Association of Professional Consultants
http://www.consultapc.org/

The Association of Professional Consultants is a nonprofit corporation whose members are professional consultants. The site offers a referral service as well as information about joining the organization.

Business Owner's Toolkit—Independent Contractors
http://www.toolkit.cch.com/text/P05_0085.asp

The Business Owner's Toolkit provides articles, downloadable checklists, model business plans, forms, and other documents geared toward consultants and small-business owners.

Consultants-on-Demand.com
http://www.consultants-on-demand.com/

This fee-based service offers help with back-office chores like billing, insurance, and marketing. Clients of Consultants-on-Demand are charged 10 percent of their billings for this service.

Corporate Finance Network’s page of consulting firms
http://www.corpfinet.com/consulting.html

From AT Kearney to Yankee Group, this page from Corporate Finance Network gives links and information on the consulting world’s heavy hitters.

The Contract Employee’s Handbook!
http://www.cehandbook.com/

This site is worthy of the exclamation point. It includes information on contractor resumes, terminology for contract professionals, and an extensive overview of technical and professional contracting.

eLance
http://www.elance.com/

Whether you’re looking for someone to complete your IT project or you want to promote your skills and services, this site can provide both. There are monthly charges for two subscription levels. You can also register as a buyer.

eWork
http://www.ework.com/index.cfm

This company, which produces e-procurement, management, and payroll solutions, also runs a contracting marketplace that links contractors and clients.

FreeAgent.com
http://www.freeagent.com/Myhome.asp

One helpful feature of this information-packed site is its Resources section. Learn about the basics of being an independent contractor, how to market your business, and which tax laws you should know.

Freelancers Network
http://www.freelancers.net

This is an open database of UK and international freelancers. Listing your services here is free.

Guru.com
http://www.guru.com/

Via this staffing site, companies can look for you or you can search for organizations that need your skills.

HireAbility.com

http://www.hireability.com/

This site is for recruiters, independent contractors, and organizations looking for IT freelancers. It also offers its for-a-fee TalentTrader service, which handles administrative functions for independent consultants who find work through HireAbility’s database.

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA)
http://www.icca.org/

The ICCA provides professional development and business support for independent computer consultants. You can browse the site, but using the placement service requires paying membership dues.

ITtalent.com
http://www.ittalent.com

This employer/contractor matching service features a listing of free and paid job hotlines.

Legaldocs.com
http://www.legaldocs.com/

This site allows you to prepare customized legal documents online. Some are free, and others range from $3.50 to $27.75.

NACCB
http://www.naccb.org/about/index.html

The Web site for the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses, a trade association for IT services firms, offers free and members-only services on its Web site.

National Credit Systems, Inc.—national collection agency
http://www.nationalcredit.com/

National Credit collects delinquent accounts and bad debt for clients for a fee of about $20 per account. Recovered money is sent directly to the client.

Nolo Self-Help Law
http://www.nolo.com/

Nolo presents legal information for everyday people. The site contains definitions, articles, and how-tos in plain English. Books, software, and forms are available for purchase.

PATCA
http://www.patca.org/

The nonprofit Professional and Technical Consultants Association lists IT and non-IT consultants. The site lists consultants by name and by skills.

P.A.C.E.
http://www.pacepros.com/

The Professional Association of Contract Employees (P.A.C.E.) features a free, bimonthly, e-mail newsletter that offers advice for independent contractors.

Quintessential Careers
http://www.quintcareers.com/consultant_jobs.html

This page on the Quintessential Careers Web site offers a listing of sites that match consultants with clients who need their services.

Realrates.com
http://www.realrates.com/

Want to know how much consultants are being paid? How about reasons why consultants and employees are laid off? This free (and portions for-fee) service has information on both.

Top Echelon
http://www.topechelon.com/default.asp

This site, which bills itself as “The World’s Most Successful Placement Network,” features sections for recruiters, job seekers, and employers.

W2Knews Marketplace (RFPs, etc.)
http://w2knews.newmediary.com/

This site allows potential clients to find or post RFPs.