Choosing The Perfect Web Hosting Service for Your Business

Introduction

In my article, "6 Steps to Building A Website for Your Small Business," I gave six simple steps to launch your business's online presence. In that article, I touched on selecting a host for your website. In this article, I will go into more detail about Choosing The Perfect Web Hosting Service for Your Business.

Where Do I Start?

If you are new to website building and hosting, "where do I start?" may be your most daunting question. Where do you start? Do not start by researching web hosting services, what they charge, and what they have to offer. From this research, you will only learn what is available and what it will cost. You could then make the mistake of choosing a hosting service based only on cost.

So, where do you start? Start with your business.

- What is the nature of your business?- What do you want an online presence to do for your business?- Promote your business?- Capture a reasonable margin of the market share?- What will be your market reach (local, regional, national, global)?- Provide legitimacy for your business?- Sell products?- What will be the nature of the content for your website?- Information?- Blogs?- Media (images, videos, etc.)?- Data?- eCommerce?

There is more that could be listed here, but these questions will give a good start at identifying the requirements of a website for your business.

What Next

Based on your answers to the questions above, you will have vital information to use in selecting a web host. You can then identify which category you fall into below :

Less than average usage - The following website content will result in less than average bandwidth and storage:

- Basic information about the business- Informational blogs- Low to moderate traffic (less than 30,000 users per month)- Storage needs primarily consist of website images and a few files for download.- A low amount of file downloads or uploads

Average usage - The following content will have moderate bandwidth and storage usage:

- Medium to medium-high traffic (30,000 to 150,000 users per month) - 100Mbps is needed for every 1,000 users.- One or two of these activities in moderation:- Streaming music- Video conferencing - Large image files- A moderate amount of data- A moderate amount of one or two of these items:- Audio files- Video files- Image files- Databases- eCommerce

Higher than average usage - Increase everything under average use to high rather than moderate amounts. As traffic increases, bandwidth will increase regarding every activity on your website.

What Kind of Hosting Will I need?

Assuming you have worked through the questions above, you now have enough information to consider the hosting you need.

To address hosting options, I will draw on the help of the staff at digital.com, referencing their article, "How To Choose a Web Hosting Provider."

Using the information you have gleaned to this point, you have a general idea of your storage and bandwidth requirements. With this knowledge, consider the three hosting options: shared, virtual private, and dedicated, described in the digital.com article, "How To Choose a Web Hosting Provider."

Shared Hosting

With shared hosting, multiple sites use the same IP address and reside on the same server. This is the most economical form of web hosting, as the hosting company splits the cost of a physical server among multiple sites.

The main advantage of shared hosting is its price. However, you are also at the mercy of the bandwidth other sites on the same server use. If a large amount of traffic goes to another location on the same server, it slows your site considerably.

Also, if another site on the same server is engaging in nefarious behavior and has its IP blocked by spam filters, your site may be affected as well. Reliable hosting providers prevent this but you should take this possibility into account.

Virtual Private Server Hosting

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is the next step up in web hosting technology. While you still share the same physical server with other sites, you are set up with a unique virtual server and a unique IP address. This unique IP address keeps your site separate from other sites on the server.

If you choose VPS hosting you have the advantage of being able to manage more features on your server yourself and eliminate blacklisting risks like those with shared hosting. There are some limitations on how much traffic a VPS can handle, but most sites for individuals or small businesses will never come close to exceeding these limitations.

Dedicated Hosting

With dedicated hosting, your physical server or servers are for your website only. This is a more expensive type of hosting, but it is also the most reliable.

Large companies require the use of dedicated hosting services to guarantee uptime and to secure their site. This option is best for efficiency; but, again, it is far more expensive. There are options that help deflect the cost. Through Amazon Web Services (AWS), for example, where you can pay as you go to maintain better control over the costs.

The Top Web Hosting Providers

In addition to the information about types of hosting, from "How To Choose a Web Hosting Provider," digital.com offers their three picks for top web hosting providers:

Bluehost

Best Overall Hosting

For individuals or companies who decide that shared hosting fits their needs, you can’t get a better deal than Bluehost. It provides one of the least expensive starting packages for web hosting and includes a full 50GB of storage space at its lowest level plans. It also boasts an impressive 99.99% uptime. We found that its rates and support are among the best in the business for first-time users.

SiteGround

Best Hosting for Customer Support

Siteground provides a suite of excellent services, including reliable web hosting and fully managed WordPress hosting. Their hosting also comes with useful addons for e-commerce, including WooCommerce.

While SiteGround tends to be slightly more expensive than some of its competitors, it consistently provides some of the best service and fastest speeds available on the internet. It is ideal for beginners (it has several easy-to-use drag and drop tools), and established companies. They are a solid choice for a web host.

Hostinger

Best Budget Hosting

Hostinger stands out as an especially good option for hosting users who are on a tight budget. While Hostinger’s plans are exceptionally affordable it doesn’t mean they’re missing any key features. It provides a wide range of services that will satisfy most small businesses. Its entry-level packages are very affordable and can scale up to meet the needs of more demanding sites. Even the lowest-level shared hosting plan includes SSD storage, a free SSL certificate, and managed auto-updates for WordPress.

More on Hosting

Have your questions on hosting not yet been answered? You can take a deeper dive by checking out these other articles at Digital:

- https://digital.com/web-hosting/- https://digital.com/web-hosting/what-is-web-hosting/- https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/how-to-host-a-website/- https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/how-much-does-it-cost-to-host-a-website/

Other Considerations

Once you have settled on a hosting plan, it is time to consider additional features you will need for your website. These include Email, SSL security, and web builders.

Email Accounts - You will likely want multiple email accounts based on your business domain. For instance, sales@mybusiness.com. You will want to be sure the service you select includes email accounts in your hosting package.

SSL Security - SSL security assures that data transferred to and from your website is safe. Having this safeguard has become a must on today's internet. Most browsers will either warn you or block you when you are about to enter a website that does not have SSL. Receiving an unsafe warning in your browser about the website you are about to visit does not engender confidence in the business that operates the website.

