Recommended Tools and Resources

Over the years, I’ve tried and tested countless tools to help me run my website and make my operation overall more efficient and effective. A lot of those tools came and went, but a good number did stick around. Here’s where I am at now. What follows is a list of tools and resources that truly stand out.

Whether you’re just starting out with your online presence, or looking to take your website and business to the next level, this list covers everything from website builders and SEO tools to project management, productivity aids, and marketing solutions. These are the tools I personally recommend to anyone who wants to streamline their workflow, boost their website’s performance, and achieve better results online.

Utilities & general

Arc

Arc is a modern browser designed with a focus on productivity and organization. Unlike traditional browsers, Arc reimagines the browsing experience by allowing users to create workspaces, group tabs, and integrate web apps seamlessly into their workflow. It’s perfect for anyone who finds themselves juggling multiple tabs and wants a more streamlined, distraction-free browsing experience. It’s based on Chromium, so all your Chrome extensions will work no problem. There’s also a good iOS app.

Alfred

Alfred is a powerful productivity application for macOS that helps you get more done with less effort. By combining a smart application launcher (this is awesome!), clipboard history, and custom workflows, Alfred allows you to perform tasks quickly using keyboard shortcuts. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to save time and optimize their daily workflow.

BetterTouchTool

BetterTouchTool is an advanced macOS utility that allows you to customize your input devices, including your trackpad, mouse, and keyboard. With BetterTouchTool, you can create personalized gestures and shortcuts, giving you full control over how you interact with your Mac. It’s ideal for power users who want to tailor their macOS experience to match their specific needs.

aText

aText is a text expansion tool that helps you type faster by replacing short abbreviations with longer text snippets. Whether you frequently type out common phrases, email signatures, or repetitive code, aText can save you hours of typing by automating these tasks. It’s especially useful for anyone who writes a lot and wants to increase their typing efficiency. One of the simple things I use it for is to include names of common tools and software much quicker. For example, instead of having to write “WordPress” every single time, I just write “WPP” and aText will replace it with WordPress.

Dropbox

Dropbox is my tool of choice when it comes to cloud storage and file-sharing. With features like file synchronization, backup, and team collaboration, Dropbox is a reliable tool for managing documents, images, and other files across devices. It’s a great choice for anyone needing secure, convenient access to their important files.

F.lux

F.lux is a simple but essential utility that adjusts your screen’s color temperature based on the time of day. By reducing blue light exposure in the evening, F.lux helps reduce eye strain and improves your sleep quality. It’s a valuable tool for anyone who spends long hours in front of a screen, especially late into the night.

Productivity & organization

Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, task management, databases, and collaboration features. Whether you’re organizing your projects, tracking tasks, or brainstorming ideas, Notion offers a flexible and customizable platform to manage it all in one place. I’ve been using Notion as my main project manager for a couple of years now, and I literally couldn’t enjoy it more!

Remember The Milk (RTM)

Remember The Milk is a simple yet powerful task management app that helps you stay on top of your to-do lists. It’s been my to-do list solution of choice for years now. What I particularly enjoy about it is that you can navigate it quite easily with keyboard shortcuts, and it’s really lightning fast. It also has all the required features like recurring tasks, due dates, etc.

Obsidian

Obsidian is a knowledge management and note-taking tool designed for creating and organizing complex information networks. Using markdown files and bidirectional linking, Obsidian allows you to build a personal knowledge base that’s easy to navigate and grow. It’s especially valuable for those who like to connect ideas, track research, or create a digital “second brain” for their work.

Website engine & hosting

WordPress

WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system, powering over 40% of all websites. It offers unparalleled flexibility and customization, allowing you to build anything from simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites. With thousands of themes, plugins, and a vibrant community, WordPress is the go-to platform for website owners who want complete control over their site’s design and functionality. This site runs on WordPress.

Bluehost

Bluehost is a widely recommended web hosting provider, particularly for WordPress users. Known for its ease of use, easy onboarding for WordPress sites, and very good entry prices, Bluehost offers a range of hosting plans tailored to different needs.

WP Engine

WP Engine is a managed WordPress hosting service designed for those who want a high-performance, secure, and hassle-free hosting experience. It offers a bit more in terms of WordPress features than Bluehost – a bit more optimized and ready to handle more load – but you also pay quite a bit more for that privilege. It’s ideal for businesses and individuals who need to focus on growing their website without worrying about the technical details.

Email marketing & communication

Brevo

Brevo is a comprehensive email marketing and automation platform designed to help businesses connect with their audience more effectively. It offers a suite of tools including email campaigns, SMS marketing, chat, and CRM, all within one platform. With its user-friendly interface and advanced automation features, Brevo is ideal for website owners looking to nurture leads, engage with customers, and drive conversions through targeted communication.

MailPoet

If you prefer to handle email marketing through your WordPress website instead of connecting to an outside tool, then MailPoet might be the answer. With features like drag-and-drop email design, automated welcome emails, and integration with WooCommerce, MailPoet allows you to manage your email marketing without leaving your WordPress dashboard.

SEO & analytics

Mangools SEO

Mangools SEO is an all-in-one SEO toolset that’s both powerful and easy to use. It includes tools for keyword research, SERP analysis, rank tracking, and backlink analysis, all designed with a clean and intuitive interface. IMO, Mangools is the best such suite of SEO tools that you can buy for an actual reasonable price.

Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO platform known for its robust backlink analysis, keyword research, and content exploration tools. It provides detailed data on your site’s performance, competitor analysis, and keyword opportunities. While it’s the best SEO tool available, it comes at a less reasonable price.

Writing & coding

SublimeText

SublimeText is a lightweight and fast code editor known for its simplicity and powerful features. It supports a wide range of programming languages and offers features like multiple selections, split editing, and a distraction-free mode. SublimeText is a go-to tool for developers who need a responsive, efficient editor that doesn’t get in the way of their coding flow.

iA Writer

iA Writer is a focused writing app that prioritizes clarity and simplicity, making it easier to concentrate on your content without distractions. With features like Markdown support, syntax highlighting, and a minimal interface, iA Writer is perfect for anyone who wants to write with precision and style. It’s especially useful for content creators who need a clean, streamlined environment to craft their articles or blog posts.

Screenshots & image optimization

CleanShot X

CleanShot X is an advanced screenshot and screen recording tool designed for Mac users who need more than just basic screen capture. It offers features like annotation, scrolling capture, GIF creation, and cloud sharing, all in a sleek and easy-to-use interface. CleanShot X is perfect for anyone who needs to create polished visual content quickly, whether for tutorials, presentations, or social media.

Squoosh

Squoosh is a powerful image compression tool that allows you to reduce the size of your images without sacrificing quality. It’s a web-based tool that supports various formats and provides real-time comparison views so you can see the effects of compression before saving.

TinyPNG

TinyPNG is another excellent image optimization tool that specializes in compressing PNG files most of all. It uses smart compression techniques to reduce file sizes while maintaining image quality. TinyPNG is my go-to resource when I’m looking to cut down on the size of images I have on my sites.