Solo-e.com Resources Automation

Offsite Data Backup -- Data Deposit Box

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:26PM ET

Backup your data with ease, and at an affordable price! You tell Data Deposit Box what folders you want to back up, even on multiple computers, and it handles the rest! It backs up your files as they change, and lets you restore the exact version of the file you want when you need it. And it is reasonable, at just $2/GB; my own use has averaged ~$12/mo. I use BackUp4All to backup my entire computer, and Data Deposit Box for just the most important files. I like the idea that my important data is stored somewhere else, in case of emergency.

Use the link above and save $10 on your first invoice!

Free FTP tool for FireFox

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:50PM ET

Free FTP tool that integrates seamlessly with Firefox. Simple and intuitive to use!

Membership Management Software -- aMember

Mon, 21 May 2007 16:39PM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/amember.html

Want to run a membership site where clients pay for access to your content/classes/advice? aMember is THE software to use. With a multitude of features, integration with dozens of merchant accounts/discussion forums/content management systems, and the BEST service I've encountered online, aMember outshines any monthly service you might try -- and at a low one-time cost. Be prepared to deal with some of the technical details, or delegate this to your webmaster, but once you have the basics set up, making changes is easy. And I'm not kidding -- Alex offers superb customer support, responding to service tickets within hours as well as an extensive customer forum.

Need a resource to install, setup and integrate aMember on your website? Business Recipes can help!

Tell-a-Friend Script -- Master Recommend Pro

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 08:27AM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/masterrecommendpro.html

Word-of-mouth is the cheapest marketing there is...and the most effective. Using a tell-a-friend script on your website makes the referral process almost effortless for your fans! Master Recommend Pro is a premium script, chock full of great features, at a non-premium price. Create multiple forms, decide how many "friend boxes" to include, and allow your visitor to customize the message sent to the friend.

See the script in action

Content Management System (CMS) -- Article Manager

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:22AM ET

Tired of updating your articles, news items, and other content by hand? Or having your webmaster do it for you? Article Manager makes it super-easy to add and update content to your website, organize and re-organize it, even make changes to the complete layout of your site. This is a powerful program that you buy once, install, and never pay again for support or upgrades. And the support -- phenomenal. I can't say enough good things about Interactive Tools, the makers of Article Manager (and a few other great programs, like Page Publisher). Visit and try out the demo.

Affiliate Tracking -- ClickBank

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:02PM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/clickbank.html

ClickBank offers a easy way to get started with your own affiliate program. You can set up an account for a modest fee, and ClickBank provides the links for your would-be affiliates to sign up to promote your products and services. When an affiliate makes a sale, ClickBank handles the credit card processing and paying the affliate -- making it very easy for you! You don't need any special software, merchant account, or applications requiring monthly fees. And, sell other people's products and services too!

Shopping Cart -- 1ShoppingCart.com

Sat, 24 Dec 2005 11:44AM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/shoppingcart.html

This is THE shopping cart technology used by 95% of the websites I've bought products from. You'll see different branded versions...but they are all based on 1shoppingcart.com. Includes options for digital delivery of ebooks, ad tracking, affiliate program, unlimited autoresponders, coupons, even newsletter broadcasting.

DreamWeaver Web Page Design Software

Sun, 06 Nov 2005 00:06AM ET

I know my preference in web design software is contrary -- most folks like FrontPage because it is easier to learn. The drawback is that FP uses extensions that make your code messy -- and if you want to eventually turn your site maintenance over to a professional, chances are that they use DW. Your new designer may throw her hands up in defeat and have to start over! There are many inexpensive training options out there for DreamWeaver, if you are serious about maintaining your own code. And be sure to check eBay and Half.com for deals on the not-quite-latest version.

Credit Card Transaction Gateway -- Authorize.net

Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:23PM ET

The Authorize.Net Payment Gateway is a secure Internet bridge between merchant businesses and the credit card and electronic check payment processing networks. It provides merchants with fast, reliable and secure passage for transaction data via a 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Internet Protocol (IP) connection, and manages the complex routing of payment information to the appropriate credit card processors.

