Tools And Resources for A Great Blogging

Best Blogging Tools and Resources

Blogging software

Self-hosted:

• WordPress.org (recommended)
• B2evolution.net (alternative)
• Concrete5.org (alternative)

Free tools:

• WordPress.com (yourblogname.wordpress.com)
• Blogger.com (yourblogname.blogspot.com)
• Tumblr.com (yourblogname.tumblr.com)

Premium tools:

• TypePad.com (14 days free trail)
• SquareSpace.com (14 days free trail)

Domain research tools

Basic search:

• Pcnames.com — instant domain check engine
• Domize.com — domain name search engine
• Domainr.com — explore the entire domain name space

Advanced search/premium domains:

• DomainSearch — comprehensive searchable database of domain name registration
• WhoisLookup — discover the people or organizations behind a domain name
• DomainMarketplace — research available domains to buy

Additional name search:

• Trademark search — search the USPTO’s database of registered trademarks
• KnowEm — check social profiles

Photo and image galleries

• Flickr — enables bloggers to find images with creative commons that allow commercial use
• Photo Pin — tool makes it very simple to search creative commons photos
• MorgueFile — free stock photos
• FreeImages — leading source of free stock photos

Logo design tools

Free:

• Squarespace logo — logo made easy.
• Logogarden — start with free amazing logo.
• LogoMaker — design a logo and use it on your site for free using their
• HTML code.

Paid:

• LogoYes — design a logo for free and download a high-resolution file for $0.99
• LogoTypeMaker — design a logo for free and download a high-resolution version for $25
• GraphicSpring — create professional looking logos $39.99

Web design and development services

• oDesk — get more done with the help of the freelancer
• Elance — hire great freelancers
• Freelancer — work done easy with the freelancers
• Fiverr — graphics, marketing, fun, and more online services for $5
• Dribbble — community of designers sharing screenshots of their work, process, and projects
• Behance — discover the latest work from top online portfolios by creative professionals
• DesignContest — 1000s of professional designers compete for your business
• 99Designs — get the design you will love from community of designers
• Ebookindiecovers — stylish eBook covers at affordable prices
• Custom Fan Page Designs — get your social media pages custom designed
• Codementor — connects you with experts for urgent issue solving, technical advice, and code review

Graphic & web design tools

• Canva — 100% free tool to create good graphics without designing skills.
• Picmonkey — free easy photo editing! Add filters, frames, text, and effects.
• Gimp.org — free software for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.
• PiktoChart — infographic design app that helps to produce beautiful, high quality graphics (paid).
• Easel.ly — is a simple web tool that empowers anyone to create and share powerful visuals.
• Infogr.am — Create infographics and interactive online charts. It’s free and super-easy!
• Google Charts — interactive charts and data tools that are powerful, simple to use, and free.
• MyeCoverMaker — Create your own 3D eBook cover online.
• QuickPictureTools — this site offers 12 simple and easy online image editing tools.

WordPress themes

• Wpthemedetector — free tool to find all the details about the Word-
• Press theme used by a site.

Free:

• WordPress.org Themes — free WordPress themes directory.
• Topwpthems — free quality and professional Wordpress themes.
• Fabthems — fabulous WordPress themes available for free.
• Fthemes — amazing free WordPress themes site.

Paid:

• StudioPress — professionally designed premium WordPress themes.
• ElegantThemes — beautiful premium WordPress themes.
• Themefuse — premium WordPress themes and WordPress templates.
• Thesis Themes — the ultimate design and template manager for WordPress.
• WooThemes — premium themes, plugins & ecommerce for WordPress.
• InkHive — premium WordPress themes.
• RichWP — responsive premium WordPress themes.
• ThemeForest — various WordPress themes and templates.
• Magazine3 — premium WordPress magazine themes.
• Themify — drag & drop WordPress themes.
• TeslaThemes — modern WordPress themes with clean design.
• MyThemeShop — premium WordPress themes and plugins.
• Press75 — premium WordPress themes.

