The Directory of the Top 150+ Websites in the World – Your Essential Library for Digital Engagement
The web is simply amazing and super-abundant with good resources. We’ve gone through with a fine toothcomb to see which sites could provide great input to your digital engage- ment learning. Have a regular 10 minute stop over morning coffee on a few of these and add the most relevant to your Google Reader or other web-based aggregation tool.
a.Top 6 General News Sites
Huffington Post – the most popular news blog with syndicated columnists,blogs and news stories with moderated comments http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/
The Guardian – the latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world’s leading liberal voice http://www.guardian.co.uk/
New York Times – breaking news, multimedia, reviews & opinion on Washing- ton, business, sports, movies, travel, books, jobs, education, real estate, cars & more http://www.nytimes.com/
CNET News – computing and technology news service presents original stories and investigative reports in real-time http://news.cnet.com/
CBC.ca – Canada’s public broadcasting web face for news, entertainment, sports and business http://www.cbc.ca/
The Globe and Mail – offers the most authoritative news in Canada, featuring national and international news. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
b. Top 6 Business Sites
Fast Company – where ideas and people meet – dedicated to reporting about how the “fast companies”; entrepreneurs, and cutting-edge are doing what they do http://www.fastcompany.com/
Canadian Business – articles on technology, investing and other such topics as they relate to national economic issues http://www.canadianbusiness.com/
American Express Open Forum – a wealth of resources for business owners – videos, articles, blogs, podcasts, and expert advice to boost your business, spon- sored by American Express http://www.openforum.com/
Bloomberg BusinessWeek – the latest international business news & stock market news http://www.businessweek.com/
Harvard Business Review – business management case studies, articles, books, and more from Harvard Business Review, addressing today’s topics and challeng- es in business http://blogs.hbr.org/
BNN.ca – the web face to Canada’s only all-business and financial news televi- sion channel http://www.bnn.ca/
c. Top 10 Trends/Ideas Sites
PSFK – the go-to source for Ideas and trends in creative business, cars, design, gadgets, fashion and technology reported daily http://www.psfk.com/
TED Talks – sets of 20 minutes talks and conferences held worldwide to disseminate “ideas worth spreading” http://www.ted.com/talks
Springwise – scans the globe for smart new business ideas, delivering instant inspiration to entrepreneurial minds http://www.springwise.com/
Trendhunter – the largest community for trends, trend spotting, cool hunting, innovation, fashion trends, style, gadgets, tech, pop culture, art, and design. http://www.trendhunter.com/
Trendwatching – emerging consumer trends from around the world http://trendwatching.com/
Cool Business Ideas – brand new promising business ideas around the world you wish you’d thought of http://www.coolbusinessideas.com/
Digital Trends – home for technology trends, news, product reviews, mobile app reviews and daily videos http://www.digitaltrends.com/
Josh Spear – scouring the globe for the next great thing. Reviewing design, art, fashion, music, and trends http://joshspear.com/
Future Lab – marketing strategy and innovation blog http://www.futurelab.net/blogs/marketing-strategy-innovation/archive
Big Think – a forum where top experts explore the big ideas and core skills de- fining the 21st century http://bigthink.com/
d. Top 12 Pop Culture Sites
Gawker – definitive news and gossip sheet for followers of entertainment, media, and business http://gawker.com/
Boing Boing – group blog of cultural curiosities and interesting technologies http://boingboing.net/
Rocketboom – daily internet culture news site and video blog based in New York City http://www.rocketboom.com/
Holy Kaw –all the stuff that interests one of the world’s most popular aggregator sites http://holykaw.alltop.com/
The Daily Infographic – data-filled illustrations everyday http://dailyinfographic.com/ Chartporn – an addictive collection of beautiful charts, graphs, maps, and interactive data visualization toys — on topics from around the world http://chartporn.org/
Geek Sugar – destination for tech-savvy women (and the not-so-tech-savvy, of course) for all things pop tech http://www.geeksugar.com/
Pop Hangover – humour and funny photos on pop culture http://pophangover.com/
Urban Dictionary – the dictionary written by you – includes streetwise lingo, slang words and phrases and texting shortforms http://www.urbandictionary.com/
eBaum’s World – funny videos, funny pictures, funny galleries, funny links, flash games, jokes, caption contests, photoshop contests http://www.ebaumsworld.com/
Teen Television – the top digital entertainment network for teens and young adults http://www.teentelevision.com/
e. Top 8 Getting Answers Sites
Wikipedia – the world’s biggest online encyclopedia and biggest non-enter- tainment website http://www.wikipedia.org/
Quora – continually improving collection of questions and answers created, edited, and organized by everyone who uses it http://www.quora.com/
Lifehacker – curates tips, tricks, and technology for living better in the digital age http://lifehacker.com/
