Blogging Resources
Blogging is now the most intensive and resourceful practice to build your professional world. It is common among two kinds of people; either they are industrialists or non-industrialists that’s why it is called another corporate world.
In my blogging career, I got at least 300+ emails from my blog’s visitor regarding basic resource that needs to build a better blog. So I came through this resource page, it may work as a starter guide to make a blog, as a suggestion to newbies and as a recommendation for who wants to help us. I’ll highly recommend you to read the entire resource thoroughly and bookmark this page for future use as it contains little but most precious things for blogging.
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WordPress
If you are going to design a blog then the design and architecture of your blog should be proper and impressive. And for this WordPress helps you, WordPress is featured with architecture and template system and it is the most popular Blogging System. It’s free as well as a premium open-source of a blogging platform. Click Here To Download.
Hosting
In the blogging world, the word Hosting is very much important, basically Hosting means a Host or Control to which all data and computers are connected through the internet. Internet hosting should be reliable and a good one, Internet Hosting Services includes Software as a Service, Web Hosting Service, One-click Hosting, and many other services. There are many sites available which offer reliable hosting for your blog:
- HostGator – HostGator is the Best Hosting Service provider, I am personally using for my all blogs, which offers VPS hosting, web hosting, and other services. As per my personal experience with HostGator, I’ll recommend you to use HostGator. You can use our coupon code to get 25 % discount (Coupon code: itechcode25)
- DreamHost– It is also a Hosting provider that offers unlimited bandwidth and storage facilities to its customers. It a little bit varies in price with HostGator. You can also try DreamHost.
- BlueHost – Millions of people believe that BlueHost is trustworthy and offers numerous features for their blogs. It offers hosting along with Free Domains. Offers the compatibility with a wide range of software including WP, Joomla, and Drupal, etc. Try it out with Demo and check the things out by yourself. So, you can go with this one too.
Web Analytics
Web Analytics is a tool for measuring Web Traffic and also measures collect and reports analysis of internet data. This tool is used to improve the effectiveness of a web page or site. It provides information about the number of visitors and the effect of other actions. So, it’s a must resource for blogging.
- Google Analytics – This service is provided by Google itself, which shows the statistical representation of the visitors who visit the website. It is the most popular website statistics service which offers several features to the webmaster.
- GetClicky – it is also a service that offers statistical data of the visits on your site. The module is quite easy and it has several other features also. So, it is a good platform to know the traffic on your webpage or site.
Themes
Themes are very much important if you are going to make a blog. The theme should be suitable and relevant to your content; it improves the look of your website. If your page is with good features and looks then it becomes more appealing and attractive for visitors. So, here we have some top names of Theme Providers:
- Genesis – Genesis is developed by the StudioPress, it is a platform or a provider that offers plenty of themes to customers. Most of the professional bloggers use this provider for themes and templates. So, you can also go with Genesis. Currently, iTechCode is on Genesis Framework.
- MyThemeShop– It is also a leading theme provider that offers the best WordPress themes within a very low price. All available themes are fully customizable and easy to handle. At this place, you can choose any theme according to your choice. I am using Mythemeshop’s theme on my Android Blog.
- Thesis – if you want to be an owner of successfully running and a well-known website then your website should be at up to the mark and should fulfill all requirements, also the features should be interesting and easy to use and looks should be stunning. For looks, you need a beautiful theme for your webpage. And this theme can be obtained from one of the leading theme provider Thesis. The thesis has plenty of themes, from which you can select the most suitable one. The Thesis also makes your WordPress blogs to load faster and look better. Most of the professionals recommend Thesis.
Email Marketing
Email Marketing is the latest trend in web services; it is a commercial message by a service provider to a group of people or people of interest using E-mail. More precisely, it’s a broadcast of service through emails to the customers. It’s a pretty interesting way to advertise your product and service to people. Also, it is advantageous for your profession and improves the sources of income. There are many providers which offer Email-Marketing services, let’s have some knowledge of some Top service providers:
- Aweber – if you want an affordable Email Marketing Software and Service than Aweber is the best option for you. $1 for sign up and a reasonable return on your investment. I think the most reliable and frequently used service for Email Marketing. This software and service allow you to create and propagate your campaign by using email services. The service is very easy to use and has enormous features. I highly recommend it to use from day one.
