The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website provides business and legal information for both consumers and companies. It covers reports from the early 20th century to recent publications. The FTC was established in 1914 and aims to protect consumers from unfair business practices and ensure companies follow rules fairly. The website allows users to search with basic or advanced options and features consumer and business information categories. It stands out for its tag cloud, microsites, and ability to accept user complaints. The site provides reputable, organized, and frequently updated information in an visually pleasing manner, but could be improved with a controlled vocabulary thesaurus and print/save icons on results pages. In summary, the FTC website is an in-depth, easy to

1. Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov Prepared by Brooke P. LS-557-W1 Fall 2010 Semester

2. Table of Contents Menu Buttons Scope of FTC resource History and Background How to search the FTC web site Using the Advanced Search option Exploring the Consumer Information category Exploring the Business Information category Using the Quick Finder box Strengths and weaknesses Using the tabs at the top of the screen Using the basic search box Conclusion Unique features

3. Scope of FTC resource Covers business and legal information geared toward both consumers and companies Includes reports from as far back as the early 20 th century to content published as recent as 2010 Offers information in various forms of publication such as cases, news releases, proceedings, reports, rules, speeches, and guides

4. History and background The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an agency that has been around since 1914 . The FTC is devoted to reaching out to consumers and protecting them from bad business practices . It strives to make sure that businesses abide by laws and rules and conduct business fairly .

5. How to search the FTC website

6. Using the basic search box

7. Using the basic search box

8. Using the Advanced Search option

9. Using the Advanced Search option

10. Using the Advanced Search option

11. Using the Quick Finder box

12. Using the Quick Finder box

13. Using the tabs at the top of the screen

14. Exploring the Consumer Information category

15. Exploring the Business Information category

16. Exploring the Business Information category

17. Exploring the Business Information category

18. Exploring the Business Information category

19. Unique features The FTC web resource has an edge over other legal and business databases particularly since it features a tag cloud as well as several microsites . What also makes this resource stand out is that it allows for user interaction . For example, consumers can report complaints through this resource.

20. Strength and weaknesses As you’ve seen, the FTC website is strong in providing reputable information in an organized fashion. Another strength of the resource is that it’s updated frequently and it’s visually pleasing . However, the resource could be even more helpful if it featured a controlled vocabulary thesaurus as well as icons for saving or printing on the results pages.

21. Conclusion You’ve seen thus far that the FTC web site is a very in-depth resource that is fairly easy to navigate . Whether the user is a consumer or a business professional, this resource is definitely the resource to turn to especially since it’s highly organized and teeming with authoritative and up-to-date information .