Wikihow – the how-to manual that you can edit http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page
Yahoo Answers – the web’s leading community-powered questions and answers site http://answers.yahoo.com/
5Min – short instructional videos providing solutions to common questions http://www.5min.com/
Instructables – the biggest how-to and DIY community where people make and share inspiring, entertaining, and useful projects, recipes, and hacks. http://www.instructables.com/
Formspring – one of the world’s largest and most casual social Q&A sites http://www.formspring.me/
f. Top 4 Aggregator Sites of Good Stuff
Google Reader – read all your fave websites in one place http://www.google.com/reader/view/
Alltops – all the top headlines from popular topics around the web http://alltop.com/
Technorati – real-time search for user-generated media (including weblogs) by tag or keyword http://technorati.com/
Stumble Upon – a discovery engine that finds the best of the web, recommend- ed just for you http://www.stumbleupon.com/
g. Top 14 Digital/Tech Sites
Techcrunch – a group-edited blog about technology start-ups, particularly the Web 2.0 sector http://techcrunch.com/
ZD Net – the latest technology news, comments and product reviews focusing on IT hardware, software, mobile, security, and other special topics http://www.zdnet.com/
CNET – covering the business world of tech http://www.cnet.com/
PC World – the source for tech product reviews, tech news, how-tos and free downloads http://www.pcworld.com/
Engadget – the technology blog network with daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics http://www.engadget.com/
Gigaom – breaking news and in-depth analysis on the business of technology http://gigaom.com/
Gizmodo – a go-to authority for gadget news and digital culture http://gizmodo.com/
All Things Digital – Wall Street Journal’s take on Tech http://allthingsd.com/
Wired – current and future trends in technology, and how they are shaping busi- ness, entertainment, communications, science http://www.wired.com/
Read Write Web – a blog that provides web technology news, reviews and analysis, covering web apps, web technology trends, social networking http://www.readwriteweb.com/
The Verge – technology-focused news publication founded in 2011 providing breaking news coverage and in-depth reporting, product information, and com- munity content http://www.theverge.com/
Techvibes -the latest technology news and updates from Canada and across North America http://www.techvibes.com/global
Backbone Magazine – Canadian business, technology and lifestyle magazine http://www.backbonemag.com/
Wikibrands – reinventing your business in a customer-driven marketplace, ongoing posts based on insights and learning from book http://wiki-brands.com/
h.Top 12 New Media/Social Media Sites
Mashable – social media news blog covering cool new websites and social net- works: Facebook, Google, Twitter, and YouTube. http://mashable.com/
Web Strategist – Jeremiah Owyang’s take on social media from an inside and outside the enterprise perspective http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/
Viral Blog – viral videos, games, advertising, research and social media http://www.viralblog.com/
Webguild -forum for web professionals, webmasters, corporate internet market- ers, content managers, CMOs, CIOs, SEMs, SEOs and entrepreneurs http://www.webguild.org/
What’s Next Blog – B.L. Ochman’s Internet Marketing Strategy, social media trends, news and community http://www.whatsnextblog.com/
Social Media Examiner – helps businesses master social media marketing with Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn to find leads, increase sales and build brand awareness http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/
Social Media Explorer – explores social media, social media marketing and public relations through commentary and analysis http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/
Smartbrief on Social Media – designed for marketers and decision makers who need to stay ahead of social networking trends http://www.smartbrief.com/news/socialmedia?sb_code=rss
Going Social Now – Shiv Singh’s blog on social media marketing http://www.shivsingh.com/goingsocial/
Socialmedia.biz – social media news and business http://www.socialmedia.biz
The Digital Influence Mapping Project – Ogilvy’s John Bell’s take on social media for business http://johnbell.typepad.com/
Danny Brown – the human side of media and the social side of marketing http://dannybrown.me/
i.Top 15 Marketing/PR/Communications Sites
Ad Age – the leading global source of news, intelligence and conversation formarketing and media communities http://adage.com/
Seth Godin – Seth Godin’s riffs on marketing, respect, and the ways ideas spread. http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
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DuctTape Marketing – small business marketing strategies and recommenda- tions http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/
Media Bistro – a network of 15 leading communications blogs http://www.mediabistro.com/
Brandflakes for Breakfast – ideas that inspire digital, marketing and creative people http://www.brandflakesforbreakfast.com/
ClickZ – expert advice about online marketing, email, brand and interactive mar- keting, and search engine marketing http://www.clickz.com/
Media Bistro’s Agency Spy- insider news about agency work and culture http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/
