The Creative Blogger’s Toolkit
Take your blog to the next level with these tools
It literally took me 18 years of learning and testing and taking risks (and spending money on tools that didn’t work for me) to make my blog running the way it does now. You don’t have to make the same mistakes I did, waste money finding the right tools, and you sure don’t need to waste 18 years of your life to get it right.
I put together this list so you can save yourself those precious hours and unnecessary costs by investing in the right tools right off the gate.
Here are the tools I use to run and grow my blog/s. I like to keep this list minimalist and clutter-free, because who likes clutter? If they’re on this list, it only means I HIGHLY RECOMMEND them.
Some of these links are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Website Setup
Siteground
Web Hosting and Domain Registration. I’ve tried several web hosting providers in the past 2 decades, and I’ve never been more confident about recommending a web host until I transferred to Siteground. Very affordable, super-fast uptime, but my favorite feature is their very reliable 24/7 chat support that’s unlike any other. Seriously guys, the best web host I’ve been on, considering I’ve dealt with quite a lot of horrible ones. Sign up with Siteground HERE.
WordPress
Content Management System. Hands down the most reliable open-source content publishing software that’s been tried and tested through time. Highly recommended for content-based websites and personal blogs. If you’re using Siteground, you can easily install WordPress through the Siteground panel.
Shopify
Online Shop and E-commerce Management. Shopify is THE BEST when you want to set up shop and promote your products online. We’ve been using Shopify for our letter board business, Lettergram PH, and we love how easy it is to build an online shop (drag and drop!), update product pages, create discount codes, cross-promote products on your social media pages and receive payments without delays. Start selling with Shopify HERE.
Excuse me for the superlatives guys, but I can never recommend these brands enough.. they really are the best.
WordPress Themes
Station Seven
Station Seven is my go-to place for clean and minimalist WordPress themes and design packs. They have a range of themes for WordPress sites, as well as Squarespace themes and other design templates. Check out Stnsvn’s range of design resources HERE.
Restored 316
Restored 316 specializes in classic and feminine WordPress themes that are just too pretty! Also built on Genesis Framework, Restored themes are not only pretty but also fully optimized and packed with features. Take the quiz to know which Restored 316 theme is best for you HERE.
17th Avenue
I almost didn’t want to list this down because I want to keep it to myself, but alright, the secret is out. 17th Avenue is my go-to WordPress theme shop for personal use and my design clients too. They’re the best! Ideal for lifestyle blogs and personal blogs. Check out 17th Avenue’s stylish, chic, and minimalist WordPress themes HERE.
WordPress Plugins
Jetpack
Jetpack loads your WordPress site with advanced features that will allow you to customise, secure, and promote your blog.
Akismet
Prevents your blog from being infested by spam comments.
Google Analytics
Allows you to track your website activities such as traffic, sessions, conversions. Eventually you’ll also need this data when you start pitching for brand sponsorships or applying for affiliate opportunities.
SEO Yoast
This allows you to easily optimise your pages for search engines.
Email List Building
Flodesk
FYI, I just deleted all the email marketing tools in this list. Mailchimp, Mailerlite, Convertkit.. I’ve been wanting to quit all of them for months but couldn’t because I couldn’t better alternative. And then Flodesk happened. The hype is for real, you guys. Everything is beautiful, from its interface to its library of templates. To think they’ve only just begun! Get your Flodesk while it’s still on beta and get a lifetime 50% discount when you use this code.
Content Creation
Promotion and Automation
UNUM
Instagram Scheduling and Analysis. I’m obsessed with UNUM you guys. I forgot how I came across this tool, but since I tried using it I never looked back. I use it for my personal IG content as well as our side-business and clients’ IG accounts.
Tailwind
Pinterest Scheduling Tool. So I jumped into the bandwagon of Pinterest marketing, albeit hesitant at first. But soon as I crossed over, I realized just how much I’ve been missing! Tailwind makes Pinterest promotion so efficient and, when used with Boardbooster, makes your Pinterest promotion a well-oiled machine.
I’ll keep updating this page so do check back for updates!