Tools and applications for bloggers
Blogging requires a variety of tools and applications to be successful.
These tools help bloggers with tasks such as creating and publishing content, promoting it on social media, optimizing it for search engines, and tracking its performance.
Blogging tools categories¶
Categories of blogging tools are: - Content Management System (CMS) - Writing and Editing tool - Social Media Management - Image Editing - SEO (Search Engine Optimization) - Email Marketing - Analytics - Project Management
Content Management System (CMS)¶
A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that allows users to create, manage, and publish digital content, such as websites, without the need for technical expertise. The main purpose of a CMS is to provide a centralized platform for organizing, storing, and publishing digital content, making it easier for non-technical users to manage and maintain a website.
A typical CMS includes several key components:
- Database: The CMS stores all the content in a database, allowing users to organize and manage their content in an efficient manner.
- User Interface: A CMS provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to create, edit, and manage content, such as text, images, and videos.
- Template System: Most CMSs include a template system that allows users to select from a range of pre-designed templates to control the look and feel of their website.
- Workflow Management: A CMS allows multiple users to work on the same content, and tracks the changes made by each user, making it easier to manage collaboration and version control.
- Plugins and Add-ons: Many CMSs include a large number of plugins and add-ons that provide additional functionality and customization options, such as SEO optimization, social media integration, and e-commerce capabilities.
Overall, a CMS is a valuable tool for anyone who needs to create and manage digital content, as it simplifies the process and reduces the need for technical skills.
Examples: WordPress, Wix, Blogger, Squarespace
WordPress¶
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that is widely used for creating blogs, websites, and online stores. It offers a variety of themes, plugins, and customization options that allow users to create a unique and functional website. WordPress is also highly scalable, meaning it can grow with your website's needs.
Wix¶
Wix is a cloud-based website builder that provides users with a drag-and-drop interface for creating websites without any coding experience. It offers a wide range of templates, apps, and integrations, making it easy for users to create and manage a professional-looking website. Wix also includes basic SEO and marketing tools.
Blogger¶
Blogger is a free blog-publishing service provided by Google. It is user-friendly and easy to set up, making it a popular choice for beginner bloggers. Blogger offers a limited number of templates and customization options, but it integrates well with other Google products like AdSense and Analytics.
Squarespace¶
Squarespace is a website builder that offers a variety of professionally designed templates, along with a range of features including e-commerce, SEO, and marketing tools. It is known for its clean and modern design, and its user-friendly interface makes it easy for users to create and manage their website. Squarespace is a paid service, but it offers a variety of pricing plans to accommodate different needs and budgets.
Read more about Blogging platforms
Writing and editing software¶
Writing and editing software is a type of application used to create, revise, and proofread written content. These tools range from basic word processors to more advanced writing and editing software that includes features such as grammar and spell checking, auto-suggestions, and collaboration tools. Writing and editing software is used by individuals and organizations for a wide range of purposes, including writing articles, composing emails, creating reports, and editing academic papers and books. The goal of writing and editing software is to assist users in producing high-quality, error-free written content.
Examples: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Grammarly, Hemingway
Google Docs¶
Google Docs is a free, web-based word processing tool offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online, and collaborate in real-time with other users. Google Docs also offers a variety of formatting options, templates, and integrations with other Google apps.
Microsoft Word¶
Microsoft Word is a widely used word processing software that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. It offers a wide range of features for creating and editing text documents, including advanced formatting options, spell-checking, and the ability to add graphics, charts, and tables. Microsoft Word also includes collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously.
Grammarly¶
Grammarly is a writing-enhancement tool that uses AI technology to check text for grammar and spelling errors, as well as provide suggestions for writing improvement, such as clarity, conciseness, and tone.
Example: Write ( at least) 800 characters in Grammarly, check all mistakes, paste it in Google Drive, correct and save it.
Hemingwayapp¶
Hemingwayapp is a web-based writing tool that checks text for writing style, grammar, and readability. It provides suggestions for simplifying complex sentences, using more active voice, and avoiding overused words and phrases.
Use it and balance your text between 8th to 11th grade.
Paperrater¶
PaperRater is a free online proofreading service that checks text for grammar, spelling, and writing style. It also provides suggestions for improving vocabulary usage, sentence structure, and overall writing quality.
How to use it?
Paste your work in a form editor, set education level to 9th grade and type of paper to the blog/article.
Click Get report and then fix mistakes.
Copy fixed article and paste it on the previous page with same settings but then click printable summary report and follow the suggested improvements.
The report will give you improvements for the first 800 characters. Aim for Grade B.This tool will help you to write basic and decent English text. It won't be for the literary award, but it will be good.
