8 Tools to Set up a Blog Website and Win the Internet
Earlier this month, I set up a brand-new book blog – Book Blabber. Wait! Is it still July? OK, looks so. Would be publishing book summaries and top recommendations for marketers and content creators there. I also compile tips, lessons and quotes from different books. And I’ve already imported a bunch of articles.
This article lists the tools I use to maintain and grow my blog. Yes, you can use them, too.
Check them out.
[Disclosure: Bear in mind that some links in this post are affiliate links. And when you go through them and make a purchase, I will earn a commission.]
1. Publii to build website
Publii is primarily a blogging tool. It’s free, it’s fast, and it’s completely offline. It’s a static Content Management System that lives on your hard drive. You can build and manage multiple blog sites with one single app. What more? You don’t need multiple credentials to remember.
Blogs created with Publii are ultra-fast. You can also set up a full-fledged website with some tweaking. Publii is best for building blogging websites, though.
Download Publii static website builder
2. Netlify to host website
Netlify offers cloud hosting and backend services for static websites. That’s why it’s the perfect companion for sites built with Publii. It has a documented article to set up and connect static websites with Netlify hosting.
You can build a fast and modern website with Netlify without worrying about its management and maintenance. It’s easy to use and has a free plan (with plenty of storage to host multiple blog sites). On top of it, you also get free SSL for your blog.
All you need is to “sync” your website via Publii when you need to push your latest article(s) on the Internet.
Sign up for Netlify cloud hosting
3. GoDaddy to buy domain
GoDaddy does need no introduction. It’s the world’s largest domain registrar, with hundreds of domain name extensions to choose from.
You can buy your domain on Netlify itself for automatic connection with your website. Or you can choose to buy it from a domain provider like GoDaddy. It’s simple to forward your domains to your hosting. Read how to connect custom domains to Netlify hosting service.
Book your domain name on GoDaddy
4. Pabbly Connect for social sharing
Pabbly Connect is an automation tool to connect multiple applications quickly. You can select triggers and set up workflows to automate your tasks. It doesn’t take long to set up.
With Pabbly, you can pull your website’s RSS feed. You can connect your social media profiles and add a post template to share the latest blog automatically. When you publish something, Pabbly will perform the tasks assigned.
Pabbly Connect comes with monthly/yearly paid plans. Lifetime offers are also available.
5. SendFox to manage newsletters
SendFox is among the most affordable email newsletter platforms available. You can maintain multiple lists, build quick sign-up pages and send emails to your subscribers. Another benefit of SendFox is that you can automate sharing your latest blog with your subscribers.
SendFox starts with a free plan (with a limit of up to 1,000 contacts). By paying a one-time fee, you can extend the contacts limit to 5,000. With a paid plan, you also get to other features, like running email-based automated campaigns.
6. Carrd to build sign-up page
Carrd is a no-code landing page builder to build one-page sites for pretty much anything. You can make an attractive newsletter sign-up page, connect it to SendFox (or other platforms) and start collecting newsletter sign-ups. It has plenty of templates to pick and customise.
You can test Carrd with its free plan. It’s simple and intuitive. The paid plans give you much more leverage in the form of plugins, templates and custom domain integration.
Try Carrd landing page builder
7. Grammarly to check grammar
Grammarly is a boon to bloggers. No matter how much I don’t like it for its weird suggestions, I can’t go without it. Grammarly is a comprehensive tool to help refine your blog, from grammar to style and tone.
Grammarly has a free plan. I would recommend you to take the paid one. One subscription takes care of all your grammar needs across documents, social media and messages.
Buy Grammarly writing assistant
Also check these five tools to help you in content writing
8. Canva for graphic designs
Canva, as you might already know, is the design behemoth. I’m pretty much done if not for Canva. And you’ll agree to that when you browse through its extensive library of stock images, design elements and templates. It handles everything from social media creatives to blog header images with ease.
Its free plan has plenty to help you create sparkling graphic designs. With paid plans, you can create and manage your brand kit, resize and repurpose your graphics, and do much more.
Also check these five graphics tools for social media posts
Wrapping It Up
That sums up my current blogging tools stack for my book blog. Hoping it will help you set up your blog website and win the Internet. Check Book Blabber out if you don’t find time for books. I summarise books about marketing, creativity and business there.
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And if you feel this post helped you today, you can send me a coffee… It’s up to you; you can choose not to.
[Disclosure: Bear in mind that some links in this post are affiliate links. And when you go through them and make a purchase, I will earn a commission.]