(NAICS) Defines industries across North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico) and provides industry codes, since 1997. In the search box, enter the name of the industry or keywords to describe the business idea. Review the definition to be sure this is the correct industry. If a keyword search doesn't work, click the "2017 NAICS" icon, under Downloads/Reference Files/Tools on the left side of the display. Open the industry sector that best encompasses your industry/business idea. Read the description of the industry at the 2-digit level. This will tell you if you are "in the ball park." If yes, then browse the industries listed, opening the ones that look promising. You may need to look at several industry sectors to find the best match. Computer hardware and software industries tend to be part of NAICS 51 Information or NAICS 54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. It is also possible that your business idea is involved in more than one industry. For example, if you plan to produce a product from raw materials and then sell it on your Internet site you would be involved in Manufacturing and Retail Trade. In this situation you will need information about both industries.

(SIC) Predates NAICS. Defines U.S. industries and provides industry codes. Some resources still use the SIC code rather than the NAICS code, including Dun & Bradstreet's Key Business Ratios. Enter the name of the industry in the keyword search box. Review the definition to be sure this is the correct industry.