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Because of the large number of people who signed up for this newsletter after I originally sent it, I am re-sending the May edition to new subscribers. I hope the information is useful and please let me know what topics you would like to see covered in future editions.
Please help me make this newsletter relevant to you. Send me an email or leave me a comment on Facebook on what question or issue you would like me to cover.
Thanks to a suggestion from a reader, I decided to provide a list of some of best free software for your business. Something that may surprise you is that since I've started my business I've spent $0.00 on software. This isn't because I had all the software I needed previously, its because there are a lot of great free options for businesses. Most of this software falls under the open source and Software as a Service (which is what KTG specializes in).
Some of the options are easier than others. I've created a key to let you know how difficult each software package is to get up and running.
Easy – Takes little time to setup; requires basic computer understanding.
Medium – Can take several hours to setup; more advanced computer knowledge.
Hard – A multi-day project; requires advanced computer knowledge.
If you find software that you are really interested in, but can't set it up on your own, that is where KTG fits in. Even though I will have to charge for my services, you will still be saving money because you aren't paying for the software.
The Best Free Software For Your Business
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Want to get your website ranked higher on Google, but have no idea where to start? Some SEO companies charge an arm and a leg to tell you how to do this, but there are free options, here are some of the best.
Hubspot's Website Grader: This tool will analyze your website and let you know how your website compares to other websites in terms of SEO. Additionally, the report will tell you specifically what you can do to improve your site's ranking. What I like best about the site (besides the great information it gives) is that you don't have to provide your email or contact info to use the service. (Easy)
Google's guide to SEO: Straight from the horses mouth, this pdf will tell you exactly what Google looks for when it crawls your website. BONUS: If you use a website engine like Drupal, there some packages that will automatically make the changes recommended by Google. (Easy)
Google Analytics: This free utility tells you all kinds of information about the people who visit your website. From how people get to your site, to what they click on, to how long they spend looking at pages, this tool is very valuable in helping you understand visitors to your website. (Medium)
Email
Google Applications: Hands down, this is the best email option for small businesses. I have used this service for 6 months and am still pleased. Google will give you up to 100 email addresses on your business domain name for free. Each user will get around 7 gigabytes of email storage, as well as excellent spam filtering. Additionally, users have access to a shared calendar that many people think beats Microsoft Outlook in functionality. If you do need to use Outlook, Google Applications will interface with it. If you ever considered upgrading from your current email system, this is the best option. Google also has a premium edition that has more features, but you will have to pay for it. (Medium)
Office Productivity and Collaboration Suite
Zoho.com: This company offers a little bit of everything. From email, to customer relationship management to database creation. While they will charge you for multiple users, they offer many of their applications to a limited number of users for free. Additionally Zoho is software as a service which means you don't have to worry about installing any software. (Medium)
Website System
Drupal: If Fedex, Beyonce and the Federal government trust Drupal to run some of their websites, then so will I. Drupal provides a very good foundation for creating your website. One of the most powerful features of Drupal is that there is a vast library of add-on modules that provide additional functionality. (Medium)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
CiviCRM: This web-based CRM integrates with Drupal and Joomla. Although it was created for non-profits, this software can benefit many small businesses. CiviCRM offers the standard CRM functions, but I particularly like the email marketing functions, as well as the online event registration. (Medium)
SugarCRM: More robust than CiviCRM this software rivals much more expensive options. You can automate tasks and customize the information you track. This software is well supported and has many add-ons that provides additional functionality. (Hard)
Email Marketing:
CiviCRM: While primarily a CRM package, the email marketing package is very powerful. With CiviCRM you can easily create online forms to allow users to signup for your newsletter. This software also tracks all the standard email marketing information like who views your email and clicks on links. (Medium)
Graphics Editing
Inkscape: Don't want to shell out a few hundred dollars for Adobe Illustrator? I've used Inkscape for all my vector graphics editing and been very pleased with the software. The software is fairly easy to use and provides all the functions a small business needs to create professional looking brochures and handouts. (Medium)
Social Networking
Elgg: Want to create your own social network? Elgg allows you to create your own website that works like mySpace or Facebook. The best thing is that your are in charge of the site. (Hard)
Document Management
Alfresco: Always bumping into other users who are editing the document you need? Alfresco provides a really powerful document management package. With Alfresco you don't have to worry about accidently overwriting someone's changes to a document. All versions of a document are archived so you don't accidently loose important information. (Hard)
Firewall and VPN
Smoothwall: Many people would like to work from home, except they need to be able to access office resources, like email and electronic files. Smoothwall provides a very secure office firewall and protection from outsiders, but what really makes it stand out is the option to create a Virtual Private Network. With Smoothwall you can access all electronic resources like printers, files servers and email from wherever you have an internet connection. (Hard)
As you can see, there are many free software options for small businesses. So remember, next time you are think you can't affort a certain softare package make sure you check to see if there are open source alternatives. ( I bet that you will be able to find one.)
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the beautiful May weather.
Jonathan Stoddard
PS: Help me reach 300 local denver businesses. Please forward this email on.
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