Solo-E.com Free Business Tools

[Resources] Personalized Web Updates -- GigaAlert

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:32:09 -0400

Submitted by Carol Elkins:

GoogleAlert is the web's leading automated search and web intelligence solution, allowing you to catch new information as it appears. Google Alert runs daily personalized Google searches for you and emails you new results that appear. I use Google Alert to track new pages posted by my competitors; people who might be using my company name or publications without giving me credit; new pages posted about my passion (Barbados Blackbelly sheep); anyplace I want to be alerted to new information that I can pass on to my clients. I use the free service, but there is an industrial-strength version for a nominal fee.

[Resources] Interactive Business Planner

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:15:00 -0400

This free interactive Business Planner walks you through the steps involved in completing your own Business Plan. It includes spreadsheet templates and financial tables to help you create a comprehensive and professional Business Plan. Did we mention it was free?

[Resources] Free SEO

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:08:30 -0400

Building and optimizing your static, dynamic and/or e-commerce website around search engines for organic search results is key to bringing you the targeted web traffic you desire without having to pay big dollars every month in advertising. Search engine optimization is a tool that allows small businesses to compete against larger businesses on the web. SEO also helps to drive traffic/sales without having to pay for clicks (like Paid Search). This is probably the most appealing aspect of SEO to the smaller companies, the fact that they can bring in traffic and sales without having to "pay" for it (this is somewhat relative of course, time does have a cost associated with it). And you can get it for FREE! If you have a website that you think could benefit from search engine optimization, you definitely have to check out this resource.

[Resources] Using CSS to Fix Anything: 20+ Common Bugs and Fixes

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:41:56 -0400

If you do any of your own web design or maintenance for your site, you may be like me when it comes to CSS -- you know just enough to get by, but get flummoxed with alignment issues and cross-browser quirks. This excellent reference page points out many common web design issues and how to fix them. I was able to *finally* align the title of my categories with the little RSS icon, after many rounds of experimentation and exasperation! Definitely a link I'll be bookmarking!

[Resources] Free Voicemail -- eVoice

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:45:04 -0400

This unique service offers a lot of choices. Need a dedicated phone line for one of your products? Don't want to get a receptionist, but can't afford voicemail either? Get your messages delivered via email!

eVoice offers two options. The free option gives you a private phone number (not local) and 20 minutes of voice messages, sent to you in a special format via email. Download the special free player to listen to your messages. The plus version offers more goodies for a monthly fee, including a local number, .wav files for more flexibility, the ability to retrieve your messages by phone (when you can't get to your email), and even text messaging to your cell phone when you receive a new voicemail. A very cool service by the same company that brought us eFax!

[Resources] Bridge Lines -- FreeConference.com

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:44:01 -0400

http://www.freeconference.com

We recommend FreeConference.com for free bridge "rental". It offers different call-in numbers for the leader and participants, mute capabilities, and capacity for up to 100 participants, among many other features. A great free service!

[Resources] Receive faxes without a fax machine or phone line! -- eFax

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:43:04 -0400

Need a way to receive faxes, but don't want the expense of a fax machine and an extra phone line? eFax is the answer. I've had this service for several years now, and I love it. When a fax is sent to me, I receive it via email. I can then read and print it if choose! eFax offers a free trial, and after that it's $12.95/mo. Or, if your fax volume is low, you can receive up to 5 faxes/mo. for free!

[Resources] File Transfer Service

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:42:44 -0400

Some files are not easily sent through e-mail; either because of their size or because or spam filters and such. There is a free service that ha no file size limit, no limit on the amount of files sent, and the security is the same as email.

[Resources] Easy Meeting Scheduler Tool -- Doodle

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:41:29 -0400

Need to get 12 people in your mastermind group on the phone at once, but having trouble finding a good time for everyone? This handy, easy-to-use tool can help! You create a simple "poll", showing potential times/dates. Send the resulting link to your attendees and let them vote, while you monitor the replies. Choose the best fit and you're done! Can also be used as a simple polling tool for other purposes. Not as full-featured as other survey tools, but it's also a lot easier to use.

[Resources] World Clock Meeting Planner

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:41:08 -0400

Planning a teleclass or schedule a meeting with folks around the globe? Try this handy scheduling tool. Enter up to four cities and get a color-coded chart you can use to pick the best time for all of your participants. Adjusts for Daylight Savings Time, too!

Courtesy of Sandra De Freitas

[Resources] Free web-based training: TrainingTools.com

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:26:20 -0400

Free web training on some software programs, such as FrontPage, DreamWeaver, Word and Access. You can pay and get more selection--but you might find what you need in the free section!

[Resources] FREE Graphics and Desktop Publishing Tutorials -- Sketchpad.net

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:22:24 -0400

Offers free tutorials for PhotoShop, QuarkXPress, Corel, Macromedia Freehand and Deneba Canvas. Free fonts too!

[Resources] Validate your website code -- W3C Markup Validation Service

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:13:03 -0400

Having troubles with how a page on your website is appearing in different browsers? This is an excellent free service for your webmaster -- or you, if you are managing our own website. The validator checks html code on an existing page, a file on your computer, or just cut and paste your code directly. The explanations of the errors are detailed and helpful in fixing your page.

[Resources] HTML Tutorial

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:11:55 -0400

Want to learn basic HTML? Here is a nice tutorial, recommended by Linda Dessau. There is also a handy tool to let you practice your html skills by putting codes in the left window and seeing the results in the right window: HTML test tool.

[Resources] Free Web Authoring System -- Nvu

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:10:54 -0400

A free alternative if you don't need the power of DreamWeaver or Frontpage, NVu is a great alternative. Thanks to Susan Fuller and Jay Hamilton-Roth for this resource!

[Resources] Free Scripts and Tools for Simple Web Tasks

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:09:53 -0400

A fabulous collection of free basic scripts and other tools for your website -- including an autoresponder, recommend script, spam-proof web form, content rotator, site search script, anti-spam email link code generator, RGB/Hex color code converter, short-link generator, and many more! Most are more basic versions of still-affordable scripts for purchase, but if your needs are pretty simple, the free versions will probably meet your needs.

[Resources] Is your website text hard to read? Try the Color Contrast Analyzer

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:09:15 -0400

Do folks complain that your website text is hard to read? Maybe your color combinations are the problem. Text that looks good on your monitor may be fuzzy and faint on someone else's monitor. Fortunately, someone has put together a tool that uses established standards of how well your text contrasts with your background colors. This is a download executable, but it's very easy to use!

[Resources] Resize Your Photos

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:03:01 -0400

No more need for confusing "image editing" software if all you need is to make your images bigger or smaller. Thanks to Sandra DeFreitas, the Tech Coach, for telling us about this handy site. Upload your digital picture in just about any format, use simple buttons to resize, crop, even rotate, and download the result. Very easy!

[Resources] Naming Your Company or Product -- Igor Naming and Branding Agency

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:05:24 -0400

Free naming guide, updated July, 2007! A comprehensive (96-page) guide, it includes a six-step process to naming, why certain names work, trademark considerations, and research and case studies.

[Resources] SBA Small Business Planner

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:04:55 -0400

A comprehensive guide to starting, running, and terminating your business.