These “99 Websites” appeared as SiteSightings in my “Webs Worth Watching” Newsletter. In case you don’t know, a SiteSighting is any website that provides REAL VALUE to online business owners.
In short, it’s the kind of site that’s worthy of a bookmark. To get the full story on Site Sightings and the “Webs Worth Watching” Newsletter, be sure to visit:
--> http://www.SiteSightings.com
And while you’re there, remember to subscribe to “Webs Worth Watching”. It’s the only way to ensure that you never miss another Site Sighting or “From the Trenches” tip like the ones below...
1. Doteasy Web Hosting
http://www.doteasy.com
Free, bannerless web hosting...'nuff said. The only complaint I have is that reliability is not up to par with the paid hosts, but then again, what do you expect -- IT'S FREE! While I wouldn't use it to host my main site, it's great for testing mini sites and new products.
2. Link Counter
http://www.linkcounter.com
LinkCounter is a free service that tracks clicks on any link you want to track, from inside, outside, or within your site itself.
It's a great way to track affiliate programs and link exchanges, or to create referring links for sites you trade traffic with. They provide you with an unbiased report that you can use to keep track of your outgoing and incoming hits.
3. Security Metrics
http://www.securitymetrics.com
Worried about your own site's security? Afraid you might be vulnerable to hackers? Don't wonder -- find out! Security Metrics will give your computer a "FREE Port Scan" where it will test for the 20 most common TCP/IP ports that are often vulnerable. If you're like me, the results will surprise you.
4. S.C.O.R.E.
http://www.score.org
S.C.O.R.E stands for the Service Corps of Retired Executives, and they pride themselves on being the Counselors to Americas Small Business.
In effect, S.C.O.R.E. is a non-profit group that offers FREE counseling to anyone who has, or is thinking about starting, a small business. I've utilized their trained counselors on numerous occasions and have been grateful every time.
5. Spyonit
http://www.spyonit.com
Spyonit has dozens of FREE spy tools that allow you to keep tabs on all the sites and auctions that matter most to you. (Including your competition's.) There's too much there to describe it all, so go to the site now to check it out. They're also adding new "spies" fairly frequently, so check back often. Who knows what they'll come up with next?
6. Tracer Lock
Tracer Lock is another "spy" type tool that monitors search engines, UseNet groups, and personal ads for whatever word or phrase you tell it to.
It's great for keeping tabs on the competition, and seeing what others are saying about you or your business. They have both a FREE and a paid service, so check it out.
7. Scum Ware
http://www.scumware.com
If you've been keeping up with software or e-biz news, then you've no doubt heard of the controversy surrounding traffic stealing software such as Top Text and Surf+.
This site is dedicated to eradicating the world of such thieves.
It will tell you if your computer is currently "infected" and give you some lines of code that will disable the traffic thieves when they "invade" your site.
8. Trafficoloy
http://www.trafficology.com
This is easily my new favorite newsletter. Trafficology's creator, Wayne Yeager, gives away literally THOUSANDS of dollars each month for new and creative traffic generating ideas.
He then turns around and gives these ideas to his subscribers for FREE. I've been receiving the newsletter for a few months now, and I have yet to be disappointed. While some of the ideas are WAY too crazy for me to EVER try, the newsletter is *always* entertaining, and often useful.
9. Onebox
http://www.onebox.com
Onebox is an incredibly low-cost service (I believe I pay around $10 a month for it) that provides you with an email address, a fax number, and voice mailbox -- all in one place! If you're just starting out and you need a phone service, but don't want to pay hefty charges to your local phone company, this could be an ideal solution.
10. FreeAutoBot
http://www.freeautobot.com
If you've been holding off on purchasing an autoresponder service because you’re not willing to pay a monthly fee, you should consider taking a look at FreeAutoBot.
Not only are they FREE, but they also don't place *any* ads in your messages and they allow an UNLIMITED amount of messages AND subscribers. EDITOR’S NOTE: I used this service in the early days of my business, but later upgraded to a paid one for the increased options and support.
Here’s my final word on these free autoresponder services: If you simply cannot afford to spend $10 or $15 a month for a paid service, then a free one such as Free AutoBot will work.
However, your list is the most important aspect of your business, so as soon as you can afford to switch to a paid service with a little more accountability, I would make the change.
And if you are in the market for a low cost, *advanced* autoresponder service, I’d check out Auto-respondIt . Here’s the URL: http://www.AutorespondIt.com
11. Web Site Garage
http://www.websitegarage.com
I was timid to include this site as a SiteSighting, for fear that it was already too well known. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that this site is just too valuable to not feature it in this newsletter.
I feel that strongly about it. Web Site Garage provides services for maintaining and improving your website.
It has a Free Tune Up feature, which checks your site for things like browser compatibility, load time, meta tags, and more. The tune up is free, so if you have a site, it's well worth your time to give this one a look.
12. PopUpMaster
http://www.popupmaster.com
When the owner of this site, who is also a member of the Site Sightings community, submitted it as a Site Sighting, I knew right away that it would make © 2002 by Softniche Solutions Page 5 it into the newsletter.
Popup creators are a dime a dozen on the web, but this one is the best I've seen by far. It allows you to create all kinds of pop-ups, from standard ones, to exit-pops, and even pop-ups that use cookies so they only pop-up once per session.
You just type in your specifications and click submit, and PopUpMaster does the rest. Best of all you can use it over and over again and never pay a thing.
I even used it to create the pop-ups on my own site! Trust me, this one's a winner. Check it out. EDITOR’S NOTE: This tool was completely free when I first ran the site in my newsletter, but since then the site’s owner, Steve Shaw, has totally repackaged and improved the software and has started charging for it.
While it’s no longer the free resource that it once was, I still feel that the product is well worth the price.
For software that really puts a *spin* on pop-up marketing, be sure to check out my own product, Pop-Up Rotator . Here’s the link: http://www.PopUpRotator.com
13. Translating the Internet
http://www.t-mail.com
If you do a lot of business with people from other countries, or if you just have friends that speak another language, T-Mail could be just the thing for you. They give you a FREE email account and it translates your incoming foreign language email into English.
It also allows you to surf the web in foreign countries in English. I realize this won't apply to everybody, but for those of you who do a lot of business outside of your native land, it could very well be a Godsend.
14. Free Email Directory
http://www.emailaddresses.com/guide_types.htm
Want your business to go international? This is the best place I've found to get email addresses around the world. Think globally, appear local. It has a few pop ups, but hey, somebody has to pay the bills.
15. Yale's Web Style Guide
http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual/contents.html
This is the definitive web style guide covering everything that has to do with site and page design. If you're new, this site can be a great place to learn the basics.
And if you're an experienced designer, this site is a great place to review the basics and polish your skills.
