Welcome to the eHemisphere Top Tools I Love page, a specially selected list of my favorite tools and websites that I recommend for building your business. In my consulting role, I have worked with every recommendation on this page. In fact, many of the resources listed here are crucial to running my business – and I tell you that in my descriptions below.
Before digging into these amazing resources I know and trust, an important disclosure:
I am disclosing that I’ve included certain products and links to products on this report that I will earn an affiliate commission for any purchases you make. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.
Income/Lead Generation Tools
Tailwind
Tailwind has helped me get to over 300,000 visitors to my Pinterest page. Totally recommend if that is your target market! Their software will make your life SO much easier!
PS I also recommend the SmartLoop. Saves a ton of time!
EasyAzon Amazon Plugin
This is the plugin I use to add Amazon affiliate products to my Edible Terrace gardening site. It has a 90 day cookie for items the prospect added to their cart from your site. Additionally, you get a commission for everything the person purchases! (I’m not sure THAT cookie lasts 90 days though)
LongTailPro
LongTailPro is the site I use to find my keywords. They have not done me wrong and I have managed to find keywords where I am able to get my site to the first page of Google. If you plan on spending a lot of time researching keywords, this site will be a huge gift for you!
PS My link will get you a 30% discount!
Optin Monster
OptinMonster is used by the larger companies due to its quality product and how well it integrates with mailing list providers such as Infusionsoft or Active Campaign.
Email Marketing
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is who I started out with before moving to Infusionsoft. I cannot say enough good things about them as an email marketing platform.
Infusionsoft
Infusionsoft is a perfect combination of a lot of services. Email marketing. Shopping cart. CRM. Etc. If you want everything contained in one spot, then this platform is the way to go.
Website Hosting
WP Engine
I currently use Bluehost (and love them for their customer support) but at some point will move my websites over to WP Engine as they are known as one of the fastest web hosts out there. i.e. your site will scream on their servers. Given how big of a deal that has become nowadays, this is a big deal.
Bluehost
I currently use Bluehost (and love them for their customer support) for my own websites but if I was going to actually bite the bullet and switch over, it would be to SiteGround – mainly due to their reputation and ease of working with them.
Themes/Page Builders
Elegant Themes – Divi
I have been using Elegant Themes since I started programming websites back in 2011. I keep going back to them. I currently use Divi on my own sites and several of my clients. It is easy to use with multiple gorgeous templates to choose from.
Password Manager
LastPass
I don’t know how I could ever survive without LastPass! I sleep easier at night knowing my passwords are in one place and safe from hackers.
Just make sure your master password is a tough one! I use a passphrase. I.e. an entire sentence with 6 words and spaces in them. For example, yours could be “I love red roses in the m0rning!”
Automation Software
Process Street is thebomb! Our businesses are so multifaceted and multi tasking that in order to successd we need to be as efficient as possible.
This is where Process.St comes in. I will directly quote them. “Simple workflow software for businesses. Create recurring checklists, workflows and standard operating procedures in seconds.” I don’t know how I could live without them.
Pinterest&Instagram Scheduler/Website Backup
I rely completely on Tailwind to keep my Pins psting on Pinterest on a daily basis. I also use their new Power Up Feature which allows me to schedule my holiday pins. I don’t have to do anything!
UpdraftPlus
I install Updraft Premium on all of my and my client’s websites. It backs everything up offline to a safe spot of my choosing. I consider them to not only be a lifesaver for me but also top in their niche.
Graphic Design/Stock Images
DepositPhotos
IMHO, DepositPhotos beats the pants off every other stock photo site out there. They’re affordable AND have over 120 million files so absolutely everything you need is there.
Pixabay is my sole go-to site when I want a free royalty-free photo. I use them frequently.
Canva
I have been using Canva for several years to create my custom pins and Facebook ads. The site is incredibly easy to learn AND they have a really robust free membership.
File Hosting/Cloud Storage
DropBox
Dropbox is really well known in the cloud storage industry. Great product that is really simple to use.
Amazon Web Services
Most of the big boys utilize AWS for their cloud storage needs. Think Netflix and Capital One. They are surprisingly affordable though. You pay only for what you use. Pennies on the dollar.