Development Tools & Resources
Microsoft Word 2007 keyboard shortcuts – Any of these commands can be used in the various web tools’ page editors. In fact, certain actions can only be made with a hotkey command (such as the ability to underline text in the free standard version of WordPress)
Sourceforge - An invaluable resource for open-source software
Video Tutorial Zone – A collection of free video tutorials on all most things technological
Lynda.com – Easily the best online source for computer software related training/instructional videos. Monthly memberships are very affordable and totally worth it
100 great free and open source tools and applications for web developers – Good suggestions from a talented web designer
Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software - Such tools help with communication and keeping track of progress in a team project
35 Extremely Useful Free Online Tools for Web Developers and Designer – Useful tools for all aspects web development
Adobe Dreamweaver – This program is an industry standard for website authoring. Enables users to create fully-functional websites.
7 Factors that Separate Good Websites from Bad – Invaluable tips for anyone planning to build a website. Not to be missed!
What Everybody Ought to Know About Usability & Web Design – Don’t worry. After reading this, you’ll know
World’s Worst Website – If your site looks anything like this, please take it down now. You should be ashamed of yourself
Web Pages That Suck – A hilarious website that’s chalk full of useful advice about what NOT to do
Why use a CMS - Yes, why should you use a content management system?
How to Get Free WordPress Training to Build Blogs and Websites
Best Web Browsers – Due to popularity, functionality, efficiency, ease of use and number of available application/plugins, Firefox is clearly the best browser. It is highly recommended that you use it instead of Explorer (however, every website maker should be testing their creations with both)
Joomla! Vs WordPress
Drupal Vs Joomla!
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
101 Useful Resources for Online Entrepreneurs
How to Build a Website
Article 1
Article 2
Useful Online Services
PayPal – For online business models that take payments via their website
Google Analytics – Invaluable for any business with a larger site that does a lot of business. This tool will point out the user behavior, and how to improve the pages they visit
Skype - Essential for any business that communicates long distance frequently. It will save money
Gmail (Google mail) – Best free web mail service
Google Talk – Free, easy to set up, goes well with Gmail (and other Google Apps) and very useful for frequent distance voice communication (saves money)
Twitter – If by chance you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years and have no idea what Twitter is, check out the TwitterManiaManual document attached at the bottom of this page
LinkedIn – A business-oriented social networking site (Facebook for professionals)
Local Business Directories
A business should list itself with as many free online business directories as can be found. Signups take only a few minutes to complete and some directories offer SEO benefits to sites listed in their database (this helps make the site more credible to search engines and can positively influence the keyword search rankings of some pages).
Local Business Directories can be found through keyword searches for specific geographic locations (ex. Victoria BC or Canada) or specialized industries (ex. travel, real estate, etc).
DMOZ – The Open Directory Project is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the web. It is constructed and maintained by a vast, global community of volunteer editors. Note: For a submitted site to be approved for this unique directory, an actual person needs to review it. This process can take several months so be patient. The wait is worth it. Sites registered in DMOZ receive added credibility with the search engines (which influences search placement)
Stock Images
Photograph Images
www.openphoto.net – Free
www.sxc.hu – Free
www.photogen.com – Free
www.twicepix.net – Free
www.photos.com – Paid
Clip Art Images
www.clipart.com – Free
www.clip-art.com – Free
www.barrysclipart.com – Free
Animation
www.cksinfo.com – Free
www.animation-central.com – Free
www.amazing-animations.com – Free
