The Tools I Use (and I Couldn't Run My Business Without)
Chris Jaeger
Tools That I Use Often I'm asked questions about the different tools I use to run my business so I thought I'd take a moment to pass on what I think are some of the best of the best.
If you're evaluating different hardware, software, or other applications and have a question I'd be glad to share my experience or give you my .02 cents worth.If you use something that you've found invaluable to managing your business in a connected world I'd love to hear about it. Hardware Windows XP, HP Pavillion with 512MB of memory, 160 megabyte hard drive (bought at Staples for $800). I've always been a big Dell fan, but I'll tell you I am very impressed with the Pavillion and would buy one again in a minute. HP Laserjet 1320 printer, Lexmark X63 inkjet printer, Westell DSL modem (Verizon DSL). Netgear wireless router. Samson USB Microphone. Treo 650 Smartphone (syncs completely with Outlook). Dell XPS laptop (http://www.dell.com). Plantronics T10 hardwired headset (bought on eBay for about 60% less than retail). Software Microsoft: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Frontpage, and Outlook email client. I use both Internet Explorer and Firefox as web browsers. Webroot Spysweeper for spyware protection (http://www.webroot.com), Norton Anti-Virus. Quickbooks. Adobe Acrobat (for creating .pdf files). CuteFTP for an FTP client. PHPbb (for creating and managing online bulletin boards). Acoustica Mixcraft(turns your PC into an audio recording studio). Online fax (inbound and outbound) EFax http://www.efax.com.
I use GMAIL to archive email I want to (1) save and (2) be able to easily search. http://www.gmail.com Also: AWeber autoresponder/email broadcasting software (http://www.aweber.com), 1Shopping Cart (for secured credit card processing and ecommerce), Webex Office (online databases, shared communications). Free Conference Calls (http://www.freeaudioconferencing.com), website hosting using a virtual private server at Verio (http://www.verio.com), website stats using Google Analytics (http://www.google.com/analytics/), Membergate for subscription based website management (http://www.membergate.com). Free Blog at Blogger (owned by Google, free blog - http://www.blogger.com). Domain registrar and management at GoDaddy (http://www.godaddy.com). Toll free number (http://www.neutouch.com). eBay (http://www.ebay.com - I always look for things that I'm interested in buying at eBay first). For information about domain names and who owns what, where people host, what other websites people may have registered - lots of online research - I use Whois at http://www.whois.sc.
Websites & Bulletin Boards Bulletin boards I frequently visit include: Bridal Industry (http://www.bridalindustry.com), Webmaster World (http://www.webmasterworld.com).
Other websites you'll find me hanging around include: Party Poker (for a distraction). Websites include: Hotwire (travel planning, great airfares - http://www.hotwire.com, and iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes. In print that I faithfully read: Inc., Forbes, Rangefinder (photographers), Vows (http://www.vowsmag.com), Psychotherapy Networker, Frommer's Budget Travel, Gloucester Daily Times (http://www.gloucestertimes.com). Other resources: Postcards from Pure Post Cards (http://www.purepostcards.com), online printer PSPrint (http://www.psprint.com), and who could run a business without Staples (http://www.staples.com). ### More Traffic, More Brides, More Sales Everyone could use a little help reaching the qualified brides and grooms in their marketplace. Wedding Planning Links (.com) will help more local brides and grooms find your website. Increase your qualified traffic
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