As each year passes, our lives seem busier than ever. With information overload in this digital age, there’s no excuse for disorganisation. Indeed, there are a raft of sites and apps that can help you keep on top of things, whether you’re doing the weekly food shop, writing a presentation, catching a flight, storing files, backing up your mobile contacts and almost anything else. At The Good Web Guide, we’ve come up with the following resolutions to help you stay organised while making the best of new online technology.

1. I will unsubscribe from newsletters that no longer interest me

And here's how: With an inbox littered with unread newsletters, Unroll.me offers the perfect solution to cleaning up. It's the free and easy way to end unwanted subscriptions and roll the rest into an organised overview made just for you. Give Unroll.me access to your email account and it will detect each newsletter, so that you can opt out or retain. You can also add any of them to a daily digest newsletter with one click.



2. I will organise my lists online

And here’s how: Rememberthemilk.com helps you to make lists online, access them via mobile devices and view them via online calendars such as Apple iCal or Google Calendar. See what’s due today and tomorrow and what you’ve missed, search for tasks and receive reminders via email, text and instant messenger. You can also share, send and publish talks and add new chores wherever you are. With rememberthemilk.com there is no excuse for forgetting anything ever again – especially the milk.


3. I will back up my mobile phone online

And here’s how: If you’ve ever lost your phone and with it your photos, texts, contacts and videos, then won’t want a repetition. By signing up to Mobyko.com, a secure online backup service, you can save all these things in a safe, secure online account and preserve those memories that might otherwise be lost.


4. I will organise my photos online

And here’s how: Digital cameras and iPhone cameras have revolutionised the way that we take photos. The only draw back is that most of us never get round to printing them out and putting them into photo albums. Cue Photobox.co.uk, which does it for you. Simply add photos and captions online or from your phone, choose a design, personalise the cover and spine and press go. A few days later a stylish photo-album will pop through the post to take pride of place on your coffee table.


5. I will brainstorm for new ideas online

And here’s how: MindMeister.com lets users create their own online mind maps and have real-time brainstorming sessions with friends and colleagues or fellow MindMeisters from around the world. Create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime from anywhere, while seeing other’s changes as they happen.


6. I will keep my social media activity under control

And here’s how: If you have profiles on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and update them individually, Tweetdeck can do all this from its platform, where you can time tweets and messages, see what your friends and followers are up to, letting you focus on what matters.



7. I will make the most of my travels

And here’s how: Over 15 million users in 193 countries makes WAYN.com one of the fastest growing travel and lifestyle social networking communities in the world. Use it to meet people from around the world, find out from locals about the best things to do in the area and keep your friends and family informed of your whereabouts, movements and activities.


8. I will organise my business online

And here’s how: An easy intranet for your business, Basecamp lets you store, share, discuss and archive everything relating to your business in a safe and secure environment. Keep track of project discussions, files, notes and events from beginning to end, all in one place, all of which is easily accessed by your team.


9. I will share ideas and grow my business online

And here’s how: SlideShare.net is a business media site which allows users to share presentations, documents and pdfs with a vibrant professional community that regularly comments, favourites and downloads content. Content is also spread virally through blogs and social networks. A great way to get your ideas out there and, in turn, find information and ideas for your own business.


10. I will make myself available online for business opportunities

And here’s how: If you’re in business and not on LinkedIn.com, you could be missing out. With over 175 million members in over 200 countries, this professional network helps you to keep in touch with business contacts and make better use of your professional network. Looking for a job? A new employee? Funding for a business idea? This is a good place to start.


Emily Jenkinson

January 2014