Resources

My Recommended Resources

When I work with clients they often ask me what tools and resources I use to run my online business. I’ve had great experiences with every recommendation on this page, and I only recommend products and services, which I have tried and tested myself. Below you’ll learn about the different products and resources that have helped me, and hopefully will help you too! I’ll be updating this page over time, so definitely bookmark it and come back often. Enjoy!

Please note: Some of the resources below (not all) are part of my affiliate programs, so I may receive a small commission.  Please do your own research before you decide to purchase!

Build Your Website

WEBSITE DOMAIN

• Bluehost – This is where I buy my domain names like www.meghanmackintosh.com. Usually it costs around $15/year (give or take) to buy a domain name. Since it’s so cheap to buy one, when I get an idea for a new program, even before I’ve created the content for the program, I’ll purchase the domain name, so I can hold that website name for future use.

WEBSITE HOSTING

• Bluehost – I also use Bluehost to host my websites. I have also heard great things about SiteGround, WPEngine and Flywheel. I’ve used Bluehost for awhile, and haven’t needed to switch, but I suggest doing your research to decide the best website host option for you

WEBSITE BUILDERS

• WordPress.org – is free software that you can use to create a blog or website. The website www.meghanmackintosh.com is on WordPress.org. You’ll need to pay for a separate hosting provider and obtain a domain name for your website first. Please don’t confuse WordPress.org with WordPress.com. I don’t recommend WordPress.com because it doesn’t allow monetization and advertisements on your website and it offers only a limited amount of space and customization options.
• Strikingly – is an amazing website builder that will help you create a mobile optimized website with little or no development experience. Literally you can create a gorgeous looking website in minutes. I use Strikingly to make mini websites for my programs. The website www.inspireandinfluenceprogram.com is set up on Strikingly. There is a free version where you have to include strikingly at the end of your URL. If you want to use your own URL, you have to pay for the PRO plan. (It’s so worth it!)

WORDPRESS THEMES

• StudioPress – Many of my websites use StudioPress Themes. I purchased the Developers License (now called Pro Plus All – Theme Package), so that I could pick and choose from all their themes. There are a ton of themes to choose from and the support is incredible.
• Restored 316 – I was looking for a feminine theme for my website, and I found one at Restored 316. Lauren (the designer) creates beautiful themes and they have great support too. I use the “Style” theme and bought it because I love the aqua green/blue waves background. These feminine themes are built upon the Genesis Framework for StudioPress, so you need to buy that before you purchase one of her themes.
• Optimize Press – When I launched my first website back in 2012, I used Optimize Press. It’s a great option for creating landing pages, launch funnels, sales pages and membership portals.

WEBSITE SECURITY

• Sucuri – The more content you create for your website and the more traffic it gets, the more likely web crawlers, hackers and viruses will find your website. One day I was trying to access my website from my iPhone and my URL took me to a gaming site. When I checked my website on my desktop, the layout looked different, so I knew it was infected by some sort of virus. Sometimes hackers will change your code, and because I’m pretty tech savvy, I researched how to fix it and my website went back to normal. But then it started happening more often and it was taking me hours to figure out what code had been infected. I decided to purchase Sucuri, so I’d feel secure, and I’m so happy and relieved that I did! Sucuri removes Malware from your website, protects it from hackers, and sends you a report each week to tell you how your website is doing. I love these guys!

WEBSITE PLUGINS

• WordFence – If you want to double up on securing your website from hackers, WordFence is a great plugin to do so.

WEBSITE TRAFFIC TRACKING

• Google Analytics – Google Analytics is awesome because you’ll be able to understand where the traffic to your website is coming from. Definitely a must have!

Grow Your Email List

• AWeber – The first step to building a business on the internet is to start with an email newsletter. Even if you don’t have a website, you should at least have an email autoresponder, so that you can keep in touch with your contacts on a regular basis. Having an email system (outside of gmail and hotmail), gives you the ability to brand your emails with photos and your logo. You can also pre-write a series of emails to send out, which means you don’t have to be on your computer to send it, the email autoresponder sends it out at a set time. I’ve been using AWeber for awhile now and I love it! It’s simple to use and there are different templates to choose from. I definitely recommend it for those new to building their business, as it’s reasonably priced as well.
• MailChimp – I’ve used MailChimp in my business and have helped others set up MailChimp for their businesses email autoresponder. It’s similar in price point to Aweber. The only reason why I chose Aweber over MailChimp, is because I started using it first and I got used to it.

