BestVendor
What is it?
BestVendor is a social sharing website that offers recommendations on apps and software that are beneficial for businesses. Since the recommendations come from other business owners and entrepreneurs, everything is tried and tested.

How does it work?
You can sign up to the site’s public beta with your email address, LinkedIn account, and a recommendation for three of your favorite apps. (BestVendor automatically syncs your professional information on LinkedIn to their systems in order to make their recommendations more applicable to your industry.) Once you’re signed up, you can review apps and software, get recommendations, and see what other professionals in your industry are using.

The more products you recommend, the better BestVendor’s personal recommendations become. You can filter the recommendations by category (such as storage, web hosting, or text editing) as well as industry.

How will it help?
There are currently more than 6,000 professionals signed up to BestVendor, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to get a recommendation for an app you’ve never heard of before that will help your business. Although, at the moment, the site is only focusing on recommending apps and software, eventually it will encompass all types of business-related technology. It’s also free to sign up with and to use, which doesn’t hurt.

Where can I find out more?
Visit www.bestvendor.com.

Finally Decode What Your Developer Is Talking About

Codecademy

What is it?
Codecademy is a free website that teaches its users how to code, or program, websites—the ins and outs everything that goes on behind the scenes.

How does it work?
Part one of “Getting Started” takes just a minute or two. For completing certain tasks, you get virtual badges that you can share with your social networks. After a few lessons, you’re prompted to create an account so you can save your work. There are forums where you can connect with other users, as well as special challenges and projects.

The site also offers Codecademy Labs, where you can program (in JavaScript, Ruby, and Python) without downloading a separate code editor. Those with more advanced skills can create, and share, their own lessons.

How will it help?
Even if you don’t plan on being a professional programmer or building your own website, learning what goes on behind the scenes is invaluable for any business, making it easier to identify potential site problems and understand what’s happening if those problems occur. It’ll also help you understand your tech team.

Where can I find out more?
Visit www.codecademy.com.

Michelle Court is the associate editor at The New York Enterprise Report. She can be reached at mcourt@nyreport.com.