Whether or not a hosting service includes SSL in its hosting package, you can purchase and install a certificate yourself. But it is a nice perk if included in the package, saving you approximately $50 annually.

Web Builders - You will need an application to build your business website. What does the hosting service you are considering offer? Many include a website builder app with drag-and-drop features. These can be relatively simple to learn to use, but will they offer you the flexibility you need?

Apart from a web builder app included in a hosting service package, there are two main options: build an HTML website or use a CMS app such as WordPress. A significant percentage of websites on the internet are run on WordPress sites.

A WordPress website can offer greater flexibility than drag-and-drop builders, especially when using a custom theme. It is helpful to use a professional designer to get the most out of a WordPress site. I recommend Elite Web Presence services for a custom WordPress or HTML site.

Should you choose WordPress to power your website, consider selecting a hosting service that specializes in hosting WordPress sites. Such hosting services will usually offer additional tools to enhance your WordPress-powered site.

Conclusion

It can be challenging to decide on a web hosting provider with all the available options. To help you narrow down your choices, we've put together a list of factors to keep in mind and some top providers. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!

Is there a topic you would like me to address? Please let us know in the comments below or on our contact form.

Clockify: The Time Tracking Tool For Increased Productivity

If you are a home or small business owner needing to track billable hours, Clockify might be your answer. Clockify is an online time-tracking tool that lets you track your work hours and monitor your productivity. You can use it to track your time, no matter the activity or the project you’re working on. Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote worker, or manage a team, Clockify will help you stay focused and achieve your goals.

To help you decide which time-tracking tool best suits you, we will quickly compare Clockify with two other tools, pointing out the pros and cons. Then I will do a short video demonstration of Clockify so you can see it yourself.

My viewpoint is that of a home business owner needing to track billable hours for website development. If this is your perspective, I think you will lean toward Clockify, as do I. However, if you work with a team and need to track more than billable hours, such as more complex project management, you may find yourself drawn to one of the other tools.

First, here is a comparison of Clockify with Toggl and Harvest.

Toggl

Clockify and Toggl are both popular time-tracking tools. While both tools share some similarities, they also have some differences that set them apart.

Interface

Regarding user interface and ease of use, both Clockify and Toggl have their strengths. Clockify has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it an excellent option for beginners or those who prefer a more streamlined experience. Toggl, on the other hand, has a more complex interface with more advanced features, which may take some time to learn but can be more powerful in the long run.

Integrations with Other Tools and Platforms.

Clockify and Toggl offer integrations with various other tools and platforms, making it easy to streamline your workflow and save time. Clockify integrates with popular project management tools such as Asana, Trello, and Basecamp and accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero. Toggl, on the other hand, offers integrations with a broader range of tools, including CRM software like Salesforce, communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, and even social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. When choosing between the two, consider which integrations are most important to your workflow and which tools you already use.

Time Tracking Features and Functionality.

Clockify and Toggl offer a range of time-tracking features and functionality to help you manage your time more effectively. Clockify allows you to track time by project, task, or client and offers a range of reporting options to help you analyze your data. Toggl, on the other hand, offers more advanced features such as billable rates, team management, and project budgets.

Pricing and Plans.

Regarding pricing, Clockify says it “is the only time tracker free for teams of all sizes. You and your team can use Clockify without ever paying a cent, even if you have hundreds of users! Use it as much as you want, for as long as you want, and we won’t charge a cent.” Toggl also offers free plans for up to 5 users. From there, with an annual plan, Clockify starts at $3.99 per user per month. Toggl starts at $9 per user per month.

Harvest

Clockify and Harvest also have similar features, but some key differences exist. One key difference is pricing. Whereas Clockify and Toggl have free plans, Harvest offers a 30-day free trial. Following the Harvest trial, the cost is $12 per month per user if paid monthly and $10.80 per month per user if paid annually.

If you are a solopreneur, as I am, this pricing difference might make the difference without reading further. As solopreneurs, we are not looking for additional user availability and probably do not need more advanced features. However, there could be a functionality difference that could make the cost difference worth it. So keep reading.

Features and functionalities of Clockify.

Some of the key features of Clockify include time tracking, project management, reporting, and integrations with other tools. With Clockify, users can track time for multiple projects and clients, set hourly rates, and generate reports to analyze their productivity. Clockify offers integrations with popular tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack, making tracking time across different platforms easy.

Features and functionalities of Harvest.

Some of the critical features of Harvest include time tracking, invoicing, project management, and reporting. With Harvest, users can track time for multiple projects and clients, set hourly rates, and generate invoices to bill clients for their work. Clockify offers invoicing, but not in the free version.

Harvest also offers integrations with popular tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack, making tracking time across different platforms easy.

Pros and Cons Of Each Tool

To summarize, we will consider the pros and cons of each time tracking tool.

ClockifyPros:- Clockify is free for teams of any size, making it an ideal solution for small businesses or freelancers with a limited budget.- Clockify offers valuable features like time tracking, task management, invoicing, and reporting. These features make it a versatile tool that can help you streamline multiple processes at once.- Clockify is user-friendly and has a clean interface, making it easy for beginners.- Clockify offers a mobile app that makes tracking time on the go easy.- Clockify supports integrations with tools like Trello, Asana, and Jira.Cons:- Clockify’s free plan has some limitations, which might require upgrading to a free plan.TogglPros:- Toggl offers simple and intuitive time-tracking features, making it an excellent tool for freelancers or individuals seeking an easy-to-use time-tracking solution.- Toggl offers a mobile app, making tracking time on the go easy.- Toggl provides a dashboard and reports that give a detailed overview of the time spent on different projects and tasks.- Toggl supports integrations with popular tools such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.Cons:- Toggl’s pricing plans can be expensive, especially for larger teams or businesses.- Toggl’s reporting feature may not be as detailed as needed for some users.- Toggl doesn’t have a task management feature, which limits its functionality.

