General Office Supplies - Paper, ink, toner, CDs, DVDs, and small items that can add up.  Getting some of these supplies online saves both money and time.

Franklin Covey - For the more image conscious, discerning professional, the Franklin Covey store is a little pricier than some, but has the quality to show for it.  Great place for items to help with your image, or for gifts for your better attorney clients.  (Note: Good source for leather binders, etc., but you'll find several time management forms inside The Case File.)

Deluxe Corp Checks - If you have your checks printed by other companies than your bank, you might want to compare prices here.  In addition to printing checks, Deluxe offers email marketing services, tax forms, logo creation and printing, promotional items and imprinting, and much more.

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Computers - Laptops and desktops keep dropping in price.  Most of the sites listed here are constantly running sales and specials to include deep discounts and free shipping.

CompUSA - One of the leading chain computer stores.  In addition they carry a host of office electronics and electronic media.  If your agency does a lot of multi-media presentations, or you need cameras for evidence or surveillance, these folks probably have the components you need.

Toshiba - We have two links for Toshiba because they have two really good pages on the same site.  This link takes you to their weekly "Featured Laptop Deals."  Of course, you can surf their whole site from here, but they do list some good deals.

Toshiba Special Offers - Same Toshiba site as above, but this page lists any items they might have on clearance along with special deals and other sale prices or offers.

Laptops 4 Less - More than just laptops, these guys have a good selection of laptop batteries, PDA batteries, camcorder batteries, power cables, projector lamps, and all those multi-media accessories you might otherwise have a hard time finding.

ElectroComputer - In addition to having a decent selection of laptops, Electro has a wide selection of desktop computers from a variety of manufacturers (and all at some really good prices).

Fujitsu Computers - Offers a rather extensive selection of laptops with a wide range of features and capabilities.  Also offers a good selection of laptop peripheral accessories and provides corporate accounts as well.

Discount Laptop Shop - Like the name says, these folks try their best to compete with current pricing on current laptop models.  Click on the "Departments" link to see the "Hot Deal of the Day."

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Computer Software and Supplies - These advertisers list a great selection of ink and toner (as do the office supply sites above), but these companies also include sources for software, computer accessories (cables, batteries, etc.), and more.

PCMicrostore - A good source for computer peripherals, computer cables, cell phone accessories, and a variety of home office electronics.

Microsoft - No software is safer than the genuine article.  This is the main site for Microsoft Software from Windows down to individual pieces of software like Office ®, Word ®, Excel ®, Power Point ®, and so on.  From this site you can also access Microsoft hardware from computers through gaming consoles.

Adobe - Adobe is one of the best companies for producing imaging software such as Photoshop ®.  For the investigator, Adobe products carry two important opportunities.  First, you can create your own PDFs, making your softcopy reports and invoices much more secure and professional.  Second, for those of you who produce your own graphics for attorneys or courtroom exhibits, Adobe is the way to go.

OC Ink Jet - One of the little ways your agency hemorrhages money is through high-priced office supplies you continually use (hence this "Resources" page).  Ink is one of the worst, so this and the next few advertisers give you good places to comparison shop for ink and toner.

Ink Plus Toner - As the name implies, they have a full lineup of replacement ink and toner cartridges.  They also carry photo paper.

Carrot Ink - In addition to a full line of ink for printers from Brother ® to Pitney Bowes ® and beyond, Carrot Ink offers free shipping on orders over $45 and they offer the option of setting up a corporate account.

101 Inks - We didn't count them, but the selection looks like it might be 101 or more.  This and our other advertisers should give you a good selection for comparison shopping that will help save you quite a bit of cash on your office supplies.

Checkout Store - Another great source for DVDs, CDs, cases, sleeves, and envelopes.

A Matter of Fax - Deals primarily with faxes, copiers, and printers.  They also have a selection of accessories such as ink, toner, and some general office supplies.

Shop4Tech - An office-related variety store carrying electronics and electronic accessories.  They offer a lineup of disk media, printer supplies, iPhone accessories, and general electronic "gadgetry."

Cable Matters - As the name implies, they deal with cables for your computer, network, USB devices, video equipment, and more.

