab at the top of the search page.
- Look at the ways to limit searches at the bottom of the search page. Find the search box for NAICS/Industry Code. Enter the NAICS Code for your industry.
- Next, find 'document type'. Choose 'industry overview'.
- Click the 'search' button at the top of the screen.
Trade Associations:
Many industry trade associations have a home page on the Internet. Data, news, and reports may be located on their site.
Business and Company Resource Center [AVL Access for community researchers]
Brings together in a single database company profiles, company brand information, rankings, investment reports, company histories, chronologies, and periodicals. Search this database to find detailed company and industry news and information.
To search the Encyclopedia of Associations :
- Click on the 'Advanced Search' graphic from the main screen.
- From the 'Content Area' pull-down menu, select 'Associations' .
- In the first search box, enter your keyword or industry description. Use the pull-down menu to select 'Full-text'.
- Click on the 'Green' search button at the bottom of the screen.
Yahoo! Trade Associations
Provides an annotated lising of a number of trade association links. Users can browse or search by topic.
Location, Location, Location :
Traffic/intersection counts can be useful in determining the best location for a small business.
Alabama Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
Georgia Navigator: Traffic Counts
Mississippi Department of Transportation
Property rates can also be a determining factor in where you start your small business.
Commerical Property Directory
The Commercial Property Directory is one source of commercial real estate information on the Internet for properties and companies located in the Gulf South States.
Mobile Chamber of Commerce (Building & Site Search)
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Last Updated: 1/13/09 DLH
