Critical Tools For Building an Online Business

Posted by Denise Griffitts on Feb 22, 2010 in Internet Mastery | 0 comments

I am regularly asked what tools and resources we can recommend to help people build their online presence in a linear and logical fashion.

Some time ago we created a PDF that our web development and virtual assistance clients have access to at Your Office On The Web on the client document password protected page.

As there is nothing client sensitive in this document I wanted to share it here with you along with a few more resources that are not currently listed in it. As you can imagine, it is a “living” document and updates regularly. Here is it’s most recent incarnation.

Click here to download Recommended Resources. Some of these resources are coded with my affiliate links, some are not.

Other resources that we use and recommend.

Video Resources

Easy Video Player

• Instantly and automatically send your video viewers to any website, shopping cart or affiliate promotion after your video stops playing.
• Embed “buy now” buttons directly into videos.
• Embed opt-in forms inside your video and capture email addresses for list building purposes
• Create and protect “member only” videos thereby ensuring that only paid customers can gain access to your exclusive content.
• Publish your videos on any website in seconds.

You will also need to signup with AmazonS3 to host your videos for pennies. Very affordable!

WordPress Themes and Plugins

Elegant Themes

Each WordPress theme comes expertly coded in valid XHTML and CSS, and all are made compatible with the latest version of WordPress. DeniseGriffitts.com uses the Who’s Who Theme. This website is currently using the Cherry Truffle Theme.

WP WishList

WishList Member is a powerful membership script that can turn any WordPress blog into a full blown membership site. Your Office On The Web is expert at installing and configuring this very powerful plugin.

WordPress Dream Theme

An excellent theme that is not only easy to learn and use, but you also get have the option between self-service and full-service. The full service option gets you free phone support, free setup, free installation, and 1 hour of customization. Plus, you can use the theme on multiple sites.

WordPress Tip of the Day

WordPress Tip of the Day is a video podcast that delivers high-quality video training for WordPress in 5 minutes or less every day in a format that is easy to follow, easy to understand, and always free!

Other

Overnight Prints

I use Overnight Prints for all my print collateral and most of my clients do as well. The paper stock is excellent and the free online designer allows you to create your own custom business cards and other print collateral with their Interactive Designer. Or you can choose from 1000′s of designs by using the Classic Design feature. Trust me when I tell you the quality is superb!

PayPal

You can absolutely use your Paypal account either directly from your website by using “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” buttons or you can use Paypal as your only payment provider in 1shoppingcart. It is not mandatory these days that you have a merchant account if you don’t need or want one. My web development site has a Paypal payment page that you can see here. This is an easy solution that allows you to take payments for services without having to log into your account to send invoices or payment requests.