Yahoo! Small Business Launches Resource Center [March 9, 2005]

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Mar 09, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Yahoo! Inc., a leading global Internet company, today announced the launch of the Yahoo! Small Business Resource Center (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources), a new comprehensive online resource center designed to help entrepreneurs succeed by offering approximately 1,000 articles on key business issues around topics such as marketing, legal and human resources. As the leading provider of online business solutions for entrepreneurs, the Yahoo! Small Business Resource Center is further evidence of Yahoo!'s commitment to providing essential content and online services to small businesses.

"The new Yahoo! Small Business Resource Center provides information and resources that will help entrepreneurs with every aspect of their business, with a particular focus on how to leverage the Internet to be successful online," said Rich Riley, vice president and general manager, Yahoo! Small Business. "The resource center brings together helpful tips and in-depth content with easy access to our award-winning suite of affordable online services to offer small businesses a definitive, comprehensive online resource."

Yahoo! has transformed the resource center on its Web site to create a single, comprehensive information hub for entrepreneurs. The new site features approximately 1,000 articles of business-related content created by Yahoo! and additional content from established, respected small business news sources and information sites including Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur.com, AllBusiness.com, BuyerZone.com and Nolo.

Research by leading market research and advocacy organizations indicates that busy small business owners want easy access to clear, concise information that can help them better manage their business. According to a recent survey by the Yankee Group's Small & Medium Business Strategies division, small business owners said the major challenges they face include access to accurate, real-time information to support decision making; finding information on complying with governmental regulations; improving time management to enable strategic planning; and attracting and retaining quality talent. Additionally, research shows that small business owners are hungry for more information about reducing costs, marketing, taxes and health insurance.

"Small business owners wear many hats and often make important decisions quickly. In providing succinct, credible information that entrepreneurs need, Yahoo! is extending its significant mindshare with this key market segment," said Steve Hilton, senior analyst, Small & Medium Business Strategies, Yankee Group. "In addition, Yahoo!'s Small Business Resource Center offers an important new marketing opportunity for advertisers looking to reach the small business sector."

The resource center home page includes a prominent feature article, with links to a full directory of eight content categories: Getting Started, Sales and Marketing, Online Business, Management and HR, Legal, Finance, Office and Technology, and Business Tools. Channel highlights include:

-- "Online Business" helps small business owners stay up to date on new trends in search engine marketing, sponsored search advertising, email marketing, Web site design strategies, and more.

-- "Getting Started" offers practical 'how to' advice and information on launching a business, including information about franchise opportunities, home-based businesses, and templates for creating a detailed business plan.

-- "Legal" includes information on trademark infringement, establishing the right legal structure for a business, and contract writing.

With over 25 million small businesses in operation in the United States, according to the Small Business Administration, key vendors and suppliers are looking for opportunities to reach this large market segment. As one of the most frequently visited online destinations, Yahoo! Small Business provides advertising opportunities on the new Web site to companies offering products and services that are focused on meeting the needs of these small business owners.

About Yahoo! Small Business
Yahoo! Small Business (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com) is a leading provider of essential online small business services and content. In a powerful one-stop shop, Yahoo! Small Business integrates one of the world's leading shared hosting solutions with business critical services and information that enable small businesses to get online, sell online and market and promote online. Yahoo! Small Business includes services such as Yahoo! Web Hosting, Yahoo! Domains, Yahoo! Business Mail, and the eCommerce platform called Yahoo! Merchant Solutions. Yahoo! Small Business provides effective and valuable products and services that are easy to use, and is the proud recipient of the PC Magazine Editors' Choice award for both the Yahoo! Domains and the Yahoo! Merchant Solutions products.

About Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Yahoo! is the No. 1 Internet brand globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 world properties and is available in 13 languages.

Yahoo! and the Yahoo! logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Yahoo! Inc.

All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Yahoo! Inc.