- MailChimp – It is an online solution for email marketing that offers features like contact management, sending emails, tracking results, and responses. If you need a plan of action and confused about where to start then this solution will help you.
- GetResponse – it is top-rated Email-Marketing software that offers simple action to get services. GetResponse is a fast and easy interface software that can deliver a powerful impact on the customer. This software will help you to grow your business. So, try it if you are unable to find a suitable option for your website.
WordPress Plugin and Services
Plugins are the services offered by many developers to make your website or blog a powerful one. Plugins can explore your WordPress blog beyond your imagination which can do almost anything. So, carefully choose a plugin and service provider as per your requirements. Some top plugin and service providers are:
- W3 Total Cache – Most of the Host Providers recommend W3 Total Cache for plugin and services. Also, it is trusted by many sites. The W3 Total Cache offers its service to improve the user experience of the site; also it improves the server performance. It helps to reduce the download time. So, it’s one of the best resources for your website.
- Pretty Link Lite – This service helps to convert the keywords into beneficial Affiliate links, which improves your income. Also, it offers you sufficient tools for the affiliate link format so you don’t have to waste your time with some other tools.
- Backup Buddy – Backup Buddy is a paid plugin, by which you can back up your full data. It’s a must-have tool if you are a newbie or a professional blogger.
- WP-Optimize – WP-Optimize is an optimization tool for your WordPress blog. It optimizes your blog for better performance and effectively makes your database. Also, it improves the speed of your website. The plugin has many features.
- OIO Ad Manager – OIO Ad Manager Works as a controller for ad space in your blog or site, also it keeps 100% of the revenue and helps to serve advertising on blogs. It offers the option to sell your ads directly. So, it’s a good plugin for your WordPress blog.
- Author hReview– Author hReview plugin is an exclusive plugin made to review products by showing cool star ratings. Star ratings will also be visible in search results as rich snippets. The plugin only allows writers to give their ratings on particular products or services, so it does not allow the reader to give their ratings. This plugin may be helpful to get more organic traffic to your reviewed product. Download Free Version – Click Here.
Images
If you want to make your content much effect as you see on the most popular websites then you should have to add some images to your content. The content becomes effective if it is presented accurately and adding images to content enhances the richness of your written information.
- iStockphoto– It is microstock photography founded in May 2000, the iStockphoto provides royalty-free, online images to the subscribers and customers on the behalf of fixed credits depending upon their size.
- Flickr – Flickr is a website that offers you video and image hosting web services. This site is a platform where you can share any of your photographs. Also, you can buy images for your blog from here. The images available for your content should be unique and genuine.
- Fotolia Picture Stock – This site offers you millions of royalty-free images for your content; also you can search for other services on this site as per your requirements and for images, you have to pay only less than $1. So, it’s a good source for photographs.
Books
Everyone needs some good references for the steps which they have to be made, and books are one of those references. It’s very important to earn better knowledge from a good source. So, you should concern to some of the below-mentioned books:
- WP Starter Guide – I must say the WP starter guide is an ultimate book and guide if you want to create a good website with WordPress. You will learn a tremendous knowledge about the kinds of stuff which will make your website an excellent one. After reading the book, you will be able to create any type of website. So, it is a good book for learners and professionals.
- Start Blog that matters – If you are unable to find a perfect strategy for a blog then this book will help you, the book covers full storytelling about the reason of the success of many blogs during past years and applied their strategies. So, it is a good book for beginners and an asset for professionals.
SEO / Keyword Research
Keyword researching is not an easy job but it is one of the most valuable things which can rise your traffic and value of your website or blog. Before starting any blog you should research the name of the site and on your targeted visitors.
- Google Keyword Tool – For Search Engine Optimization or Keyword Research you can go with Google Keyword Tool, one of the most widely used free tools for this purpose. There are lots of tools available on the net which say they perform better research than Google’s Keyword Tool but it is not a fact. If you want that your website and content attracts users then you need to use strong keywords in your content.
- Keyword Winner – A recommended tool for keyword research other than Google Adwords. User-friendly interface, offered by this keyword research tool, lets you find the best keywords for your niche. Also, there are lots of options available that help you in finding the right keywords.
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