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Communication - More than just cell phones, cell phone accessories, or cellular service, we also have a couple of sites that offer some educational information.

Nokia Online Store - Nokia cell phones and accessories.  Sometimes the best deals come straight from the manufacturer.

Free Apps - This is the iTunes page to find free apps for your iPhone.  Note: On some computers, this page may try to open your iTunes software if you have it.

iTunes Podcasts - One of the things we constantly recommend is continuing education for fellow investigators.  iTunes offers lectures and educational podcasts, many of which are free.  This will let you search their full selection.

Metro PCS - Wireless service provider.  When it's time to shop around for a new wireless plan for your cell phone, come here, enter your zip and see what kind of pricing they can offer you.

USB Phone World - In addition to offering phones for Skype ®, video phones, etc., phone world offers laptop batteries and PDA accessories.

Ring Central - Offers toll free numbers, local numbers, automated attendants, and they'll even accept faxes.  They're one step shy of being a virtual assistant.

All 4 Cellular - You'll find "ear buds," Bluetooth headsets, chargers, batteries, cables, holsters and holders, and most anything with which to accessorize your cell phone.

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Printing Services - Whether you need business cards, brochures, or you want your report in multiple copies and housed in a customized folder, you'll more than likely need a good printing service.

Print Design Promote - The simple layout of the PDP website doesn't begin to cover their full capabilities.  This company prints our book "Disaster Prep 101."   They offer a full lineup of printing, signs, banners, premiums, and customized gifts.

FedEx Office - Formerly "Kinko's," FedEx Office offers a full array of not only shipping, but of print services, and a small variety of office supplies.  For those of you on the road during an investigation they offer computer rentals and Wi-Fi as well as conference rooms and video conferencing.  They have a store locator on the site so log in to see if there's an outlet or Federal Express office near you.

Vistaprint - Long considered the leader in the business card printing world, Vistaprint is known for its generous introductory offers of low-priced and sometimes free business cards (depending on what kind of special they're running).  Worth a log-on to see what the day's offer is.

PG Print Services - A general service print service oriented to the production of marketing items.  Some of their more applicable services include business cards, brochures, and CD / DVD label and case printing (great for customizing your reports and work product).  They also have a selection of postcards, letterhead, and a decent selection of premiums - such as calendars - that you can use for marketing.

Magic Prints - Focuses primarily on business cards, but they appear to have a good selection of premade styles.  Like any service though, they'll let you send your own logo or business card template.

Deluxe Business Services - Deluxe provides not only check printing and supply, but they offer a selection of business-related printing as well to include business cards, brochures, and letterhead.  They also offer some printed promotional items such as shirts, bags, calendars, pens, etc.

Print For Less - Like other advertisers, Print For Less offers a full array of printed products.  One of the things on their site we like is their folder printing.  Another great way to customize your reports and work product.

Biz-Logo - Less of a printing service and more of a logo design company, Biz-Logo can help you with some of your image issues such as either helping you create a logo, or helping you get your logo onto some of the items on which you'd like it to appear.

PrintRunner - A full-service printer, PrintRunner offers the usual lineup of business cards, brochures, premiums, etc.  One of the things we like about their site is that they post a link to their current sales and specials on the home page.

PS Print Shop - In addition to the standard fare of business cards and letterhead, PS offers poster printing, which can come in handy for creating courtroom exhibits as part of a package you may offer your attorney clients.

Budget Prints - Offers other items, but focuses on business cards and frequently offers deals like so many cards free, etc.

Overnight Prints - Seems to focus more on the overall marketing component of business printing.  You should visit their home page and click on "Marketing Tool Kit" to look at their suggested lineup of materials.

Print Place - Another overall business print service, well worth the visit.  On their homepage you'll find a link for marketing tips as well as for a sample pack of their product.

Build-A-Sign - What would marketing be without some sort of sign?  This company will help you with signs, magnetic signs, license plates, bumper stickers, banners, etc.

1-800PostCards - Another good source of business cards, postcards, fliers, and customized folders.  We wanted to give you enough sources to shop around for the best prices.

