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Hello all.
I have been on this site for close to 3 yearns now. I appreciate all of the great information that everyone shares.
The topic of my post right now is to start a thread that we each share the best of the best tools, services, programs, software etc. that we have each used to start and run our businesses.
For example I have a few that have been very important in the success of my company.
My definition of "best of the best" low cost (free is always the best), high value in your business operations, ability to leverage advanced resources and functionality for a small business without high levels of infrastructure.
Here are some of my list - I assure you I have no personal interest in any of these companies.
1) Quickbooks - Simples Start - Allows you to begin in the world of business accounting
2) Caspio - Alllows you to create advanced databases for the web without much prior technical knowledge. Very easy to implement.
3) Google Aps - The shared calandar, free email accounts, and document sharing has become a very nice tool for seamless collaboration.
4) Ring Central - Great way to set up a virtual PBX system. Lost of features and functionality to grow into.
5) Constant Contact - Great way to create and manage very professional emails
6) Elance & Odesk - Both are a great was to find many different vendors who will bid for your business. Many people from outside the USA are able to offer some very solid rates.
7) Skype - I just use the basic version which has chat and voice calling. It goes well with talking to people from other countries for free. Yes free!
8) Tell-a-pal - I actually have not used these guys yet but I have a demo tomorrow - I just have a feeling they will be good. They seem to have a great referral marketing program that penetrates the social networking world.
9) Sales Force - A great CRM tool. I personally don't use them but I did demo their product. I built my own CRM due to the fact that I hire seasonal employees and I need to make it even more simple. But Sales Force seems to be a great tool with alot of ability to custom develop.
10) Yousendit.com - Allows you to send really large files. It sends a link that the user can download the link for.
11) istockphoto - Very, very cheap stock images for your printed material and website
12) godaddy.com - Very easy to use, very good customer service for web hosting, email accounts etc.
13) efax - I get faxes to my computer. I think Ring Central can do this too. But it is great to get your faxes as a pdf to your email account.
14) SCORE - I didn't use this service but let me tell you - I WISH I DID. My company was lucky enough to get an older experienced person to help give us advice and guidance. Our guy's name is Tony. GET A TONY!!! It will save you so much...
Okay let me see if I can think of 1 more....
...okay I got it!
15) 5-Clicks is a screen capture tool. It allows you to crop anything on your screen. This has been very helpful in taking screen shots and making user guides etc.
That was my list. The bottom line is that there is so many tools out there. Unfortunately (or fortunately) some tools are very good and some just are not. It can become very confusing trying to find all the tools that will help make your business successful.
I am sure many of you have your favorites. It would be great to see your contributions to this post!
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