Speechnotes¶
For all speech to text enthusiasts who hate to type, or can't actually stand banging on a keyboard and fighting typos all day long this app is both a pretty and an easy solution.
It is a distraction-free speech-to-text online notepad, fast, easy to use web app for dictation & typing.
Use it parallel with the Grammarly and you will get both an easy writing ( dictating) experience and all your grammar and style mistakes flawlessly corrected.
Typwrittr¶
Textual editor that guarantees distraction free environment.
Typwrittr is a productivity tool that guarantees a distraction free writing experience, has a few beautiful themes and flexible settings that you can modify in a way you like.
The first line of text translates into a document title and an editor is made only for the text, so you can't add any images. You can add a markdown image link like this one.
And it will be visible in a Live text render.
Writing is smooth, fast and fun, plus it has sound effect of a typing machine ( and some others) so it is kind of an elegant solution for a person who likes vintage things.
An each text has to be saved to a cloud before switching to another window or refreshing, otherwise you will lose your text.
All text are saved in the drawer that slides from the bottom up and a text can be previewed/rendered either in the Markdown or Fountain.
I screenshot all the menus and the bottom of the screen so you can see it has a word/character count with and without spaces. It can come handy if you need that option.
The theme I am using is called the Twilight Forest and it is pretty dark, because I like darker colors, but if you prefer something colorful you can always change it into something more vivid.
I also submitted another type of a theme, with different font and different paper width, so you can also customize that.
TypeWrittr
FocusWriter¶
Multiplatform productivity tool and text editor for writers .
FocusWriter is a distraction free multi-platform application for the text processing and editing. The application is available for the Linux, Windows ( 7+), macOS ( added Source Code as well.
Focus writer has some basis features like text editing and saving in a few formats ( .txt, .rtf and .odt).
Additional featured are timers, alarms, goals, statistic, spell check and multi-language support.
It also has a nifty sound effects ( typewriter) which are very calming.
Also, it has an auto-save option that saves files every 5 minutes that is extremely important for a basic simplicity.
Portable version is also available, so you can take it with you wherever you go and on the USB flash drive.
The application is free, but when you downloading it on the source page you have to set tip for Download on zero, otherwise you will be redirected to the Paypal payout webpage.
Linux manual installation is quick and smooth, and other installs are also flawless.
Focuswriter
Language Tool¶
LanguageTool is a free, open-source grammar and spell checker tool that supports over 20 languages. It can be used as a standalone application or as an add-on for various text editors, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice. LanguageTool can identify a wide range of writing errors, including grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, and incorrect punctuation, and it provides suggestions for corrections.
Flocabulary¶
Flocabulary is an educational platform that provides students with interactive tools for learning vocabulary and academic skills. The platform includes a wide range of multimedia content, such as videos, games, and music, to help students learn and retain new vocabulary words. Flocabulary is designed for K-12 students, and it can be used in the classroom or at home.
Usage - start from this and go up for new words, the more words you know and use, the better you know English ( change to 7th 8th and so on in link to pick other sheets).
WordWeb¶
WordWeb is a free English thesaurus and dictionary software for Windows. It provides definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and related words for a wide range of English words, and it also includes a word-search function that allows users to quickly find words based on various criteria. WordWeb integrates with other applications, such as Microsoft Word, and it includes a built-in audio pronunciation feature.
Zenpen¶
ZenPen is a minimalist online text editor that provides a simplified and distraction-free writing environment. It is designed to help users focus on their writing by eliminating the clutter and distractions of a traditional word processor. ZenPen includes basic text formatting options, such as bold, italic, and underline, and it saves the text automatically in the browser's local storage.
Read more about the note taking applications
Social Media Management¶
A social media management tool is a software application used to manage and schedule posts, track analytics, and engage with followers on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These tools provide features such as post scheduling, content curation, and collaboration, to help businesses and organizations effectively manage their social media presence. The goal of a social media management tool is to streamline and simplify the process of managing multiple social media accounts, so that businesses can focus on creating and sharing content that resonates with their audience.
Examples: Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social
Hootsuite¶
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps businesses and individuals manage and schedule social media content across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more. It provides a centralized dashboard for scheduling and publishing posts, monitoring social media activity, and analyzing social media performance. Hootsuite also offers a range of collaboration and engagement tools, such as team assignments and social listening, to help teams work together effectively.
Buffer¶
Buffer is a social media management platform that enables businesses and individuals to schedule and publish social media posts across multiple platforms. It provides a simple and user-friendly interface for scheduling and publishing posts, as well as analytics and performance tracking. Buffer also includes collaboration tools, such as team member access and post approval workflows, to help teams work together efficiently.
