Products I Recommend (After Testing!)

The products I've found useful

As mentioned before, the only criteria for choosing these websites or products is a dedication to quality that goes beyond the ordinary. In the case of products, we've tested them ourselves before recommending them to you.

You'll find this to be a resource you can trust. I have just put up a few. These are the general categories. As I get more time, I will sort them in a friendlier fashion and add more reviews.

If it feels like I'm talking about old friends, it's because many of them have become just that. This is not a buddy recommending buddy section. It's a purposeful, deliberate action on our part to get to know these people. And once you get to know them too, you'll see why.

Please also note, that we do not indemnify any of these products or services. While we take extreme care to make sure that everything is above board, it's up to you to take your due dilgence. Do so intelligently, and you should be ok.


Sean D'Souza

Website-based resources & tools

Site Build-It

It takes a while to awe me. Often it never happens. Site Build it was like getting into Aladdin's Cave with all the gold, silver and rubies all sitting there to be picked. So what's the point of difference? Well, you can build a site, host it, struggle with search engines and do all the stuff that most businesses struggle to do.

Or you can get Site Build it. Is it expensive? I don't think so. It's one heck of a service that would cost you an arm and a leg to get the same features and benefits. I've done the tour. I think you'll be pretty impressed with Site Build It.

Here's the link to Site Build It

Shopping Cart + Affiliate System + Broadcasting + Autoresponders

I personally know Rob Bell (CEO - 1shoppingcart) and I can tell you Rob works way too hard. He's always trying to set up new and better ways so that you can conduct your online business as effectively as possible. Rob's system has a lot of bells and whistles and differs from Aweber mainly in functionality. I know of many marketers who use 1shoppingcart for affiliates and the beauty of the shopping cart system and use Aweber for broadcasting mail. 1shoppingcart has the best of both worlds, in a way. I've used both of them simultaneously too and I'd highly recommend you check them out. They have very extensive tutorials as well, so you can't go wrong.

To get to the website, click here

Autoresponders + Sending Out Newsletters

If you need autoresponders or need to send out newsletters to your list, there's almost no one as good as Tom Kulzer's service at Aweber.com. Tom's service is extremely good and there's a wealth of information on how to make the maximum use of your autoresponder. The biggest feature about this autoresponder is the ability to choose time and date of a broadcast mail. I highly recommend this service. In fact, I currently use it. I guess you can't get a better recommendation.

Added Bonus: I hear Aweber speaks very often to AOL and other providers to make sure that none of their clients get a 'spammer' tag. This is very important as if you get a spammer tag, you can be banned from your ISP and finally even lose your URL status.

Have a look for yourself at this link.

Membership Hosting

The future of the Internet is based on the past. And the past has shown us that your biggest buyers are people who 'reside' in your own town, your own 'village' or belong to your own 'community.' With a membership site, you can attract a niche market. If you think you want to ignore a membership site, I'd ask you to think again. Harley Davidson made $200 million in membership alone. Nope, no bikes, just membership and sale of products to members. Granted, you're not Harley, but there's still a lot to be said for membership.

Membergate. This is an extremely sound membership site. Bill Myers (who is the chief architect behind Membergate) is a completely clued-on marketer. My first choice would be Membergate, if I were based in the US. It's more search-engine friendly, more intuitive and it's a one-time payment (though there may instalments as well). The documentation is pretty spot-on (You won't believe how important documentation is, when you're creating a membership site). The price includes a design for your membership site. Pretty cool overall. I'd say head here first, if you want to get the Rolls Royce in membership software and support.

ClickTracks Web Analytics

ClickTracks gives you an accurate analysis of your website page by page. It is a powerful measurement strategy to help you understand your customer behaviour. I use this tool on a constant basis to track my promotions. It also shows you the entry page and exit pages of customers. Because of this tool we have modified pages and increased our online sales.

To get to the website, click here

Transcription Resource

Want to have your speech or teleseminar or workshop transcribed? I'd recommend Nirmala D'Mello. She does all our transcriptions and she's worked with us long enough to know the difference between speaking and the written word.

So if your grammar is a bit wonky when you speak (and it happens to all of us, because when we speak, we can't go back and erase our words, like we can on paper) she'll fix it. She won't put in ahs, ums, etc.

And she's very easy to work with as a person. Be assured that I've searched for good transcription services for a long time, and Nirmala meets with Renuka's approval (Renuka is my wife). As you can imagine, if you know Renuka, that standard is pretty high.

Contact Details: nirmala.d@rediffmail.com

Websites on Design

www.ideabook.com

By far the most amazing website on design I've ever seen. Chuck's good at what he does. Damned good. And his site is like manna from heaven. He really spills his guts on design and I recommend you take a very good look at it. There are dozens of ways to improve your design and it's all free of charge.

		Chuck has lots of good books, CD Templates What I've read: The Do It Yourself Logos, Letterheads and Business Cards published by Rockport Publishing. It's got the stamp of class all over it and if the rest of the products are anywhere as good, you can buy them with your eyes closed. I'd also recommend Chuck's book on templates for flyers, brochures etc. What's easier than having a ready made template from one of the most outstanding graphic designers on the planet? Best of all, all the templates come on a CD, so you can get started within minutes. Talk about saving me hours of frustration...phew...Thanks Chuck. Check it out for yourself.
The instant template book from ideabook

www.bamagazine.com

This magazine was once only available offline. And now for the first time ever, it's being offered as a PDF online. Man, this magazine is good enough to eat.

So what's BA? Before and After, that's what. And the mag covers really cool design concepts. Easy to read, easy to understand and wonderful to leaf through.

BA Magazine: If you're into design, get it.

I've seen several copies of this magazine, and each one is a treat to hold and read. If you're into reading offline, this is the magazine to subscribe to. If you're an online kind of person, hey, don't let me stop you from subscribing. The subscription is quite affordable too. Check it out for yourself.

What Jack does really well, is live like a modern day monarch in Paris. And writes like a dream. Jack's newsletter is all poise, all stuffing and great taste.

If you're interested in the written word and copywriting, this is the newsletter you should be subscribing to. Tell Jack I sent you there. Maybe he'll buy me some wine when I get to Paris. :)

If you have any sense, you'll subscribe to Jack's newsletter. It's one of five newsletters on my must-read list.


http://www.jackforde.com

Measurement and Conversion:

Two big resources here
1) Calltoactionbook.com

I've got the book in my hand. And I'd suggest you get the book too. It's all about the call to action on your website. And it's written by Bryan and Jeff Eisenberg. Both good friends and two guys who really know what they're talking when it comes to getting your call to action.

I may blabber. And you may want to read the blabber. Or you may want to order this book at calltoactionbook.com

I'd suggest Option 2 :)

2) Conversion Chronicles

If you want to find out how to plug the holes in your site, get to Conversion Chronicles. Steve's a walking-talking superhero on measurement and you'll find lots of stuff on this site that will open your eyes. And close the gaps.

http://www.conversionchronicles.com

Others I Haven't Got Down To Yet..

I'm still writing the reviews for these. However these products and websites are good and you should be able to find your way around.

Cool Home Pages: Every sort of website under the sun
Selling To Vito: If the CEO is your target, this is what you need.
Wayne Dyer: Powerful spiritual stuff & what a sense of humour
Search Engine Blog: Peter Da Vanzo's laid back website
Fast Company: Good business stuff. But almost overwhelming!
Jim Collins: Good website. Great content.