The Best Software for Your Business (fast and easy)

Order a Domain Name from 1&1

A domain name becomes your "flag" or "sign post" where people will know you.  You can put the business domain name on on a hosting plan at the same place you buy the domain name, or you can have the business domain name put on a seperate hosting.   

Hubspot Software

Hubspot software combines about 19 different software tools into one integrated package to optimize every step.  Your website can be hosted on Hubspot or on your own hosting platform.  The software includes CRM, Email Campaigns, Keyword Selection Tool, Keyword Tracker, Landing Pages, Blogging, Integration with Social Media and much more.  Start your free 30 day trial.

Hosting from Hostgator

After you have the name of a domain reserved, you will want to put it somewhere.  You need to have an online "lot" to put your flag (which is your domain name).  Hostgator is one of the world's top 10 largest web hosting companies providing service for 2,500,000 websites, with 300 employees to give you superior around the clock support. We are the perfect choice whether you are looking for business, personal, or even Fortune 500 hosted domains. 

Website Management from xSitePro

To create a website from scratch or from a template, you will need a software program.  xSitepro is one of my favorite tools.  A software program that lets me create a website without knowing coding or html.  All in one award winning software that teaches you as you use it.  Highly recommended.

Stock Photos from Dreamstime

Graphics Software for Business Marketing

Email Management Benchmark Email  

Benchmark Email has newsletters, list building, online surveys, real time survey and email tracking.  Their comparison chart shows how they will also include videos, Google analytics plus more.

Email Management

Constant Contact  event marketing, surveys, social media, learning center and customer support are offered at Constant Contact.  This service allows you to get permission in person and buld a list in your business offline and then import it into Constant Contact.

Unique Personal Invitations Marketing (upi)

SendOutCards

 Sending postcards to new customers, lazy customers or maybe potential customers can be more effective when done in a unique and personal way.  This tool is so fast and easy that I use it myself. Try it out and get your free card today.  

CartoonLink

If you would like to make them scratch their heads and ask; "How do they do that?" then you will want to give CartoonLink a try.  Stu Heinecke has a gift and you will be sure to smile and move your clients and customers to connect with you.

Easy Graphics Software for Business Marketing

Snagit Screen Capture

 Snagit is a multi versatile tool to capture and edit anything you see on the screen.  Videos or snapshots are possible.  The snapshot can then be edited along with text, graphics and other simple added enhancements.  I don't go anywhere without it.

XHeader

 Free to download and use.  XHeader lets you create amazing header graphics in minutes. And the really great thing is that you don't need any previous knowledge of graphic design.

Faststone

Faststone was introduced to me by a professional photographer.  While it may not be Gimp or Photoshop, this proves to be a very fast, flexible software program that most learn to use in just a few minutes.  

FastStone Image Viewer is a fast, stable, user-friendly image browser, converter and editor. It has a nice array of features that include image viewing, management, comparison, red-eye removal, emailing, resizing, cropping and color adjustments.

Video Software for Business Marketing

Make an Animoto Video

Animoto is a snap and free to use.  Upload your photos, pick from the music they offer, click a button and it will create a dymamic video from your photos.  Animoto keeps adding benefits and if you a premium member, there are even more options.  This is one of my favorite.  Fast, easy and simple. 

Video Converter

 Convert Video between Almost Any Formats HD Video (inc. AVCHD, MPEG-2 HD and WMV HD), TOD, MOD, M2TS, AVI (DivX, Xvid, etc.), MP4 (inc. Sony PSP and Apple iPod), WMV, 3GP, QuickTime (MOV, QT), SWF, DVD, VOB, VRO, MPEG-1, 2, 4, H.263, H.264, Real Video, DVR-MS, MKV, FLV.

Camtasia Studio

How Customers Use Camtasia Studio

Every day, thousands of people around the world use Camtasia Studio to create videos that train, teach, sell, and more!  It's the easiest way to demonstrate a process, product, or idea.  I love this tool and TechSmith continues to give great service.

Windows Movie Maker

Windows Movie Maker is free and probably already on your computer.  Windows Movie Maker 2.1 makes home movies amazingly fun. With Movie Maker 2.1, you can create, edit, and share your home movies right on your computer. Build your movie with a few simple drag-and-drops. Delete bad shots and include only the best scenes. Then share your movie via the Web, e-mail, or CD. Using third-party software you can even take movies you've made and turn them into DVDs. You can also save your movie back to the video tape in your camera to play back on a TV or on the camera itself.

Presentations Online for Business Marketing or Training

BrainShark

 Brainshark is a free online presentation tool.  Powerpoint, photos and videos can be uploaded.  Add Voice to PowerPoint - Promote your Business - Narrate a Document - Create a Talking White Paper - Upload a Video - Narrate your Product Demo - Make a Photo Album - Add Voice to your Pictures - Produce a Podcast - Share your Expertise.

Slideshare

Slideshare is another free online tool where you can upload and share your PowerPoint & Keynote presentations, Word & PDF documents on SlideShare. Add audio to make a webinar.  Capture leads with your business presentations.

