Web Tools Radio

Web Tools Radio

By Dave JacksonBusinessEntrepreneurshipNewsTechnologyTech News
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Web Tools Radio episodes

  • Weekly Web Tools is Now Web Tools Radio

    Weekly Web Tools ran from 2007 to 2017, and after letting the show take a nap for three years, I'm itching to occasionally talk about some cool stuff on the internet.


    Well after letting the show take a nap for three years, I'm going to being it back on a more regular basis (still won't be weekly).


    So if you see the artwork change in your favorite podcasting app, it's not a mistake. We got a new coat of paint, some new music, and after we wrap up some things on the website, we'll be back.


    Currently we are using PodcastPage to manage the podcast website.

    3 min
  • Send Fox Email Client Review

    I've been using App Sumo (https:/supportthisshow.com/sendfox)


    This is a new system but is part of App Sumo (not just something they are promoting). The price as I record this is $49 for lifetime access up to 5000 subscribers. You can upgrade for $50 to get another 5000 subscribers. At the $150 you are up to 15,000 subscribers and the branding for send fox is diminished. 


    So I purchased the package. First Impressions It is super easy to use, and you can make your own great-looking landing pages. You can make some pretty boring looking forms. The automation makes it easy to deliver lead magnets. They do integrate with Zapier, but I found it frustrating that as of now (10/2019) when using Zapier I can specify which email list to add the person to in Send Fox. Going In You Know...


    I knew this was a newish company. I knew they didn't integrate with any plugins, etc at this point (they are working on that). They do (naturally) integrate with Sumo king (the pop-up tool, etc). Going Forward


    Because I have had some nice forms on my website I'm not canceling my Convertkit (https://podclick.me/convertkit) yet. The minute they integrate with my tools I will ditch convertkit. Until then I just manually export and import into Send Fox and send all my emails from there. If you are brand new to email lists, this might be a perfect fit that will have you set for a very long time. 


