Why?

Because it creates an online presence
for you - your own internet shop window
where you display your products and services. 
So even if you change your products or services, your site remains the same and you don't lose all your
marketing efforts and have to start all over again. 
Over time, this can become
valuable internet real estate and you can even sell it for profit. 

 An excellent, reliable domain name and webhosting service  is Global Domains International, a Fortune 500 company which provides a Reliable, Low Cost Domain Name and Web hosting service for just $10 per month.  Click here 

I've tried other companies and while some are good, by the time you pay for a cheap domain name you'll end up paying $12-15 for the hosting service.

The second essential tool is an autoresponder.  This is one of the best tools you will ever use.  Why?  Because it will work for you 24/7 while you're busy doing other things.  Once you've set it up and running, it will automatically help you sell to your potential customers.  Not only does this tool allow you to respond to all your customers regularly and automatically and send them permission based emails selling your products/services but it also builds your list of interested potential clients. 

Why?

Because most people online will not purchase on the first exposure.  According to statistics, it takes about
8-10 exposures before people consider purchasing. 
By automatically emailing them every day, week or month, you can expose them to your product regularly, explain the benefits, etc. and convince them of its value until they are ready to purchase.  Over the years, I have tried many autoresponders.  Some were low cost and went under a few months later leaving me stranded, others were high cost that could be used directly from your computer for a one time fee.  That one left me stranded after I had paid over $300 for it because the company decided to stop servicing it.  After many trials and errors, I finally chose one that is being used by both large and small companies and by individuals.  It is low in cost under $20 per month and high in value through their constant upgrading of service and keeping up with the latest developments as well as tutorials

There are two types of autoresponders.  Online autoresponders are totally automated 24/7.  They will cost you between
$10 to $20 a month.  Your own computer based autoresponder is a manual system which you run from your computer.  It usually costs a one time fee. 

There are advantages to both types.  The automated system works 24/7 without too much work on your part.  Once you set it up, it works every day.  It's great if you don't have much time or do a lot of travelling.  The manual system is good if you have time to follow up and manually work the system. 

The Aweber autoresponder is one of the best online autoresponders on the market.  Click here

GroupMail is a good, easy to use computer based autoresponder.  You can test drive it for free Click here

Another excellent tool that helps you keep track of your passwords and saves time is called Roboform Click here

My favourite time saving tool is called Typeitin.  It's a
great software that helps you type multiple repetitive sentences by clicking one button.  Saves a lot of time Click here

You'll also need an online payment processor to
pay for services or to receive payment.  They are free to join and are safer to use online instead of credit cards. 

 Paypal is one that is universally accepted. Click here
Alertpay is another universally accepted system Click here

These are what I call my essential tools.

NOW for some additional marketing tools and ideas:

Before starting your online marketing, make sure you
have excellent antivirus protection.  Trend Micro, Avast, Spybot, Adware are all free tools to keep you free from malicious programs.  A great utility to keep
your computer from crashing is TuneUp Utilities Click here.

I would suggest you get Pageswirl which is a
rotator.  It enables you to market several websites using one link and to surf several traffic exchanges easily.  Click here 

I would also suggest an internet based communication
system to avoid long distance charges e.g. Voipbuster,
Skype, Yahoo messenger, Google Talk or MSN Messenger or get yourself an unlimited long distance plan from your local telephone provider.

You will need business cards too. 
Get 250 premium quality, color business cards FREE! Order today! Click here

Here are some excellent marketing sites to help you market your website. 

List Builders are an excellent way to succeed at any internet business. 
The bigger your list, the bigger your income.   You can build your list using
Aweber and the following responsive listbuilders.  Just make sure you use two separate email
addresses for them as you will receive lots of emails.

 Traffic Exchanges.  You agree to surf a certain number of sites
daily and in return get to show your sites to others.  What is great about Traffic Exchanges is that as people join under you, you get credits when they surf so, over time, your websites gets more and more exposure and you can email all the people who join under you with your offers:

These are regular Traffic Exchanges

TrafficHoopla Click here

Link Referral Click here
Adlandpro Click here
Traffic Swarm Click here
Webbizinsider Click here
TrafficG Click here
Topsurfer Click here
Hit Safari Click here
Click Crazey Click here
Webmasterquest Click here
Hitsbooster Click here

Safelists 

Safelists are lists you join where you agree to read other advertisers email in return for them reading yours without problems of spam.  You will receive a lot of emails so if you join, please make sure you set up a separate gmail account.

Got Safelist Click here

Herculist Click here

List Exchanges

Just like Traffic Exchanges, you can join List Exchanges where you get to regularly send your offer to other people who have agreed to accept your email in exchange for your reading theirs.  This allows you to avoid being accused of spamming. 

Triple Your List Click here

However, it is always wise to make sure
you hide your website address with a tracking url.
Hits Connect is a good tracking url site Click here 
Not only does this prevent spam issues but it also allows you
to see which advertising site is getting the best results.