Running a blog without using any third-party services or plugins can be difficult and also time-consuming. Below is the list of important and free tools that you must have to manage and grow your blog.
1. UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus is a free WordPress backup solution that performs complete backups of your site. You can either scheduled or manually perform the backup. It also allows you to backup into the cloud storage such as Dropbox, Google Drive, FTP, etc.
2. Sucuri Security
Not every website out there is secure enough. But having a security monitor will make it harder for any hacker to hack or compromise your website. Sucuri is a website monitoring and security service. It provides real-time alerts for any suspicious activity on your website. It not only prevents your website from malware but can also detect and remove them.
3. Yoast SEO Plugin
As Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not dead, you definitely cannot ignore SEO. It helps in ranking your blog in the search engine. Yoast’s WordPress SEO plugin is the complete website optimisation solution for WordPress.
4. Google Analytics
Google Analytics provides you with the statistics of your website. It helps you to understand your audience. Understanding your audience is the key to success for any blog. The good news is that it is free and easy to install in WordPress.
5. MailChimp
MailChimp is one of the most popular and user-friendly email service provider. It allows you to design emails, build your email list and send it to your reader.
6. SumoMe
SumoMe is a suite of free tools that can grow your email list, website’s traffic, social sharing and analytics. This plugin makes it easy for your readers to join your email list and share your articles to the different social network. It is easy to install and setup.
7. WPForms
WPForms is the most beginner friendly and online drag & drop form builder that allows you to easily create contact forms, email subscription forms with just a few clicks. There’s a free WPForms Lite version available for those who are looking for a simple solution. If you want more advanced features, then get the Pro version.
8. LastPass
Using the same password for different services are risky. Also using different password will make it difficult to remember. LastPass is a password manager and password generator that store and locks your passwords and personal information under one secure vault.
9. Google Search Console
Google Search Console or previously known as Google Webmaster Tools allows the website owner to check indexing and optimise visibility of their website. It helps you to understand what’s going on with your website. It also allows you to submit/check the sitemap of your website.
We hope this tools will help you to manage and grow your WordPress blog. If you have any tools that you believe it is needed to manage and grow any WordPress site, then please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
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