This is a list of tools and resources I use in my business to help me get things done faster and more efficiently but most of all to get them done right.
Some are free, some are cheap (under $50) and others are a higher level investment or have Pro/Premium versions that offer more advanced features. If they’re on this list it’s because I believe they’re a smart investment, providing you WILL and DO USE them!
If you can’t find what you need here or are unsure about which tool will be best for you, click here to shoot me a message and I’ll get back to you asap to help you figure it out.
Cheers,
Unlimited Cloud Backup:
Unlimited Automated Cloud Backup the only system I have found that also backs-up any external hard-drive/s you have connected to your system.
I’ve tried them all including Mozy & Carbonite (I was using MozyPro when my laptop got dropped the day before I was leaving to go to England for 7 weeks and I had to do a full system restore – BackBlaze is much cheaper and easier). BackBlaze is the only backup system I know of that’s easy to use and restore from, that will also backup external hard-drives – usually that’s an up-charge.
Auto Responder Services:
AWeber is the AutoResponder service I choose to use. They have an excellent reputation which means your emails reach their destination, great tools to help you learn how to maximize ROI from your email list/s.
Photo & Image Editors:
Try this simple to use image editor for 30 days FREE.
Canva.com – Another excellent design editing tool, excellent for creating great visual social media posts.
Screen Capture for Images & Video
Snagit is a great tool for simple image, scrolling image and screen capture (with simple video editing capability). It’s very simple to use and has some nice basic editing tools to allow you to add notes and more to still images, while the screen capture allows you to capture system audio as well as headset or mic which is perfect for making How To videos or demonstrating on screen processes.
Zoom is a LOW COST video conferencing service, but it can be used for so much more than just that. With a Basic (forever) FREE account you can hold unlimited 1 to 1 meetings and meetings for upto 40 minutes with 3 or more participants. The Pro account is just $15 per month and no meeting time limit.
**Click here to see a video overview of Zoom including how to set-up a FREE account**
The best thing about Zoom though is you can easily record your meetings and have the file sent to the cloud or your desktop. When you end your recorded meeting, you will receive a download of the meeting in 3 formats, an audio file (perfect to repurpose into a Podcast), an M3U file (for adding to multi-media playlists) and an MP4 video file (ready to post to YouTube or on your own website).
Video Editing:
WeVideo.com – Is a free-to-premium cloud based online video editing platform. You can start with basic drag and drop editing and progress at your own pace to more professional editing tools.
Web Hosting & Security:
If you know enough to manage your own hosting, FTP & cPanel, securely install and configure WordPress and Plugin updates then I highly recommend A2 Hosting for web hosting services. They provide excellent service with 99% site up-time, and outstanding tech support.
Bear in mind you will need to know or learn, how to manage WordPress and Plugin updates to ensure the ongoing functionality and security of your site regardless of where you host your domain unless you opt for a fully managed solution. Most managed solutions will update WordPress but not your plugins – updating one (WP) without the other (plugins) can cause conflicts or issues with functionality and can even bring your site down completely.
If you’re not ready to manage your own hosting account yet or if you just prefer someone else stay on top updates for you, WP-Webworks offers a complete managed hosting service with all WordPress and Plugin updates done for you.
Our Security & Maintenance service takes care of Security, WordPress Core AND Plugin updates, it also includes off-site daily or weekly backups, pre-paid diagnostic time (in case an update causes conflicts) along with free 911 site restores from our backups should your site to go down for any reason. **Click here to see full details and plan options**.
Malwarebytes Premium fights threats that antivirus software isn’t advanced enough to stop. All threats are removed including worms, rogues, dialers, trojans, rootkits, spyware, exploits, bots, and other malware. Work, play, and socialize online freely with no worry.
They offer a 3PC deal for about $20 extra – this is an excellent deal bearing in mind that you can also use this software on your Smart Phone and Tablet’s to protect those form being infected with viruses, malware, rootkits etc.
System Tools
This is where you’ll find tools to help keep your system optimized and running smoothly. Again this is a section that will constantly be added to so be sure to check back often because you’ll likely find something new here.
C-Cleaner:
A tool to help you keep your system cache, cookies and registration keys “clean” so your computer whizzes along at warp speed.
Free Plugins:
- Easy Pie Maintenance – put your site behind a maintenance screen while you work on it.
- Yoast SEO – hands down the best SEO plugin there is (see Advanced Videos for settings).
- JetPack – offers multiple functions from one plugin (see Advanced Videos for settings).
Premium Plugins
WishList Member is an easy to use premium plugin that allows you to run membership sites with protected content visitors can buy right from within your own site.
Formidable is a powerful, (free) form builder plugin, but it really comes into it’s own when you get the premium version for $47 which secures lifetime updates and 12 months of support. Premium has additional fields using drop-down menus, radio buttons and much more.
Premium Page Editor:
Beaver Builder is THE best page builder and visual editor I’ve come across and I’ve tried or worked with them all on my sites or for clients. This is THE ONLY page builder I will put on my sites it’s that good! If you need a drag and drop visual editor to help you build opt-in forms, sales pages or even blog posts fast and easy this should be your go-to tool. As with anything that has a lot of options, there is a little bit of a learning curve but once you have that sorted (and it won’t take long) it’s easy-peasy.
If $199 for the Beaver Builder Pro version is a little Spendy for your needs, remember RYWPW Gold Members get to use our Premium Developer licenses for several Premium Plugins at significant savings – ask about RYWPW Membership & pick your best plugin mix.
Beaver Builder is compatible with most themes out of the box. If you want to extend its capabilities with Genesis themes, be sure to download the Genesis Dambuster plugin by Russel Jamieson (FREE and available in the WordPress Plugin Repository) it really makes page building with Beaver Builder super easy.
Premium Themes:
These are the people who develop the Genesis Framework & StudioPress Child Themes.
I use Genesis and their child themes exclusively on my own sites not least because of their support for, and close relationship with WordPress.org. Together with their strong commitment to creating top quality clean coded themes, they ensure search engines love your sites and help us build beautifully designed sites that visitors love and love to come back to.