Harvest:

Pros:

- Harvest offers comprehensive features, including time-tracking, invoicing, and project management.- It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.- The tool integrates with various third-party applications, such as Trello and Asana.- Harvest provides robust reporting and insight tools that allow users to track their team’s productivity and monitor their progress easily.

Cons:

- Harvest can be more expensive than other time-tracking tools, particularly for larger teams.- The interface is more customizable than some users would like, which can be limiting for those who want to track specific information.

Video Overview of Clockify

Here is a short video overview of Clockify. Get an introduction without having to register for an account.

Ready to take the next step? Sign up for Clockify:

(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)

Conclusion

Overall, Clockify, Toggl, and Harvest are great tools to consider if you need help tracking time. Each tool has advantages and drawbacks when deciding which is right for your business needs. Whether it's free pricing plans or detailed reporting options, there's something out there to fit everyone’s requirements. With the right research and analysis, we're sure you'll find the perfect time-tracking solution for your team!

https://digitalchowder.com/the-time-tracking-tool-for-increased-productivity/

3 Simple Steps to Secure Your Home Business Online

No matter the size of your home business, you are always at risk of a cyber-attack. By taking some simple steps to secure your business online, you can protect yourself and your customers from the devastating effects of a cyber breach. As a home business owner, you are likely always looking for ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. When it comes to cybersecurity, though, skimping on protection can cost you a lot more in the long run. A cyber attack can disrupt your business operations and lead to the loss of sensitive customer data. To protect your home business from the growing threat of cybercrime, follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Use Strong Passwords

As more and more people work from home, home businesses are becoming increasingly common. While there are many advantages to running a home business, there are some security risks to consider as well. One of the most important things you can do to protect your home business is to use strong passwords.

While a weak password might be easy to remember, hackers can also easily guess. If a hacker gains access to your account, they could change your password, lock you out of your account, or even use your account to send spam. To avoid becoming the victim of a hacking attack, use a strong password.

A strong password should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. If you're not sure how to create a strong password, many online tools can help. A great tool I have used for years is Keeper Security. It will create passwords for new accounts, then store them for recall when you log back onto that account. You can permit it to automatically insert your username and password when you log in again.

(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)

Another safety measure is to change your passwords regularly and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

An added layer of security with online accounts is using two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) requires you to confirm your identity to gain access to an account or system. With 2FA enabled, you will need to enter both your password and a one-time code generated by an authentication app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Avoid Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are a common threat to home businesses. These attacks occur when a malicious individual sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or online service. The email may contain a link that leads to a fake website. On the website, the intent is for the user to enter sensitive information. This could be, for example, login credentials or a credit card number.

There are many different ways to mount a phishing attack. But home business owners can take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their businesses. First, be vigilant about checking any email or message sender before opening it. What should you do if the legitimacy of an email? Contact the supposed sender using a verification method other than email. Additionally, never click on links or attachments from unknown or untrusted sources.

Some red flags that an email or website may be part of a phishing scam include:

- The email or website has poor grammar or spelling errors- The URL is slightly different from the legitimate company's URL (e.g., "https://www.paypal.com" vs. " paypall")- You are asked to enter sensitive information on a website that does not have an "https://" in the URL- If you receive an email or see a website that seems suspicious, do not click on any links or enter any information. Instead, contact the company directly to confirm that the communication is legitimate.

Did you know that about 90% of successful data breaches start with a phishing attack? Training yourself to avoid these attacks can be the most effective step to ensure your cybersecurity.

Step 3: Keep your software up to date

Home businesses often rely on technology to help them run smoothly and efficiently. But if this technology is not kept up to date, it can quickly become outdated and ineffective. One of the essential pieces of technology for a home business is software. Software programs constantly make updates with new features and security patches. So, keeping your software up to date is necessary to get the most out of it. This will ensure that you have the latest features, but it will also help protect your business from security threats. You can configure most software programs to install updates automatically. 

Another simple step you can take to protect your home business from a cyber attack is the use of security software. There are many options available, and it is essential to choose the one that best fits your needs. You can install some security software on your computer, while others are available as Cloud-based services. There are also different levels of protection. So choose the level that best suits your home business. By using security software, you can help to protect your home business from viruses, malware, and hackers.  This protection comes in two forms:

- Preventing malware from being installed on your computer- Removing any existing malware that may have already made its way onto your system.

This can help to keep your business safe and secure and ensure that your customers can trust your home business.

https://digitalchowder.com/kl50

A suite of software I have used for years comes from IObit. IObit is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that helps to protect home businesses from a variety of threats. These threats include malware, phishing attacks, and more. Besides protecting you against malware attacks, IObit's software suite can:

- Keep your computer clean and- Keep software and drivers up to date.

The following apps from IObit will give you comprehensive protection:

- Advanced Systemcare - the ultimate PC tuneup- Uninstaller - Gives a cleaner PC with safer browsing- Smart Defrag - Faster file accessing- Driver Booster - Keeps your PC running smooth- Malware Fighter - Detects & removes threats and prevents unknown access to online privacy while also blocking ransomware attacks.- Software Updater - Automatically updates software.

Each of these comes with licenses for three computers.

Conclusion:

If you take these three simple steps to protect your home business, you'll be well on your way to fending off any potential cyber-attacks. Using strong passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and keeping your software updated is vital in protecting yourself online. So make sure to implement these tips today!

(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)

https://digitalchowder.com/3-simple-steps-to-secure-your-home-business-online/

LED Display - What It is, And How It Can Benefit The Home Business

Introduction

LED display is one of the newest and most innovative advertising methods. People quickly turn to outdoor LEDs for their advertisement needs because they use significantly less energy than traditional billboards. Also, the screens are large and bright, making them more difficult for people to miss.

In this blog, we will be looking at what LED display is, how you can use them for advertising, and how they could benefit the home business.

What is LED display Outdoor advertising?

