1) Twitter | Twitter.Com
I initially got on Twitter because it seemed like one of the "sites you've gotta join" if you are a "true" social networker. At first I sent the occasional tweet here and there saying "what I was doing" but soon realized Twitter is so much more than that. After becoming a "regular" tweeter and actively engaging my fellow tweeters,  I soon started meeting some really cool people, gained exposure for my blog, and discovered a ton of useful content and sites that I wouldn't have found otherwise.  I'd even go as far as saying Twitter shaved two months of research and opinion polling for me on various web projects.  All of these benefits made Twitter one of my most useful sites of 2008.
2) Google (Gmail, Docs and Apps) | Google.Com
If it wasn't for Google I'd be a very poor man. Â I use Google Apps for pretty much every facet of my phone and online data management!
I use Google Apps to manage my email, docs, calendar... pretty much everything! Â I also have a G1 Data Phone that connects seamlessly to my Apps as well! Â I also use Google Analytics as my secondary site metrics tool (you'll see why below) and use Adwords and Adsense to earn money through text-based ads and to bid for Keywords and Ad Space. Â Imagine how much money I would have to expend to pay for all of these mostly FREE resources! I honestly don't know what I would do without Google!
3) Joomla | Joomla.Org
If I'd be poor without Google then I would be very unproductive without Joomla. Before Joomla (before Joomla I didn't use CMS) I used to labor for days, weeks and months over site designs and updates for clients. Â Now all I have to do is design or buy a template, upload and install Joomla, customize the details and BINGO ... instant web site for me or my clients. Â There is simply nothing as powerful and as flexible as Joomla IMO... and thats why they are one of my MVP's for 2008.
4) GoDaddy | GoDaddy.Com
I know many people are passionate about their Web Hosting companies and prefer the smaller or more specialized guys, but GoDaddy I have used and enjoyed GoDaddy's services for almost a decade now with NO PROBLEMS. Â They are affordable, responsive and professional. Â Whether it's been domain hosting, web hosting, or as a reseller they have never done me wrong. Â GoDaddy are the backbone of my websites and blog's and that's why they are one of my most useful sites of 08'.... and beyond!
5) Jim Kukral & Zac Johnson (Tie) | JimKukral.Com | ZacJohnson.Com
I'd go as far as saying if it wasn't for Jim Kukral and Zac Johnson I would have never become an Affiliate Marketer. I stumbled upon Jim's site from a link on a Joomla site that I read regularly (Cory Webb's "HowToJoomla.net") and became engrossed in Jim's content (good stuff Jim:D).  Jim then mentioned Zac Johnson's site on his blog and the rest was history.  I fell in love with the concept of Affiliate Marketing. Zac's blog broke down the concepts, provided the methods and helped me find the right Affiliate Networks. Although I'm not rich (yet!) from my Affiliate Marketing Ventures I have made a couple a hundred bucks that I wouldn't have earned otherwise thanks to these two gentlemen's advice, tips and inspiration.  I am still a daily reader of their site's and thats why they where two of my most useful sites of 2008!
6) 99 Designs | 99Designs.Com
Imagine having the POWER of a team of THOUSANDS of designers working for you, virtually for FREE. That in essence is the concept of 99Design's.  You create a "contest" for a pre-specified "prize" (anywhere from $150-$500) for designers to create a design for you (i.e. a website wire frame, a logo, a business card).  You get the benefit of multiple designers competing to see who can create the "best" design for the prize. I design graphics and logo's myself sometimes you need an outside source to compete against - face it designers - sometimes someone CAN do it better!  I plan on outsourcing at least 50% of my design work going forward, mostly for myself but maybe now for that extra picky client!  I can always roll it into the total design fee!  It will save me time and energy, and ensure i'm getting the best design possible.  I owe this little gem to Jim Kukral also!  He referred them via Twitter.  See how all my top 10 sites lead to more quality sites:)
7) Facebook | Facebook.Com
Facebook helped me to reconnect to so many of my old friends this year that their value to me cannot be described. Facebook continues to dominate because it truly is the best place to reconnect and MAINTAIN relationships with a busy schedule.  This year I plan on taking my Facebook to the next level by using it as a tool to maintain my Twitter relationships.  Facebook's role as a relationship builder is the reason it was one of my most useful site sites of 2008!
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8) Stat Counter | StatCounter.Com
You won't know whats working or what's not without site stats! Stat counter has been an invaluable tool for me to figure out which articles and sections of my site are working with my audience and which sections should be dropped! Â It's also useful in helping me see what browsers and OS's they are using so I can tailor stuff like graphics and screen width to my majority.
9) ProBlogger | ProBlogger.Net
I discovered Pro Blogger late in 08' but it instantly became a "must read" blog for me. Â Darren insights and tips have greatly improved my approach to blogging. His articles will shave YEARS of trial and error if you follow his advice=) He also discusses a lot of issues that are ignored on other blogs like the effects of RSS on your pageviews and how much money bloggers REALLY do make for example! Â It's a great "one stop blog tip shop" and that why it was so useful to me in 2008!
10) Compass Designs |Â CompassDesigns.Net
Rounding out my list is Barrie North's CompassDesigns.net, a blog about all things Joomla!  I like to think of Compass Designs as the "ProBlogger" of Joomla Blogs.  Barrie's posts are easy to read and very (not a lot of Jargon), very informative and have helped me figure out Joomla issues countless times!  The funny thing about this blog is that after my own trial and error with various plugins and components, I usually use the solution Barrie suggested in the first place! It's safe to sasy my 2008 would not have been as useful without Compass Designs!
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