Recommended Tools to grow your side hustle

💻 1. Blogging Platforms / CMS (Content Management Systems)

Where your blog lives and how you publish content.

• WordPress.org – Self-hosted and super customizable. Powers over 40% of websites on the internet.

• Wix – Drag-and-drop builder with beautiful templates and built-in hosting.

• Ghost – Clean, minimalist CMS focused on speed and great for monetization.

Why it matters: This is your blog’s foundation. Choose something that’s easy to use and grow with.

🧩 2. Web Hosting Providers

These are the services that host your blog files and make your site accessible online.

• Bluehost – Popular with beginners, especially for WordPress hosting.

• SiteGround – Known for fast loading speeds and excellent customer support.

• Cloudways – Offers scalable cloud hosting for more tech-savvy bloggers.

Why it matters: A reliable host keeps your blog online and fast for readers.

🎨 3. Themes & Design Tools

Helps make your blog visually appealing and on-brand.

• Kadence WP Theme – Lightweight WordPress theme, fast and flexible for customization.

• Elementor – Drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress. No coding needed.

• Canva – Super easy graphic design tool to create blog banners, social media posts, and more.

Why it matters: First impressions count! A clean design helps keep readers engaged.

✍️ 4. Writing & Editing Tools

Helps you write better, faster, and more effectively.

• Grammarly – AI-powered grammar checker that catches spelling and tone issues.

• Hemingway Editor – Highlights complex sentences and passive voice for better readability.

• Google Docs – Great for drafting, sharing, and collaborating on blog posts.

Why it matters: Clear writing = better SEO + more reader trust.

🔍 5. SEO Tools (Search Engine Optimization)

These help your blog rank higher in search engines so more people find your content.

• Yoast SEO – WordPress plugin that helps optimize your blog posts for search engines.

• Ahrefs – Premium tool for keyword research, backlink tracking, and competitor analysis.

• Ubersuggest – Budget-friendly SEO tool by Neil Patel with solid keyword data.

Why it matters: SEO brings you free, long-term traffic from Google.

📧 6. Email Marketing Tools

To grow and nurture your audience by building a subscriber list.

• ConvertKit – Built for bloggers. Simple automation and beautiful landing pages.

• MailerLite – Budget-friendly, feature-rich tool for beginners.

• Flodesk – Gorgeous email designs and user-friendly interface.

Why it matters: Your email list is your most valuable direct connection to readers.

📊 7. Analytics Tools

Measure your blog’s traffic, performance, and audience behavior.

• Google Analytics – Free, powerful tool to track who’s visiting your blog and what they’re doing.

• Google Search Console – Helps track your blog’s performance in Google search results.

• Jetpack (WordPress) – Offers simple stats right from your WordPress dashboard.

Why it matters: You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

📅 8. Content Planning & Productivity Tools

Stay consistent and organized with your publishing schedule.

• Trello – Visual board for planning blog posts and tracking ideas.

• Notion – All-in-one workspace for organizing drafts, calendars, and checklists.

• Airstory – Research and writing tool for bloggers and content marketers.

Why it matters: Consistency is key to growing your blog.

💸 9. Monetization Tools

Turn your blog into a side income stream.

• Google AdSense – Displays ads on your blog and pays you per click or impression.

• Amazon Associates – Affiliate program that lets you earn commissions by linking to Amazon products.

• Gumroad – Sell digital products like eBooks or templates directly from your blog.

Why it matters: These tools help you turn your traffic into real income.

📱 10. Social Media Scheduling & Sharing Tools

Promote your blog posts across platforms without spending all day online.

• Buffer – Schedule posts on multiple platforms at once.

• Tailwind – Especially great for Pinterest and Instagram automation.

• Later – Visual social media planner with a free plan for bloggers.

Why it matters: Social media drives traffic and builds your brand.