LED advertising is a type of outdoor marketing that uses electronic displays to show static images, videos, and animation. These advertisements are displayed on high-definition screens, making them visible from far away. This digital advertising method is very versatile and suitable for placement almost anywhere.

Advantages of outdoor LED display advertisement

The outdoor LED display screen offers a lot of advantages for advertising. Of course, any business wants people to pay attention to their advertisements, so they notice and understand the material. As a result, advertisements seem more appealing to potential consumers. But that isn't all; several more benefits come from using outdoor LED displays for ads.

1. Eye-Catching Advertising 

As I already alluded to, using bright LED lights with color and motion, outdoor LED displays are attention-grabbing. When you add video or animation, they command even greater attention. In short, the possibilities of LED display advertising are limited only by the advertiser's creativity.

2. OOH Advertising Solution

According to the article, "LED Screen Advertising Benefits – 10 Reasons Why LED Technology Helps You Expand Your Business," by Daniel Reynolds (https://dynamo-led-displays.co.uk/led-advertising-screen-advantages/), "Using LED screen advertising as your Out Of Home (OOH) advertising solution means that your digital content can be published with high-quality outdoor LED screens and relayed to a far broader public audience. Depending on the footfall, traffic speed, and the frequency and duration of your message, you can get your ads in front of a broad cross-section of a local community, potentially generating new interest, widening your audience, and increasing inquiries."

3. Lower Cost Advertising

You might be shocked to learn that outdoor LED advertising displays are cost-effective. As a result, many clients want to invest in an outdoor LED display. When compared to traditional advertising boards, they are far more cost-efficient.

Unlike typical print ads, LED ads can easily be edited or updated without the additional costs of reprinting. The upfront costs can add up to considerable financial savings by eliminating the time and cost of editing and reprinting print ads.

4. Real-time updates and edits 

The cost savings of editing and updating LED advertisements over printed ones was just mentioned. Now I'd like to highlight the ability to real-time adjust and improve your targeting using LED advertising, which allows you to hone your targeting precision on a continuing basis. You may push your marketing efforts from anywhere in the world thanks to wireless technology and cloud-based computing, allowing you to manage them from anywhere. Various sophisticated software platforms enable you to make any desired changes immediately by working remotely.

5. Effective advertising

With outdoor LED displays, you control which ads to play and when. Furthermore, there's no limit to how many ads you can display or run at one time--you could even alternate between multiple ads.

6. Synchronous Digital Campaigns 

In real-time, DOOH provides for the opportunity to establish completely synchronous digital campaigns published and streamed across websites, mobile devices, applications, television, radio, and Digital Out of Home (DOOH) media. The cutting-edge technology and servers may be programed to deliver coordinated and highly targeted advertising with a level of control and accuracy previously unimagined.

How can LED display advertising benefit the home business?

Mockup image of billboard screen posters and led light box in the street for advertising

 

This article is titled "LED display advertising - what is it, and how can it benefit the home business." As I write, that is always my concern - to benefit the home business. So can LED display ads help the home business? The short answer is, "It all depends."

But before getting into what it might depend on, I want to highlight the vast array of new possibilities it offers. Having read this far, you know about some of its advantages and opportunities. It has all the capabilities and options of ads on the internet or television.

You can now move your advertising outdoors using the same design tools you have already been using. And your ads are displayed wherever you choose. They don't have to be in front of a computer or mobile device or at home watching their television. They might be driving across town or to another city. They might be at the mall or an athletic event.

Each setting catches the person in a different frame of mind and receptivity to your message. And, whatever the location, it segments your audience based on interest.

So with these thoughts in mind, allow your mind to run free as you consider the possibilities.

It all depends

Now to mention a couple of factors that can determine whether or not the home business might benefit from LED display ads.

- Advertising Budget - Your business's advertising budget will be a significant factor. I am not suggesting that LED display advertising is more expensive than other forms. But it could require more outlay to get the coverage you might get with other forms of advertising. Since LED display ads are stationary, multiple locations will be necessary to broaden your scope. On the other hand, in specific settings, it may grab attention better than the internet or social media ads which compete with many other diversions. - Geographical reach - Another significant factor that could impact the benefit of LED display advertising for your home business is the geographical reach of your product or service. In some cases, that reach will be local, whereas, in others, it will be state-wide, nationwide, or even global. If your business has a broad reach, you should not automatically eliminate the use of LED displays. Should you want to infuse a heightened awareness about your product or service in a specific market, LED displays might fit the bill.

Adcritter

As you think about using this form of advertisement in your home business, consider the operation of a company such as Adcritter. Adcritter (adcritter.com) bills itself as "The Small Business Ad Platform," targeting TV, Internet, and Billboards.

Adcritter offers subscriptions on its platform with a monthly fee of $149. You design and schedule your advertising yourself using templates they provide. Templates vary depending on the media you plan to use, whether TV, internet, or billboards.

When you have designed your ad campaign, you are ready to arrange with Adcritter the media, coverage, and desired schedule. You decide the ad budget right for your business, and Adcritter uses its buying power to get you the best possible prices.

Through this or similar ad agencies, the home business can coordinate its advertisements across social media, internet search ads, TV, and LED display billboards. And you have eliminated using an expensive ad agency in the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LED display advertising can be a great way to get your home business noticed. However, it is crucial to consider your advertising budget and geographical reach when deciding if this form of advertising is suitable for you. Additionally, an agency like Adcritter can help you coordinate your ad campaign across multiple platforms and save money.

Please share your thoughts or experiences concerning LED display advertising in the comments below. If you would be interested in receiving bi-weekly email notices of our blogs for home and small businesses, please sign up using the form below.

https://digitalchowder.com/led-display-what-is-it-and-how-can-it-benefit-the-home-business/

14 Essential Productivity Apps and Services For Freelancers

Many online apps and services can help make you more productive if you're a freelancer. This article will discuss 14 of these tools, including three writing tools, four website-building tools, three creative tools, and four productivity tools.

