Back at to the Bit.ly integration. I copied my API key from Bit.ly and activated it in Tweetdeck. The system works seemlessly. I can now go into my Bit.ly account to see the link history for the links I am tracking.

This little exercise reminded me that my blog wasn’t posting the links to twitter in the normal Bit.ly style. So I went in to check it out. I opened up my WordPress site and took a look at my Twitter Tools plugin and I noticed that I had activated a new Twitter Tools plugin that was installed at my last Twitter Tools upgrade. So I took a look at the settings. Sure enough there was now a place to add my Bit.ly API key. So I am pretty stoked about the link tracking possibilities that Bit.ly now presents.

I look forward to checking it out and confirming that my wife and her friends are the only people who read my posts.

Go check out the Bit.ly and let me know how you use/might use it.

Note: 

* Applications that I use

** Applications I have tried

1. WordPress* - Every online business should have a blog and WordPress is, by far, the most powerful blogging tool on the web today.

Alternative Resources:
Movable Type
Type Pad

2. Google Analytics* - Using a good analytics system is a must have for any online business. Spend some time learning how to read your site metrics and what they mean.

Alternative Resources:
Mint
Clicky

3. Basecamp* - Having a central place to organize and keep track of all your projects and notes goes a long way in making your life less stressful.

Alternative Resources:
Lighthouse
No Kahuna

4. Freshbooks - Because many freelancers are service oriented, it is essential to have some sort of invoicing system in place.

Alternative Resources:
Blink Sale
Ronin

5. Twitter* - Having a Twitter account is almost as important as having a blog these days. Twitter is easy to use and free to setup. Why wouldn’t you use it?

Alternative Resources:
Facebook*
Friendfeed**

6. Crowd Science - This is a cool tool that will randomly ask your visitors to take a poll to help you gather demographics about your visitors. It never hurts to learn more about your sites visitors.

Alternative Resources:
Get Satisfaction

7. Mozy - Its is never a bad idea to have some sort of backup in place. Mozy, makes backing up your files affordable and painless.

Alternative Resources:
iDrive
Carbonite

8. Google Webmaster Tools* - There are an amazing amount of tools here than can help you track your sites ROI, test designs, and much more.

9. E-Junkie - E-Junkie can be used for more than just selling products through affiliates, you can also use it to offer a reward system to your clients.

Alternative Resources:
iDev Affiliate 
All Affiliate Pro

10. Netvibes - It is easy to be overloaded with RSS feeds. Having a tool that lets you easily organize that information will make it easier for you to digest.

Alternative Resources:
iGoogle**
Page Flakes

11. WuFoo Form Builder - A good form builder app is always good to have an account with. You never know when you may want a new form, quiz, poll, etc.

Alternative Resources:
Form Site
Form Spring

12. Mail Chimp - Email campaign apps make it easier for you to send bulk emails to past clients, setup news letters, and send important notices to customers.

Alternative Resources:
iContact**
Constant Contact*

13. Skype** - Skype is the ultimate communication tool, especially if you have clients all over the world. It is the default IM/Phone choice for freelancers who work abroad.

Alternative Resources:
Sight Speed
Google Talk *

14. Alert Thingy** - Alert Thingy allows you to manage and update most of your social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, Basecamp, and more; all in one spot.

Alternative Resources:
Event Box
Friend Feed

15. Are My Sites Up - If you have a website, then there is no reason you shouldn’t sign up for this service. Its free and lets you know if your sites crash via emails and text messages.

I would like to add one more:

16. Google Apps  (For your Domain)* - Online, anywhere, company branded email, calendar, messaging, Intranet, & Google Docs.

Let me know what applications you use. I woudl love to hear from you.

Cross posted  @ http://blog.lakelandchamber.com