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Not unlike Oprah’s favorite things, this page was created as a way to share with you, my list of favorite online tools, programs and resources for bloggers, entrepreneurs, and designers.
I wanted to provide this page as a helpful collection of blogging resources, many of which I use myself. Whether you sell digital products, print-on-demand gifts, teaching courses or anything else, my goal is to help cut down on the time you spend researching and looking for that perfect “thing” to get you to the next step.
So let’s dive right into it, shall we? Please note that many of the links below are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking through one of them, I will make a commission. This does not cost you anything, and know that I appreciate your support and will continue to add to this page as I find more great tools and resources to help you succeed.
Domain Registration
Your domain is the url of your blog or website. These are companies with whom you register your domain.
Namecheap – Namecheap is my go-to for registering domains. Their fees are competitive – only about $10 per domain (including whois privacy) for a .com. They frequently run promotions for transferring domains from other registrants to Namecheap. They’re my top recommendation for domain registration.
Web Hosting
A hosting service is where your domain will live. Your domain points to your web host and resides on a server of the host company.
WordPress Themes & Website Templates
Themes and blog templates are your website or blog’s architecture. They provide a frame for how your site will look.
StudioPress – Their themes run on the Genesis Framework.
Pretty Darn Cute Designs – Very pretty WordPress themes.
Restored316Designs – Feminine WordPress themes.
Bluchic – Feminine WordPress themes and social media templates.
Etsy WordPress Themes – Like everything else, you can find WordPress themes on Etsy too.
WordPress PLUG-Ins
Plug-ins add functionality to your theme. There are plug-ins available in a wide variety of areas. There are both free plug-ins and premium plug-ins available.
All in One WP Security and Firewall – many settings to increase site security.
YOAST SEO – This plug-in helps with SEO including url strings, meta data and title tags. There’s a free and paid version.
Akismet – for reducing spam.
Really Simple SSL – Switches your site to https.
Datafeedr – Integrates with WooCommerce – importing products into your WooCommerce store.
ThirstyAffiliates – Affiliate link cloaker, management and enhancement.
Revive Social – WordPress plug-in specific to growing your social circle.
Email List Building & Marketing Automation
ConvertKit – List building with lots of integrations – subscriber tagging, forms, automated email sequences, and landing pages. 14 day free trial.
Rocket Responder – You can do email automation and build capture pages with Rocket Responder. They have a 30 day free trial for the individual plan.
Graphic Design Tools
Canva – I love CANVA! Create social media creative content, infographics, Zazzle collections cover images, print on demand shop headers, printables, designs to sell on products and much more!
PromoRepublic – another platform I love for scheduling and building social content with engaging visuals. PromoRepublic combines the built-in design elements of a tool like Canva with an event calendar and idea generator for social media posting and scheduling.
Adobe PhotoshopPrint-on-Demand Platforms
Make money selling your art, designs or photography online with these print-on-demand platforms that make it super easy.
Zazzle – Customization is Zazzle’s standout feature. Any paper products, most notably, custom invitations, are very popular there.
Society6 – A bit more of an artsy vibe here.
Spoonflower – Surface and textile designers will adore selling fabric patterns on Spoonflower, who also owns Roostery.com. Fabric you sell by the yard on Spoonflower can also be sold on home goods (bedding, blankets, tablecloths) via Roostery. Plus SF always has a design challenges to fuel your motivation.
CafePress – Cafepress was one of the first print-on-demand companies on the scene and it’s still going strong. They say you never forget your first and I began selling on CP in 2004 so for me it’s where this all began. A cool thing about selling on Cafepress is that you can create designs for your fave TV shows and movies listed in the Fan Portal. Some of my best-selling products have been designs for two of my favorite shows – ABC-TV’s Bachelor and Bachelorette collection and my Dancing with The Stars collection.
SmugMug – SmugMug is awesome if you’re a photographer -whether you just want a safe place to keep your photos or if you want to start selling your photos.
GreetingCardUniverse – A fun fact about Greeting Card Universe is that cards sold on GCU can be picked up at Target.
PAOM – Acronym stands for Print All Over Me.