Writing Tools 

Grammarly

Grammarly is a grammar-checking tool that helps improve writing skills. Before I learned about the app, I struggled to write clearly and concisely, but Grammarly has helped me greatly. My sentences used to be too long and complicated, but now I feel better about my writing skills. I use Grammarly for everything from blog posts and emails to website copy. It's the best tool around for polishing up your writing!

Grammarly is constantly active, no matter what application I am using. As I write, it will suggest changes to improve spelling, style, and tone. Sometimes, it will rewrite sentences to make them neater and simpler.

I am confident in the quality of my work, free of typos, misspellings, and bad grammar.

Grammarly has indeed been a lifesaver for me and my writing.

Try Grammarly

Jasper

Before I publish anything, I use Grammarly to check my writing for errors. However, when actually creating content, Jasper AI is where I turn to spark my creativity.

Jasper AI is the perfect tool to help me quickly and easily develop original, engaging content. With Jasper's help, I can come up with dozens of ideas for blogs, product descriptions, and web copy.

This can all be done in a fraction of the time it would normally take, and because Jasper integrates directly with social media platforms, I can publish content on these platforms without any hassle.

Try Jasper 

Sqribble eBook Creator

Artificial intelligence is increasingly automating tasks that have here-to-fore been time-consuming. Sqribble eBook Creator is a leader in using AI to automate the process of eBook creation. With just a few clicks, you can create amazing eBooks that will educate, inform and entertain your readers. And best of all, you don't need any design, technical or writing skills to start!

Sqribble provides over 50 alluring eBook templates belonging to 15 distinct niche categories. So, no matter what book you want to write - whether it's a cookbook, a self-help guide, or an eBook on your pastime - we have your back.

With customizable templates, you can make your eBook unique by adding photos, videos, and text. And if you need help along the way, a support team is always available.

Try Sqribble Website Tools 

Nicepage

Nicepage is a website design app capable of turning out sites in WordPress, Joomla, and HTML.

Nicepage is my choice for web design. It is the tool I use for my website and to build sites for other businesses.

With Nicepage, you can create stunning websites without writing a single line of code! Just use its easy drag-and-drop website builder software to implement your ideas. Install its desktop app and get started designing your website. There are over 10,000 designer-made templates to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your business. And if you want to customize anything, it's easy to do with no coding required. Websites created in Nicepage are mobile-friendly, so they'll look great on any device.

If you want a website that runs on WordPress or Joomla, design the general layout in the Nicepage desktop application. Afterward, export it as a template file and install it onto either WordPress or Joomla. A Nicepage Plugin will be included with the installation to enable you to continue the design and do editing from within the CMS.

Although I recommend Elementor, I prefer Nicepage because it is more flexible and gives me more freedom. With Nicepage, my creative ideas aren't restricted by its capabilities. This saves me a lot of time not having to find a way to make my ideas work -- they do.

Try Nicepage 

Elementor

With Elementor, you can create a stunning website without any coding! With its easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, you can create beautiful pages in no time. And with 100+ full website Kits and endless possibilities, you can let your creativity shine. Plus, Elementor's world-class hosting and robust security features will give you the peace of mind you need to focus on creating the website of your dreams. 

Elementor attempts to do it all with its own built-in features that eliminate the need for other plugins and thus do away with plugin clutter. And with 90+ widgets and countless built-in capabilities, you can create any website you can imagine. 

You won't go wrong with Elementor as your choice for website creation.

Try Elementor 

Pretty Links

Pretty Links isn't just for those looking to make money from their content with affiliate links. It has plenty of other benefits, too. Pretty Link's main purpose is link shortening, but it also tracks clicks for each link created within the program.

While this obvious perk is especially enticing to affiliate marketers, anyone wanting to see how many people are clicking on certain parts of their website can benefit from Pretty Links' click-tracking feature. Use Pretty Links as a link shortener for every link on your website, and you will easily track what parts of your website people are viewing or interacting with.

Plus, Pretty Links makes it a breeze to put links on your site. Just add a keyword or phrase when you create the link using Pretty Links. Then, Pretty Links will automatically insert that link any time the keyword appears. And if you ever need to change a link, you will not have to go through your site to change every link usage. Simply update it in one spot - Pretty Link - and it'll be good to go sitewide!

Try Pretty Links 

Pond5

Pond5 is a great resource for finding professional content at an affordable price. It has everything you need for your project, with millions of royalty-free photos, videos, audio clips, and more. And their license allows you to use their content without worry.

The main reason I use Pond5 is that a subscription isn't required to access the media library- you can pay for each item separately. Most of the photos I purchased cost less than $5.00. If you would rather have a subscription, though, they are available at different price points depending on the content you want to access. You can also buy Credit Packs, which offer a 20% discount off the total purchase price.

Try Pond5 Creative Tools 

Snagit

Techsmith's Snagit is a screen capture software that lets you quickly and easily share what's on your screen with others, so you don't have to waste time with back-and-forth emails or messy file attachments. Just share a link to your Snagit capture, and they can view it in their browser.

With Snagit, you can not only take screenshots and mark them up, but you can also record a video of your screen. This is especially useful if you want to show someone how to do something or navigate a process step-by-step. Plus, once you're done recording, Snagit will automatically turn it into a shareable video that's easy for anyone to understand.

Snagit is my favorite tool to use when I need help with website design or illustrations for blog posts. The video screen capture feature also comes in handy whenever I need to show someone how a particular software works.

Try Snagit 

Camtasia

Camtasia is another app created by Techsmith. With Camtasia, you can quickly and easily create professional-looking videos without prior video editing experience. Camtasia is quick to learn and easy to use, so you'll be up and running in no time. It is the ideal tool for creating high-quality videos that engage your audience and help them learn more than text alone. Camtasia is perfect for creating video tutorials, how-to videos, software demo videos, meeting recordings, training videos, and lessons.

Try Camtasia 

Canva

Canva Pro is an excellent choice to up your design game. This design software makes design simple, convenient, and reliable. With time-saving tools that make anyone look like a professional designer, you can create anything you need in no time.