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Business and Marketing Services - Most of us are of the opinion that if you want something done right or economically, you do it yourself.  However, that's not always the best policy.  Below are links to services and sources that help us with marketing, taxes, and most everything in between.

PRWeb - A good marketing campaign can be furthered along by a good series of press releases.  PR Web helps with writing and distribution, and better than that, they have a free account you can start with.

Roni Deutch Tax Center - Sorry to bring this up, but taxes are a permanent part of business operations.  Roni Deutch is a well-known name in tax preparation services.  Stop by here to compare their prices and services to whomever you now use.

Stamps.Com - Anything you can do online and save travel and shopping time, gas, and sometimes taxes, is a good thing (again, hence this Resources page).  Postage is no exception to this rule.  Some services you can get from the US Postal Service online and many more from Stamps.com here.

Constant Contact - Speaking of mail,  Constant Contact is a mass emailing service that's useful for creating an email list of clients that you send out a newsletter or occasional update to.  By the way, when you sign up for our newsletter "The Case File News," the opt-in system we use is Constant Contact.

EasyContact - Like Constant Contact above, EasyContact is an opt-in (meaning it helps you get your recipient's permission to receive emails) email communication manager that lets you keep in touch with clients or potential clients, all at once.

Aweber - Considered by many to be the king of the autoresponders.  An autoresponder is a mass email manager, like the two above, only you can set an impressive number of emails to be automatically sent to your recipients in the order you choose.  This system is great for newsletters you want to send (you can load them in advance) or sets of lesson plans (if you do online instruction).

uBuildApp - Really want to take your agency marketing to the next level?  Create your own app.  It might be a checklist of things to prevent identity theft, white collar crime prevention, you name it.  Build your own app and use that as a paid item clients can get, or it can be one of your electronic business cards.

LegalZoom - LegalZoom helps the investigator in two ways.  First, they offer various services that business like ours need, such as copyrights, registrations, trademarks, etc. (in fact we used them for our last trademark).  It also lets you add various legal services for your client that you wouldn't normally perform yourself.

Publicity Hound - Not only does Publicity Hound offer press release services, they have a great newsletter spelling out how to do most of your own marketing.  Well worth signing up for the free newsletter.

MailboxForwarding - This is one service that offers two very distinct advantages to the investigator - maybe three.  First, you get a secure address away from your location if privacy is important.  Second, their scanning and forwarding service saves you valuable time.  Third, it can be a service added for your clients if you offer any kind of security such as executive protection, spousal or child abuse protection, etc.

OfficeDrop - A secure, online, digital filing service.  More and more, clients are wanting a way to see updates on their case and exchange electronic information in ways that don't involve emailing files.  Too, more and more offices are going all-digital and using less paper. 

24-7 Press Release - While there are numerous free "press release" sites, many are just listing and link sites.  It's the paid press release sites that will actually push your message to the media.  Compare these rates with others.

InfusionSoft - At first glance, this may look like another email management system.  It's a lot more.  Infusionsoft helps you set up a full-spectrum marketing program based on your needs and intended audience.  It's not only worth a look, but they have several free, no-opt-in reports and ebooks on marketing you can download.

Elance - One of the best ways to impact your bottom line is by saving time, and part of that means outsourcing.  If you're working on your website or something software-based, you can post your need on Elance and techies will bid on the job.  You can check their references and then select the lowest bidder that meets your needs.

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Internet / Web Development Services - You really can't have a thriving agency without good marketing, and anymore, marketing revolves around an online presence even if you only work locally.

GoDaddy - Probably the best and least expensive of all the domain purchasing and hosting sites.  This is who we use at InfoQuest for all our domain hosting.

GoldBar One - A full-service shopping cart and affiliate program manager rolled into one.  GoldBar is the service we use for our shopping cart on all three of our sites; www.thecasefile.com, www.theattorneycasefile.com, and www.disasterprep101.com.  If you need a way for clients to retain you online, take a look at GoldBar.

PayPal - They've come a long way since first coming on the scene as a payment processor.  Security and services have both been upgraded tremendously.  If you want clients to be able to send a retainer or make invoice payments online, this is a great option.  Safe, secure, and easy to set up. an account.  We use PayPal as well.

