Business.gov was launched in 1997 as the U.S. Business Advisor by the National Technical Information Service of the United States Department of Commerce.

The content of the site was primarily aimed at starting, growing, and managing a small business, with an emphasis on government assistance programs and services available from SBA and other federal agencies.

[3] as a web portal targeted at helping small and medium-sized businesses find, understand and comply with government regulations.

Business.gov provides a platform for online services—feature articles, interactive tools and a specialized, Google-based search engine—that help small businesses reduce significant regulatory burdens.

Business.gov also provides guidance through links to federal, state and local agency resources that help small businesses meet their regulatory requirements.

Authoritative information is provided through links to other government agencies, fact sheets, guidelines, forms, interactive tools, training resources, and compliance experts.

Business.gov provides direct line contacts[15] to federal, state and local personnel who are available by phone or e-mail to answer questions about complying with government regulations.