Ads of the World – the largest creative advertising archive and community http://adsoftheworld.com/
Marketing Pilgrim – Andy Beal’s take on internet and search marketing http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/
The Hidden Persuader – an eye for information and great ad campaigns http://thehiddenpersuader-english.blogspot.com/
Adverblog – only the best ideas of digital advertising and marketing http://www.adverblog.com/
Marketing Magazine – the Canadian source of news and articles on marketing, advertising and media http://www.marketingmag.ca/
Strategy – Canada’s bold vision and powerful ideas http://strategyonline.ca/
The CMA – the largest marketing association in Canada embracing all marketing disciplines, channels and technologies http://www.the-cma.org/
j.Top 6 Word of Mouth/Alt Marketing Sites
Damn I Wish I Thought of That – unusually useful ideas for smart marketers http://www.damniwish.com/
The WOMMA Word – word of mouth news and updates from the trade associa- tion for word of mouth http://womma.org/word/
Buzz Canuck – everything about buzz, word of mouth and evangelism from Canada and the world http://buzzcanuck.typepad.com/
Church of The Customer – creating customer evangelists and citizen marketers http://www.churchofcustomer.com/
Brains on Fire – igniting powerful, sustainable word of mouth movements http://www.brainsonfire.com/blog/
Digital Buzz blog – a daily fix of digital honey featuring the latest online ad cam- paigns, hot new websites, interactive marketing http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/
k.Top 7 Community/Collaboration Sites
Community Roundtable – a membership-based network of community, social media, and social business managers and executives http://community-roundtable.com/
Managing Communities – passionately writing about online communities http://www.managingcommunities.com/
Feverbee – how to grow thriving online community sites http://www.feverbee.com/
John Winsor – views on marketing, advertising, collaboration, co-creation and crowdsourcing http://www.johnwinsor.com/
Influencers and Community Marketing – listen and engage with the people who matter http://blog.ecairn.com/
Wikinomics Blog – rebooting business and the world through collaboration and community http://www.macrowikinomics.com/category/innovation-communities/
Brandthroposophy – a brand, marketing, social media blog with a specialty in online communities and word of mouth http://kozinets.net/
l. Top 6 Content Development/Management/Marketing Sites
Copyblogger – tips, software, and training for copywriters, bloggers, and content marketers. Online marketing strategies and solutions that work http://www.copyblogger.com/blog/
Hubspot Blog – award winning blog on Internet marketing, search engine optimization, inbound marketing, analytics, best content practices http://blog.hubspot.com/
Reel SEO – the online video marketing guide http://www.reelseo.com/
Conversation Agent – connecting ideas and people – how talk can change our lives http://www.conversationagent.com/
Junta 42 – trends in content marketing, and how marketers can learn to think and act like publishers http://blog.junta42.com/
Michel Fortin – articles, tips, and news, as well as some of his opinions and ideas on Internet marketing, direct response copywriting, and personal development skills http://michelfortin.com/
m. Top 7 Search/SEO Sites
Search Engine Land – a must-read hub for news and information about search engine marketing, optimization and how search engines work http://searchengineland.com/
SEOmoz Blog – tips, tricks and advice on search engines http://www.seomoz.org/blog
Search Engine Journal – a community approach to the reporting of search engine news & the sharing of Search Engine Marketing knowledge http://www.searchenginejournal.com/
Search Engine Roundtable – report on the most interesting threads taking place at the SEM (Search Engine Marketing) forums http://www.seroundtable.com/
Compete – online marketing insights http://blog.compete.com/
GShift Labs Blog – up-to-date content about the world of organic search including tips, trends and recommendations http://www.gshiftlabs.com/seo-evolution-blog/
Web Traffic ROI – dedicated to help bloggers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and companies make their online business better. http://www.webtrafficroi.com/
n. Top 11 Design/Web Design Sites
Smashing Magazine – online magazine for professional Web designers and developers with focus on valuable techniques and best practices http://www.smashingmagazine.com/
Ad Goodness – showcasing the best advertising and design around the world http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/
David Airey – a brand design blog http://www.davidairey.com/
Graphic Designers blog – the ultimate resource for graphic designers http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/
Brand Freeze – brand and design delight http://brandfreeze.com/
Information is Beautiful – ideas, issues, knowledge and data visualized http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/
Six Revisions – useful information for web developers and designers http://sixrevisions.com/
The Roxor – the design blog for resources and inspiration http://theroxor.com/
Creative Nerds – A design blog dedicated to showcasing fresh design tutorials as well as high quality design freebies http://creativenerds.co.uk/
