Resources
Helpful Tools & Services
Over time, I’ve found a handful of online tools that make managing a website and newsletter a whole lot easier. To save you time, I’ve pulled together a list of recommendations for business owners like you.
The products and services listed here are ones I’ve personally used and found helpful—or they come highly recommended by trusted sources. Of course, I always encourage you to do your own research to be sure they’re the right fit for your needs. I’ll be adding more as I discover other great options, so check back for updates!
Disclosure: I participate in affiliate programs for some of the resources listed below. This means I may earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through one of these links. Sometimes you’ll even get a discount or bonus perk! For more details, see my Disclaimer.
Website Hosting: SiteGround
I’ve been pleased with SiteGround‘s hosting services, both for my websites and when I’ve worked with them for clients. SiteGround seems to consistently add new services, showing they care about their offerings.
Their Site Tools area is user-friendly, changes are smoothly and promptly handled, and uptime was always excellent. They provide multiple support options (chat, phone, and tickets) and offer a range of hosting packages to suit various needs. Their Collaborators feature allows you to grant access to developers and designers without sharing your login credentials.
With 24/7 support, free SSL certificates, daily backups, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, SiteGround is worth considering.
Website Policies: Termageddon
While I’m not a legal advisor, I understand the importance of having the right website policies to protect your business.
Termageddon, helps you create essential documents like a Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Cookie Policy, Disclaimer, and End User License Agreement. Their policies are auto-updating to stay compliant with changing laws, thanks to their licensed privacy attorney founder and Chair of the American Bar Association’s ePrivacy Committee.
For $12/month or $119/year, you get all necessary policies and a Cookie Consent Solution. Use my link or promo code DENIM for 10% off your first payment. I recommend opting for the full year to maximize savings with the discount.
Domain Name Registration: Name.com
In 2011, I chose to separate my website hosting from my domain registration, and after a rocky start with another registrar, I found Name.com and haven’t looked back.
Their service is excellent, support is friendly, and the administrative interface is straightforward. Domain transfer was seamless, and they kept me informed throughout the process.
Name.com offers competitive pricing. Use one of my links here along with an appropriate promo code for additional savings:
- For new customers with new domains, use promo code SAVE15 to save 15% on your first purchase.
- For new customers transferring a domain, use promo code NEWHOME to save 15% on up to 10 transfers.
- For .com renewals, use promo code RENEW to get a renewal for $15.99.
Purchase or renew your domain with a promo code, removing the Advanced Security + Privacy option. After checking out, in a second transaction, use the promo code PRIVACYPLEASE to get Advanced Security + Privacy for free. (It’s a little tricky to find where to add that to your cart—let me know if you need help with it.)
Email Marketing: MailerLite
MailerLite is a favorite for email marketing, combining simplicity with powerful features.
You can create professional campaigns, landing pages, pop-ups, and automated workflows with ease. Their Customer Self-Service Center provides extensive resources, and premium accounts get 24/7 email and live chat support.
Sign up through my link for a free account and enjoy all premium features for a month. Afterward, you can continue with their free plan—no strings attached.
WordPress Theme: Kadence Theme
Kadence Theme from Kadence WP is one of my top choices for both my sites and client projects. It provides the power and flexibility of a page builder within the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) without requiring a separate page builder plugin. I’ll install block plugins depending on the site (see below, Kadence has great offerings for that, too).
I’ve used both the Pro and free versions, and I’m impressed with both of them. Their Starter Templates are a great feature, and their support is impressive even for the free version. The Pro theme can be purchased standalone or bundled with additional elements, can be used on unlimited sites, comes with one year of support and updates, and includes a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Consider the lifetime bundle if you plan to use it long-term.
WordPress Plugin: Kadence Blocks
Kadence Blocks is a valuable plugin that enhances your website with premium options.
As with the theme, I’ve used both the Pro and free versions, and again, I’m impressed with all the features.
You can toggle features on and off, avoiding unnecessary bloat. The design library offers pre-built options for inspiration or immediate use. The Pro version of the plugin comes standalone or bundled with other elements, can be used on unlimited sites, comes with one year of support and updates, and includes a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. A lifetime bundle is also available for long-term use.
All prices and offer details mentioned on this page were current at the time of publication. I update the information as needed, but please check with the company for the most current prices, packages, and policies.