Web resources that I can’t be without.
I have a sleuth of resources that I use on the daily however there are just a few tools and services that I must have in order to keep my business up and running. The two most importants resources for me was to find a solid hosting company and a shopping cart system.
Web Hosting
I started my first web page back in 1997 and used a company called 1 & 1. This company provided me with my domain name and hosting services for quite a few years. I’ve never had any downtime or issues with their services and I am still a customer of theirs however, now it’s only for domain name registration.
Use Coupon Code: jamesdelong
After getting more involved with the web side of adding scripts and tinkering with files an such I wanted to find an easier solution for adding and removing applications. I did some research and saw that some of my internet marketing pals were using Fantasico.
This is a system that can easily install/update/uninstall many of the scripts that I was using. Unfortunately 1 and 1 didn’t have this option and I came across Hostgator. I was referred to them as well.
Now adding scripts is a breeze and what would have normally taken me 25-30 minutes to do I can do under 3 minutes. Seriously, it’s just a click of a button to install and update these apps.
I highly recommend using them for your hosting needs. In fact, I have a coupon code for you which will give you $9.94 off the package price.
Use this Coupon Code: jamesdelong (yeah, I’m original, I know)
Domain Names
I buy domains from 1&1
I mentioned earlier that when I got my first web page it was with 1 & 1 and I still use them for all my domain needs however
there’s a new domain that was recently added for Company and/or Commercial and it’s .CO instead of com.
I wanted to preregister a few domains before it was available to the public and during the pre-reg time only 10 registrars were allowed to sell them and Go Daddy was one of them. So this is why I now have a few domain names on there site as well.
Having used 1&1, Hostgator, and Go Daddy for my domain names I found it easier for me to manage the other domains I already had and continue to use 1&1 and forward the dns over to Hostgator for my storage.
All of them are easy to maneuver in but I will be a creature of habit on this one and continue to buy from 1&1 and host on HG. There are no right and wrong ways to do this.
Merchant Systems
Depending on what I am selling there are few choices. I use Clickbank and paypal.
CB is great for digital products and because I am also an affiliate marketer I tend to use their services much more because of convenience factor.
Again, depending on what I am selling is what will make me decide which service to use. Other merchant systems that I can refer due to either using them personally or having acquaintances use them and getting their feedback would be 1shoppingcart, paydotcom, and powerpay.
I high recommend the use of paypal too. Lots of people are familiar with them and feel safe handing you money when you use their services. If you don’t already have an account with them I suggest you get one. It’s nice to get checks in your p.o box that read Paypal.
Email Autoresponder
Where would I be without my email autoresponder system. this is my bread and butter and if you don’t treat your email list like an asset to your business then you are crazy… sorry, off track there. Aweber is a system I use to capture a persons information such as name and email address. This service will allow me to create advance emails that will go out to my subscribers and also allow me to broadcast if something comes up immediately that I should let them know.
Okay back to why I really use it. If you aren’t aware yet, the money is in the list!
You may not be aware but you probably already have a list and not even know it. Do you have a facebook account? How about twitter? If so, then you have a list. Granted it may not be a targeted or responsive list for your product or service should you choose to use this medium to promote to but you do have a list.
I will send my followers, fans, and forums members to a page that provides them information or something they want and in trade to be placed on my email list. I can then monetize this list or just update them when ever something changes or I have an announcement.
So there you have it.
These are the tools and services I use and would highly recommend them if people ask me. In the above list I have placed links that will take you to the pages of the products and I am user of these products and an affiliate. Should you decide to use their services and click on the links from my page it’s possible I will be compensated from them. Hey I did give you a coupon for almost 10 bucks off.
If you have any questions or comments click on the Contact Me link here or on top and drop me a line.
To your success,
