BLOG Resources

Here’s the inside scoop! Blogging doesn’t need to be a chore. You can make writing, editing, and creating graphics so much easier with these tools. I’ve created a list of all my favorite apps and tools that you may want to check out for your blog, too.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for more information.

Domain Name RegistrarS

Hover - If you want to see if a domain name is available, just type it into Hover. Not only does it show you if the .com is available, but it also shows you all the other URL variations you could choose from (.me, .shop, .online, etc.) as well.

SquareSpace - My favorite place to register a domain name is SquareSpace. The main benefit to this is convenience! Since I use SquareSpace as my blogging platform, the domain name is in the same place - a one-stop-shop, if you will. I don’t have to spend time setting up redirects or confusing DNS names because the registration and the website are in the same place.

Blogging Platform

SquareSpace - If you are looking for a blogging platform that is easy to use even if you aren’t tech-savvy, SquareSpace is for you. You have full control of your site and can make changes to it anytime you’d like. I’ve tried other platforms but after a lot of frustration and being at the mercy of the web host, I now have all three of my blogs hosted on SquareSpace.

SEO and Keyword Research Tools

Ubersuggest - Created by marketing guru, Neil Patel, Ubersuggest is my go-to source for finding related keywords, checking out competitors’ keywords, and seeing which keywords send the most traffic to my site from Google and social media.

Keywords Everywhere - Don’t you wish you could do a search on google and see how many searches there are per month for that phrase? Guess what! You can with Keywords Everywhere. This is one of my favorite tools! I use it on a daily basis as the starting point of all my keyword research.

Writing Assistants

Grammarly - When I’m in writing mode, the most important thing to me is getting the information out of my head. During that time I don’t worry about grammar or punctuation. When I’ve finished writing, I go back and edit for any spelling or grammar mistakes. I USED to hate that job…until I started using Grammarly. Grammarly not only checks my spelling but also makes suggestions for improving sentence structure and punctuation.

Jarvis - Is hiring a blog writer out of your budget? Do you prefer to write your content? Now you can write faster with Jarvis! It’s an AI (artificial intelligence) tool that helps you write blog posts on ANY topic. Or, maybe you need help coming up with blog titles, intro and summary paragraphs, or even blog outlines. Jarvis does all that and more. It’s a secret weapon in my blogging arsenal.

Images and Graphic Design

Canva - You don’t have to be a graphic designer to make beautiful (professional-looking) graphics for your website and social media channels. Canva allows you to set up your favorite fonts, brand colors, and logo so you can create graphics quickly and easily. They have thousands of templates for every type of graphic you could possibly need as well as tons of clipart, videos, and images you can pop into the templates.

Haute Stock - If you want to elevate the look and feel of your site, one of the best ways to do it is with beautiful images. Haute Stock has been my go-to for several years for sophisticated images in beautiful, feminine color palettes. There are thousands of searchable images on this site in curated collections. With a new collection released monthly, these images are perfect for bloggers with a female-focus audience.

Social Curator - The brainchild of social media mentor Jasmine Star, Social Curator at first glance looks like a place for gorgeous stock images. But it’s so much more than that! Every month, you’ll receive a guide to help you focus your social media efforts as well as fill in the blank copy to help you connect with your viewers on a new level. You won’t be just selling, selling, selling. Star helps you create a relationship with your audience that will grow your followers and create true fans of your business.

Social Media Publishing Services

Tailwind - I have been using the Tailwind App for years! If you’re tired of signing on to Pinterest multiple times per day to post, you need this app. It allows you to upload your pins, schedule them on multiple boards, and automate the pinning process. They even have a new tool that allows you to create pins right in the app.

Planoly - One of the nuances of Instagram is to create a beautiful feed with images that can stand on their own as well as reflect your brand’s look and feel. Planoly lets you plan and schedule your Instagram posts and you can see what your feed will look like before you post. Genius!

Email Hosting Services

MailChimp - I used MailChimp for years and it really helped me grow my email list. What I loved about it when I started out was that I could have a FREE account for my first 2000 subscribers. I was on a tight budget and it allowed me to capture emails while not spending money in those early days.

ConvertKit - When your business grows, your needs may change. I needed some additional email tools and automation, so I turned to ConvertKit. This is who I currently use to maintain all my email lists. ConvertKit connects with potential leads and integrates beautifully on my sites. It’s a bit pricier than some other email services, however, it allows me to create landing pages, lead magnets, and automation with ease.

YouTube Tools

vidIQ - If you ever wondered what keywords your competitors’ videos use, then you’ve got to check out vidIQ! There’s also a channel audit, trend alerts, a keyword inspector, and more analytic tools built right into your channel dashboard

TubeBuddy - When you’re ready to take your YouTube channel to the next level, put TubeBuddy on your list of must-have applications. It provides tools such as bulk updates on video cards, multi-language subtitle translator, and next-level analytics.

Course Platforms

Kajabi - One of the most robust learning platforms on the market, Kajabi allows you to create dynamic landing pages, offer bundles, and a course platform that works well on all types of devices. It is currently my go-to platform for all of my online courses.