Resources

We are re-vamping much of what we call Resources…some free, some very worth the money-all worthwhile. Please check back soon.

Free Curriculum (for young entrepreneurs)

Check out our growing list of free resources for homeschooling entrepreneurs! We’re just getting started on this  page: Free Curriculum for Budding Entrepreneurs

Doing Your “Due Diligence”

We know that starting a business can be a daunting task, and it’s easy to end up with the business service that has the best sales page or manages to gain your attention first. We paid our “STUPID TAX” more than once with services that were overpriced or not what they said they were. Out of respect for others,  we don’t want to bash other companies that we personally were disappointed in, but we would like to list some that we have been very happy with and fully recommend and endorse each of these.

Top 10 Web Hosts

Autoresponders

Website Hosting

We now offer a $10 rebate if you purchase your hosting through one of these links. Just email us after you purchase with your info and we’ll Paypal your rebate. (Just be sure you clear your cache first, then go to the hosting company by clicking on one of the recommended hosts below). Keep in mind, the low prices you see on other hosting  ads are always with a 3 year paid in full -up front- plan.

Host Gator

• Rated in the top 10 of almost every hosting recommendation site, they are known for reliability, customer support and low price.
• One of the few that offers a monthly payment ($9.95) option without a setup fee (most want a minimum full year’s payment up front). Pay 3 years up front, it’s only $7.95/month. (2 years=$8.95/mo)
• No set up fee – they will transfer not just your domains, but your databases and everything else, free.
• Free access to 4500 free templates (nice ones!)
• 2 site builders, and many other scripts (not usually found free) for your website. Very easy WordPress set up.

CLICK HERE to order hosting from HOSTGATOR Use code hgc25 for $9.94 off your first invoice. (That’s in addition to the $10 rebate we offer)

Blue Host

Another company that consistently makes the top 10 of every reputable hosting list. Known for exceptional customer service.

Offers one free domain for life. Many companies will offer a free domain, but only for one year. Additional domains only $10

Offers one plan, and it includes everything you could ever need, basically unlimited everything.

Great prices: $6.95/mo for 3 yr plan; $7.95/mo for a 2 year plan; $8.95/mo for a 1 year plan. I think you can sign up for a month to month plan, but you will pay a $30 set up fee.

CLICK HERE TO learn more about BLUEHOST.COM

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Autoresponders

You hear so much about ‘building your list’ and it’s importance, but where do you begin? You guessed it, an autoresponder. For those not familiar with what an autoresponder is, it’s a system you set up that will automatically send out an email. Yes, your personal email account will do that for you, but if you send more than a few emails at a time, you will run into trouble. Spam filters on most email accounts will zap even the most innocent email when multiple emails are sent at once. I’m sure you have signed up for newsletters on other websites. That form you filled out automatically sends you the confirmation email you subsequently receive, and when you confirm, it will automatically send out the next (usually welcome) email. Then, your name will be added to their master list and when they want to send you something again, they can send it to everyone on their list. Tracking is usually made available which tells them if you opened their email and even see what links in that email you may have clicked on. It’s one of the most valuable online marketing tools currently available.

Trust me, you don’t want to move once you are settled in with a company, so choose wisely. It’s not difficult to learn how to do all there is to do, but it takes some time to set up initially.

Listed in order of preference:

AWeber

Considered the Cadillac of autoresponders, it’s the choice of the majority of what some refer to as the online ‘gurus’. I made the mistake of avoiding this inevitable choice because it was a little more expensive and I really like the graphics in the other companies I had tried. It seemed a little more complicated to figure out and I definitely paid the price in time later. But I am so glad I made the switch before my list grew too much.  I absolutely LOVE AWeber. I only wish they had more templates to choose from.

Main advantage: reliability, tracking options and web form choices (important!)          

Disadvantages: fewer template choices, a little more difficult than some of the others, a bit more expensive.

We have used AWeber now for a few years and have really enjoyed many of the features they offer, along with reliable, friendly customer service. You will love all the free training they offer on effective marketing for your business. They offer a free trial, but I don’t think there will be much you don’t like about them. If we can help you with it, let us know!

Sign up for AWeber’s free trial here>>

More coming soon!