Site Outperforms
E-Government Benchmarks for Nine Major Satisfaction Areas
WASHINGTON,
One of the federal government's best Web sites for small businesses just got better.
With SBA's National Small Business Week, April 22-28, 2007, approaching, the agency
is pleased to announce improvement in one of its finest resources, http://www.sba.gov.
According to a recent online survey of those who visited
the Web site, 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
http://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.
