Whether you’re doing it alone or with the help of a team, running your own website takes a lot of work. Beyond creating your website, you have to update it regularly to keep visitors coming. However, this is easier said than done.
Site maintenance requires work on areas such as coding, marketing, SEO, and even some graphic design. Due to the many tasks involved, some may end up getting neglected. In addition, working on the Internet can be a challenge, as distractions abound online.
Thankfully, there are many available tools that can boost productivity. Here are five that you should consider trying out:
-
Evernote
Evernote is more than just an online note-taking app that allows you to list down your ideas wherever you are. The app also allows you to catalogue your research, create a “to do” list, manage your schedule, and even collaborate with your colleagues.
Another key feature that makes Evernote so handy is its broad cross-platform support. This simplifies accessing your notes among your different devices. It’s available for free on Android, iOS, Windows, and OSX. However, more advanced features require a paid subscription.
-
Freedom
Let’s admit it, we spend a lot of time at work inadvertently checking our social media and messaging apps. If you need help cutting down, then Freedom is the app for you. What it does is simple: it just blocks out any site for a specified period of time, letting you concentrate on getting your work done.
Short of going through a total social media detox, using Freedom is the best option for you. This app is available for a 7-day free trial, with a $6.99 monthly subscription fee. While it’s not free, it does its job so well that you can easily consider it as money well spent.
-
Trello
Because managing a website can be demanding, organizing all your tasks can help increase your chances of completing them.
Trello allows you to keep track of everything through different boards. For example, you can have separate boards for content-related tasks, SEO, and web design. At the same time, you can track the status of individual tasks via lists. You can do this by moving these tasks into different lists depending on its current status.
Trello is available for free on Android, iOS, Windows, and OSX. However, teams and heavy users can opt in for a paid subscription that offers better integration with other productivity apps.
-
Pomodoro Apps
The Pomodoro technique is a simple way to keep you productive at work. It involves four cycles of 25-minute working periods, followed by 5-minute breaks. However, the fourth break is slightly longer at 15 to 20 minutes. By working in short bursts, this system aims to keep the mind fresh.
There are multiple free Pomodoro timer apps you can download on Google Play and iTunes. Some even track your stats to help you further improve your focus. You can also access various Pomodoro websites that offer a simple way to track your progress on your work station.
-
BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo is a powerful tool if you’re stuck looking for something to write about. The app’s basic features allow you to find the most shared content on a given topic or from a specific domain. It also shows information on how each page is shared online. You can even select what type of content shows up on your search results (i.e. articles, infographics, and videos).
It’s a very useful source for planning your social media content. Though it’s available for free on their website, a monthly subscription of $99 allows for more in-depth content analysis and domain comparison results.
Enhancing Willpower with Technology
These tools are more than just gimmicks. A study from Cornell University found that apps like these succeeded at improving the productivity of students enrolled in an online course. This translated to 27 percent more assignments accomplished and a 40 percent higher chance of finishing the course.
Don’t let distractions put a damper on your productivity. These five different apps are at your disposal to bolster your self-discipline and get things done.
You can also stay updated by subscribing to iTechCode.