Need to add some curved text, photo effects, or image enhancer? How about adding frames to photos or even text to videos? It's all covered. And if you want to take your content to the next level, the online video recorder and converter let you record, edit, trim, and splice videos — all in one place. Plus, you can easily convert them to MP4 format for easy sharing.

When it comes to design, I'm a novice. But with Canva's array of templates and tools help my ideas take shape by imitating the professionals. Not only does Canva have great samples that spark creativity, but their design tools are user-friendly. Whenever I need graphics for product promotion or to design a logo, business card, or flyer, I go to Canva.

Try Canva Productivity Tools 

Keeper

Keeper Security offers a top-notch solution to protect your passwords and personal information from cybercriminals. With Keeper you will be Joining millions of people who use Keeper to protect their online identities. You'll never again have to remember or worry about a password.

Powered by cutting-edge technology, Keeper offers unparalleled protection against ransomware attacks by generating high-strength, random passwords for each website, application, and service you use. In addition, BreachWatch® monitors the dark web 24/7 and alerts you if your credentials are detected in a public data breach so that you can take action immediately.

I have depended on Keeper for several years. Not only does it enable me to retrieve a saved password quickly, but it will also manage the process of registering a new user account and storing the necessary username and password for later use. It is not only for passwords, though. You can also use it to store credit card accounts, driver's license numbers, and health insurance credentials.

I use Keeper's Chrome extension to quickly locate the URL of any website I frequent from Keeper's database. Once the desired website launches, Keeper is on standby to automatically enter my username and password so I can easily log in.

Try Keeper 

Todoist

As my task manager and to-do list app, Todist is my choice to keep me more focused, organized, and calm. With Todoist, you can add tasks like "read work emails every day at 10 am" in seconds using natural language recognition and recurring dates. Plus, your to-do lists are automatically sorted into Today, Upcoming, and custom Filter views to help you focus on your most important things.

Todoist allows you to break big tasks into smaller ones, share projects with your team, and add reminders. You can also use Todoist's apps, extensions, and widgets on any device or platform, so you're never far from your to-do list.

Todoist seamlessly integrates with your voice assistant, calendar, and over 30 other tools to make productivity effortless, whether at home or on the go. Todoist also has the added bonus of promoting a sense of calm by letting users know that they won't forget any new tasks that come to mind--enter them into Todoist!

Try Todoist 

Hubspot CRM

CRM stands for “customer relations management,” but at Hubspot, it means much more than managing your contacts. With the easy-to-use

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Digital Resources for the Budget-Conscious Home Business

If you are a home business owner, you are always looking for digital resources to make your task more efficient with more professional outcomes. To help, I have done some of the work for you. In this article, I have listed our service picks to amplify productivity and reach more clients or customers.

Most of these picks are products I use, and I can attest to their benefits and reliability. I know by reputation and referral to be reliable for those I do not use. The sixteen products listed are in four categories: Writing Tools, Website Tools, Creative Tools, and Productivity Tools. Do you have recommendations you think should be included in the list? Please leave your recommendations in the comment section below.

Writing Tools

Grammarly

Before using Grammarly, I struggled with creating clear and concise content. My writing often sounded overly verbose with long, complex sentences. However, since starting to utilize Grammarly, I feel much more confident in my writing ability across all platforms - whether it be a blog post, email correspondence, or even website copy. Nowadays, you'll find me constantly turning to Grammarly for help polishing up any written piece!Grammarly is constantly working in the background of whatever application I am using, whether it's a browser, my email program, or a word processor. Grammarly periodically offers suggestions for improving spelling, style, and tone as I write. It will even rewrite entire sentences to make them cleaner and more straightforward.I am confident in the quality of my work, free of typos, misspellings, and bad grammar.

Try Grammarly

Jasper

Before I publish anything, I use Grammarly to check my writing for errors. However, when actually creating content, Jasper AI is where I turn to spark my creativity.Jasper AI is the perfect tool to help me develop original, engaging content quickly and easily. With Jasper's help, I can develop dozens of ideas for blogs, product descriptions, and web copy.This can all be done in a fraction of the time it would normally take, and because Jasper integrates directly with social media platforms, I can publish content on these platforms without any hassle.

Try Jasper

Sqribble eBook Creator

Artificial intelligence is increasingly automating tasks that have here-to-fore been time-consuming. Sqribble eBook Creator is a leader in using AI to automate the process of eBook creation. With just a few clicks, you can create amazing eBooks that educate, inform and entertain your readers. And best of all, you don't need any design, technical, or writing skills to start!Sqribble provides over 50 alluring eBook templates belonging to 15 distinct niche categories. So, we have your back no matter what book you want to write - whether it's a cookbook, a self-help guide, or an eBook on your pastime.With customizable templates, you can make your eBook unique by adding photos, videos, and text. And if you need any help along the way, a support team is always available.

Try Sqribble

Website Tools

Nicepage

Nicepage is my choice for web design. It is the tool I use for my website and to build sites for other businesses. With Nicepage, you can create stunning websites without writing a single line of code! Just use our easy drag-and-drop website builder software to implement any ideas you have. There are over 10,000 designer-made templates so that you can find the perfect one for your business. And if you want to customize anything, it's easy to do with no coding required. Plus, all our websites are mobile-friendly and will look great on any device. Get started building your dream website today with Nicepage!Although I recommend Elementor, I prefer Nicepage because it is more flexible and gives me more freedom. With Nicepage, my creative ideas aren't restricted by its capabilities. This saves me a lot of time not having to find a way to make my ideas work -- they do.

Try Nicepage

Elementor

With Elementor, you can create a stunning website without any coding! With its easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, you can create beautiful pages quickly. And with 100+ full website Kits and endless possibilities, you can let your creativity shine. Plus, Elementor's world-class hosting and robust security features will give you the peace of mind to focus on creating the website of your dreams. Elementor attempts to do it all with its own built-in features that eliminate the need for other plugins and thus do away with plugin clutter. And with 90+ widgets and countless built-in capabilities, you can create any website you can imagine. 