The Authorize.Net Payment Gateway is available to merchants seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The payment gateway offers many features and options that can be tailored to specific merchant business models.

Accept Credit Cards -- PayPal

Mon, 08 Aug 2005 13:44PM ET

https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=MCUKMFNLYMB7C

Ideal for business with a low volume of transactions(and competitive at high volume too), PayPal has come a long way from its somewhat rocky start. PayPal is now a highly respected, secure payment solution that is affordable too -- just $0.30 plus 2.9% per transaction.

You can set up "pay now" buttons in minutes, use the PayPal shopping cart features, and a steadily increasing array of other merchant tools. Best of all, PayPal no longer requires your buyer to sign up for an account (formerly a big stumbling block).

We use PayPal at Solo-E.

Electronic Billing Solution -- Billing Orchard

Sun, 07 Aug 2005 12:06PM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/billingorchard.html

If you charge by the hour (or minute!) for at least some of your services, and find it cumbersome to keep track of your time for different clients, Billing Orchard could be the answer for you. Priced at $14.95/month for the standard service, you get a simple, web-based interface that allows you to track your time and invoice an unlimited number of clients, and allows you to add in recurring (e.g., monthly) fees as well. Plus Keep track of their payments via your merchant or PayPal account. Perfect for VAs, web developers, consultants and many other service professionals.

We used this service at Solo-E Hosting Solutions, and we've experienced its use as a client. We love the detailed breakdown we get on our invoices, the ease of payment and the ability to review past invoices at any time -- so we highly recommend it from a customer viewpoint as well!

FTP Client Program -- FTP Voyager

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 20:56PM ET

FTP Voyager is the most powerful FTP client program for Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP on the market. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, FTP Voyager lets you update a Web site with a single click, transfer files directly between FTP servers, resume interrupted downloads, and perform advanced file searches while doing other FTP tasks.

My favorite feature is the built-in FTP Scheduler. With it, you can schedule all of your routine tasks, such as backing up and updating web sites, to take place at the time that is most convenient for you. FTP Scheduler is capable of uploading, downloading, synchronizing folders, and deleting files/folders. Download the free trial and test it out for 30 days!

Backing Up Your Computer -- BackUp4All

Sun, 01 May 2005 13:28PM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/backup4all.html

Eliminate the worry of losing important files! Backup your data, or even your entire hard drive, using this highly configurable software and your choice of backup medium. Three different versions allow you to perform exact backups (Mirror), or save backup time and space with differential (Classis) or incremental backups (Pro version offers all options).

Terri Z has used this product for over three years with great success. She is an enthusiastic affiliate!

Accounting Software -- QuickBooks Pro

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 20:54PM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/quickbooks.html

If you are still using a spreadsheet (or pencil and paper) to keep track of your income and bills, maybe it's time to upgrade! Quickbooks Pro is one of the most popular accounting software packages available, for a reason -- it's relatively easy to learn, and most accountants are familiar with it and can help you if you have any questions.

* We use this software to do our Solo-E accounting and highly recommend it.

TraxTime - Personal Punch Clock for Windows

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 12:43PM ET

If you have a PC based business and use the Windows operating system, you'll find this a great, inexpensive tool for tracking how much time you spend on each project or for each client. Download the trial version and give it a whirl.

* Audio Generator (free 21-day trial)

Thu, 24 Mar 2005 00:23AM ET

http://www.solo-e.com/audiogenerator.html

Marketing experts tell you that in order to make a truly emotional connection with your prospective customers on your web site, you need to engage them with as many senses as possible. Until they have the technology to reach out and touch someone or send scent or taste over the internet, that means you have sight -- and now sound! Great for the non-techie, this site offers easy-to-use tools to record or upload your own audio, plus great marketing tools like audio testimonial gathering and audio postcards. You don't need to know MP3 or RealAudio, and your customers don't need to have any special software to listen!

Assessment Generator

Thu, 24 Mar 2005 00:19AM ET

Use this handy and easy-to-use web tool to generate quizzes or forms for your website. Rose Hill used this tool to create many of the assessments you see here at Solo-E (see Checklists & Templates). She loved this tool so much that she signed up as an affiliate.