Resources
Resources for Online Entrepreneurs
The fast changing world of the internet requires that we manage the way we work, communicate and manage our opportunities. Virtual Assistance University offers links to both free resources and highly recommended resources that we use to build and maintain our online businesses. If you have resources that you would like to share, please do so! Just send an email to info at virtualassistantindustry.com. You should also checkout our VA Tool Box for more online tools.
Please bookmark this page and visit often as we are constantly adding new resources that will help you efficiently build and grow your online business.
OUR MOST RECOMMENDED RESOURCES AND TOOLS
Affiliate Marketing
Rosalind Gardner Is known as the “Affiliate Marketing Queen” and is the author of the “Super Affiliate Handbook” which I highly recommend if you do any affiliate marketing at all.
Blogging Platforms
TypePad – This feature-rich and easy-to-use solution is for personal & business weblog publishing
WordPress is a free state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability. WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.
Browser Compatibility
Browsershots makes screenshots of your web design in different browsers. It is a free open-source online service. It can be a little slow however, so if you are in a hurry you might check out Litmus.
Litmus - No minimum contracts, no sign up fees, no cancellation fees. Guaranteed, no-questions-asked refund policy. The basic plan is free.
Business Cards, Post Cards and More
Overnight Prints – Select from thousands of design backgrounds to create your business cards easily and quickly. Heavy card stock, print on both sides, glossy finish. Very elegant and very affordable!
Client Management Systems
Basecamp is the leading web-based project collaboration tool.
Client Spot allows you to organize your clients, projects and time painlessly.
Email Marketing
Aweber – Send email newsletters and autoresponders. Get top-notch email deliverability with expert toll-free support.
Constant Contact – Customizable website visitor sign up form. Over 100 professional HTML email templates (newsletters, promos, invites and more). List management and hosting (including unsubscribe and bounce mgmt). Automatic delivery in the correct format, HTML or text. Real-time reporting (including opens, who clicked on which links and more).
iContact – You can easily create, send, and track email newsletters, autoresponders, surveys and RSS feeds.
Domain Registrations
Godaddy is the # 1 domain name registrar. We do recommend purchasing your domain names here but will say that it is not our hosting company of choice. For that we recommend HostGator. Please read about choosing and registering your new domain name here before you purchase your new name.
Online Backup Services
Carbonite has backed up over 3 billion files and more importantly, restored over 200 million files that would have been lost forever. Every year, 43% of computer users lose irreplaceable files. Carbonite users do not have to worry! Carbonite automatically and securely backs up the irreplaceable contents of their computers for only $54.95 per year ($99.95 for 2 years) – no matter how much stuff they need to backup. Restoring lost files takes just a few clicks
Mozy Online Backup is the preferred choice by Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal, Christopher Null of Yahoo! Tech and winner of the PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award. It is the most secure, feature rich and inexpensive backup service in the world.
Online File Storage / Send or Share Large Files
Box.net is an online file storage platform that enables users to share access and store important files online anytime, anywhere. Users can access or share their files from any computer or mobile device, no software required, so any files stored on the service can be retrieved or shared anywhere. You can also send large files.
Send This File allows you to easily send and receive large files to and from anyone, anywhere. You can place a file box on your website that allows your clients to send files directly to you from your own website. Visit this page to see how it works.
Productivity Tools
DimDim meetings start with a single click in a web browser – no software is required to host, join, even record a Dimdim Web conference. Dimdim is amazingly affordable: only $228 per year for a 50-person meeting room or pay as you go – only $25 per month
Go to Meeting is a Web conferencing tool that allows you to meet online rather than in a conference room. Avoid travel time and expenses by having your meetings in the comfort of your own office. *Free trial.
Go to Webinar – Webinars reach audiences more effectively than regular in-person events because there is no need to plan travel or reserve conference space. *Free trial.
Social Networking for Professionals
Fast Pitch! Networking provides a one-stop shop for a business professional to network and market their business. Each member builds a Profile (one-page website) which outlines their business including what they buy and sell. Once the profile is connected into the Fast Pitch! Network, the member can begin to build a referral network and promote their business. Millions of introductions have been made using their innovative online lead exchange system that analyzes profiles and matches professionals based on what they buy and sell. You can sign up for free but we really recommend doing an annual membership so you can post events, press releases, videos and more.
Shopping Carts
1shoppingcart provides you with a powerful and versatile shopping cart system loaded with all the essential features you need to make your online business a success. *Free trial.
Easy Web Automation Get your own online shoppingcart free for 30 days. *Free trial.
Infusionsoft is web-based software that combines CRM, email marketing, and ecommerce into one system. But the real magic is in their automatic follow-up engine, because it finally makes it easy for entrepreneurs to achieve amazing follow-up. When this happens, more prospects become customers…and sales explode. Infusionsoft is the only software company that guarantees to double your sales.
Telephone / Toll Free/ Fax Services
Grasshopper allows you to sound more professional with Toll free, 800 and local numbers. Pprovide your business with phone extensions, voicemail to email and all the features of a virtual office. Grasshopper is formerly GotVMail.
Ring Central offers Toll Free and local hosted phone & fax service for small businesses & mobile professionals delivering all the power of a “big company” phone system but with no hardware to buy and nothing to maintain.
Website Hosting
Godaddy is an Internet domain registrar and web hosting company that also sells e-business related software and services. Godaddy is currently the larges ICANN-accredited (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) registrar in the world.
HostGator – While we love Godaddy for domain name purchases, we don’t recommend their hosting services if your website is going to be built on the WordPress Platform.
WordPress Premium Themes and Plugins
WP Wishlist is a powerful membership script that can turn any WordPress blog into a full blown membership site.
FREE RESOURCES AND TOOLS
Event Brite helps businesses and organizations of all sizes manage, promote and sell-out their events. It is free to use. You only pay when you are charging for tickets.
ShortKeys Lite is a utility that allows you to set up replacement text or paragraphs for any given number of user defined keystrokes. ShortKeys monitors the keyboard activity on a global nature and anytime a user defined keystroke combination is typed in, it will be replaced with the replacement text.
Stickies 6.7a is a wonderfully time saving little utility that allows you to post notes on your computer screen so your important “notes to self” never get lost or shredded. Trust me, you will love this!
WordPress is a state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability. WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.
WordPress Themes offer a comprehensive free themes directory.
