NiftyClicks: Cool Web Tools and Resources for Small Business

I’m always on the lookout for nifty Web sites, tools and software that can benefit your business. My friends have come to rely upon me as their trusted source for the latest and greatest productivity tools and resources. So without further ado, here are the latest gems for you.

Spam Disappears

Ever wonder how you started receiving spam e-mails? If your e-mail address is listed online, for example in Web directories or on your own Web site, that’s almost certainly responsible for much of the spam you receive.

Spam Disappear.com (Click for larger image).

Software robots comb the Web to find, harvest, store and sell e-mail addresses.  Hence, your e-mail address ends up being bombarded with spam messages.

Brevity, a members-only Web site, is an extension of the executive book-summary concept.  The problem with conventional book summaries is that they tend to be boring ‑‑ they lack personality and voice.  Also, there’s no one to compare notes with and brainstorm about how the lessons can be applied to small business.

Brevity is different.  It combines three ingredients: analysis, action and traction.  Each week you’ll receive a book analysis (not a summary).  It includes action points, and you can compare notes with others.  That interactive participation is invaluable.

WindowShop.com (Click for larger image).

Window Shop

Also on the book theme this month, WindowShop.com is a new Web site from Amazon.com

A bit difficult to describe, though appropriately named, Window Shop is a showcase for Amazon’s latest and greatest products – books, music, movies and anything else it wants to feature.

The cool part is that it’s a lot of fun to use.  You navigate the “shop windows” using your arrow keys on the keyboard, and as you move over a new item, it zooms in to feature it on your monitor.

For music products, you’ll hear samples from the album, which play automatically.  For books, you’ll hear a brief synopsis, again which plays automatically.  For DVDs, you’ll see the movie trailer play, and it’s nice and large too.

It’s a great way to discover new products in an enjoyable interactive environment.  Of course, Amazon makes it easy for you to buy anything you like, with a prominent “buy” button in the corner of each window ‑‑ very smart.  Try it out and see for yourself.  It’s what the Web is all about in this day and age.

DailyLit.com (Click for larger image).

DailyLit

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The couple of times I had questions, I called the support number on the home page, got straight through to a human, who was most helpful and friendly, something I’ve never experienced from a Web host before!

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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.”