Cool down your marketing expenses this summer - try these no- and low-cost tools

Take the heat off your summer budget & check out some of these great no- and low-cost marketing tools:

1. Aptimize - Did you know that slow-loading sites are penalized by search engines? To test your site's speed, go to www.aptimize.com/website-speed-test.

2. BroadTexter - This is a no cost text messaging service that allows users to create lists to send text messages. Try it at www.broadtexter.com.

3. CamStudio - Helps you create free videos directly from your computer. See for yourself at www.camstudio.org.

4. DomainTools - Great way to find out your site's SEO score. Visit www.whois.sc.

5. EventBrite - If you're holding a no fee event, sign up for their service that lets you plan & market it. Go to www.eventbrite.com.

6. HyperAlerts - Sends you a report each time someone makes a comment on your Facebook page. Sign up at www.hyperalerts.no.

7. Hyperspin - A tool that let's you check that your website is up. They have free and paid plans. See for yourself at www.hyperspin.com.

8. IceRocket - Amazing tool lets you type in a search term & in seconds, find out what the public thinks of your product or service. Search at www.IceRocket.com.

9. Inspectlet - See how people use your website, including video recordings. They do have a limited free plan. Go to www.inspectlet.com.

10. Klout - See if you have any. Find out at www.klout.com.

11. Pic Monkey - A free tool to edit photos online without using an expensive tool like Photoshop. Make it pretty at www.picmonkey.com.

8. Ping-o-Matic - Let search engines know you've updated your blog. Sign up at www.pingomatic.com.

9. RankChecker - How does your site rank? See for yourself at www.rankchecker.com.

10. SlideShare - Great tool that allows you to share presentations online. It's built into LinkedIn too. Easy to use. Try it at www.slideshare.net.

11. SpringTrax - Monitors websites for 404 errors and helps fix those errors. Not free, but the entry level is $19.99/month. Find out more at www.springtrax.com.

12. Tiny URL maker - If you're active on twitter you know how hard it can be to stay within 140 characters, so here's a nifty tool I use all the time to shorten URL links. Go get small at www.tinyurl.com.

13. vFlyer - Create up to 2 flyers or virtual ads at a time & share them in online marketplaces. Go to www.vflyer.com.

14. woorank.com - Get a free review of your site's backend analytics, complete with suggestions for fixes. Get ranked at www.woorank.com

15. Yext - Online directory service that lets you see how your business appears online & you can add/fix listings to help you get found. go to www.yext.com.

16. ZaBox - Get free advice & online tutorials for all things digital at www.zabox.net.

Use these tools to keep your marketing going even during the summer!

Happy Marketing!

Randye Spina