The most valuable lists of web applications are from people who actually use them and are in a similar situation as you are. If any of you run a small business, and are looking for ways to streamline it and cut costs, please take a look at the following ones that I use. You’ll notice that 3 of them are about communication – something I believe strongly in.
Not all bloggers have a need for an email tool like Campaign Monitor, but it’s so well executed and so useful for those of us who send out emails for our clients, that I just had to have it on the list. Campaign Monitor is hands-down the BEST email application on the market. I’ve used multiple email apps over the years, and nothing compares to the simplicity and ease of use that comes with CM. Nothing.
Skype allows you to use your computer as a telephone – that’s as simple as it gets. 100 million people around the world already use it, and it’s gaining more everyday. Conference calling, voice mail, and video calls are all part of the package. It’s free to use from computer-to-computer, and inexpensive from computer-to-phone and vise versa. Another positive, my daughters can video Skype on my Mac to their grandparents PC without any problem.
SideJobTrack is a free “web-based job tracking, invoicing, reporting & project management software for the part-time independent contractor.” If you’re looking for an application that can help you track and invoice a client seemlessly, look no further. SideJobTrack is the easiest tool to use that I’ve come across in this category and it has exceptional attention to detail. It changed the way I do business, and took the headaches out of client billing for me.
Creating a network of professional contacts is not only important in business, it’s part of the life blood that keeps it alive. Where else do you get those walk-ins to a prospective client, or word-of-mouth referrals? LinkedIn is the tool that I use to manage those business connections. They’ve made it easy to invite your other contacts into the system, manage those contacts and make new connections through them. Many keep it as an online resume and business prospecting profile.
Transmit is an FTP client for Macs, it allows you to send files to and from your web server. Transmit has the distinction of being the best, most intuitive and useful FTP client that I have ever used – on a PC or on a Mac. I’m sure many of you do not use Macs though, so my PC alternative is SmartFTP.
September 4, 2006 at 12:04 am
Take a look at Connectal.com. You put your business on the site and you get customers to endorse you to build your reputation, then when people search for services you provide you’ll be higher in the results depending on your reputation.
I’m hoping it will be a good tool for small businesses who have the problem of people not trusting someone they haven’t heard of.
Poke around and let me know what you think. Suggestions are welcome.
September 4, 2006 at 8:09 am
Hi Vaughn, congrats on launching your new application! I know how exciting a time like this can be, so enjoy it. 🙂
I created an account and am testing the service, I’ll respond to you within the application or email with some ideas. Overall, it’s fast and clutter-free, which I really like. I also like the business model.
September 4, 2006 at 1:58 pm
I’ve heard a lot about Skype and I’m a fan of Macs too! If I ever launch a business, all of these would be very useful.
September 5, 2006 at 2:17 am
Hi Hash,
Thanks for the feedback! I’ve implemented both of your suggestions and deployed them. Not sure how else to get word out about it. Just doing testing for a while and then I’ll buy some google adwords, post on reddit/digg/etc., and look at some traditional advertising options. Do you have any other ideas?
September 29, 2006 at 8:15 am
SlimTimer, online time tracking without the timesheet, would be a good complementary service to the ones mentioned (all good). Take a look and tell me if you think it’s worthy 🙂
http://www.slimtimer.com
Full Discloser: I built SlimTimer 😛