These are 15 free online tools that you need to maximize your chances of success. Get to know what each of these amazing online tools can do for you. I’ve included a brief blurb about each. I use each of these tools every single day and I couldn’t imagine trying to accomplish what I do without them. If you have a website, you probably need them too!
1. Google (Email; Analytics; Webmaster Tools; Custom Search; GTalk; Reader; Adsense; Alerts; Sites)
If you use the tools above Google will index your site more thoroughly and learn a lot about it. The more it knows, the more it feels comfortable using it in search results. These tools take your productivity level to new heights if you’re not currently using them or currently using a mish-mash of systems to do the same things. To me this is the most important group of tools.
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2. Personal Blog (WordPress.com; WordPress.org; or Blogger.com.)
You need a blog about your business whether you think it applies or not. A blog doesn’t have to be filled with your personal observations – it can bring news, photos, ideas, links, videos, audio, quotes, and other things to your customers but also – linking generously to your main website(s).
3. Facebook.com
Don’t think of it as a dating site, it’s a networking site that is even more friendly than a dating site. Use this social networking tool to find everyone you possibly can and then find out what they can do for your business and tell them what you can do for them. My Facebook profle >
4. LinkedIn.com
This is a business networking site that has the top level people in all fields registered. It can be a major source of connections between high-level people. A great business tool.
5. Del.Icio.Us (http://del.icio.us)
This is a “social bookmarking” tool that allows you to take your bookmarks on the road. You can have access to them from any online computer. A bonus is that Google appears to pay attention to sites listed here.
6. Technorati.com
It started as a technology site bookmarker but since Google lists sites found here it has been filling up with sites of all niches. Good to be here, no matter what the focus of your online site. Add Aim for Awesome to your Technorati favorites >
7. Feedburner.com
Recently bought by Google and being upgraded all the time. Awesome site which manages your RSS feeds in a nicely designed format for all RSS readers. Can also give your feed a subscription by email service for those that don’t like/use readers. FB is really adding some great features, and I’m sure it will continue. Grab the Aim for Awesome feed with your reader or by email >
8. Tumblr.com
A recent find. A very nice GUI setup that can be programmed to automatically list the most recent blog articles you post as well as be open to posting any other information you want others to see. I really like this online tool and will be researching it more in-depth to see what I can do with it. My Tumblr account >
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9. Flickr.com
The ultimate image publication tool. If you have any awesome photos that relate to your industry, or really – anything else… stick your url on a corner of each photo here and label it “creative commons” license so people can use it for free at their websites. You’ll get exposure you couldn’t have guessed about before. Label images carefully and extensively for best results. Use it to find creative commons images you can use on your own site, legally. See my Flickr photos >
10. YouTube.com
In your business there must be some process you can video tape and put online at YouTube to share with others. Recently I started creating video podcasts here at Aim for Awesome. I’ll put them on YouTube to share with the millions of viewers. Link to your web site in your profile and description and include titles and credits on the video telling viewers about your website. YouTube is a Google property and they list videos as results in search!
11. Craigslist.com
Try ads to test if there’s any interest here, it’s world-wide and though full of spam filled nonsense there are people that use it to find nearly everything they need. Maybe they need what you’ve got?
12. PayPal.com
Paypal is great to run small product tests to see if people will buy them – without setting it all up as part of your shopping cart. You dont’ need much programming to create an e-commerce page someone could buy your product with – just copy and paste some code. Good for international orders too.
13. Gravatar (en.gravatar.com)
If you comment regularly on WordPress blogs – and you should, you need to have a nice gravatar (avatar) set up so people can see who you are and get to know you if you comment a lot in your niche. Anytime you see other people with photos by their comments and you don’t have a photo – figure out how to get it! There are numerous sites you’ll need to join. Join them, they’re free.
14. Alexa
Alexa is a traffic estimation tool that is taken into account by a number of search engines. Register your site with them to be included in their directory. They also have a toolbar plugin for Firefox that is handy so you can know what the Alexa rank is for any page you visit.
15. Godaddy
I recommend Godaddy.com for all shared hosting needs. I’ve used it for 9 years I think. I’ve had some problems, but overall it’s intuitive and cheap hosting that is reliable. Aim for Awesome runs for $45 a year in hosting. I think I have a Terabyte of bandwidth a month available for each of my sites. Do I use it? Heck no! But, it’s there if I need it someday!
Best of Life!
Vern
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