    Mentioned in This Episode


    Sendfox


    App Sumo


    Convertkit

    9 min
  • The Final Episode - My Favorite Tools
    My Favorite Tools From 10 Years (https://warfareplugins.com/?ref=122) - The best tool for sharing things. I love that I can specify the tweet text and the image for Facebook, Pinterest, etc. This is once I don't wince when the subscription payment comes through
    (http://podcastcoach.aweber.com/) , but I switched to Convertkit last year, and I love the marketing tools that I can use and the ability to make my own landing/sales pages.
    coolerwebsites.com (http://www.coolerwebsites.com) which is my GoDaddy reseller account
    (https://themify.me/member/aff/go/podcastcoach) (very divi like)
    Speaking of Websites and Wordpress Management, I LOVE ManageWP and recommend it to everyone who has a WordPress site.
    Bonjoro Is a cool Video Email service that pays for itself every month I have someone share how cool it was that I sent them a personalized video
    bestpodcastinggear.com/shop (http://www.bestpodcastinggear.com/shop) )
    (https://schoolofpodcasting.freshbooks.com/refer/www) so I can have people book consulting time, get paid upfront and have an invoice in my billing system.
    For Membership Websites, if you are using Wordpress I loved (http://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/getdap) .
    In regards to project management, I love todosit.com
    For automated Tweeting, I like Social Jukebox
    If I was creating an Affiliate Program, I would use iDev Affiliate
    For Chat on a website, I love https://www.tawk.to/
    (http://www.nimble.com) is my favorite contact management Tool
    Optin Monster continues to reign as the king of Pop-Ups and Opt-ins
    (https://freshdesk.com/) is a GREAT Support tool if you want a ticketing/FAQ all in one
    My Typos were decreased by using The World's Best Grammar Checker  which is Grammarly
    For Webinars I use (http://bit.ly/2Mswyns)
    My favorite Affiliate Network (their new interface is AWESOME) is shareasale.com
    The Last Episode of This Version of Weekly Web Tools
    On July 28th, 2007 I started Weekly Web Tools as I was doing web design using Dreamweaver and I just started using Wordpress. I was my target audience. I was a person who wanted their websites to
    Get more traffic
    Convert When people arrive
    Look Good doing it
    Communicate better with our audience
    I use to run into tools all the time, there were new things happening on a regular basis, and I could find great tools from companies (not marketers) and creating the podcast was pretty easy.
    Fast forward 10 years later and instead of companies, tools are being launched by marketers who often would release a tool for a small period of time, and either pull the tool, go out of business, offer no support, raise their price, and in the end it was hard to find solid tools that I could recommend to you and be able to sleep at night.
    My last episode was the straw that broke the camel's back. I found what appeared to be a cool tool, only to find to "Companies" who appeared to have stolen the code from each other, and one didn't work (its has since been fixed). So I spent the better part of two hours trying to figure out if I liked the tool.
    To put it into a single question, after 10 years, I think I've found all the tools that I like, and I don't see a lot of creativity to make new tools that grab my attention.
    I always thought I would get more input from the audience on what tools they used, and I did from certain people, but all in all, it was a very, very low percentage.
    Plans For The Future I don't plan on releasing any new episodes for the rest of 2017 unless something crosses my path. I plan on rebranding the podcast to be called "Small Business Tools" and it will be moved to a "when I have something to say" schedule. I'm also shutting down the Patreon account. I could switch to a patron account, where I am paid when I put out an episode but I've decided just to close it down.
    Thanks to My Patrons Josh Rivers from CreativeStudio.academy...
    15 min
  • Directory Tools and Advertisement Rotation Plugin
    I was looking for a tool to make a directory of websites. To make a long story short, they are very hard to find. Almost all directories are created to help you find some address so it can be a local business directory or real estate, etc. I wanted something to list websites at Podcasting Resources.com (http://www.podcastingresource.scom/)  
    Then I remembered I had purchased a theme a while ago from PremumPress called "Responsive Directory Theme" which I don't feel is available anymore. They too have niched their directories into coupons, dating sites, instead of a once size fits all. I will say the tutorials to get up to speed, and the ability to somewhat customize the look is good. If you're looking to make a directory listing that is not zip code related, good luck. The PremiumPress Themes are $80. 
    Web Directory 2.0 For Wordpress  
    There is one thing that makes it easy to find something you're looking for and that is to buy a product, and whatever you are looking for will jump out of the woodwork. This was the case with Web Directory 2.0. It is an all in one directory script, and for me, I like the looks of it as you can turn off the ability to submit a listing (as I just want my listings) you can charge (but I'm not ) for listing. The only thing that would be nice is a place to have advertisements, but I can always add an advertisement rotation plugin for that. The plugin is $34.
    Aparg SmartAd - WordPress Ad Management Plugin This Aparg Smart Add is sweet, you can create video ads, pop-up ads, adds that you can put in sidebars, you can have images, code, etc. The plugin is only $30, and if you are a person that is selling ads, you can limit their view and have them expire. It looks super flexible. It doesn't facilitate the sale of ads, but controls the view of the ads. For me, I'm not selling ads on my site, I would more than likely put affiliate products.
    9 min
  • Free Facebook Messenger App - Simple Note
    Facebook Messenger WordPress Plugin
    Based on Facebook Messenger, this plugin runs like an instant messaging system. After setup, which is normally less than 2 mins, the blue badge of Facebook Messenger and the button Message Us on Facebook will appear on your pages.
    Your customers find it convenient to ask about your products or services.
    This plugin is sure to help your business with time and cost saving, yet obtain a prompt reply to visitors.
