I’ve put together a comprehensive list of resources that any small business or entrepreneur can find useful and continue to reference. I have to say that some of these products and services are affiliate links, but first and foremost, they are something I recommend to you. I would not recommend something to others that I would not use myself.
This list is updated often, so check back from time to time. Download as a PDF
Local Business Support
Chamber of Commerce directory – National directory of every Chamber.
S.C.O.R.E.– A nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They are supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and have 13,000+ volunteers, thus able to deliver services at no charge or at very low cost.
Small Business Administration Offices – Counseling, training and business development specialists at your local office are available to help you start and grow your business.
Small Business Development Centers – SBDCS provides management assistance to current and prospective small business owners.
Women’s Business Centers – WBCs operate with the mission to “even the playing field” for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business.
Loans, Grants & Funding
SBA – Find information about getting small business loans, grants, venture capital and other programs for funds.
Education
Audible – Download a free audio book to your iPod, Android, Kindle or MP3 player with a Audible 30 day free trial. Choose from 100,000+ titles.
Website Analytics
Google Analytics – The most widely used platform for monitoring website traffic and marketing effectiveness.
Google Webmaster Tools – Provides reports about your visibility on Google.
Website Performance
Pingdom Web Page Load Time Test – Displays detailed load time results for file sizes, scripts, images and other details.
Google Page Speed – Analyzes the content of a web page and generates suggestions to make the site faster.
Hubspot Marketing Grader – Analyzes a webpage and provides suggestions to improve marketing, social media, traffic conversion, content and other items.
Keyword Research
Google Insights
Yahoo Keyword Suggestion Tool
Google Adwords Keyword Finder
YouTube Keyword Tool
Search Engines to Submit your Website to
Website Builders
Thesis Theme for WordPress – Options Galore and a Helpful Support Community
Social Media Networks
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest
Instagram
LinkedIn
BizNik
Social Media Tools
HootSuite – Update or schedule your status, for nearly any social network, all in one place (free 30 Day Trial of HootSuite Pro)
Manage Flitter – The ultimate Twitter account follow and unfollow tool. This makes it very fast and easy to do some cleaning.
Tweepi – Twitter management tool to cleanup, unfollow, follow, etc.
Tweet Deck – Organize, monitor and manage, and schedule tweets.
Easy Promos – Facebook app for running contests, with multiple campaign options. They keep up to date on Facebook’s app terms & conditions so you don’t have to worry about it!
Email Marketing
Vertical Response – Email, social media and event marketing with flat monthly or pay as you go options, also has a free trial.
aWeber – Email marketing tools like professional email signup forms and autoresponder services
Mail Chimp – An always free email marketing/newsletter service.
Constant Contact – Makes it easy and affordable to build strong relationships with your customers (Constant Contact’s 60-Day Free Trial Offer)
Video Marketing
Ovaleye.tv – Build your brand and connect with people by producing live, online events.
You Tube – THE place to search for and syndicate videos
Tout – Create 15 second videos and easily broadcast on Tout and your social media channels
Blip – Blip helps you host, distribute, monetize, and analyze your series.
Vimeo – Share your videos and get music, and other cool stuff, for them
Press
PR Web – Create instant publicity, online visibility & increase your web traffic with PRWeb!
Office Tools
Logo Garden – Create a FREE logo for your business in just 8 minutes!
Carbonite – Are you at risk of losing irreplaceable files? Onsite backup is not enough. Choose the Carbonite Online Backup Service!
VoIP Phone – USA RingCentral Professional – 20% Off for 12 Months
RingCentral Fax – 25% Off First 6 Months any plan
Office Supplies
Franklin Covey – Save Up to 50% on Select FranklinCovey Products
Printing
Stamps.com – Print postage from your PC. Try Stamps.com today!
Full Color business cards – starting at $15.50 at www.PrintPlace.com
101inks.com – FREE Shipping on orders over $55 – Plus 10% OFF with Coupon Code: SMART10
Custom Brochure Printing – Save Time & Money with Low Prices, Instant Proofs & Same Day Printing!
Neato.com – Labeling software, CD and DVD Media, Label Kits, Mini CDRs and more!
Software
Parallels – Limited time offer – 25% off Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac – Run windows on your Mac – Faster