Zoho Show

Zoho Show is a FREE software program.  Create, Edit and Share Your Presentations Online.  Introducing Zoho Show 2.0: The online tool for making powerful presentations.Whether you are a professional, a teacher, a student, a businessman, a salesman or anyone looking to put together a cool presentation, you have come to the right place.  Zoho Show's pre-built themes, clipart and shapes coupled with features like drag-and-drop makes it an easy application to use. 

Adobe ConnectPro

 Adobe ConnectPro is more than a simple webinar tool, it has many features which maximizes presentations for training or marketing.  Webconferencing, webmeeting, elearning, web seminars for individuals or small groups.  Take surveys, create courses which are flexible to the particpant, with no software to download.

Livestream Broadcast Live

 Livestream is free.  Broadcast your own live TV show on the internet.  Use Twitter, Facebook or the built in chat room to interact.  For alll live broadcasting, be sure to have a high speed connection. You will need a webcam.  I use the Logitech 9000.  The new computers now have cameras built in.   Livestream is the most powerful online video broadcast solution available. In just minutes you can create broadcasts as polished as any multi-million dollar traditional television network — with full capability to easily broadcast Live, 24/7 Linear, and On-Demand content — absolutely FREE.


Twitter - Facebook - Linkedin - Social Media Tools for Inbound Marketing

Seesmic

 Seesmic can help you manage twitter online, on your desktop, or mobile device.  Tweetdeck is another desktop application, and they both battle for position.  Data shows that most tweets are not done on the Twitter website.  No wonder, since Seesmic takes it all under one roof.  With the recent acquisition of PING, Seesmic just added to its ability to manage social media vs. just twitter.

Hootesuite

Hootsuite is a free twitter tool that does it all (almost).

Multiple Networks - Save your time and save your sanity. Manage multiple social networks through one client: HootSuite!

Team Workflow - ave a company or organization with more than one contributor? HootSuite makes it easy to manage multiple users over various social network accounts.

Track Statistics - Impress your friends, your boss or just yourself with our improved visualizations link statistics. Graphs show not only a summary but also individual message statistics!

Socialoomph

 SocialOomph.com is a service that provides free and paid productivity enhancement services for social media users.  This tool save many hours a week as it sends alerts direct to your inbox based on you keyword choices.

Krumlr

 Bookmark to Krumlr and tweet to Twitter with a single click (no copying or pasting URLs). Do you ever wonder where the other tinyURLs go? Krumlr saves yours with your Krumlr profile so they keep giving you "the juice"!   This one is FREE to ue.  If you tweet great?  They will ReTweet.  Krumlr also scores your popularity.
Justunfollow Unfollow Twitter users who do not follow you!  It's that simple. Free tool to check your twitter account and review who is not following you.  I am not advocating that you unfollow those who are not following you but it is difficult to have a one way converstation and if they are not interested, then unfollow is fine.

Business Management Tools for Saving Time and Money

The Brain Visual Mind Mapping

 Personal Brain 5 is a program I can't make it through the day without.  It is more than a mind-map, more than an organizer.  This is a great tool for teaching, presenting, remembering, mind-mapping and more.   Simply type in your ideas. Drag and drop files and web pages. Any idea can be linked to anything else. Using your digital Brain is like cruising through a Web of your thinking. See new relationships. Discover connections. Go from the big picture of everything to a specific detail in seconds. Accelerate your mind  FREE.

Grasshopper Business Phone Service

  Grasshopper sent me chocolate covered grasshoppers when they changed their name.  No, I did not yet eat this delicacy.  Grasshopper gets your phone either a toll free line or a vanity phone number.  
  • Toll free or local number - local or national presence
  • Unlimited extensions - for departments & employees
  • Call forwarding - work from anywhere
  • Voicemails via email - play online or on cell phone
  • Manage online or by phone - no hardware to purchase.

TimeDriver for Appointment Automation

This online service integrates with your Outlook or website and sets up a way for you to schedule people who are interested in your services based on their time schedule.  Invite them to make an appointment.  If they like what they see, they click the time and date of choice.  This can be used for any business, such as personal training, consulting, hair styling, and medical.  You pick the times, you set up parameters.  It is automated and reminds all parties of the appointment.  This is a no brainer.  Use it.

KwikSurveys

Create online surveys and forms in minutes

100% Free and easy to use service.
Create Web forms and surveys, collect & download results
KwikSurveys offers the following benefits over traditional subscription services.


  1. NO hidden charges, it's FREE !
  2. Unlimited number of questions, answers and surveys
  3. Secure and Reliable service
  4. The most popular free survey software
  5. We do not send unsolicited emails
  6. Quick and simple survey builder
  7. Downloadable results (MS Word, Open office)
  8. Customizable Surveys, Logo's and themes

More Great Tools for Your Business Success Toolbox

  • SalesGenie - This is a database resource for mail, phone, email and more.  It has power if you know how to wield it.
  • SEO Toolbar -  Don't go anywhere without this in Firefox to know about websites I visit.
  • Website Grader  -  Hubspot's website grader for evaluating your online presence. 
  • EventBrite -  Free events are free to post
  • Books on Kindle  -  There are even free books to read.
  • Dragon 10 voice to text -  Talk and type at the same time.