Choose your core business application

If you're a restaurant business, look for a restaurant application. If you're into retail, look for retail-focused applications. If your business doesn't fall into a common category, start with the basic applications you might need, like word processors, spreadsheets, or financial management programs.

I recommend: Best Buy for Business offers business-specific software, as does Staples and Office Depot.

Choose your support applications

In addition to software supporting your core application, make sure you think about such common tasks as email, Web site creation or customer relationship management.

I recommend: Best Buy for Business is very comprehensive, but for e-mail and Web solutions, most Web hosting companies offer a package of hosted services to get your Web site or online store up and running. For help, visit companies such as Yahoo! Small Business or Network Solutions.

Choose your computer hardware

Once you know what kind of software applications you want to use, you need to by the right hardware for it. For instance, if you want to a use a program that requires a PC with Windows XP, you don't want to buy Apple Mac computers (or vice-versa).

I recommend: Best Buy for Business and Amazon.com offer many choices, or you can go straight to the manufacturer – Dell and Apple consistently produce quality computers.

Find the best of the best

The easiest way to find the best hardware and software solutions is to look at online reviews, including sites that contain reviews from ordinary customers. Not only can you find flaws, but you'll often learn about the features you really need or can ignore.

I recommend: The best review sites include editor reviews as well as customer reviews. Check out CNET and ZDNet.

Find a Local IT Consultant

Ideally, you want to spend the bulk of your time running your business, not trying to track down the best of tech. As your time becomes more valuable to your business, find a local information technology (IT) consultant who can give you an annual technology checkup.

I recommend: Start with GeeksOnTime.