Tools of The Trade
If you’ve ever wonder what software I use, what hosting I have, or wanted to know more about the tools I use, then you’re in luck.
This is a list of what I figured would be helpful tools and resources that I use and recommend when it comes to internet marketing.
I have personally used all of these products or services, and I find them to be the best of the best. I should also note that some of these links are affiliate links and I do get a commission if you purchase through those links. But please be assured that I promote these products because of the quality they provide not the earnings I may potentially make.
If you have any questions regarding these products feel free to contact me.
Domain and Hosting Services
WestHost: I currently host Marketing Unfolded with Westhost, and so far I’ve loved it. This is also the hosting service recommended by Yoast, a very popular and famous SEO blogger. I talk more about it in my choosing a good hosting post.
VPS.net: Westhost’s big brother. I will upgrade to this hosting service as soon as I outgrow Westhost. VPS server packages can handle larger amounts of traffic and activity better than regular hosting services.
PowWeb: Affordable hosting. This is meant for small websites with not many visitors a day. (I run a site that gets about 2,000 visitors a day). I do not recommend this for your “money site”. Only for people on tight budgets and maybe local business sites with low traffic.
Blogging Platform & CMS
WordPress: I use wordpress on this blog, and it is also currently is the #1 publishing platform. It is Free and easily customizable. There is no shortage of help online when it comes to wordpress.
THESIS Theme: Powerful WordPress theme and framework that this site runs on. It has a remarkably efficient HTML + CSS + PHPframework and easy-to-use controls that you can use to fine-tune each and every page of your site with amazing precision.
Woo Themes: If you want to just get premium themes already designed and ready to go. The place to go is Woo Themes; they offer a great selection of WordPress Premium themes.
Web Development
Firefox Browser: Although Chrome is my browser of choice, when I do any type of web development I prefer to use Firefox since it has great extension that make things so much easier for me.
FireFTP: A file transfer protocol extension for Firefox. This help me upload or download files from my hosting service.
Firebug: This is a really cool addon that lets you see the CSS of any element on any page and lets you edit it on the fly. great for when your designing your own website.
Dreamweaver
KompoZer: If don’t care about HTML or CSS, then this is for you. This FREE software helps you build websites through a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor. Best free alternative to DreamWeaver.
Notepad ++: This is basically the Windows Notepad on steroids, perfect for people who like to code. This text editor highlights code in different colors which makes it easier to read.
Pixlr: Free online photo editor. Edit, adjust and filter your images. No registration needed, just jump right in! Think of it as a free “lite” version of Photoshop online.
Recommended WordPress Plugins
WordPress SEO Plugin By Yoast: As you know I’m a big fan of Yoast and his SEO plugin is simply the best out there. It even comes with a visual preview of what your listing will look like in Google. http://yoast.com/wordpress/seo/
Pop Up Domination: This is a great lightbox pluging that is really easy to use that will help you build your list. It works directly with Aweber.
W3 Total Cache: Caches posts and stores them as files on the server so that repeated requests are dealt with faster and with fewer resources, Making your website faster.
Website Testing
Google Analytics: Google’s free analytical tool. If you have a website, then you must use this! You can get all types of useful information like what keyword someone typed to get to your website.
Google Website Optimizer: Free tool from Google where you can do A and B testing. Basically it allows you to show 2 versions of the same site to random visitors, so you can see which version works best for your needs.
Clicky: Much like Google analytics but more powerful. You can actually track people who are in your site in real time. You get to track one site for free.
Places To Make Money
ClickBank: The most popular digital products retailer. You can promote literally thousands of products, most give you 50% commission, or you can sell your own products.
Commission Junction: Great affiliate network that works with companies like Adidas, Match.com, and even Woo Themes. If you want to be affiliates for them, then you must be on commission Junction.
Google Adsense: I made my first $1 dollar online with Adsense. Adsense allows you to place relevant ads on your website that are generated from advertisers using Google Adwords.
Must Haves For Internet Marketers
Aweber: A powerful email opt-in service and email marketing/broadcasting tool. This is what I use to build my email list. If you have ever received and email from me, then it came from aweber. A definite must get.
Market Samurai: The best tool for keyword research available. This is a HUGE time saver. A must have for internet marketers. Get your free version now!
Google Adwords Keyword Tool: A free tool from Google which allows you to check the popularity of keywords and the competition for ads for those keywords.
Pay Pal: You’ll need an account with them to accept payments from certain affiliate programs. Or if you have a shooping cart on your website.
Video Capturing Software
Camtasia Studio
Internet Marketing Courses
Chris Farrel Membership: Great for people who are just beginning and need a learn by watching “over-the-shoulder” approach to affiliate marketing. I was a member of his site as an intermediate marketer and I still learned a lot.
Outsourcing Work
oDesk:Great website for outsourcing. a web site, copy writing, SEO or pretty much anything else. this is where you go. You can also offer your services to other people.
Elance: Need something done like a logo, a web site, copy writing, SEO or pretty much anything else. this is where you go. You can also offer your services to other people.
99Designs: This one is really cool; their bids are conducted in a contest format. So if you need a WordPress theme designed, you just submit your requirements and designers will compete against each other to get you as a client.
Other Helpful Tools
Dropbox: Free service for sharing files between multiple devices. I have Dropbox on 3 computers and my Android phone. When I add a file to my Dropbox folder from any of my devices, It automatically share it with the rest. It’s so cool! You get 2GB free!
Check out my video on using Dropbox to backup your WordPress website.