Try Elementor

Pretty Links

Pretty Links isn't just for those looking to make money from their content with affiliate links. It has plenty of other benefits, too. Pretty Link's main purpose is link shortening, but it also tracks clicks for each link created within the program. While this obvious perk is especially enticing to affiliate marketers, anyone wanting to see how many people click on certain parts of their website can benefit from Pretty Links' click-tracking feature.Plus, Pretty Links makes it a breeze to put links on your site. Add a keyword or phrase when creating the link using Pretty Links. Then, Pretty Links will automatically insert that link whenever the keyword appears. And if you ever need to change where the pretty link goes, update it in one spot - Pretty Link - and it'll be good to go sitewide!

Try Pretty Links

Pond5

If you need professional content but don't want to spend a lot, Pond5 is a great solution. It has everything you need for your project with millions of royalty-free photos, videos, audio clips, and more. And their easy-to-understand license means you can use their content without worry.The main reason I use Pond5 is that you don't need a subscription to access the media library- you can pay for each item separately. Most of the photos I purchase cost only $2.50. If you would rather have a subscription, though, they are available at different price points depending on what type of content you want to be able to access. You also have the option of buying Credit Packs which offer a 20% discount off the total purchase price.

Try Pond5

Creative Tools

Snagit

Snagit is a screen capture software that lets you quickly and easily show someone what's on your screen so you don't waste time with back-and-forth emails or messy file attachments. Just share a link to your Snagit capture so they can view it in their browser.If you want to go further, you can record yourself talking and clicking through a doc, mockup, or series of steps. Snagit will automatically turn it into a shareable video that's easy for anyone to understand.Snagit is my go-to tool whenever I need to design a website or illustrations for a blog. Its video screen capture feature is also helpful for demonstrating software features.

Try Snagit

Camtasia

With Camtasia, you can quickly and easily create professional-looking videos without prior video editing experience. Camtasia is quick to learn and easy to use, so you'll be up and running quickly. With Camtasia, you can engage your audience with high-quality videos that will help them learn more than text alone. Camtasia is the perfect tool for creating video tutorials, how-to videos, software demo videos, meeting recordings, training videos, and lessons.

Try Camtasia

Canva

Canva Pro is an excellent choice to up your design game. This design software makes design simple, convenient, and reliable. With time-saving tools that make anyone look like a professional designer, you can create anything you need quickly.Need to add some curved text or photo effects? Image enhancer? How about adding frames to photos or even text to videos? It's all covered.And if you want to take your content to the next level, the online video recorder and converter let you record, edit, trim, and splice videos — all in one place. Plus, you can easily convert them to MP4 format for easy sharing.When it comes to design, I'm still a novice. But with Canva's templates and tools, I can help my ideas take shape by imitating the professionals. Not only does Canva have great samples that spark creativity, but their design tools are user-friendly too. Whenever I need graphics for product promotion or to design a logo, business card, or flyer, I go to Canva.

Try Canva

Productivity Tools

Keeper

Keeper Security offers a top-notch solution to protect your passwords and personal information from cybercriminals. With Keeper you will be Joining millions of people who use Keeper to protect their online identities. You'll never again have to remember or worry about a password.Powered by cutting-edge technology, Keeper offers unparalleled protection against ransomware attacks by generating high-strength, random passwords for each website, application, and service you use. In addition, BreachWatch® monitors the dark web 24/7 and alerts you if your credentials are detected in a public data breach so that you can take action immediately. I have been depending on Keeper for several years. It enables me to retrieve a saved password quickly, and it will also manage to register a new user account and store the necessary username and password for later use. I don't only utilize it for passwords, though - credit card accounts, driver's license numbers, and health insurance credentials are also included.

Try Keeper

46 of the best productivity tools for work and life

Fingerprint for Success has put together a collection of 46 of the best productivity tools. These tools will help you organize your personal life, manage your work, and collaborate with others.Fingerprint for Success is a professional & personal development platform for individuals & teams to make amazing things happen at work and in life!

Try Fingerprint for Success

Clockify

Utilized by millions, Clockify is a highly-regarded time-tracking software and timesheet application that enables you to log work hours across multiple projects. With Clockify, logging work hours across multiple projects has never been easier. With Clockify, you can keep track of your time spent on different projects, assign billable rates, and track your overall productivity. This feature makes it easy to keep track of time spent on individual projects, ensuring accurate billing and enabling project managers to make informed decisions about resources and allocations.

Try Clockify

Todoist

As my task manager and to-do list app, Todist is my choice to keep me more focused, organized, and calm. Make it yours too. With Todoist, you can add tasks like "read work emails every day at 10 am" in seconds using natural language recognition and recurring dates. Plus, your to-do lists are automatically sorted into Today, Upcoming, and custom Filter views to help you focus on your most important things.Other features include breaking tasks into subtasks, sharing projects with others, giving tasks a priority level, setting up reminders, and more. Plus, with Todoist's apps, extensions, and widgets, you can access your to-do list from any device or platform. And with integrations with your calendar, voice assistant, and over 30 other tools, Todoist makes it easy to stay productive no matter where you are or what you're doing. 

Try Todoist

Hubspot CRM

CRM stands for “customer relations management,” but at Hubspot, it means much more than managing your contacts. With the easy-to-use HubSpot CRM, you’ll never have to manually update reports or wonder how your team tracks toward quotas. Get a real-time view of your entire sales pipeline on a visual dashboard.Access detailed reports on sales activity, productivity, and individual performance. Then use those insights to track team performance and spot opportunities for growth. Enjoy unlimited users, data, and up to 1,000,000 contacts with no time limit or expiration date — whether you're a team of 1 or 1,000.Using Hubspot's WordPress plugin, people who sign up to join our email list are automatically added to our Hubspot list. Their activity on our website is tracked so we can track preferences and habits.

