I’m often asked for recommendations. Here’s a list of services that I personally use for myself or clients.
Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase from one.
Hosting Services
Bluehost
If you are starting your own WordPress site on a budget, I recommend Bluehost as your hosting provider. As an added bonus, it’s extremely user-friendly for beginners {DIY tutorial}.
Siteground
If you’re looking for more speed, Siteground is the next option. They do monitor your usage closely and track the number of site visits per month, so as you grow you may need to upgrade to one of their bigger plans.
WP Engine
If you’re looking for a powerful hosting plan, I recommend WP Engine because it does incredibly well in availably and speed tests. Use my referral link to take 10% off any new WP Engine shared hosting plan. That’s a total of 3 months free when combined with their regular 2 month discount on annual subscriptions. You also receive the Genesis Framework and 36 StudioPress Themes included for over $2,000 in value.
Website Services
Updraft Plus
Once you put hard work into your website, you need to ensure you’re regularly backing it up. I use and recommend UpDraftPlus for “set and forget” maintenance.
Social Media
Tasty Pins
Don’t let the name of this one fool you; this gem is for websites of all kinds, not just recipes. Tasty Pins allows you to optimize each of your posts for Pinterest by adding multiple pin-worthy images to each post that only show up when a user goes to pin your content. This way you can provide lots of pinnable options without cluttering your post. PLUS you can optimize each image by adding a suggested pin description, alt text for an SEO boost, and so much more. It’s incredibly affordable and comes with a satisfaction guarantee. A must have!
Tailwind
Tailwind is a simple to use, but powerful, social media scheduler for Instagram and Pinterest. My favorite Instagram perks include: scheduling, automatic posting, 9-grid preview, suggested hashtags based on popularity, saved hashtags for future use, and analytics. My favorite Pinterest perks include: scheduling, recommendations, promotions, analytics, and invaluable Tailwind Tribes.
Later
Using an approved Instagram partner is important to keep your account safe. Later lets you visibly plan and schedule your Instagram posts and stories too. With advanced features like analytics and hashtag suggestions, this is more than just a scheduler. You can also curate content to repost from other accounts.
Marketing
MiloTree
MiloTree is the clear winner for sleek, easy-to-use popups that grow your social media followers and email list. Pop-ups for Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, and email all included PLUS you can choose to have them rotate so visitors see a different one each time.
Slick Text
Drive traffic to your business by sending text messages to your customers with updates and promotional offers.
Pony Express
Another text option if SlickText is out of your budget.
MailChimp
MailChimp is the perfect starter email marketing provider. You can easily set up opt-in forms, landing pages, etc. to grow your list and it’s a free option for up to 2,000 subscribers.
ConvertKit
For serious marketers with a strong desire to grow their email marketing, ConvertKit is the answer. It has beautiful forms, landing pages, automations, and integrations with other services.
LeadPages
Leadpages helps small businesses connect, collect leads, and close sales. It has easy-to-build landing pages, pop-ups, alert bars, etc. and syncs with popular email marketing providers.
Fonts
Creative Market
With nearly 30,000 fonts available, you’re guaranteed to find one you love. These font sets feature hand-drawn, brush, and vector letterforms, along with extra character sets and embellishments for headers, text, and display.
WordMark.it
If you are a font collector like me, then you will love this website! You can preview ANY word or phrase with ALL of the fonts currently installed on your computer. This is so helpful when looking for that perfect font for your project.
Google Fonts
When you don’t have the perfect font already on your computer, head over to Google Fonts to browse endless options. Use them online or download to your computer.
Graphics
Ivory Mix
Ivory Mix has both free and paid membership levels for high-quality stock photos with generous terms of use/licenses. She releases new photos every month in areas like business, parenting, creatives, wellness, holidays etc. I have a membership and highly recommend it.
Haute Stock
Haute Stock is another styled stock photo subscription site with gorgeous photos designed for female entrepreneurs. You can grab FREE stock photos when you join the email list, plus monthly freebies and branding tips.
Word Swag
Chances are many of those cute quotes on Instagram that you double tap came from this free app. Upload your own backgrounds/photographs or choose from thousands of free ones in the app. Then add your quote/text and let WordSwag work its magic with hundreds of unique layouts and colors.
Watermark Pro
Branding your content is so important! Use this app to save your watermark size, transparency, and placement. Then you can apply it in bulk to your uploaded photos. I have templates saved for vertical, horizontal, and square photo sizes.
Organization
Erin Condren
In spite of being techy, I am hands-down a paper planner girl. After trying lots of options in the past, I continue to go back to the Erin Condren life planner year after year. Plus she has lots of other stylish accessories to go with it.
