The Ultimate List of Tools & Resources I Use To Grow My Blog

When starting to blog, it would have been a lot easier to have a list of resources telling me which tools would work for me. There wasn’t. It was a case of hit and miss, which made the process a lot longer but means that I have the experience of testing out new products to know which ones have helped me to grow my email list to 4000 subscribers in just six months.

Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of fabulous websites out there with a list of resources but it was finding the ones that worked for ME. So here I have a list of amazing resources and tools that can help you to grow your blog too!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

WEB HOSTING AND DOMAINS

SITEGROUND
I’ve used Siteground since day one and have no intention of changing. Their customer service is spot on. I’ve managed to break my blog several times but their fabulous customer service team resolved it within the hour. Life savers! I started my blog for only £57.00 for the entire year and that wasn’t even in the cheapest plan either. Definitely worth the hype!

GODADDY
GoDaddy is another service that I’ve been using from day one too. Want to know how much I bought my domain for (www.paperscribblesco.co.uk)? £4.35. Yup. $5 for a domain that lasts a whole year. BARGAIN. Of course the domain that you choose could be priced differently but regardless of that the service is super cheap and worth every little penny, and more! I’ve heard the customer service is brilliant but I haven’t even had to use them. The process of buying my domain and setting it up with my web-host (Siteground) was so easy that I’ve not once had to contact their customer service team for help.

EMAIL MARKETING

CONVERTKIT
I create my monthly newsletters using Convertkit. I’ve used Mailchimp in the past but I’ve found that Convertkit is much easier to grow your email list and launch a course for your readers. If you haven’t yet got an email list then I highly recommend that you start one like yesterday. Your email list allows you to speak directly to your readers who are genuinely interest in YOU.

I can honestly say that one of the main reasons that I’ve gained 4000 subscribers in just over six months is because of my opt-in freebies. I offer my readers FREE planner printables each month which are sent directly to their email address. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without Convertkit.

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS

TAILWIND
I think that Tailwind is probably my favourite blogging tool EVER and is 100% worth the small amount of money. I honestly don’t think I’d have grown my blog without it. If you’ve not yet heard of Tailwind then it’s a really simple app that allows you to schedule your pins in advance. Perfect if your highest engagement time with your readers is at 2am/3am!! You will NOT catch me pinning at that time. This girl likes to sleep.

You can grab a free 30-day trial as well as your first month FREE with this link.

BUFFER
I use Buffer to schedule my Facebook and Instagram posts in advance. I use the free version and find that it is more than enough for me. It allows you to schedule up to 10 posts per social media account. However if you’re incredibly organised and like to batch your social media posts then the Pro version might be better suited for you.

Buffer is super easy to set up and use. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing that your social media is done and dusted for the next week or two 🙂

CREATIVE MARKET
If you’re serious about growing your blog then your social media has to be SPOT ON. Be consistent with your posts and ensure that the content is appealing and relevant. You probably know that Instagram Stories have blown up lately. Literally everyone is using them and why not? They last 24 hours on your feed so your readers are more likely to view your posts.

If you’re hopeless at coming up interesting content for your Instagram Story feed like I am then Creative Market has gorgeous templates that you’ll love! Once you sign up they also give away 6 freebies EVERY Monday. I’m sold.

BLOG THEMES

ETSY
I bought my WordPress theme from a shop on Etsy which has recently shut down for good. Wah! However I’m always on the hunt for new blog themes and there a lots more shops that have stunning, feminine blog templates. HelloYouDesignStudio has the prettiest themes and she is super helpful with customers who are struggling to get their theme up and running.

RESTORED 316 DESIGNS
This is another website that sells beautiful blog templates. Restored 316 Designs has everything from feminine themes to minimalist and natural designs.

Struggling to decide which theme to choose? Take the Which Theme is Best For Your Business quiz to help you decide!

STOCK PHOTOS

STYLED STOCK SOCIETY 
My absolute favourite website for stock photos. The majority of my stock photos are from Styled Stock Society. I am obsessed with them. They suit my blog theme perfectly and add a little OMPH to my blog posts. If you’ve not yet considered stock photos for your blog then I seriously recommend that you start saving them. I’m definitely no pro with the camera so these gorgeous photos save me tons of time.

Most stock photo website only offer their photos in sets whereas you can purchase these in singles if there is a particular one that you love (which is most likely be them all).

OTHER STOCK PHOTOS

 Oh Tilly
Ivory Mix
Haute Chocolate
Creative Market
Pexels

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

One of the quickest ways that I grew my blog is through affiliate marketing. Joining affiliate programs not only allows you to monetize your blog from day one but it also stretches your imagination with the various types of blog posts that you can write about!

AWIN
AWIN is one of the largest affiliate programs out there with over 2000 advertisers on their platforms. You just sign up to their program and have access to hundreds of advertisers to use to help monetize your blog. AWIN is my #1 program for earning an income, with Etsy being my top performer.

SHAREASALE
ShareASale is also owned by AWIN but has programs that are more tailored to US/International brands whereas AWIN is tailored to the UK. I currently use Tailwind and Erin Condren through the programme and I’m seeing great results, plus it’s free!

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