Abstract
Small businesses are central to the U.S. economy, yet many new entrepreneurs still face complex procedures when dealing with government. This article shows how U.S. e-government services simplify business formation and compliance, highlights key federal and state platforms, draws lessons from the European Union, and offers practical steps to make digital services more visible, inclusive and effective for small-business growth.
A small business owner holding a clipboard in front of her laptop - Image | Shutterstock
Starting a small business in the United States contributes directly to jobs and community stability.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, there are 34,752,434 small businesses nationwide. They represent 99.9 percent of all firms and employ about 59 million people, which is 45.9 percent of the private workforce. These figures illustrate the scale of entrepreneurship’s impact on the national economy.
This article explores how the United States has developed a wide range of digital public services that address these challenges. It explains how Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Government-to-Business (G2B) frameworks shape the start-up journey, highlights key federal and state platforms, examines why public awareness has not kept pace with technology, and draws lessons from the European Union.
It also sets out practical measures that can make these services more visible and effective, so more Americans can move from an idea to a functioning business with clarity and confidence.
How E-Government Supports Entrepreneurs
E-government is the use of information and communication technology to deliver public services. For new and growing firms, G2C services provide clear guidance on registration, taxes, and licensing. G2B services streamline ongoing filings and reporting. Together, they shorten procedures, reduce in-person visits, and make information easier to find. The result is a more predictable environment for entrepreneurship.
Digital delivery improves reliability. Online submissions reduce common errors and offer status visibility. When requirements and steps are published in one place, citizens are less likely to miss a rule and more likely to stay compliant.
Key U.S. Digital Services For Small Business Owners
The following platforms illustrate how federal and state services reduce friction for entrepreneurs.
|
Platform |
What It Does For Entrepreneurs |
Level |
|
Business plan templates, funding explanations, mentor connections |
Federal |
|
|
Online EIN issuance, e-filing, small-business tax guides |
Federal |
|
|
LLC or corporation filings, amendments, certificates |
State |
|
|
Licensing, permits, guided checklists that route to NY Business Express |
State |
Figure 1. A quick reference to four widely used U.S. digital platforms that help citizens start and manage businesses.
SBA.gov serves as a central resource for planning, launching, and managing a company, with materials that explain programs and connect users to local mentors.
For tax identity and filings, the IRS issues an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online in minutes at no cost, and maintains electronic filing options and small-business guidance.
California’s Bizfile centralizes business entity filings and records requests for faster service. New York directs prospective entrepreneurs to New York Business Express, which aggregates multi-agency requirements and offers guided tools to generate tailored checklists and next steps.
California’s Bizfile page - Image | California Bizfile
With these tools, many founders can move from concept to registered entity in days rather than weeks. Clear steps reduce confusion and prevent avoidable delays.
Closing The Awareness And Adoption Gap
Effective services matter only if people can find and trust them. New founders often assume that registration and permitting still require multiple office visits. Others, including rural entrepreneurs and those new to digital systems, may need support to navigate official portals.
Targeted outreach helps. Agencies can host public webinars that walk through digital registration. Community colleges and local chambers can integrate modules on state portals and federal tools into entrepreneurship programs. Short videos and step-by-step guides linked from common search queries help citizens reach official resources quickly.
National reporting has documented misleading ads that steer users to fee-based third-party sites for IRS services. Citizens should look for .gov domains and use the IRS’s official EIN page to avoid unnecessary charges.
Applying for an IRS EIN - Image | IRS
From a user’s perspective, knowing that an EIN is available online within minutes or that a state portal handles core paperwork changes the start-up experience. Treating communication as part of the service converts digital infrastructure into measurable results.
Figure 2. A simple pathway that shows how an entrepreneur can move through U.S. e-government platforms from concept to ongoing compliance.
What The United States Can Learn From The European Union
The European Union’s Single Digital Gateway provides cross-border access to official information, procedures, and assistance through one entry point. The framework is set by Regulation (EU) 2018/1724, which defines how citizens and businesses can find and complete procedures online across member states. Two themes are especially relevant for the United States. Integration across jurisdictions and sustained outreach to drive usage.
Closer alignment among U.S. states would help firms that operate in multiple jurisdictions. Clearer communication and user-centered design increase adoption even when the underlying services are already strong. The EU experience underlines that availability does not guarantee usage. It takes deliberate promotion and continuous improvement to reach residents and entrepreneurs who are not already familiar with digital government.
Digital Services As A Lifeline During Crises
A small business owner putting up an “Open” sign - Image | Shutterstock
Digital channels are essential when emergencies disrupt in-person services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program and related relief relied on online processes through lenders and Small Business Administration systems. The SBA provides public pages for PPP information and maintains a dedicated forgiveness portal, which lenders still reference for submissions. This infrastructure helped deliver support to millions of small businesses at a critical time.
Future disruptions, including economic shocks or natural disasters, will test continuity again. Maintaining reliable portals for permitting, funding, and compliance helps businesses continue operations when stability is most needed.
Steps Governments Can Take To Maximize Impact
Three priorities are practical and measurable.
- Visibility. Use consistent outreach so citizens can find official tools quickly. Publish clear landing pages that point to .gov sites. Promote webinars and short video walkthroughs, and coordinate with community organizations that serve first-time founders.
- Inclusiveness. Address gaps in connectivity and digital skills so location or income does not block access. Offer basic navigation support in multiple languages. Partner with local libraries, workforce programs, and nonprofits to expand access points and training.
- Usability. Keep interfaces simple and mobile-friendly. Provide plain-language instructions, up-front checklists, and status tracking. Collect user feedback and act on it in regular release cycles.
These steps improve adoption rates and raise the return on public investment. They also support equity by helping citizens who have historically faced higher barriers to participation.
Final Insights: Building A Stronger Digital Future For Small Business
The United States has built a strong e-government foundation that reduces administrative burdens, helps citizens act on their ideas, and supports reliable service delivery by agencies. The small-business numbers show the scale of entrepreneurial activity. The platforms show that many core tasks can be completed online with clear guidance.
Technology alone is not enough. People need to know these services exist, feel confident using them, and receive guidance that reflects real steps. Combining robust platforms with clear communication turns e-government into a practical driver of opportunity. When government and citizens connect through accessible digital systems, the results include more efficient processes, stronger communities, and a more resilient economy.
References
- California Secretary of State (n.d.)Business Programs – Bizfile Online.
https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/bizfile - European Commission (n.d.)Single Digital Gateway.
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/single-digital-gateway_en - Internal Revenue Service (n.d.)Employer Identification Number (EIN) – Apply for an EIN Online.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number - Internal Revenue Service (n.d.)Internal Revenue Service Homepage.
https://www.irs.gov/ - New York State Government (n.d.) New York Business Express.
https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/ - U.S. Department of the Treasury (n.d.) Paycheck Protection Program – Assistance for Small Businesses.
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-small-businesses/paycheck-protection-program - U.S. Small Business Administration (n.d.)Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – COVID-19 Relief Options.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program - U.S. Small Business Administration (n.d.)U.S. Small Business Administration Homepage.
https://www.sba.gov/ - U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy (n.d.)Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business.
https://advocacy.sba.gov/
About the Author
Zaza Tsverava is a doctor of public administration and was assistant professor at the Technical University of Georgia’s Faculty of Business Technologies. He has more than twenty years’ experience working in public service on public administration, electronic services, crisis management, governance modernization and institutional resilience. He co-authored a university manual on e-government and e-commerce and is a member of the American Society for Public Administration and the New York Academy of Sciences. His teaching and research focuses on the development of decision-making models, efficiency-oriented administrative systems and crisis response methodologies in both the public and business sectors.
