Page Load Time Test Tool

Here's a very cool tool for testing your pages' load time. Your pages should all pretty much load in a few seconds. There are some exceptions of course.

Be sure you do not have large images taking over several seconds to load.

http://www.technobloggie.com/keyword-tool/index.php
(This tool is off-line at times it seems)

KeyWord Tool

Here is a tool I use to help me check possible keywords which I can optimize pages for. Also, it is hand to get a rough idea on the approximate payouts for specific niche AdSense ads. It is not an end-all tool, just a place to get started. Remember, you need to test keywords with an AdWords campaign just to make sure they are good ones.

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/suggestion/

http://www.wordtracker.com/

http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/gtrends/

More Keyword Tools

Here are three more keyword tools I use. The Google tool is the same one in your Adword's account, but this on is open to the public. WordTracker has a free, Lite version or you can sign up for one day or one week of the full version. I highly suggest it. Digital point is free

http://www.copyscape.com/

Duplicate Content Checker

Do you want to make sure your content really is seen as original by the search engines? If you pay for articles, check their pages here. After you upload the web page, insert the URL into CopyScape; it will tell you if there is a duplicate content problem. Also remember that you can just copy a sentence or two and paste it into Google to check (put it between quotes).

Two Great Forums to Find Information and Opinions

Here are two forums I use a lot. If I have a problem I just can't figure out, someone there will know. Maybe I am thinking of buying a new product from one of the big guru's; if so, I'll just go there and do a search to see what people are saying about it. If I have a coding problem, someone there at WebmasterWorld in the HTML section can help. There are many smart people there ready to help.

http://watson.addy.com/nph-watson5.cgi

Page Tester

Run your finished pages through this tool. Check all the boxes and then read the results. It will find mistakes in your pages. Don't be too worried about some of the syntax errors...just be sure to manually check your site in IE, FireFox, Netscape, and Opera.

Download Tool

If you have trouble with your connection downloading files, this is the tool you need. It works great for problem connections and also if you are downloading many files.

http://www.google.com/webmasters/

Google Webmaster Tools

Use Google Webmaster tools to submit site maps of your site to Google. Also, use this tool to make sure that Google only sees the www.YourSite.com and YourSite.com versions of your site as the same one. If you don't, and there is any chance there are links to both, you risk a duplicate content penalty from Google.

Easily Create Site Maps

Use this tool to create site maps for Google Webmaster tools or for your own needs. Use the text version unless you know XML. Simply input www.Your Site.com into the tool and it will spider your site and create a site map for you!

Google: site:yourdomain.com
Yahoo: url:http://www.yourdomain.com
MSN: url:http://www.yourdomain.com

Is Your Site Indexed?

Do the search engines know about your site? Check the top 3 with these searches. Just copy and place the code into each SE's search box (change the "yourdomain" to your own of course) If results show up, then you know your pages are in their index.

http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl

https://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit

http://search.msn.co.in/docs/submit.aspx

Submit your site only one time to each engine.

Search Engine Submit

Here are the links to submit your site directly to the Search Engines with. I highly suggest you simply let the search engines find your site by submitting it to relevant search directories. It will mean much more to the search engines if they find links to your site natually. Simply submitting directly to the SE's without also having a few other sites linking to yours does not usually work.

How a Page Ranks for a Specific Keyword

Register for this free too to find out how your site ranks for a specific keyword. It's very helpful to keep an eye on your pages' rankings. You can create a whole list of keywords and pages to keep track of.

Keyword Density Tool

Easily check keyword density of your pages and your competition!

Remember that it's not just keywords and content which gets a page ranked well; incoming links are very important too.

Free Delivery Confirmation Labels

If you ship physical items, you need this tool We use it to ship all of the products from our retail site. It cost $6.95 per month and allows unlimited electronic delivery confirmation labels (USPS) to be printed.

http://www.google.com/analytics/

Google Analytics

Many hosting packages have some kind of analytics features. However, Google's is much more robust than most. It is free and I highly suggest using it.

Images for Your Site

I get almost all the images I use for my websites from istock.com. Most of them cost only $1 and can legally be used on your sites! You can buy credits with PayPal which makes the process very easy. Remeber that the credits are only valid for one year, so don't buy more than you'll use in that time.

Before You Buy Hardware

Before I purchase a new piece of hardware like a digital camera, monitor, CDR, printer, etc., I like to look at PC World and see if they have done a review on products in that area. They also review software.

Best Place to Buy Computers

If you need a new computer, the BEST place to buy one is from Dell's refurbished site. These computers all have the full factory warranty. I like the "scratch and dent" offers. At most, the paint is slightly bad, but you can save 50%!

Create PDF files - Change File Formats of Almost Anything to Almost Anything.

Easily create PDF files or change formats of almost any type file to any other file. I really cool tool!

Photoshop Alternative

Can't affort Photoshop right now? Here is your best and free alternative.

Directory Submit

Here is a list of search directories which you should consider submitting your site to. Also, always try to find as many other directories to submit to which are about or have categories about your site's niche area.

http://www.shortkeys.com/lite.htm

http://www.openwebdesign.org/

http://www.oswd.org/

Screen Capture Softwar

Hands down, the best screen capture and editing software is Camtasia. It is expensive (about $300). I use it and couldn't have built my information product business without! It is how I create all the screen capture videos. Also, it is easy to edit regular camcorder videos with. I also use their product "SnagIt" to easily take snap shot of specific pages...its like using the "print screen" button but MUCH MUCH better.