Marvette’s Recommendations & Top Tools
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Marvette’s Top Recommendations & Blogging Tools
Creating an online business can be a daunting task if you allow it to be. Creating a blog site without a road map is the equivalent of driving to your destination without any directions. This page will get you jumpstarted with many of the tools that you will need to get started. Everything from your email list, domain, hosting, print-on-demand, graphics, and more, is right here!
I tell new, intermediate as well as seasoned bloggers when in Rome, do as the Romans. The same holds true for blogging. The waters have already been tested for you. If the top bloggers that are earning mega bucks are using these tools on their sites, then you may want to follow suit. This blogging tool list will get you jumpstarted. There are free tools for blogging as well as paid blogging tools. None of the recommendations are expensive.
These are a few of the best investments you’ll make for your business.
The Best Hosting Companies For Your Blog
Here are my top three hosting companies that I recommend. In order to have full control over your blog and grow your audience, you need to be self-hosted. As a blogger, one of the most important decisions you will make is whether to self-host your blog or not. If you are not self-hosted, please keep in mind this critical factor- YOU DO NOT OWN YOUR BLOG!
Bluehost
hosting
Affordable hosting that includes a free SSL Certificate and 24/7 support via chat or phone. This is who I use, I have not had any issues.
Site Ground
hosting
Affordable hosting that includes a free SSL Certificate.le of a bio.
Hosting plans start at $4.95 per month. Great option for wordpress users.
Indigoblu
Domain name & hosting
Affordable hosting that includes a free SSL Certificate. This is my favorite hands down as it is my company. Make sure you register you domain here.
- Namecheap provides hosting, domain names and more.
Best Themes & Site Design For Your Blog
Themes matter in the big scheme of your business. You can opt-in for a “FREE” theme, but know that there is a reason why the theme is free. Get a quality theme, that you can grow with. Most “Free’ themes do not provide updates or continued support.
17th Ave Designs
Premium Web Themes
Stunning & Stylish website designs. I promise they are easy to install and can be tweaked to look completely custom. I use 17th Ave Design Templates for all of my blog sites.
Mediavine Trellis
Web Themes
Speed-Optimized WordPress Framework.
I see a ton of bloggers using trellis with good reviews.
WordPress
Web Themes
Don’t sleep on the web themes that are designed for WordPress. They are worth taking a look at. Make sure you select a premium one vs. free (Free normally does not have any developer support.
Blog Copywriting
Copy.ai
Copywriting
This right here was my aha moment in blogging. I was able to generate a solid, well-written blog article in under 10 minutes. This has been a game changer for me..
This is a must-have for any new blogger that is just getting started. I use all three of these programs.
Jasper
Copywriting
Jasper is intuitive ai copywriting that will enable you to write better content for your blog post and social media postings. You simply can’t go wrong with using Artificial Intelligence to assist you in writing your blog articles.
If you are feeling stuck with you writing, then I suggest you give it a try.
Simplified
copywriting
Simplified is so much more than just copywriting. Simplified can generate quotes for social media, graphics, etc. It is the whole kit and caboodle as they say. This is my favorite!
Omg! I’ve written 10+ new blog articles in a matter of a few hours. This is changing everything for me.
WordPress Plugins For Blog Sites
Plug-ins add functionality and features to your WordPress site.
Yoast
SEO
Yoast is one of my favorite plugins to keep you on track when it comes to SEO.
You can just use the free version. It does not take the place of SEO~ it is a good guide to utilize in conjunction with your own one-page SEO
Grow By Mediavine
Social Sharing
You have to have a way to share your content from your blog page and this is what I swear by. Not only can you share, but you can also decide what images and info are shared on Pinterest pins and other social media platforms such as FB and Twitter.
WP Rocket
Caching Plugin
It’s the most powerful solution to boost your loading time, improve your PageSpeed score, and optimize your Core Web Vitals. Page Speed is crucial to technical SEO – Read More in What is SEO It will help with technical SEO
Email Marketing For Blogging And More
You need to collect email addresses so you have a direct connection to your readers.
ConvertKit
email marketing
ConvertKit is the go-to marketing hub for creators that helps you grow and monetize your audience with ease.
Mail Chimp
email marketing
Grow your audience and your revenue. Win over new and repeat customers by sending emails and automation from a marketing platform that has expert advice built in.
Constant Contact
email marketing
Get everything you need to attract new customers and keep the ones you have with our easy-to-use, all-in-one digital and email marketing platform
Graphic Design Tools For Blogging And More
Create the graphics you need to market your blog online
Canva
Graphics
Canva is the go-to for most bloggers. You can create anything in Canva and you don’t need a graphic design background to figure it out.
Adobe Express
graphics
Adobe is the King of everything related to graphic arts. Adobe Express is very intuitive and will help you to create stunning graphics
Fiverr
graphics
If you simply don’t have the time or desire, then find the perfect freelance service for your business.
Stock Photos
You need pictures for your pins and your blog posts. You can use free photos, I simply prefer to have photos that aren’t on every other blog site.
Deposit Photos
images & videos
Royalty-free stock images at affordable prices on Depositphotos ⬇ Download stock photos for commercial use ✓ Pictures, videos, and music for every topic.
Adobe Stock
images & videos
Browse through millions of high-quality images, graphics, 3D objects, & templates. Find the right assets to enhance your next creative project.
Pexels
images & videos
Pexels provides high-quality and completely free stock photos licensed under the Pexels license
Everything Else
You need pictures for your pins and your blog posts. Never rely on a free site for your images as you set yourself up for liability.
TailWinds
Tailwind picks the post times when your audience is most responsive so you can get the most engagement out of every post. Tailwinds allows you to schedule your Pinterest Pins in a snap. You can upload multiple pins and schedule to multiple boards at the same time.
Centered
Focusing
Centered is an app that simply keeps you on track. I use it daily to complete my to-do lists. member bio. Centered is an app that applies mindfulness techniques (focus, mono-task, breathe, block distractions, etc.) to help users achieve a “Flow State” to get more work done.
Thrive Cart
funnels – Courses
Get ThriveCart to create high converting checkout pages, upsells, sales funnels & more. Create High Converting Checkout Pages, Upsells, Sales Funnels & More With ThriveCart. Funnel
Thrive Cart started out as a way for me to connect my products to a more robust shopping experience – the implementation of thrive cart learn makes it worth the one-time fee.
Logo Designs For Your Blog Site
Don’t break the bank trying to create a logo, you can create one in canva or even adobe express. However, if you want to splurge and spend $20, then check out the designers below.