Sprout Social¶
Sprout Social is a comprehensive social media management platform that provides businesses with tools for managing and analyzing social media engagement, publishing and scheduling content, and monitoring social media activity. It includes a range of features, such as advanced analytics, reporting, and collaboration tools, to help businesses effectively manage and grow their social media presence. Sprout Social also integrates with other tools, such as Google Analytics and Hootsuite, to provide a unified and integrated experience.
Image Editing¶
An image editing tool is a software application used to modify and enhance digital images. These tools typically offer a range of features, such as cropping, resizing, color correction, and image manipulation, to help users improve the quality and appearance of their images. Image editing tools can be used for a variety of purposes, including photo retouching, graphic design, and digital art creation. Image editing tools range from basic, consumer-level software to professional-grade applications with advanced features and capabilities.
Examples: Canva, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP
Canva¶
Canva is a graphic design tool that provides a user-friendly interface for creating designs for various use cases, such as social media posts, presentations, and print materials. It offers a vast library of templates, graphics, and elements, and a drag-and-drop interface for easy design creation. Canva is popular among non-designers, bloggers, and small businesses.
Adobe Photoshop¶
Adobe Photoshop is a professional-grade image editing software used by photographers, graphic designers, and artists to manipulate and enhance images. It offers a wide range of features including photo retouching, color correction, compositing, and adding text and graphics to images. Photoshop is widely considered the industry standard for image editing and has a large community of users and third-party plugins.
GIMP¶
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing software that provides a variety of tools for photo retouching, color correction, and image manipulation. It has a large user community and supports a wide range of file formats. GIMP is a suitable alternative for users who need advanced image editing capabilities, but do not want to invest in expensive proprietary software.
Zamzar¶
This is an online tool to convert any file into a different format FAST and FREE online.
If you are like me you will always have a wrong type of a file to upload on whatever random website you are currently working on. Either you have am awesome app, but a website doesn't have that extension, or you made an awesome job and you don't want to do all of that all over again...
Anyway, the Zamzar is a website that will spare you a lot of time. It is fast, efficient and FREE.
It offers all sort of the conversions and link to a done product is sent to your email address. To use it you don't need to register.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)¶
An SEO (Search Engine Optimization) application is a software tool used to improve a website's visibility and ranking on search engines, such as Google. These tools help optimize website content, including titles, descriptions, and keywords, to improve a site's relevance and authority in the eyes of search engines. SEO applications typically offer features such as keyword analysis, competitor research, backlink analysis, and website performance tracking, to help businesses understand and improve their search engine rankings. The goal of an SEO application is to increase organic traffic to a website and improve its visibility to potential customers.
Examples: Yoast SEO, Google Search Console, SEMrush
Yoast SEO¶
Yoast SEO is a popular WordPress plugin that helps improve a website's search engine optimization. It provides suggestions for optimizing content, such as keywords, meta descriptions, and headings, as well as checks for readability and other on-page factors that affect search engine rankings. Yoast SEO is designed to be user-friendly and is a popular choice for bloggers and small business websites.
Google Search Console¶
Google Search Console is a free web service offered by Google that provides insights into how Google crawls and indexes a website. It allows website owners to submit sitemaps, monitor search traffic and performance, and troubleshoot any issues that might affect search engine visibility. Google Search Console is an essential tool for website owners and SEO professionals to monitor and improve a website's search engine performance.
SEMrush¶
SEMrush is a comprehensive SEO and digital marketing tool that provides insights into a website's search engine performance and online visibility. It offers a wide range of features, including keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, and on-page optimization suggestions. SEMrush is designed for digital marketing professionals and SEO agencies, and provides in-depth data and insights to help improve a website's search engine performance
Email Marketing¶
An email marketing tool is a software application used to create, send, and manage email campaigns for the purpose of promoting products or services, building relationships with customers, or staying in touch with subscribers. These tools typically offer features such as email design templates, automation, list management, and analytics to help businesses effectively reach and engage with their target audience. Email marketing tools are used by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, as a cost-effective way to reach and engage with customers and subscribers.
Examples: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Aweber
Mailchimp¶
Mailchimp is an email marketing service that allows businesses and individuals to create, send, and manage email campaigns. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and a variety of automation tools to help users grow their email lists and engage with their subscribers. Mailchimp is popular for its free plan, making it a suitable choice for small businesses and bloggers.
ConvertKit¶
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed specifically for content creators, such as bloggers and online course creators. It offers advanced automation features, such as subscriber tagging and segmentation, and integrates with a variety of third-party tools, such as landing page builders and e-commerce platforms. ConvertKit is known for its focus on delivering relevant, targeted content to subscribers.