Yahoo Small Business - This division of Yahoo is aimed at helping you set up your own full-service website.  They'll help with the domain, website setup and hosting, content, email, and more.

Studio Press - More and more people are using "Wordpress" to set up their websites and blogs.  Wordpress can be hosted by most providers and the advantage it offers is the enormous number of "plug-ins" or the "widgets" and "gadgets" that can be added to your site or blog.  Studio Press offers premium templates along with technical assistance for getting your Wordpress themes up and running.

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Investigative Services and/or Equipment - We steered away from advertisers offering hidden cameras and related gear since there are so many already.  What we included below were offers for other types of gear as well as items that could not only help your own family, but that you could add to the lineup of goods and services you provide your clients.

Galls - Galls is one of the leaders in equipment and uniform supply for both law enforcement and private sector security.  But there's more.  A lot more.  Galls offers badges, first aid kits and medical supplies, flashlights, duty gear, vehicle equipment, and the list goes on.

1-800-Prepare - This is the preferred source of commercially produced disaster kits and family readiness kits that we at InfoQuest use and recommend.  Though our relationship is commercial, 1-800-Prepare carries our recommendation.  If you offer any sort of executive protection, security analysis or consulting, or you just want to protect your own family in times of crisis, go here (of course that's after you get a copy of our training manual "Disaster Prep 101" at www.disasterprep101.com )

KnowEm? - As much a business service as an educational tool, KnowEm? is a good place to visit and at least bookmark.  For your business, KnowEm? helps you establish your "brand" by putting Social Media to work for you.  For the investigator, you can find out where your subject person or company might (or might not) have additional information by entering their name in the search box.

Net Nanny - Online child protection is a service we should all have in our toolbox whether it's our main focus or not.  Net Nanny lets parents set parameters for their child's online activities.  This is especially useful for parents with custody issues who don't want their child posting info on social media sites.

MailboxForwarding - Though listed above, this service warrants repeating since it can be a service added for your clients if you offer any kind of security such as executive protection, spousal or child abuse protection, etc

KidsWatch - Similar to Net Nanny, KidsWatch allows you to set the parameters of what your child can and cannot do on the internet.  One interesting feature here is that it will send you email alerts.  Visit this site and Net Nanny both to compare features and pricing.

Breathalyzer - Yet another item you should consider for your tool box.  Breathalyzer is exactly what it says.  It's a source for portable breathalyzer devices.  If you work with any sort of transportation company who needs to spot-check drivers, corporations worried about people driving after the company party, or any other issue where alcohol plays a factor, you might want to visit this page.

Drug Test Kits - Drugs are a bigger problem than alcohol and more costly in terms of the effect they have on humans and the effect affected humans have on business.  Add some drug test kits to your tool box and lineup of services.

Test Country - Another extensive source of FDA-approved drug test kits.  If you do anything from workplace drug testing, to home drug testing, to paternity, this site is worth checking out.

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Miscellaneous - Staying with our focus on marketing and making your agency more profitable, we added a few sources for client gifts and customized marketing goods.

Print Design Promote - Offers a full lineup of printing, signs, banners, premiums, and customized gifts.  If you don't see what you like already listed, give them a call and they'll help you find it.

For Counsel - Ever wonder what kind of gift or premium you can get for the better attorney clients you service or the law offices you'd like to work for?  Look through the items here for gift giving or marketing ideas.

4imprint - A good source of miscellaneous gifts, premiums, and other marketing goodies that you can have personalized with your agency info.

GiftBaskets - Falling more into the category of gifts rather than marketing tools, gift baskets are a great way to say thank you to a great client after a huge case has been concluded.

Buy.com - Last, and most general of all, we included this last advertiser since saving money is saving money whether it's for office or personal reasons.  Buy.com carries a department-store type variety of items, but naturally, this includes things like cell phones, surveillance gear, cameras, electronics, office supplies, etc.

Be sure to get our "Marketing for Private Investigators" ebook, and a free subscription to our newsletter "The Case File News."

Click on "Marketing Ebook"