Zazzle Resources for Zazzle Designers
zSuperCharger Program with Jen and Elke Clarke – The zSuperCharger is a 6 month program beginning November 2020. This unique program will feature online video modules and live critiques by Jen and Elke Clarke on designs, titles and tags, store categories and collections for people who want to reach consistent $5K months faster on Zazzle. Click this link to the sign-up page, where you’ll be asked for your email address. This will enable you to become part of the Facebook group, as well as give you the opportunity to sign up for the course.
The Profit by Design Academy™ – Jen and Elke Clarke are top level sellers on Zazzle and they’re passionate about teaching other entrepreneurs how to succeed. This Zazzle training course is great for new sellers on Zazzle as well as more seasoned sellers looking to get more focus and vision about their Zazzle business and earning potential.
Read more about The Profit by Design Academy™ in this Blog Post
Niffty ToolZ – Mark is another Zazzler who creates awesome promotional tools for sellers and/or affiliates on Zazzle and Society6.
Pinnable Images Tool – Create pinnable mockups of your Zazzle collections.
Premium Graphics, Clipart, Stock Photo and Mock-up Resources
Inky Deals – One of the reasons I like Inky Deals is that most of their products come with an extended use license for unlimited use on commercial products.
Pixistock – Stock photos and graphics templates.
Freebies – Fonts, Designs, Stock Photos
Pixabay – Free images and royalty-free stock photos.
Unsplash – Stunning collection of photographs all free to use.
Creative Market – Sign up today and don’t miss the weekly freebies! Every Monday Creative Market offers 6 products for FREE download.
FontBundles – Free fonts selection
DesignBundles – Free design resources
Pixelo.net – Freebies
Fonts Resources
Stock Photos
Adobe Stock
Productivity Tools
Evernote – Evernote is great for list-makers who want an organized way to maintain the madness. I use the free version although there are paid levels.
Fiverr – Fiverr started as a place where you could hire people to do all kinds of things for only $5. But it has evolved and grown greatly since. If you’re looking for a place to sell a service or buy a service, Fiverr is a great destination. For building your business as a buyer, you can hire someone to design your logo, build your website, write content and blog posts, take over your social media, do voiceovers and so much more. Browse around and you’ll get all kinds of ideas of things you could gig out or ways you could sell your own service to make some money.
AppSumo – AppSumo has huge savings and deals on all sorts of web-related products. Often a one-time discounted rate for lifetime access on platforms and services that would normally cost you a monthly fee. Sign up for AppSumo alerts so you don’t miss anything. I’ve bought several AppSumo deals including Grum instagram scheduler and PromoRepublic.
IFTTT – Set up all types of recipes or applets for IF This Then That scenarios to reduce your to-do list and increase productivity. Like, if I publish a blog post also publish it to twitter and facebook. Or something silly like, get a notification if the International Space Station passes over your house.
Productivity Bundle – This is jam-packed bundle with help for time management and goal setting. Includes ecourses, workbooks, printables, and more.
Online Courses and Learning
Skillshare – Sign up for free and you have access to nearly 30k video classes – from typography to procreate to writing to illustration. You can also teach classes on Skillshare to earn money.
Teachable – Teach and create your own online class.
A Beautiful Mess – Courses on Blogging, Social Media, Photography, Organization and Podcasting.
FREE Email Course – Build a Powerful Online Presence
Social Media Posting Tools
Linktr.ee – One bio link to showcase multiple url destinations.
SEO Management & Research
RavenTools – Get a 14 day free trial on sign up.
Answer the Public – Is a good content idea generator. Enter a keyword and find related search terms people are looking for.
Conferences
Affiliate Summit Conference: Meet and mingle with other affiliate marketers and merchants from all affiliate networks in one place. This is the premier conference dedicated to making money online through affiliate marketing.
Having been a long-time attendee of Affiliate Summit, I can honestly say it’s always the most inspiring and motivating event to recharge and redirect my focus and energy. Learn affiliate marketing from the best in the industry through networking parties, classes and seminars.
Book Publishing for Authors
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing
These products, platforms, tools and websites are an asset in the toolbox of any blogger or entrepreneur trying to make money online, build a website, email list or brand on the web.
