Put the Hidden Web to Work for You

The Internet has changed the way that businesses obtain and share data. And if you've mastered the art of searching engines like Yahoo or Google, you probably figure that you can find just about anything you're looking for on the Web. But unless you've mastered the "Invisible Web," chances are you're missing out on valuable information.

"Good research gives a business a competitive edge," says Sam Richter, president of the James J. Hill Reference Library in St. Paul, Minn. www.jjhill.org/standard. "In order to look ahead and create a new and informed path into the future, business people need relevant information, derived through efficient and targeted research."

While the explosion of information on the Internet gives the illusion that with just a few keystrokes, you can find the answer to any question, in reality, it is not that easy. Many good search engines can locate mass quantities of potentially useful data. The most pertinent data, however, is often either held under cyber lock-and-key, buried in layers of citations or available only to those with the financial means and expertise to find it.

Professional researchers, like those on staff at the James J. Hill Reference Library, know how to find relevant, objective information. Here are some tips you can use:

• When using a search engine like Google or Yahoo, use the "advanced search" function. Spending 20 extra seconds on the form can save you 20 minutes of reading results since you will receive a more targeted response.

• Check out library Web sites www.jjhill.org/standard.  Library Web sites often contain lists of links compiled by professional librarians.  Many times, these links are for "hidden sites" that provide a wealth of data but are not easily found unless you know the sites exist.

• Go to a government Web site. The U.S. government is the largest producer of information in the world - www.fedstats.gov is the gateway to the majority of statistics and data collected by the federal government.

• Search the Invisible Web to find information that doesn't turn up by index search engines. These sites represent approximately 80 percent of the content available on the Internet. Try www.invisibleweb.com or www.lii.org to find this information.

One of the best ways to get access to the "Invisible Business Web" is through the experts at the James J. Hill Reference Library.  The Hill Library is the nation's number one source of practical business information and annually helps clients answer more than 1 million business-related questions.

For $55, anyone can become a member of the Hill Library and receive access to a special Web site featuring the best business sites on the Web divided into easy to understand categories.  The site even includes premium databases developed by the Hill Library, digitized and searchable business books, and premium industry information and sample business plans.  Plus, anytime you need help locating or navigating a site, you can click on Live Help which is free to members and allows a Hill Info Expert to take hold of your browser remotely and guide you to the information that matters.

In addition, members receive substantial discounts on business related services including up to 60 percent off at Kinkos, up to 70 percent off at OfficeMax, discounts on credit card processing and more plus other valuable discounts and research services.  

To join one of the most powerful small business research membership programs around, go to www.jjhill.org/standard or call (877) 700-HILL for more information.

Copyright © 2005, ARA Content