What do you recommend for … ?
We’re always asked what our favorite resources, platforms, tools, apps, and plugins are. To save you some time, we’ve put together a list of several of our favorite resources. [Updated: Oct. 2019]
Because we only recommend resources we like and use, we’ve partnered with some of these companies and may receive a commission if you make a purchase.
Resources for Bloggers
If you’re just getting started and don’t need much, Bluehost will work for you. However, we highly recommend WP Engine or Flywheel for a much better overall experience. We only use and recommend WordPress (WP) for your website and the Genesis framework and themes build on that framework because that is what has always worked best in our experience. Never heard of Genesis? Grab the Genesis Beginners Guide for more info.
WordPress.org is the self-hosted platform of WordPress, which means you pay to have it hosted somewhere as opposed to having WordPress host it for you on their platform (WordPress.com). You will want to self-host your blog to have better control.
Not sure which theme works best for your website? Take the quiz and find your perfect theme style.
Blog Resources – Getting Started
- WP Engine Hosting Plans + Freebies – WP Engine
- Flywheel Hosting – Flywheel
- Hosting + Domain Names – Bluehost
- Our Favorite Feminine WP Themes – Restored 316
- StudioPress WP Themes – StudioPress Themes
Building Your Community
- Free Email Marketing – MailChimp
- Powerful Email Marketing + Lead Pages – ConvertKit
- Unique Business Cards – Moo Cards
Photo Resources, Fonts and More
- Beautiful Photos, Graphics, Fonts and More – CreativeMarket
- Free Hi-Resolution Photos – Unsplash
- High-Quality Styled Photos for Branding – SC Stockshop
- Styled Stock Photos for your Social Media – Social Squares
- Photo Editing for your Blog + Social Media – Canva
Productivity (Making your life easier to manage)
- Our Favorite Goal Planner – PowerSheets
- Our Favorite Journals – Write the Word Journals
- Business Planner by Restored 316
- Content Calendar + Content Scheduling by CoSchedule
- Scheduling your Content – Buffer
- Pinterest Scheduling – Tailwind
- Appointment Scheduling – Acuity Online Scheduling
- Learn to Be the Master Your Time – TimeBliss
- Link Shortener – Bit.ly
- Cloud-Based Note Taking – Evernote
- Online Invoicing, Expense Tracking, etc. – FreshBooks
- Square Reader + Online Storefront – Square
Turning Your Blog into Your Business*
- Here’s a law firm that understands working with bloggers – HashtagLegal
- DIY Legal Forms like Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
- Find Affiliates using ShareASale
- Grab the FREE Cheat Sheet + Checklist for Perfectly Pitching Brands
- Live Training on Pitching Brands + Getting Sponsors – Pitch Perfect LIVE
- Sponsorship Contract – Businessese
- Build your Influencer Marketing Disclosure
- Grab the FREE Guide to Creating + Seling your Own Products
- Learn to Launch (or Relaunch) your Own Product or Service
Building Out Your Blog/Website’s Forms*
- Blogging Contracts, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Disclaimer – Businessese
- Legal Policy Generators – Termly.io
- Free Privacy Policy – FreePrivacyPolicy.com
- Privacy Policy Generator & more – PrivacyPolicies.com
*Note: We’re not attorney’s so you should consult your legal team if you have any questions
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