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Small Business Toolkit
I want to share with you some of the tools and services that I've found to be useful in my business. They're good for low budgets as
most are inexpensive or even FREE!
Submit your time & money savers for small businesses. Bookmark this page to check back regularly for updates.
Office Management
 Opex - Toll free number I use Opex Communications for an inexpensive toll-free number. It was easy to set up. All's been fine to-date!
Event Planning
Events made easy - publish, promote events, and sell tickets. Event Bright
Business Accounting
The Quickbooks version that I've used with my business for the past 5 years is Simple Start. There is also 'QuickBooks On-line' that you can try for FREE.
Tele-conference Lines.
Fax
Fax from your email to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Tried it recently for an important fax - simple to use, had no problems! Fax Zero FREE.
Print Your Own... greeting cards, postcards.
Print your own ink conservative items. Print Free FREE.
Computer Support
On-line anti-virus scan by Trend Micro. Securing your Web World. Free.
Backup Software - Mozy
Remote access to your PC or MAC. When you need someone to see or control your screen, or you have to give someone else access to your PC. Can upgrade to paid account if you need to transfer files between computers, print documents from your remote computer, share files. FREE. Webhosting
JustHost
If you're looking for webhosting services, or are in the market for a new one, JustHost is really comprehensive (includes cPanel).
Website Optimization Tools
Keyword suggestion tools, get new keyword ideas. FREE.
Another keyword suggestion tool. FREE.
Tool that shows detailed statistics, subject, keyword density, prominence of your text, etc. FREE.
Used to rank website traffic. Find out how your site traffic stacks up against your competitors. FREE.
Audio, Video, Media
An easy way to create audio and video. I've used this software extensively to record seminars, testimonials, training programs, etc. Creates mp3, podcast (record, download, upload, email). FREE trial.
Audio editing software. Open source software for recording and editing sounds (cross platform). I feel like a professional sound recording engineer using this software! :) FREE.
Networking, Social Media, Branding
Business CArds & Printing: VistaPrint
Just starting out? They have free business cards as well as other goodies.
SocialOomph
Social Networks
Get involved, increase your access to potential customers. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter. Plus research and join networks specifically focused on your niche areas.
Time Savers
Simple tool that helps you match colors. Multi-purpose color picker. Useful for newsletters, consistent colors on letter head, websites, business cards, and newsletters. FREE or donations.
When working with a Virtual Assistant or virtual team and need to work on the same document, share documents, or work at the same time on-line. FREE.
On-line file conversion. Converts files into other formats, e.g. Word doc into a pdf. Very useful! FREE.
Smaller URLs
If you have a long URL and want to compress it e.g. to use for newsletters, emails, twitter. You can conveniently get a new shorter link at Tiny URL. Or create a shorter version at Bud URL which also comes with tracking capabilities.
Marketing & Sales
Search and advertise. FREE mostly (small fee charged for some categories).
Sample sales letters, sales letter templates and tips on how to write a sales letter. FREE.
Top 50 article directories. Could be used for article marketing, searches, JV/alliances. From Virtual Real Estate Toolbar. FREE.
Create professional online surveys quickly and easily. I've used this software for various clients - the surveys are simple to set up. My clients were comfortable using it. FREE and 'for fee' options.
Your Team
Hire and manage experts to do your work. Services such as design, admin, finance, multi-media, sales & marketing, legal, writing.
Receive bids from over 250,000 coders for custom designed software. Resumes, work histories, and reviews of coders available. Systematic work tracking.
Swift Resolve Coaching
Hire a professional coach to partner with you on your challenges, to be an objective sounding board, to explore and expand perspectives... What do you want to see succeed? FREE Consultation. Email: Theresa
Care
Service care providers of all types! Including babysitters, housekeepers, nannies, tutors, senior care specialists, and pet sitters. Busy lives, successful business owners rely on a great team. FREE background checks. References provided.
Payment Solutions, Autoresponders, Mailing Lists
1shoppingcart
Constant Contact
I've used this service for my newsletters. For email distribution, marketing cmpaigns, polls.
Need a method for customers to pay you? Easy to add "buy now" buttons on your website. I've found this to be a simple solution.
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