I often get emails asking what tools I use on my blog. So I thought it would be helpful to answer those here. These are the main tools I use.
Please let me know if you have any questions about any of them and I’d be glad to answer them.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. These are all things that I have experience with that I am recommending because they are helpful and are companies that I trust.
When I first started Get Busy Living, I found a great free theme, which I loved. I used it for five months and allowed me to focus on writing great content and building a great community.
However, the more I visited other blogs, the more I saw the same theme being used. I don’t blame them because it’s a great theme. I just wanted a unique look to stand out even more.
There are no shortages of great premium themes. A-list bloggers use Thesis, Genesis, or Headway. Places like Woothemes make great themes as well.
In the end I went with the Standard Theme. It’s not as popular as the ones I just mentioned but doesn’t make it a weaker choice. Mashable recognized it as one of the 8 Best Premium themes.
I did the customizations myself. I found the member only forums to be so helpful in answering all my questions. I’m happy with how it turned out.
I’ve had Bluehost since I ran a sports blog from 2005-2007. I’ve created many defunct blogs and niche sites since then. One click WordPress install. Great customer service. I recommend them.
The internet’s most powerful email opt-in service and email marketing/broadcasting tool. This is what I use to build my email list and newsletter. If you need help or advice setting up your first email list, contact me and I can help you out.
Favorite Plugins
This plugin has really helped me increase subscribers to my list. The reason is because it makes it easy to add opt-in boxes on your blog. One easy place is in the comments. After the reader has put in their name and email address, they can just click a box to get your ebook or sign up to your list. So they leave a comment and can get your free ebook at the same time. Also if you see the end of my posts, that opt-in box was added with WpSubscribers. That’s just a tip of the features you can do. If you want to read more, visit the website.
I love this free plugin because it allows me to reply directly to the person who left a comment. If you’ve ever left a comment here, you saw an email in your inbox of my reply to your comment.
I love this plugin because you know that I replied to your comment. That way if I followed up with a question, you would know. If I loved what you said, you would know. No more guessing or having to come back to see if I did or not.
I personally don’t like to subscribe to the comments because then I’ll get every single comment. This plugin just gives your readers one-to-one attention.
Very valuable for building a community on your blog.
This is the only plugin you need if you don’t want spam comments. It gets rid of 99% of the spam. After I’ve recommended this to friends, spam comments cut down drastically. Don’t waste valuable time deleting spam.
How it gets rid of spam is when you leave a comment, you have to check a box that proves you are human. If you don’t check it, you can’t leave a comment. So simple but effective!
Sure you’ll get some humans who are paid to spam comment but it’s so few that it’s not a problem.
This is the best plugin to combat spam comments. Install it right now.
Courses I recommend
If you want to start a blog and want a proven blueprint, this course gives you a 90 day action plan to start a blog that people will read.
I’m a huge fan of collecting points and miles to get airplane tickets and hotel rooms for cheap or for free. I had an amazing trip to Sydney and Hong Kong that I booked for only $362.80. This is a great course to teach you the basics of how to get started. Run by Chris Guillibeau, who has visited all 193 countries in the world. Try it out for 14 day for only $1.