Video and screen recording tools

• Camtasia — powerful, yet easy-to-use screen recorder and video editor
• Camstudio — record all screen and audio activity on your computer
• Jing — free and simple way to start sharing images and short videos of your computer screen
• Screenr — web-based screen recorder to create and share your screencast around the web
• ScreenFlow — screen recording and editing software for Mac
• FlixPress — create extraordinary videos online in minutes
• IntroMaker — make your own Video with your Logo
• VideoScribe — make your own whiteboard videos, fast

SEO tools

Topics and keywords research:

• Google Keyword Tool — plan your campaigns and learn what your customers are looking for.
• Google Trends — subscribe to get Trends email alerts for the topics you care about.
• Wordtracker — reveal high performing keywords in minutes (Paid).
• LongTail Pro — find profitable keywords faster (Paid).
• Market Samurai — discover the best keywords and your competitors weaknesses.
• UberSuggest — free keyword tool that makes good use of different suggest services.
• Hittail — long tail keyword tool, to help you increase your organic traffic (Paid). WebCEO Backlink
• Quality Check — this tool will help you improve your backlink profile in the post-Penguin era

Content marketing tools

• ScribeContent — content optimization software for online marketing and SEO.
• TrendSpottr — supercharge content marketing for brands and publishers.
• Contently — best solution for high-end brand publishing.
• Soolve — search suggestions and completions from the top providers on the internet.
• SlideShare — share what you know and love through presentations, infographics, documents.
• SocialCrowlytics — identify the influencers & your competitor’s most shared content.
• ShareGrab — get the most shareable content from any Facebook page, whenever you need it.
• Clicktotweet — the easiest way to promote & advertise your stuff on Twitter.
• Triberr — community of bloggers come together to read and share great content.
• Dlvr.it — save time, share smarter, and engage your audience everywhere.

Copywriting and content tools

• The Golden Ratio Typography Calculator — discover the perfect typography for your site.
• Copyscape — search for copies of your page on the web.
• ZenWriter (PC) — only you and your thoughts.
• OneLook — dictionary search of words and phrases.
• Google Alerts — monitor the web for interesting new content.
• WordCounter — web-based word counter.
• Calibre — one stop solution for all your e-book needs.
• Scrivener — writing software for Mac and Windows.
• FreeMind — free mind mapping software.
• DivvyHQ — content planning and workflow tool.
• Diigo — is a multi-tool for knowledge management and better reading.
• Topic Generator — don’t know what to blog about? This tool will help.
• HTML Cleaner — convert Word content to clean html code

Email marketing tools

• AWeber — email marketing services and software solutions for small business.
• MailChimp — the best way to design, send, and share email newsletters.
• MadMimi — simple way to send newsletters, grow your subscribers and manage your emails.
• CampaignMonitor — easy to attract subscribers and send them beautiful email newsletters.
• ConstantContact — suite of tools to help you reach, engage, and acquire new customers through email.
• GetResponse — email marketing software and autoresponder.
• Litmus — test and track your email campaigns, so you can put your best design forward.
• Vero — send emails based on what your customers do.
• Customer.io — send targeted human messages to your users, by utilizing their unique interactions with your business. Evercontact — keep your contacts always up-to-date

Site analytics and optimization tools

• Google Analytics — web analytics and reporting.
• Clicktale — better digital customer experience better business.
• CrazyEgg — visualize where your visitors click.
• Unbounce — build, publish & A/B test landing pages without technical skills.
• HubSpot — inbound marketing software platform that helps companies attract visitors.
• Visual Website Optimizer — A/B Testing Software for Marketers.
• Optimizely — improve conversions through A/B testing, split testing and multivariate testing.
• Clicky — real time web analytics.
• KISSmetrics — customer intelligence and web analytics.
• Mint Analytics — a fresh look at your site with Mint web analytics application.
• MixPanel — advanced analytics platform in the world for mobile & web.
• BrokenLinkCheck — free tool to check for broken links.
• Pingdom — free website speed test tool.
• Google PageSpeed — check speed of your website on all devices.
• Browsershots — check how your browser works in all browsers

Custom email sign up tools

• MailMunch — grow your email list.
• OptinMonster — get more email subscribers.
• Popup Domination — grow Your Email List Using the World’s Leading
• Email Capture Software.
• OptinSkin — add opt-in forms and social share buttons to your posts in
• seconds.
• Hellobar — header bar to display your message.
• LeadPages — the easiest way to create mobile friendly landing pages.
• OptimizePress — is the new way to create high converting landing pages and sales pages.
• Sumo — free toolkit for growing your traffic

Shopping cart and product distribution tools

• E-Junkie — shopping cart for selling downloads and tangible goods.
• ClickBank — leader in marketing of digital products.
• PayPal — powerful tools for your business