TOP 10 FREE TOOLS FOR BLOGGERS
So I was sitting here thinking of all the great tools for success that I have discovered in my first few months of blogging. I happened to think to myself I really should create a list of these and share them with my fellow bloggers. So today I have compiled a list of great tools for new bloggers just getting started. Some of these are very basic, but some of you may find them extremely helpful in beginning your blogging journey. I really hope that you find these tips helpful, and can utilize them just like I have to grow your blog and to begin to reach more followers. I am not an expert on all things blogging, but if you have any questions on how I have utilized these you can feel free to leave a comment below and I will try to answer in a timely fashion. Feel free to follow me on any and all of my social networks and my blog, I love to help fellow bloggers and I am great at engaging and collaborating with other bloggers.
Social sharing and bookmarking sites..... These are websites that you use to share your content, discover other content and grow your viewers and readers. My favorites so far have been Stumbleupon Reddit Pocket Bloglovin'
Social media..... Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin Google+ Social Media sites can be a great tool to help reach others with your blog posts and increase traffic to your blog. There are more social media sites available than just the ones I have listed here, but these are the ones I use the most and have had the most success with so far. Pinterest could technically be considered a social media as well, however I have kept it separate for this post to explain further how I use Pinterest and the best ways to use it.
Terms Feed...Terms feed is a great tool for new bloggers looking to create Terms and Conditions, EULA, Return and Refund policy, Cookie policy and Disclaimers. check them out here... Terms Feed
Free Plug ins and themes... There are many great free plug-ins out there for new and experienced bloggers but the best ones I have found for me have been Yoast SEO, Google Analytics, Akismet Anti spam, Subscribe 2, Contact forms by WP forms. There are many great themes that are offered for free, I am sure there are a lot of great paid themes as well but they are not necessary. My theme is OceanWP, it has a lot of great options and works best for my blog and what I need it to do. Take the time to really research the best themes for you and make sure that it is an updated theme within the last few years.
Free photo websites or a photographer friend....There are some great websites that offer quality photos you can use for free when you are getting started blogging. I have found these very helpful and have found many of my great photos on these websites. I have also utilized a sister of mine who loves photography for great photos with her permission. Make sure you give them credit or pay them something in the future as you grow you blog. My sister Rachel has done an excellent job on some of the photos I have used on my blog, and I truly appreciate her help. Pexels Unsplash Pixabay
ProBlogger podcast and blog.... Pro Blogger has been a huge resource to me as I have begun blogging. Pro Blogger is created by Darren Rowse who is a profesional blogger and business owner from Australia. He has a weekly free podcast and blog posts to help you grow and improve your blog. Check him out here for more details and subscribe to his podcast, you will not be disappointed. ProBlogger
You Tube videos...There are many ways to use You Tube videos to help as a new blogger. The most helpful way for me was to look up videos that pertain to helping create your blog and issues you may find along the way. There are great step by step videos all sorts of blogging questions you may have. You Tube
Pinterest.... Pinterest is Amazing! It is one of my favorite guilty pleasures to just search for anything and find great answers to everything I may have questions on. I love Pinterest for blogging questions for new bloggers though because there are so many other bloggers who have had similar issues who have created great content to hep you through some of these questions you may have. If you have a new blog o business you should definitely create a Pinterest business page and begin to grow you audience as a business. Pinterest
Your local library....A great free resource for bloggers is your own local library. You can find great books and resources specific to topics you are blogging on, blogging issues and web design and all for free.
Create you own logos and banners for free with Canva.... Canva is one of the tools I have used to help create many different things for free for my Blog. You can create Logos, banners, tools for Facebook and Pinterest and so much more. You can check out Canva here for more Information. Canva