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Business Research Guide: Websites & Books

Resources for business research

NAICS & SIC Codes - Websites

NAICS (North American Industry Classification Codes) and SIC (Standard Industry Classification) codes broadly classify companies' areas of operation and help provide statisical information.

Industry Information - Websites

Business Reference Services - Guide to Industry Research
Information from the Library of Congress
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Industries at a Glance
Economic Census
Industry Statistics Bureau
Annual Retail Trade Survey
Annual Survey of Manufacturers
globalEDGE
From International Business Center at Michigan State University. Includes insights by industry.
Common Size Financial Statements
BizStats

Company Information - Websites

CrunchBase
Tracks venture capital investment
United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO)
Business Reference Services - Rankings/Lists
Ranking sources from the Library of Congress

Consumer Information - Websites

Business Plan Help

A Step-by-Step Guide
from Entrepreneur Magazine
U.S. Small Business Association
Free Business Plan Templates

Company Finances - Websites

EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System)
Search company filings with this database from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
How to Read an Annual Report
Guide to Financial Statements
How to Read a 10-K

Statistics - Websites

Government Information by Type of Business Need
County Business Patterns
Statistical Abstracts series
2012 and older editions of Statistical Abstract of the United States.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Business Leader