WebGems and NiftyClicks, Part 6: Domain Search, Thesaurus.com, SeatGuru, Free Advice, and More Instant Domain Search, Thesaurus.com, and Free Advice Andrew Lock
I'm always on the lookout for the latest and greatest productivity tools, and this week I've got six gems to share with you. Without further ado, let's have a look.
These days it's very difficult to find a domain name that hasn't already been taken by someone else. It calls for originality and persistence. Fortunately, there's a handy tool that makes the process much easier, and it's completely free.
Enter 'instant domain search,' a Web site with a search box, but not your typical search box. As you enter a word or phrase, it tells you in real time whether what you've entered is available as a .com, a .net, or a .org domain name.
If you've registered a few domain names, you no doubt understand just how powerful this tool is. It makes the process of finding a domain name much faster. Oh, and did I mention it's free?
I was tidying my bookshelves the other day and saw a big fat thesaurus. I realized that I haven't used it in years because it's much faster for me to use the online alternative.
Although many word processing programs have a built-in thesaurus, the one I use is thesaurus.com (easy to remember) because the database is substantially larger. The online version also features a dictionary, too.
A thesaurus is a very useful tool because it allows you to create a varied writing style. We're all guilty of using certain words and phrases over and over again, so when you proofread your work, when you find a word that you realize you've used a bit too frequently, that's the time for the online thesaurus to come to the rescue.
You'll also find that your vocabulary will expand the more you use a thesaurus. The art of expressing oneself with words on a page is a very valuable skill, especially when it comes to copywriting, so I encourage you to get into the habit of using a thesaurus. I think you'll find it advantageous, commodious, propitious, and purposive.
The name says it all. Well, nearly. The site focuses on legal advice, and it's an ideal resource as a first port of call when you have a legal question that relates to your business.
Often, the information is good enough so as to prevent the need for hiring a lawyer. Topics include:
Accidents
Bankruptcy
Starting and running a business
Employment law
Insurance
Intellectual property
Litigation
Real Estate
Contracts and Guarantees
It's a very helpful resource, and of course you can't beat the price – free! In case you're wondering how they make money, they enable you to search for a specialist lawyer near you if it turns out that you need more detailed help.
The "hot topics" section is a cool idea, too. They post information on topics that are popular or that have been featured in the media recently.
