The reading level for this article is Novice
One is only as effective as the tools he or she uses. Here is a listing of web marketing software and resources that I regularly use.
Affiliate Programs
My Own Affiliate Program
Affiliate software for which the affiliate link is to the web site owner’s domain and not their domain, improving link popularity. I have not yet used this software but have heard good things and would recommend it.
Databases
Simplex
Perl based software that enables any site to have binary databases. Forums and other applications are available for download. I use Simplex’s Encore Forum to run The Entrepreneurship Forum, The Directory of Entrepreneurs, and The Interview Series at zeromillion.com.
Discussion Forums
Google Groups
A collection of Usenet newsgroups formerly at deja.com. I participate in a number of marketing and business-related groups here. Contributing articles to these groups can be a good way of gaining traffic to one’s web site.
Yahoo Groups
Usenet style community that originated from Egroups. Contributing articles to these groups can be a good way of gaining traffic to one’s web site.
Domain Registrants
GoDaddy
An inexpensive registrant of domain names. I use this to register all my domain names. It is about $8.95 per year for a domain.
Email Clients
Eudora
A popular email client good for managing link campaign replies. I usually use Outlook for my mail. For linking campaigns I use Eudora because of its better filing and organization features.
Email List Management & Mail Merge
IntelliContact Pro
Web-based email list management software that enables you to send out personalized updates, announcements, and newsletters to your subscribers from any computer, use mail merge, track campaigns, manage subscribers, and send both text and HTML emails. I use IntelliContact Pro to send out all the newsletters from zeromillion.com. I very much recommend this software for anyone wanting to start an email newsletter or have an easier way of managing their lists.
Hosting
Hostway
A mid-priced hosting company. I use this company for most of my hosting. They have a pretty good management interface and I have had no trouble with downtime.
Link Building & Management
Linkpartners.com
Web site with listings of web sites who are willing to exchange links with related sites. Database searchable by topic. I have used this to find potential link partners for this web site and others.
Linkpopularity.com
Web site that tells you the number of web sites who link to you. You can also go to the search engines and type in “link to: yoursite.com” but this site will compile results from a few different engines for you.
Arelis
One of the better tools out there for finding link partners.
Market Research
Alexa Toolbar
Toolbar for Internet Explorer which will tell you the Alexa ranking of the site you are on. This is useful for determining the quality and number of visits the site receives. I use this to determine the quality of potential link partners and affiliates.
Google Toolbar
Toolbar for Internet Explorer which will tell you the Alexa ranking of the site you are on. This is useful for determining the quality and number of visits the site receives. I use this also to determine the quality of potential link partners and affiliates.
Publicity
Bacon’s Info
Resource for in-house management of press contacts.
BusinessWire
A news-release service. I have used this service to disseminate press releases to the media.
MediaMap
Searchable database of press contacts. Their database can be searched by many different categories which makes it very easy to find the details of the editors at the proper publications for your story.
PR Newswire
News release distribution service similar to BusinessWire. I have not used this service.
Search Engine Positioning
Search Engine Guide
Fifty-five page guide on obtaining a number one ranking in the search engines. I wrote this guide and would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn about search engine optimization, positioning, and obtain a top ranking in the search engines.
Internet Business Promoter
Helps you determine your current position in the search engines and provides tips for improving your positions.
Search Engine Watch
One of the oldest and most resourceful sites for information on search engines and search engine optimization.
SubmitExpress.com
A site which provides free search engine submission to six of the top ten major search engines. Follow the provided links in this guide for the other four. I use this site to submit to the search engines the pages where there are links to zeromillion.com so they will be recognized sooner.
WebPosition Gold
The de facto standard for web site submission, optimization critiquing and rank monitoring software. A highly recommended tool for submitting your own site to the search engines. I use this software to optimize my web sites and track rankings. It enables you to submit all the pages on a web site very easily.
