Question
I am looking for financial statements of sites that do not sell a product, but offer a free service. Companies like MySimon.com (comparison shopper), Blink.com (bookmark service) etc. I was not able to find out if free Internet services are successful (make any revenue).
Most of these services (mainly) make a profit via banners. This is [...]

Question
Are start-up risks created through bad planning, or do you think they are inherent?
Answer
Risk is inherent to all forms of business–existing and start-up. That risk is more inherent with start-ups for many reasons, including the following:

The company does not have a track record.
Lack of any related experience on the part of any key personnel.
Lack of [...]

Question
I have this idea for an Internet company that will act as a network for a certain kind of business. The company will act as a hub for Internet sales. How do I go about getting the attention of the owners of this business for an alliance?
I am looking for a good way to approach [...]

Question
I have chosen a name for my business how do I go about finding out if there is someone else operating with the same name and or getting it registered so that no one else can use it.
Answer
This is covered for you already in our free online book on business planning, the Hurdle book, in [...]

Question
Where do you go to register a name for your business in order to operate under that name?
Answer
The following was already in our website in Q&A and in the section on start-ups, in Bplans.com:
I can give you a quick summary, but please understand that I am not an attorney, this is not legal advice, just [...]

Question
I have recently started a software development company. A client would like us to produce, and license, a particular aspect of their e-commerce solution software.
Can you provide suggestions on how I can best set licensing fees and establish a value for recurring royalty payments?
Answer
My first suggestion is to prepare a business plan. Doing a “what [...]

Question
I plan on opening a personal training business in my home when I return to the States.
How would I go about writing a business plan for the business? How detailed would it need to be?
Also, I would like to make it an “S” corporation for tax purposes, but I couldn’t find “S” corporations in Maryland’s [...]

Question
I have plans to start my own landscape design and contracting business. I need information on what type of insurance I need, taxes, being bonded and contracting. I plan to be the only employee.
Answer
You will need liability, fire and theft, workmen’s compensation and disability. In some states compensation and disability is not mandatory for single [...]

Question
I have plans to start my own landscape design and contracting business. I need information on what type of insurance I need, taxes, being bonded and contracting. I plan to be the only employee.
Answer
You should speak to a local attorney about this, but in the meantime here is some general information about types of business [...]

Question
A friend and I are planning to start our own small business of putting together fun baskets and selling them. We would be running it out of our homes and making them ourselves.
Do legal issues apply to us? Do we have to apply with the state?
Answer
When you apply for your business license you should receive [...]