Helpful Resources

Below you will find many of my personally recommended resources for doing business online.  Enjoy! 🙂

This area is updated regularly, so please check back often for updates.

Project Planning

Mind Mapping Software

• FreeMind – FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java. The recent development has hopefully turned it into high productivity tool. We are proud that the operation and navigation of FreeMind is faster than that of MindManager because of one-click “fold / unfold” and “follow link” operations.
• ConceptDraw MINDMAP – ConceptDraw MINDMAP is a simple, versatile tool for organizing ideas and data. It enables you to quickly produce documents and presentations from mind maps. With the built in presentations modes, you can easily communicate your mind maps to an audience or collaborate with a team.

Domain Names

Domain Name Registrars

• GoDaddy – Leading global domain registrar and web host

Email

Global Email Providers

• Gmail – My personal recommended free email system, by Google.  Gmail users also automatically have access to YouTube and various other Google owned sites.
• Yahoo! Mail – Reliable free email system by Yahoo.
• Windows Live Hotmail – Reliable free email system by Microsoft.

Contact Management Systems

• The Conversion Pros – Incredible suite of contact and lead management tools, has a 14 day free trial and lucrative affiliate program

Web Hosting

Reliable Web Hosts

• SiteGround – World famous reliable and affordable web host.

Wise Websites

Website Theme Sources

• PremiumPress – Incredible out of the box WordPress themes that I highly recommend from personal experience.  Themes include: Community Theme, Shopping Cart Theme, Directory Theme, Auction Theme, Coupon Theme, Real Estate Theme, Video Theme, Classifieds Theme, and a Job Board Theme.
• Optin Skin – Add gorgeous opt-in forms and social share boxes to your blog in seconds
• ThemeForest – Browse thousands of website templates from just $5 and up!
• The Thesis Theme for WordPress – Improve WordPress with the Thesis Theme Framework.
• Kolakube Skins & Resources – Take your Thesis theme to the next level!
• Photocrati – Super WordPress theme for Photographers

Web Design

• DollarPhotoClub – Royalty Free Stock Photo Site – Always $1 an image – Always!
• iStockPhoto – Leading resource for stock photography, illustrations, video clips and more.
• VideoBlocks – Subscription-based resource for downloading unlimited royalty-free stock footage, motion backgrounds, production music, sound effects and more.
• ActiveDen – Affordable stock website templates, graphics, animations, and audio files.
• 99designs – Designers that compete to satisfy you!  For everyone design related (logos, websites, stationary, etc.)
• MyEcoverMaker – Create your own 3D ebook covers and graphics in 2 minutes or less!
• Cybernetic Media – Developer of high impact custom video presentations that automate your marketing.  Other services include web design and graphic design.

Networking

Business Cards & Promotional Items

• Vista Print – Get 250 FREE business cards!  Check out their incredible selection of promotional products.

Networking Platforms & Tools

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• HootSuite – Manage multiple social profiles, schedule messages and tweets, track brand mentions, analyze social media traffic.

• Adsense – Earn income by participating in Google’s Adsense program which displays relevant ads on your website(s).  Approval by Google is required.
• Adwords – Setup your own ads that will be displayed within the Google network of approved publishers.  You set your own advertising budget and can track results.

Affiliate Programs

• Commission Junction – The industry’s largest performance marketing network.  Many brands and companies offer their affiliate programs through CJ.
• LinkShare – Another performance marketing network.  Many brands and companies offer their affiliate programs through LinkShare.

E-commerce Tools

• PayPal – World famous online payment method.
• Clickbank – Digital products retailer network with an affiliate program and network that you can sell your products with.
• E-junkie – E-junkie provides shopping cart and buy now buttons to let you sell downloads and tangible goods on your website.  E-junkie also automates and secures the digital delivery of files and codes.