Graphic Design

• Pixlr – I LOVE Pixlr and use it all the time. It’s an online (web-based) image editor where you can make banners, ads, etc. It’s like a free version of Photoshop.
• Canva – Another really cool free graphic design software. You can use it to make blog graphics, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations, etc.
• Pic Monkey – Yet another free online photo editor. You can use it to add filters, frames and effects to your images.
• Fotor – Can you tell I like photo editors? Fotor is a great one for doing photo collages, effects, filters and frames on images.
• Adobe Photoshop – If want to be a design pro, then you’ll want to purchase Photoshop to create your banners and graphics. Otherwise use the free design tools above!
• Adobe Acrobat Pro DC – This is a great tool where you can create, edit, sign and track PDFs. If for instance you want to make a Workbook or Worksheets for your clients, you can use this to make a fill-able PDF.
• Apple Pages – I’ve been a Macintosh computer user since 2000, so I love their iWork office suite of applications. Pages is like Microsoft Word for Macs. There are so many things I’ve been able to design with Pages, that I thought I would add it in here. For instance, you can create a beautiful looking PDF using Pages.
• 99designs.com – This is a cool way to get different designers to bid on work for you. Work like logo and website design, t-shirt design, brand identity, package design, etc. I’ve had a few logos done with 99designs.com and it’s a fun process. It will cost about $200+ to get a logo done with them.

Client Communication

• Skype – If you want to talk to someone over the internet on the phone, this is the way to do it. You can also use video with Skype, so you can see the person you’re speaking with.
• Acuity Scheduling – Make it super easy for your clients and potential clients to book sessions with you. Instead of going back and forth over email, use an automatic scheduler to save time and to make you look professional. Acuity Scheduling is my suggestion as it’s simple to use and reasonably priced. You can get a free account as well with basic features.
• vCita – This is another great tool for scheduling with clients and potential clients. I put a vCita pop up button on the bottom right of my website, so people can book a Sales Strategy Session or Business Clarity Call with me. When they book, their information gets emailed directly to me. Super useful and converts really well.
• Wiredrive – I opened up the east coast office in New York City for this technology company (based in Marina Del Rey, CA). They offer digital asset management, collaboration and presentation tools for the creatives process with their software-as-a-service. I have my own account, where I store big files like videos and images. I also use this software to transfer large files to others. This is especially helpful for me when I’m working on my short films to organize my photos and rough cuts.
• Dropbox – Similar to Wiredrive, Dropbox gives you the ability to share big files (videos, images, etc.) with other people.

Put it on the Calendar

• Google Calendar – I love using Google calendar to help me organize my day, see my appointments on my phone, and link up with other people’s calendars.

De-Clutter

• Unroll – If you have too many emails in your inbox, Unroll is a great tool to help delete those emails in bulk!

Merchant Account

• PayPal – is how I get paid online! Super easy to use and have never had a problem not getting money through my links. They also have an app, so you get a notification when you’re paid!

Networking Groups & Events

• CreativeMornings – was started out of a desire for an ongoing, accessible event for New York’s creative community. The concept was simple: breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month. Every event would be free of charge and open to anyone. Today, attendees gather in cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people, and an international array of breakfast foods. Volunteer hosts and their team members organize local chapters that not only celebrate a city’s creative talent, but also promote an open space to connect with like-minded individuals.
• Crave – is focused exclusively on CO.NNECTING women together to make waves in their careers and personal lives. Our programs and events are designed for authentic conversation. Our mission is to draw out the stories and voices of women in business in a way where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. We love to CO.LLABORATE, innovate, reinvent, create CO.MMUNITY and move forward at all times.
• Company of Women – is a vibrant community of women achieving success on their own terms. Whether you own your business or work for someone else, Company of Women provides you with a safe and supportive environment to be yourself.
• MoMondays – Put story-telling into a blender. Add a dash of personal growth & transformation. Then drop in a load of laughs. Mix in real, live music, and great conversation with some of the nicest people on the planet, then push the ‘high’ setting… and out comes momondays! Think of momondays as a variety show bouncing off the walls of personal story-telling.
• Biz Network News – The largest source of info on business networking with a searchable listings of thousands of business networking meetings across Canada.
• eWomen Network – Over 500,000 women entrepreneurs connected through 118 chapters across North America.
• Toronto Women’s Expo – is an event that pulls together the most incredible thought leaders from all over the world while showcasing incredible entrepreneurs and their businesses as well as providing a forum for business folk to gain new clients.
• The Healthy Breast Program – was developed by my kundalini yoga teacher Sat Dharam Kaur, N.D. It’s an intensive twelve-part learning program designed to educate women and girls in strategies to prevent breast cancer and to assist recovery from the disease using natural therapies in conjunction with conventional diagnostic and treatment options. The Healthy Breast Program encompasses lifestyle, diet, nutritional therapies, breathing practices, kundalini yoga, meditation, exercise and psychospiritual work. I took this program live in Toronto and it was extremely informative and worthwhile. This program is now taught internationally.