27 must have blogging tools for you
When you are starting out your blog venture, good thing to know is what blogging tools you should use. I know that every start is harsh, so I will try to make it easier for you.
Listed in this post are 27 blogging tools, you might end up not using some or you wouldn’t be able to imagine your blogging without them. I hope you will find useful most of them.
Website
1.Domain name
First step towards starting your blog or online business is domain name. Domain name is representing your brand or what you are representing in online world. It could be your name, name of your brand or something more creative. Choose it carefully.
I suggest you buying your domain name at Namecheap, because as their name says you can find cheap domain names. Some start even under 1$.
2.WordPress.org
Another essential tool you’ll need is platform to create your website. Most used is WordPress.org, but you will need hosting (number 3. on this list).
There is also free version WordPress.com that is not recommended if you want to have professional website.
3.Hosting
As mentioned above, hosting is the next thing on must have blogging tools list. There are many hosting companies with various prices.
Most hosting companies list their prices as monthly cost, but you pay for a whole year. For example, you will see 2$/month but you pay 24$ at once.
Some of the most known hosting companies are:
- Siteground – StartUp plan is around 48$ per year and you get SSL certificate
- Bluehost – Basic plan is around 65$ per year and you get SSL certificate
- Bigscoots – you will need around 85$ for basic plan, also you get SSL certificate
First two are great for beginners, third one is when you start generating a lot of traffic.
4.Google Analythics
This is the tool that helps you analyse your traffic, your most popular posts, target audience and more.
WordPress themes
5.Bluchic
If you need feminine WordPress themes, Bluchic is the place for you. They also offer landing page templates, Canva templates and services.
6.Code and coconut
On Code and coconut you can find number of themes for Genesis framework. They also have free course on how to build your first WordPress site.
7.Hello you designs
What makes them unique is step by step guide on how to use the theme and customize it. Hello you designs offers feminine themes for Genesis framework.
8.Elegant Themes
If you like drag and drop systems, Elegant Themes are the best choice for you. The offer Divi themes.
Plugins
9.Yoast
You’ve probably heard about SEO and how important it is for online ventures. The most used plugin for this is Yoast. This blogging tool is must install immediately in order to start your SEO game right away.
Yoas have free version, which is ok for when you start, but if you want to step up your optimization game, you should consider paid version (around 80$ per website).
10.Pretty links
If you want to monetize your blog through affiliate marketing, this plugin is one more must install blogging tool.
Paid version has more options and it costs from 60$ to 200$ a year.
11.Grow by Mediavine
Formerly known as Social pug, Grow by Mediavine is all-in-one social sharing plugin. It only has paid option and it is 34$ for bloggers.
12.Monsterinsights
Monsterinsights is plugin that connects your blog with Google Analytics. It also helps you set up Google Analytics easier.
Free version is enough, but if you want to take a deep dive into your analytics, you can get paid option (from 200$ to 800$).
13.Aksimet
To get rid off spam comments you should install Aksimet plugin. Aksimet filters through spam comments and deletes them. It is free to use and is one more must have of the blogging tools.
14.WP Legal Pages
Your blog must be GDPR complaint in order to be legal and this plug in helps you with that. You can create cookies policies or terms and conditions with only one click.
Email marketing
15.-17.Mailerlite, MailChimp and ConvertKit
All three blogging tools are used for email marketing. You just need to see which one best suits your needs.
MailerLite has free and paid version. It depends on number of subscribers. It is free for up to 1000 subscribers and 12000 emails for month. Prices start at 10$ if any of these numbers is bigger.
MailChimp also has free and paid version. Free version is for up to 2000 contacts.
ConvertKit just started with free version, for up to 100 subscribers but only after you refer a friend. Paid version is 30$ a month.
18.Tailwind
Tailwind is app that will help you generate visitors through Pinterest. Free version is very limited, it is ok for beginning. Paid version is around 120$ a year. If you would like to try Tailwind, click here and get one month free.
19.Optinmonster
Optinmonster is used for lead generation marketing – converting visitors to buyers. You can integrate it with WordPress, MailerLite, MailChimp and CovertKit.
Basic option is around 20$ a month.
20.Clickfunnels
Clickfunnels is one of the best blogging tools to combine marketing with selling digital products. If you have ebook, webinar or online course, you can promote using this tool.
Trail period is 14 days, and if you decide to continue using it you will need to pay around 100$ per month for basic option.
Social Media
21.Hootsuite
Hootsuite is blogging tool used to automatically schedule social media posts at once, across your social media accounts. Trail period is 30 days, after that price is around 30$ a month.
22.Smarterqueue
Smarterqueue also helps you with managing your social media presence. Trail period is 14 days, and paid option starts at 20$.
Stock photography and graphics
Related posts: 12 places to find beautiful stock photography for female entrepreneurs and Top 7 blog stock photos websites
23.IvoryMix
I mentioned IvoryMix in post about free stock photography websites, but she also offers membership which has many photos and it costs around 140$ a year.
24.Creative Market
Creative market is amazing place with a lot of talented people offering their products – fonts, graphics, stock photography.
You can sign up for their newsletter and every Monday you’ll receive six free products (bellow are the current free products).
Powered by Creative Market
Design
25.PicMonkey
If you want to create visuals for your blog, PicMonkey is one of the good blogging tools. It is paid and lot easier to use than let say Photoshop. Basic option is around 8$ a month, and you have 7 day trial period.
26.Canva
My personal favorite free design blogging tool is Canva. Most of the tools are free, but if you want more you can chose paid option for around 120$ a year.
27.Pixl R
Pixl R is free tool for photo editing. It very user friendly and easy to use.
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Great post Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience
Thank you, glad you liked it.