Resources
My Resources:
I thought it would be helpful to create a resource page where you could come to when you are looking for different tools to help you along the way. Building online income streams isn’t easy and the tools below will help you see results more easily and quickly.
I will certainly add to this page as I add more tools to my toolbox so check back often. You may even want to bookmark this page for easy reference.
Please know that some of the links on this page are affiliate links and if you use one and end up purchasing the tool, I will make a small commission. Also know that I only recommend tools that I actually use from companies that I really trust. I know these tools will help you in your journey. I will never recommend something that I don’t believe in and use myself.
Web Hosting and Domain Names:
Namecheap: Domain names start at just $2.99 per year at Namecheap. They make it easy to protect your private information and to point your DNS servers at to your hosting company. Why pay more somewhere else when getting a domain name is easiest and cheapest at Namecheap.com?
Click Here to Learn More About NameCheap
HostGator: Easy to use and set-up. I use HostGator for most of my e-commerce sites because it is easy to set-up, has free SSL certificates and even access to a free 1-800 number for your business. HostGator also comes in handy when you need a month-to-month payment plan. It starts at $3.96 a month but e-commerce hosting is around $15 per month.
Click Here to Learn More About HostGator
Bluehost: Also easy to use and set-up, I use Bluehost for most of my niche sites and blogs. It has easy 1-click installation of WordPress, my preferred content management system. Bluehost is inexpensive but you do have to pay for 1 year, up front. An added bonus to Bluehost is that they will give you a domain name for free and $75 credit towards a Google Adwords campaign. Plans start at $6.95 a month. The longer the plan, the cheaper the price.
Click Here to Learn More About Bluehost
Content Platforms:
WordPress: WP’s tagline is that it is both free and priceless at the same time. That is one of the truest pieces of marketing I have ever heard. I create and run all of my niche and blog sites on WordPress except for the first one I ever created, getabartendingjob.com. And I think I am going to switch that one over soon as well. It is so easy to create a good looking website, quickly and easily with WordPress. If you are going to make money online, you need to have WordPress. While WordPress can handle e-commerce, I prefer an e-commerce platform that is dedicated and created solely for e-commerce. Any other type of site, should run on WordPress! Seriously.
Click Here to Learn More About WordPress
CRE Loaded: CRE Loaded is an open source platform that is so much more than just a shopping cart. It is a full service e-commerce system that will build you a fully PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant e-commerce store. CRE has excellent templates that make running your store easy and ranking your store in the search engines a breeze. CRE Loaded has both free and paid platforms that make owning an e-commerce store profitable and fun.
Click Here to Learn More About CRE Loaded
If you are building an e-commerce site, CRE Loaded is all you will need. If you are building a blog or niche site, you will need a Theme for WordPress. There are literally thousands of different themes to choose from and many of them are completely free. Just click here to check out a HUGE list of free themes available for WordPress. If you want to take your site to the next level, however, you may want to consider a premium theme. I can recommend all 3 of the premium themes below:
Thesis: Long considered THE standard in premium WP themes, the Thesis framework is a premium template system for WordPress that is designed to serve as the rock-solid foundation beneath any kind of website. LoseYourChains.net runs on Thesis and it makes it easy to make adjustments, design your blog and is SEO friendly. Created by DIY Themes, Thesis requires an intermediate level of HTML and CSS knowledge if you want to truly customize your site. The support forums are full of tutorials and helpful answers. Some fo the biggest names in internet marketing run their sites on Thesis.
Click Here to Learn More About Thesis
Genesis: The Genesis framework, created by StudioPress, has come to give Thesis a run for its money. Two of the major benefits to Genesis are that you can choose from 34 different templates to start your site and you can use it on as many sites as you like – there is no developers fee. As a matter of fact, you can pay one low price and get access to all of the Genesis templates and use them on as many sites as you want. That truly puts the power of website creation into anyone’s hands – even a beginner. The support forums are great and with a little bit of coding knowledge, you can customize Genesis without a problem. My SEO Company site runs on Genesis.
Click Here to Learn More About Genesis
Headway: Headway is a beginning web developers dream. The only WordPress Theme that uses a visual editor, Headway let’s you change fonts, colors, layouts…just about anything with drag and drop controls that even the newest of newbies can use. You can easily change the layout of your site, the look of your site, the complete visual experience of your site without ever needing to learn any code. It’s so easy that truly anyone can do it! Headway has some great video demos of their software on their site but the support forums aren’t as lively as those at Thesis and Genesis. Maybe that is because it is so easy to use.
Click Here to Learn More About Headway.
With the above tools you will be well on your way to creating an easy to manage, online income stream. Here are some tools that will help you manage it as smoothly as possible. Remember the goal to set up easy streams that don’t require constant maintenance.
E-Junkie: If you create a digital product for sale you will need a system for distributing the product. You don’t want to host the product on your site because people will find a way to download without paying for it. E-Junkie also has a robust affiliate network so you will be able to find other people who will sell your products for you. It’s super easy to use and set up. The best information marketers use E-Junkie
Click Here to Learn More About E-Junkie
PayPal: When you are ready to collects payments from customers PayPal is the safest, easiest way to go. Their fees are a little high but they make it easy for a beginner (with no merchant account) to accept payments, issues refunds and pay for things online.
Click Here to Learn More About PayPal
Aweber: Collect and manage your customers (or potential customers) e-mail address with Aweber. It is easy to set up, allows you unlimited e-mails lists, unlimited autorespenders and statistics like open rates, click thru rates and a ton more. I am sure you have heard that the money is in the list. Well, Aweber will help you build and manage that list.
Click Here to Learn More About Aweber
Google Analytics: Install this analytic software onto you website to see how many people are coming to your site and what you they are doing when they get there. GA has become THE standards for measuring web traffic and installation is as simple as copying and pasting a tiny bit of code.
Click Here to Learn More About Google Analytics
Google AdWords and Adsense: While I don’t recommend that any beginners to this game get involved in running an AdWords Campaign, you should sign up to get full access to Google’s Keyword Tool. It will certainly help you with keyword and niche market research. Adsense is the program Google offers where you can put ads on your websites and earn money everytime a visitor clicks on the ad. While it is not easy to generate large amounts of money with Adsense, it is easy passive income and will help you see if the market you chose is worthwhile. Why not make a few bucks while you are testing a market, right?
Click Here to Learn More About AdWords and Here to Learn About Analytics
The Real Tools of the Trade: These tools separate the hobbyists from the pros. Just like in any business you will eventually need to invest in your company and yourself in order to see real, life changing results. These tools of the trade will make you a real internet entrepreneur!
Market Samurai: The samurai, as it is affectionately called in my house, is Cadillac of all internet marketing tools. It has 8 different active modules that help you create profitable projects. Whether you are looking to build an e-commerce store, niche adsense or affiliate site, or an authority blog – Market Samurai is an indespensable tool. The Keyword Research and SEO Competition modules are the 2 primary market research tools I use. The Samurai is by far, the best keyword research tool in the business and you can use it for free!
Click Here To Get Market Samurai’s Free Version (you can always upgrade later if you want)
I will be happy to answer any questions you have…including, “Is this product right for me?” Because no matter how great a product is, it is only valuable when you actually use it. If you are at a point in your journey online where you just won’t be able to use the tool, I will let you know. If it’s not going to be of benefit to you, I don’t want you to get it.
Please let me know how I can help and share with me your success stories.
Good luck!