DesignM.ag – a community-based website for web designers and developers including a popular blog, a user-submitted news section, a design gallery, and a design job board http://designm.ag/
Adobe’s Design Centre – see how today’s designers engage with technology and what their experiences mean for design, design tools, and society http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/
Ideas on Ideas – A collection of lengthy, opinionated, and generally unapolo- getic essays on design, brands, and experience. http://www.ideasonideas.com/
o. Top 6 Customer Experience Sites
Logic + Emotion – David Armano’s blog that sits at the intersection of business, design + the social web. http://darmano.typepad.com/
Experience Matters – connecting brands, leaders, employees and customers http://experiencematters.wordpress.com/
Mass Customization and Open Innovation News – Frank Piller’s strategies of value co-creation between organizations and customers http://mass-customization.blogs.com/mass_customization_open_i/
Customers Rock – focusing on customers, their experiences and how business can make them…rock http://customersrock.net/
Gary Vaynerchuk – from the guy who reinvented the wine industry http://garyvaynerchuk.com/
The Experience is the Message by Max Lenderman – the worthiest and most actionable experiential marketing articles, campaigns, research, gossip, shit-talk and other musings http://maxlenderman.wordpress.com/
p. Top 9 eCommerce Sites
Get Elastic – #1 subscribed ecommerce blog providing tips and tricks to improve your ecommerce sites http://www.getelastic.com/
Bazaar Voice – shares insights on social commerce and social media ROI from the team members and clients http://www.bazaarvoice.com/blog/
eCommerce Times – everything you need to know about doing business on the Internet http://www.ecommercetimes.com/
eCommerce and Entrepreneurship Blog- collective of experiences, thoughts, processes and updates from people that are not only actively working in ecom- merce but are also zealous about the industry http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Blog/
Practical eCommerce – insights for online merchants http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles
Shopify.com blog – a blog from a poplar ecommerce software platform http://www.shopify.com/blog
Shop.org blog – content from the preeminent community for ecommerce and multichannel retailers, http://blog.shop.org/
The Forrester Blog for eBusiness Strategy – a roll-up of all the posts from For- rester analysts who serve eBusiness & Channel Strategy Professionals. http://blogs.forrester.com/ebusiness_strategy
JohnChow.com – insights on income generated by the power of blogging http://www.johnchow.com/blog/
q. Top 6 Mobile Sites
Engadget Mobile – popular daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics http://mobile.engadget.com/
Mobile Marketing Watch – the best practices and pulse of the mobile marketing community http://www.mobilemarketingwatch.com/
Communities Dominate Brands – a global view on mobile developments http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/
The Next Web Mobile – the latest on mobile technology and culture http://thenextweb.com/mobile/
Information Week – Mobility – the business value of mobility http://www.informationweek.com/mobility?itc=iwk-header-navbar-mobility
The Location-Based Marketing Association – dedicated to fostering research, education and collaborative innovation at the intersection of people, places and media http://thelbma.com/our-team/
r. Top 8 Measurement/Analytics sites
Avinash Kauskik’s Occam’s Razor – the leading web analytics and research blog http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/
Google Analytics Blog – Google’s official weblog offering news, tips and resources related to Google’s web traffic analytics service http://analytics.blogspot.com/
Which Test Won?- case studies to help inspire and educate the marketing community about testing http://whichtestwon.com/
KD Paine’s Measurement Blog – how to measure public affairs, media relations, social media, internal communications or blogs http://kdpaine.blogs.com/
Comscore Voices – shares perspective on the latest events and trends in global Internet behavior http://blog.comscore.com/
Klout – provides social media analytics to measure a user’s influence across their social network (10+ networks tracked) http://klout.com/home
Sysomos Blog – blog and insight from one of the world’s leading social media analytics companies. http://blog.sysomos.com/
Radian6 Blog – best practices and insights from the world’s biggest social media monitor. http://www.radian6.com/blog/
s. Top 7 Philanthropy/Cause-Building Sites
NTEN – where the non-profit technology community meets http://www.nten.org/learn
Chronicle of Philanthropy – the news source for charity leaders, fund raisers, grant makers, and others involved in philanthropic enterprises http://philanthropy.com/section/Home/172
Osorio – the best of not-for-profit advertising and marketing for social causes http://osocio.org/
SOFII – the showcase of fundraising innovation and inspiration http://www.sofii.org/
Beth’s Blog – how networked nonprofits are using social media to power change http://www.bethkanter.org/
Charity Village – Canada’s supersite for the nonprofit sector, with thousands of pages of news, jobs, resources and links. http://www.charityvillage.com
Imagine Canada – a national program to promote public and corporate giving, volunteering and support to the community. http://www.imaginecanada.ca/