Best Websites for Business

ILLUSTRATION FOR TIME BY CHRISTOPH NIEMANN

(3 of 4)

Traveling

BEST TOUR GUIDE
International Herald Tribune City Guides
iht.com/cityguides.html
The International Herald Tribune brings the trademark savvy and precision of its news pages to this elegant website geared to the business traveler. It tells you not just the best new restaurants in Rome and what's showing in London's galleries but also whether your cell phone will work in Dubai and where to play golf in Shenzhen.

fitforbusiness.com
For serious road warriors, detailed reviews and information about where to find the best fitness facilities, based on reports from travelers. Coming soon: a scheduling feature that helps you find a racquetball partner on the road.

fodors.com/reviews
The Dining section of Fodor's online guide is a worthy alternative to the sometimes overwhelming Zagat.com , with a well-chosen selection of a few dozen restaurants in each city. Includes international destinations from Cairo to Kobe as well as most major U.S. cities.

jetblue.com
The budget airline's clean, well-organized website contains features that business travelers will appreciate: its own smart and concise guide for what to do and see in each of the cities it services, and detailed information on security procedures at different airports.

roadfood.com
This site may not tell you where to impress a client when you're in New York City, but you'll learn where to find the best pie when you're stuck on the road in West Jefferson, Ohio (Henry's). The reviews are written mostly by the galloping gourmands Jane and Michael Stern, authors of the Roadfood book.

worldairportguide.com
A handy primer on airports in more than 50 countries. Each description includes a map of the airport terminals and other details, like how to find long-term parking near Larnaca International in Cyprus and where to hold a videoconference at Nice Cote d'Azur Airport on the French Riviera.

Tracking Trends

BEST INDICATOR
Energy Information Administration
eia.doe.gov
For free research on a crucial industry, try this site from the Department of Energy, which forecasts future prices and trends for oil, gas and other petroleum products. In addition to statistical tables, the eia produces clearly written reports that spell out in plain English what the numbers mean. It also features profiles of the energy sector in various countries and regions.

dailycandy.com
An unscientific but engaging analysis of the latest fads at least, what self-styled hipsters in New York City and Los Angeles are wearing, eating and doing. A London edition is in the works.

demographicsnow.com
There's a wealth of data on population, income and such available online from the government at no charge, but it may not be tailored to your business needs. Several paid sites offer this service, and this is one of the most comprehensive. Fees vary; the automotive service, for example, is $250 a month. Also available: free reports based on Census data.

STAT-USA/Internet
stat-usa.gov
For a $175 annual fee, you get access to detailed national and international trade statistics, plus background research on more than 100 foreign countries. A service of the Department of Commerce.

U.S. Census Bureau
factfinder.census.gov
eire.census.gov/popest/estimates.php
American FactFinder links you to prepared reports on popular topics. The Population Estimates site shows how fast different areas of the country are growing and why.