Try Hubspot

ezyCollect

ezyCollect has cutting-edge technology to help you get paid faster and protect your business from unpaid invoices. What's even better, their system is fully automated so that you can save time and effort. You'll feel like you have an extra person on your team! And with their humanized automation, you can connect with customers more personally.Within the first 12 months of using ezyCollect, businesses typically see a 43% reduction in outstanding overdue bills. That's huge! And with their easy-to-use payment portal, customers can view and download invoices, pay one or more invoices on the spot, part-pay, or pay later while they get paid upfront. This makes it super easy for them to pay their invoices and means you don't have to chase them up for payment.

Try ezyCollect
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7 Reasons Why You Need Grammarly for Error-Free Writing

If you're tired of making grammar mistakes, look to Grammarly for your solution! This tool can help you catch errors and improve your writing.

Writing is essential to our daily communication, whether in emails, social media posts, or professional documents. However, writing error-free content can be challenging, especially if English is not your first language. That's where Grammarly comes in.

Grammarly is an online grammar-checking tool that helps you write better by detecting common grammatical, spelling, and punctuation issues. Here are seven reasons why you need Grammarly for error-free writing.

1. Catch spelling and grammar errors.

The most obvious reason to use Grammarly is to catch spelling and grammar errors. Whether you're writing an email, a blog post, or a research paper, Grammarly can help you catch mistakes you might have missed otherwise. Grammar and spelling errors can be the difference between a well-crafted piece of writing and one that appears amateurish.

Writing free from errors is essential to effectively and accurately convey your message. It's like having a personal editor review your work and suggest improvements. Plus, Grammarly can catch errors other spell-checkers might miss, like contextual spelling mistakes and misused words.

2. Improve sentence structure and clarity.

In addition to catching spelling and grammar errors, Grammarly can also help improve the overall structure and clarity of your writing. The tool can suggest sentence structure, word choice, and even tone changes to make your writing more concise and effective. This can be especially helpful for professional writing, where clear communication is key. With Grammarly, you can ensure that your message is getting across in the most effective way possible.

Personally, sentence structure and clarity is my most vulnerable aspect when writing. While I am susceptible to spelling and grammar errors, they are not my main writing problem. My problem is complex and wordy sentences that lack clarity. With Grammarly, I have no worries about sentence structure or other errors. Seldom do I disagree with the suggestions offered.

3. Enhance vocabulary and word choice.

One of the key features of Grammarly is its ability to suggest alternative words and phrases to improve your writing. This can help you avoid repetitive language and make your writing more engaging and varied. Additionally, Grammarly can suggest more precise words to convey your intended meaning, helping you to communicate your ideas more effectively.

Grammarly helps enhance vocabulary and word choice in several ways:

• Provides synonyms: Grammarly suggests synonyms and alternative words or phrases when you use repetitive or overused language. With its extensive database of synonyms and related words, Grammarly can help you expand your vocabulary and improve your writing skills.

This introduces variety to your writing and helps you avoid boring or dull content. With a broad range of synonyms, you can find the perfect word to convey your meaning.

• Offers related words: Besides synonyms, Grammarly provides related words and phrases to help you be more precise. If there's a more specific or appropriate word for your meaning, Grammarly will suggest it. This helps ensure you are communicating accurately and strengthening your writing.
• Expands vocabulary: Over time, using Grammarly's suggestions helps you learn new words and expand your vocabulary. You adopt suggested synonyms and related words into your writing vocabulary as you accept them. The more you use the tool, the more your vocabulary grows.
• Checks word usage: Grammarly checks for proper word usage, including commonly confused words like "their" vs. "there" or "your" vs. "you're." This helps avoid embarrassing mistakes and ensures you use the right words, even if they are spelled similarly.

Overall, Grammarly's vocabulary and word choice features are invaluable tools for taking your writing to the next level. With a broader range of words and more precise language, your writing will be stronger, more engaging, and error-free.

4. Eliminate plagiarism.

Another reason you need Grammarly is its ability to detect plagiarism. Whether you're a student writing a research paper or a professional creating content for your website, plagiarism can have serious consequences.

Grammarly's plagiarism checker compares your writing to billions of web pages and academic papers to ensure your work is original and properly cited. This can save you time and help you avoid the embarrassment and legal issues of plagiarism.

With the increasing use of artificial intelligence to assist our writing, having a checker to cover our backs for plagiarism has become an even greater benefit.

5. Improve writing style and tone.

In addition to catching grammar and spelling errors, Grammarly can help improve your writing style and tone. The tool provides suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and even the overall tone of your writing. This can be especially helpful for those who are not native English speakers or those who want to improve their writing skills. With Grammarly, you can ensure your writing is clear and concise. The result is higher quality content with greater professionalism.

6. Saves Time:

Manually proofreading your work is a time-consuming process that can take hours, depending on the length of your document. With Grammarly, you can save time by quickly correcting errors and focusing on other important aspects of your work, such as content development or research. As a result, you can finish tasks quickly and efficiently with Grammarly's help.

7. Provides Accessibility:

Grammarly provides a level of convenience and accessibility that is hard to beat. With Grammarly, users can access their tools anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection.

Whether on your desktop computer, mobile device, or web browser, Grammarly can help you catch errors and improve your writing. Whether on my computer or phone, I find Grammarly offering suggestions when writing Emails or texts.

Using a grammar checker when writing a text seems laughable when so much of our texting experiences involve shortcuts. But sometimes, I don't want to risk being misunderstood, even in a text.

All of this makes Grammarly an indispensable tool for writers who need help on the go. You can write confidently, knowing that Grammarly is always there to help you catch errors and improve your writing.

Grammarly Prices and Plans

Grammarly offers three plans: Free, Premium, and Business. I'm showing below some of the Free and Premium plan features. The Business Plan needs to be listed since it is mainly aimed at teams.

Go Here to review prices and plans.

In conclusion, Grammarly is essential for anyone who wants to write error-free content. It saves time, increases productivity, ensures accuracy, improves writing skills, and provides accessibility. So, if you're serious about your writing, consider using Grammarly to help you produce high-quality, error-free content.

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