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Tools we use for managing and growing businesses:

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want to build a successful business, it is critical that you have the right tools and that you learn how and when to use those tools.

A construction worker uses a hammer to pound nails into a board, but does not use that same hammer to pound screws into that board.  Instead a screw driver is used to perform that task.

Just like a construction worker, it is important that you learn when and how to use the right tools for any given task.

For Example: We have often seen our new clients try to use Microsoft Word to build their website, because that is what they have used in the past for other types of tasks and that is what they are most comfortable with. Microsoft Word is a great tool for creating documents that will be viewed on your desktop, printed out, or emailed, but it does not produce the HTML code in a way that the internet browsers can use to best display things on your website.

If you try to use Microsoft Word to design and build your website, it is like trying to pound a screw into a board with a hammer. It is just not the right tool for the job.  Instead you need to learn how to properly use the Website Editing tools you have to design and build your website pages. 

Below we have listed all the tools that we use to grow and manage our businesses. There are links to click on each of them to go to pages that describe in more detail how and when we use each of these tools. 

Please make sure you review all of the tools below and make sure you understand how and when each of them are used to build and manage your business.

You do not have to buy or learn how to use all of these tools for your business. If you don't want to spend the money to buy the proper tools or take the time to learn how and when to use them, then you need to hire someone else who already has the tools and is an expert at using them.

For example: You may decide to use Microsoft Powerpoint to create a presentaion for your business, but then instead of buying any video editing software, you might hire a video editing company to use their software and expertise in turning your powerpoint presentation into a video that can be posted on YouTube or your website.

You also need to realize that it takes some time, hard work, dedication, and patience to learn how to use all these tools properly.  We often have clients tell us that something is broken or doesn't work right on one of these tools.  Sometimes that is the case and there is a bug in the software that needs to be fixed, but often it is because the person doesn't know how to use the tool in the way it was designed to be used.

We are always trying to improve our learning center to show people how to use all these tools correctly. If you can't figure out how to do something, then don't automatically assume that the tool is broken. Instead, refer to the documentation in our learning center and ask us questions in our forums. We are happy to help you in any way that we can.

We use all these tools successfully in our business and are excited to help you achieve that same success with your business too.

 

1. My Business Toolbar from WildfireBusiness.com (Manage all data and areas of the business from one platform)

  • Website Content Management System (CMS)
  • Website Template Editor
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Finance and Accounting System (ERP)
  • Affiliate & Commission Management
            Learn how using the business toolbar from WildfireBusiness.com will help you grow and manage your business.

2. Firefox Internet Browser (Best browser to use with the WildfireBusiness.com tools)

            Learn how to install Firefox and why we use it.

3. Addons for Firefox (Website design and building)

  •  Colorzilla
  •  MeasureIt
  •  Firebug
             Learn how and when we use these these Addons for Firefox.

4. Google Apps (Communicating and Collaborating with Team Members and Customers)

  • Email
  • Documents
  • Calendar

            Learn how to set up and use google apps.

5. Microsoft Office (Document production and management for Desktop Viewing. NOT used for Online Viewing.)

  • Word
  • Excel
  • Powerpoint
  • Publisher

           Learn how and when we use Microsoft Office

6. Photo Editing Software (Manage and Edit photos/images for emails, brochures, website,etc.)

  • Picassa
  • Photoshop
  • Fireworks
  • Paint.net

            Learn how and when we use these photo editing tools

7. Video Editing Software (Edit and Produce videos for presentations, website, video sharing sites, etc.)

  • Camtasia
  • Adobe Premier / Elements (For PC Users)
  • Final Cut / iMovie (For Mac Users)

           Learn how and when we use these video editing tools

8. Google Analytics (Analyze website traffic data and SEO efforts)

           Learn how to set up and use Google Analytics

9. Google Webmaster Tools (Search Engine Optimization tools and resources)

           Learn how to set up and use Google Webmaster Tools

10. SEO Toolbar (Analyze and Research Keywords and Competitors for SEO)

           Learn how to install and use the SEO Toolbar