    And what else, from those received messages, you will be able to build a rich customer base for online marketing and remarketing later on.
    Here is a quick video (http://intelliplayer.com/watch/b83acutgu)
    CLICK HERE for More Information. In the month of May 2017, you can download it for free
    Note an Evernote Fan? Check Out Simple Note Special thanks to Scott Johnson who produces the Computer Tutor podcast where he gives weekly computer tips at www.computertutorflorida.com if you ever need some work done on your computer, Scott can often fix your computer remotely. 
    If you found all the options of Evernote a little overwhelming, when all you want to do it sync some notes in the cloud, then you might want to check out Simple Note.  Another bonus of Simple Note is you can share a list, post some instructions, or publish your thoughts with other Simple Note users (like your family)
    Scott is using it for simple things like a grocery list that is shared with his family, as well as notes that come up during the day. 
    One key point about Simple Note: backups, syncing, sharing — it’s all completely free
    Become a Weekly Web Tools Supporter Thanks to everyone who helps pay for the podcast hosting, web hosting, email list, and all the other things that I use to create the podcast. 
    Go to www.weeklywebtools.com/support (http://www.weeklywebtools.com/support)
    14 min
  • Bomb Bomb Video Email Will Blow You Away
    I've used Covideo in the past, but I had to go into my Gmail when I used it and change some settings that set off all sorts of security warnings. Their answer was to send it through their website. In the end, I ended up not using it and eventually unsubscribed. 
    I tried creating videos in Camtasia and uploading them and sharing them on a Google Drive. That strategy was free, but it took forever. So the BIG thing that bomb bomb delivers on is speed. 
    Their smallest package allows you to send video emails to 2500 people (unlimited emails and videos). It does not give you the ability to auto responders (drip), or create landing pages. 
    The individual plus plan $69 a month ($49 if you purchase a year) allows you to create landing pages, and send auto responders. It also gives you email and phone support. The smaller package you just have access to their tutorials (which are very good). 
    Check it out at www.weeklywebtools.com/bombbomb
    Speed Up Videos For Free
    As I was watching the tutorials for Bomb Bomb at 2X, I was euphoric I had the Video Speed Controller extension. It works on any HTML player (including Netflix). 
    Clean up the Typos
    In the past, I've told you about Grammarly, but somehow I was not using it to its full potential. Now when I start an email message, a Facebook post, a forum post, etc. Grammarly is there to make sure I don't look like an idiot. As I type this now, i see that I have six issues in the above paragraphs that I will troubleshoot before publishing this. It's a great tool to stop those of us who are spelling challenged. 
    Thanks To Our Supporters
    Josh at www.creativestudio.academy
    Ileane at www.ileanesmith.com (http://http//ileanesmith.com/)
    Scott at www.computertutorflorida.com (http://www.computertutorflorida.com)
    16 min
  • Script Engage Automated Sales Copy Writing Tool - I Got Hacked
    Maybe you are a creative person, and you came up with a great product. The bad news is you're not a sales person, and you need some help with your marketing. Script Engage can help with this. Here is how it works. You enter your target audience (the avatar) and fill out a survey about your audience and what your product does. Script Engage has Copywriting Templates that then take the information you've entered, and created great Sales Copy that is going to convert. In watching the video, I like the idea. I don't buy into the "click a button and it's done theory." There was a tool I looked at previously called Script Doll. This is very similar, but the interface seems a little easier to use (not that Script Doll was hard) I think the bottom line with tools like this is they well take you further than you would on your own, and then you can add the special details that are specific to you and your product.
    Check out the video www.weeklywebtools.com/351 (http://www.weeklywebtools.com/351)
    Keep Your Wordpress Websites Up To Date I let an old website die on the vine and it got hacked, which lead to more of my sites getting hacked. Here is what I learned. The site lock protection that Host Gator sells for $10 is good against "baby" issues, if you need a real person to clean your site, you are looking at $80/month per website. For the record Site lock's support was great, but I was not happy when I found out the service I bought was more reactive, than protective.
    I ended up using Sucuri who I've used in the past. Their support is good, and it is going to cost me around $200 a year.  It's a pricey lesson learned. So always keep your site up to date.
    I'm using manage wp for that, as I can login and update all my sites in one place. Also on my " do not use this anymore" list is bluehost. My sites are taking 10-15 seconds to load. When I get on their chat and wait 30 minutes, they are no help. I can barely do a post.
    I've heard alot of good things about Siteground as of late (and I have my Godaddy Reseleler at www.coolerwebsites.com) If you use this link, you can save 10% off Managewp.com
    Support the Show at www.weeklywebtools.com/support
    15 min
  • Gmass and Canned Responses Put GMAIL on Steroids
    Today I have two tools for GMAIL and they can save you some time and money.
    Canned Responses Do you have an email that you send over and over to different people. Now you can do that with Google Canned Responses. 
    Go to setting and then go to the labs tab and you will see where you can enable it. (Supporters have a video showing your how to set these up. Become a supporter today for as little as $2 a month (http://www.weeklywebtools.com/support) )
    GMASS for Gmail  Send email campaigns from within GMAIL and get reports on how the campaign delivered. Technology in place to ensure you don't exceed GMAIL sending limits. 
    Built in follow tool allows you to get the most of your campaigns.
    Do a mail merge with Google Sheets .
    Check it out at www.weeklywebtools.com/gmass (http://www.weeklywebtools.com/gmass)
    10 min

About Web Tools Radio

From the publisher's feed

If you are the person in charge of your website, and you want them to get more traffic, look great, grow your list, and convert more WITHOUT learning code. This podcast is for you. Any job is easy if…