Best Blogging Resources for Beginning Bloggers
Whether you’re just starting out or have been a blogger for years, having the right resources in place as as blogger makes a huge difference. There are SO many options out there that it can feel a little overwhelming. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of the best blogging resources for beginning bloggers.
Congratulations on becoming a blogger! Wondering which courses and resources are truly worth the investment? I’m here to help! From where to get your domain, website hosting or other features you will need to use on your site, there are a ton of options out there. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone! When I first started blogging I had zero clue what I was doing. I started this blog as a fun hobby, and was shocked when it started to grow into an actual business (you can read more of my story here if you’re curious).
The one thing I wish I would have known from the very start was the best blogging resources for beginning bloggers. I didn’t discover some of the recommendations on this list until I had been blogging for nearly 2 years! I completely thought that I needed to make a big investment in order to grow my blog, but it turns out there are many blogging resources that are free and fantastic for beginners.
Read on for my personal recommendations of the best tools for when you’re first starting out. This list includes the resources I personally use (or have in the past), as well as others that blogger friends use and highly recommend.
The items on this list are based on quality, service and performance, and were chosen with the beginning blogger in mind. Just click on the link for each product to learn more. Be sure you’ve also joined our private Facebook blogging support group too so you can ask specific questions!
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
Brand New Blogger Resources
If you are just starting your blogging journey (or if you have been blogging seriously for less than six months), the last thing you want to do is invest a ton of money you don’t have! There are so many opinions on what you need and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
As a brand new blogger, there are a few tools that you truly need to be successful. Scroll down to learn more about everything you need to start your blog.
Related Post: Best Blogging Education to Invest In
Free Start a Blog Course
You don’t need to invest big bucks to learn how to blog! Check out my free course to learn how to launch your blog quickly and easily, and set up for success from the very first day.
Click here to get all the details and get started!
Domain and Hosting Providers
At the most basic, your domain name is your site address or URL. This is what needs to be typed in to access your blog. Your hosting provider is the “home” for where your domain lives. You need both of these things to run a successful, money-making blog.
HostGator and Bluehost are both affordable hosting options if you’re just starting out.
Website Theme/Site Design
Once you create your blog and have your site set up, you want to be sure it looks good and professional! Using a quality theme builder can help you easily give your site a custom look.
Here are a few FREE recommendations for great theme and site designs options to get you started.
I’ve personally used and loved both Astra and Elementor. While I haven’t personally used Kadence, I have multiple blogging friends who really love it!
Related Posts: Blog Layout Ideas and Best Practices for Bloggers
Recommended Website Plug-In’s
Plug-in’s help to add functionality and fun features to your website. Here are the best free ones that I recommend.
I personally use all four of these plug-in’s. You can choose to upgrade to paid versions, but when you’re just starting out the free version should work great for what you need until you grow.
Email Marketing
Email marketing can be incredibly powerful! You need a platform that allows you to collect the email addresses of your visitors and audience, so that you can easily communicate with them.
I personally use ConvertKit, and swear by it as a game changer for my business! I have friends who use and love MailerLite. It’s really up to you and your personal preference!
Legal Pages
In order to have a website that legally complies with the laws of your country and your readers, you need to have certain legal pages in place. The mandatory, minimum pages and forms you should have on your website are a privacy policy, disclaimer, terms of service and cookie consent.
There are multiple free plug-in’s available for cookie consent, but I recommend purchasing legal templates from an attorney who knows what they’re talking about, like Miriam Tsatsuryan of Miriam at Law. She isis my personal blogging attorney, and works with dozens of other bloggers I know as well. She is a wonderful resource, and someone I truly trust!
Miriam offers tons of legal page templates and bundles that you can use for your own website.
Blogging Resources are a MUST for Growing Your Website
Even though you’re just getting started, you can still be sure you’re setting yourself up for success with these key beginning blogger resources. If you have specific questions about one, be sure to leave a comment below, or join us on Facebook in She Shines Blogging Collective to ask other bloggers directly, too!