In tough times, the tough start businesses. And the Web is full of opportunities to learn how to develop a business idea, how to get funding, and - heaven forbid - how to shut it all down, if things don't work out.

My own biz. Take a free course titled "My Own Business" at this site run by a nonprofit group that is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial efforts. You can even start with the checklist of characteristics that could indicate if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, including high energy, a willingness to risk money and security, fierce competitiveness, and a "never, never, never quit" attitude. You have to pay if you want a printed textbook and certificate of completion.

http://go.philly.com/myownbiz

Jump to a "My Own Business" session on how to write a business plan. These plans are meant to outline your business and how it will make money - the sort of information that a bank or investor will demand before fronting the cash you may need for getting started.

www.myownbusiness.org/s2

Small Biz Administration. The federal agency now is host to several dozen short online courses for small-business operators or those who would like to be. One of the categories is "surviving in a down economy." Listings include "How to win customers in a slowing economy," "How to prepare a loan package," and, in this era of government stimuli, "A guide to winning federal contracts."

http://go.philly.com/sbacourses

As an alternative to the online course format, the SBA provides this page of links for managing a business "from start to finish." It means it, too, with entries starting at how to write a business plan, and ending with guides to bankruptcy and closing.

http://go.philly.com/sbaplanner

Trump U. Besides linking to The Donald's blog, this site offers online training, including several free courses, such as the mini-courses in finding start-up funding, and how to write a business plan.

http://go.philly.com/trumpu

Contact staff writer Reid Kanaley at 215-854-5114 or rkanaley@phillynews.com.