Believe it or not, content marketing (a.k.a blogging) costs 62% less than traditional marketing and generates three times as many leads. This means that not only is blogging a hot commodity in the digital world but a profitable one as well!
However, blogging is more than just writing articles on a specific topic. In order to make your blog as profitable as possible, you may need some help from extra blogging tools and software. Luckily, there are so many tools out there to help you on your blogging journey, and–as a bonus–some of them are even free to use!
In this article, we’re giving you a rundown of some of the key tools to use for different areas of your blog. From the brainstorming stages to tracking your analytics, here are some of the key blogging tools you can use to kickstart your blogging journey.
Tools for brainstorming
Every blog starts with an idea. However, some aspects of the brainstorming process are a bit harder to tackle than others. Details like your blog’s name, tagline, and overall aesthetic can be a bit of a roadblock in the creative brainstorming process. Luckily, there are some amazing tools out there to aid in the creative journey.
Blog Name Generator is a fantastic tool if you’re looking for a unique, creative, and completely original blog name. Simply input your desired industry, two words to describe your blog, and your name to receive a custom blog name.
Facebook Ad Library is a free service that allows you to look at advertisements and see what kind of content-driven ideas are working for other bloggers in your same industry.
AnswerThePublic is a great (and free!) way to search keywords to discover what questions your target audience may be asking. From there, you can take these questions and create content for your blog.
Tools for writing and notetaking
As you write your blog, it’s important to have a place to take notes and keep your ideas organized. Whether you’re tracking ideas for possible posts and social media strategies, or even taking notes on other bloggers within your same niche, having a notetaking software takes care of your organization for you.
Evernote is a popular choice for writing and notetaking when it comes to your blog. Here, you can organize pdfs, photos, and little notes to aid in your blogging journey.
Google Docs is another powerful tool for writing and notetaking. Whether you’re planning your next batch or articles, outlining a post, or brainstorming possible ideas, Google Docs can keep your thoughts organized in a dependable way. Furthermore, it offers collaboration, offline editing, and even voice typing–all for free.
Grammarly is an amazing tool for proofreading your content in an instant. Not only will Grammarly notify you of any grammar and punctuation mistakes in your copy, but it can also help you rephrase sentences for clarity, offer solutions for structure, and even identify the tone of your writing.
Tools for creating visual content
When it comes to your blog, one of the most important aspects is visual content. Whether that’s a logo, social media content, or a fun website header, having fun visual content is a must. Luckily, you don’t have to be a graphic designer to create visual content for your blog. In fact, there is a myriad of programs that can help you in your content creation journey.
Canva is one of the most popular content creation software online tools today. Featuring hundreds of templates and premade graphics, it’s an easy-to-use tool for making social media content, headers, logos, and so much more. The best part is that Canva offers a free version that gives you access to tons of templates and tools right at your fingertips.
Unsplash is an option for bloggers who would prefer to have more organic, photographic content on their site. Here, you have the ability to use free, high-quality photos on your site for headers, backgrounds, and thumbnails. While other stock image websites charge a fee to use their photos, Unsplash allows you to use their content for free–just as long as you credit the photographer.
Gimp is a tool for those who are interested in graphic design but don’t have the budget for all of that fancy software. Meaning: Gimp is a free software that allows you to create unique graphics like the pros. Here, you can edit images, illustrate, and create visuals with ease, and if you are looking for a free online photo editing tool (excluding Adobe photoshop or illustrator) then Photopea is the site your should bookmark.
Tools for tracking your blog’s performance
Finally, as a blogger, it’s important to track and measure the performance of your content. After all, how can you be successful without useful feedback? While the world of analytics and performance tracking can be hard t understand, this software makes it easy, accessible, and comprehensible.
Google Analytics is an accessible tool that allows you to track, analyze, and report website traffic. Here, you’ll be able to see what posts, content, and pages are generating the most web traffic–so you can learn what works and what doesn’t with your audience. Furthermore, you can even track how users are interacting with your blog through clicks and follow-through links.
Google Search Console is free software that helps you understand why your blog is performing well or performing poorly. This is a valuable tool because it lets you know what’s working from a search engine and internet user perspective.
Databox is a tracking tool that draws analytics from software like Google Analytics, Google Sheets, Salesforce, and more. Instead of trying to analyze data from several different programs, Databox brings them all into one, easy-access program.
Getting started on your blog can be tedious. But, with the right tools, it can become an easy process with amazing rewards. For more information on blogging tools (along with a few other essential programs and software), be sure to check out the infographic below, courtesy of WebsiteSetup.
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