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I’m always on the lookout for the latest and greatest Web sites, productivity tools and resources. Here’s what’s on my recommended list for this week.
Lotsa Loot
All too often we tend to only consider Web sites that relate to the area we live in. Loot.com for example is well known to Brits, but it doesn’t have much of a reach beyond the UK. That fact represents an opportunity for you, because you can reach a large audience of English speaking people, for free.
Loot.com is a Web site that allows you to post a product or service that you offer, and you can even include a link to your Web site. So if it doesn’t matter where your customers live, try placing an ad on Loot. You might be surprised at the response from a completely fresh, new market.
The site reaches about two million English speaking buyers, and the printed publication is also widely read around the UK. The main categories of listings are on the left hand side of the page, so browse through them to see if your product or service can be included on Loot.com.
iFreelance
One of the lesser known outsourcing Web sites, iFreelance.com is a good one to consider the next time you need some technical help with a project, or even if you have a service to provide to others.
Providers are available in variety of categories, including Accounting, Graphic design, legal, marketing, photography, programming and writing to name but a few. Providers rate their skills (1 to 10), and they also list their location (not that it really matters) and their minimum hourly rate. If they’ve completed projects for others, you can also see any reviews that clients have posted.
PlanetBargains
Planet Bargains.com features continuously updated online bargains with all the latest sales and coupons on discounted computer sales, inexpensive laptops, digital cameras, discount clothing, cheap shoes, deals on dining and more.
The layout is a little confusing, it’s a very busy looking site, but with persistence you can find some genuine bargains.
SideStep
SideStep.com promotes itself as “the travelers search engine,” and I would agree with that. Why? Because it makes light work of researching ALL the available options for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Not only that, but it will help you find the best price, too.
One of the lesser-known features of SideStep is the “deals’” tab where you can quickly see what’s available for a general area. Let’s say you want to go to Florida, but you don’t have a specific city or hotel in mind. The deals section can quickly point you in the right direction with numerous great offers.
Andrew Lock is a self-described maverick marketer and the creator and host of Help! My Business Sucks, a free, weekly Web TV show full of practical marketing tips, advice and resources to help small businesses "get more done and have more fun."
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This article was originally published on July 16, 2009
