Geographic Information Systems (GIS) use maps to show information. They are powerful decision tools for big business (commonly known as “business intelligence” tools), but their high cost has kept them out of reach for small businesses — until now.
These reports are provided free of charge to prospective or existing small business owners who are receiving business counseling services from their local SBDC Advisor (also a free service).
Working through your local SBDC Advisor, SBDCNet can provide you with these same powerful tools used by big businesses, but at no direct cost to your business. SBDCNet uses some of its federal funding to subscribe to these GIS systems. Below is a small sampling of the GIS maps and reports we can provide. To get started using this system, please contact your local SBDC.
Competition Map
SBDC Advisors can order a competitor location map to help their small business clients get a better grasp of their competitive landscape and pinpoint market opportunities. These maps the location of individual competitors in relation to a small business location. The circle sizes on the map can be customized to a specific radius (the most popular is 1, 3, 5 mile, but rural areas frequently use much larger circles). To order this map, begin by contacting your local SBDC.

Competitor List
Your local SBDC Advisor can also request a printed list of competitors to accompany the Competition Map. A competitor list typically includes: a competitor’s company name, location, number of employees at each location, whether the location is a competitor’s single location or branch, estimated annual sales volume, the competitor’s NAICS and SIC code and a latitude and longitude coordinate.

Market Reports
SBDCNet also can provide a wide variety of reports on important demographic indicators, including:
- population
- number/type of households
- income levels
- number/type of housing units
- employment status
- educational attainment
- marital status
- motor vehicle ownership
and many more.
We provide your local SBDC Advisor with both current values and trend data for these indicators. We also provide comparisons between the local market, county, state and the nation. These reports help the small business owner better understand their target customer. When used in conjunction with some of our location-based reports, the small business owner can anticipate business trends at new locations.
Consumer Expenditure Comparison

Drive Time Maps