Aweber¶
Aweber is an email marketing service that provides a wide range of features for creating and managing email campaigns, including automation, list segmentation, and A/B testing. Aweber also offers a variety of integrations with third-party tools and platforms, making it a suitable choice for businesses of all sizes. Aweber is known for its reliability and deliverability, ensuring that email campaigns reach subscribers' inboxes.
Analytic applications¶
An analytics application is a software tool used to collect, process, and analyze data, with the goal of providing insights and improving decision-making. These applications can be used to analyze a variety of data, including website traffic, customer behavior, sales performance, and many others. Analytics applications provide a range of features, such as data visualization, reporting, and real-time updates, to help organizations understand their data and make informed decisions. Analytics applications are used in a variety of industries and are essential for businesses looking to improve their understanding of their data and make data-driven decisions.
Examples: Google Analytics, Piwik, Clicky
Google Analytics¶
Google Analytics is a free web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. It provides insights into audience behavior, such as the number of visitors, their location, and how they interact with a website. Google Analytics also offers a variety of customization options, including tracking specific events and goals, and integration with other Google products, such as AdWords and Tag Manager.
Piwik¶
Piwik is an open-source web analytics platform that provides real-time analytics and insights into website traffic and user behavior. It offers a wide range of customization options, including tracking specific events and goals, and the ability to add custom reports. Piwik is a self-hosted solution, providing greater control and privacy over data compared to cloud-based alternatives.
Clicky¶
Clicky is a real-time web analytics platform that provides detailed insights into website traffic, including information on individual visitors, their behavior, and search engine rankings. Clicky also offers a variety of customization options, including tracking specific events and goals, and the ability to monitor website uptime and performance.
Project Management¶
A project management application is a software tool used to plan, organize, and manage the various tasks and resources involved in a project. The aim of a project management application is to help teams stay organized, on-track, and on-budget, by providing features such as task assignments, deadline tracking, resource allocation, and collaboration. These applications are used in a variety of industries, including software development, construction, marketing, and many others, to help teams complete projects efficiently and effectively.
Examples: Trello, Asana, Monday.com
Trello¶
Trello is a project management tool that uses a "board" and "card" system to organize tasks and projects. Trello is designed for flexibility and can be used for a variety of use cases, such as personal productivity, software development, and team collaboration. Trello offers real-time updates, collaboration features, and integrations with other tools.
Asana¶
Asana is a web-based project management tool that allows teams to organize, track, and manage projects and tasks. It offers a wide range of features, including task assignment, deadline tracking, and collaboration, and integrates with a variety of third-party tools. Asana is designed for teamwork and is used by organizations of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.
Monday.com¶
Monday.com is a cloud-based project management tool that offers a flexible and customizable interface for organizing and tracking projects and tasks. It provides real-time updates, collaboration features, and a variety of integrations with other tools, making it suitable for a wide range of use cases, from software development to marketing and sales. Monday.com is designed for teams and offers a range of pricing plans to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes.
Others¶
Link Klipper¶
This is a tool to extract all links from a website.
If you for any reason need a tool to extract all the links from a single website, a Link Clipper extension for Google Chrome may help you to do that. A tool will extract all the links and download it to your PC in a simple text file or CSV file.
In case that you don't need every single link from a page but only a specific set of the links, you can always use the Options.
For example, if you need the Twitter links from the web page, but not the rest you can set Regex with a twitter.com, and export it in the TXT file ( simple text file).
If you need the multiple file links with specific extensions, then you can use Multiple Extensions option.
This extension is absolutely free and requires no setup, signup or any sort of authorization and it runs directly from your browser.
Link Klipper - Extract all links offered by Codebox
Notebloc¶
Noteblock is a mobile digitalization app for notes, images, and drawings.
Have you ever made a schematic or a hand drawing on a piece of the paper, but for some reason no app on your smartphone was good enough to catch it in a way you wanted - visible and clear but without additional editing?
Now you can do it with the Notebloc application.
Notebloc is available for the Android devices and iPhone, and it does all of that and even more.
I personally use this application, and I can even show you that it helped me transfer my hand drawings into a Steemit post a few days ago.
I have a robust scanner for my personal computer if I want to scan finer drawings, but those things are slow and obnoxious.
People who don't have an appropriate device at hand, usually turn to their smartphones only to find that camera doesn't attribute hand drawings and even after the processing they still contain the elements that are not flattering.
Another solution is to find an internet cafe or similar internet shop to scan your work, schemes, and drawings.
With the Notebloc, you can do it in just one snap.
I have to warn you, this app is made for simple schemes and images, schematics and note taking so it visually enhances the images to be clear, with clearly visible enhanced lines and colors. This is not made for artistic images or paintings with many shades of the same color, because the most of the coloration will be lost in the simple process of color balancing.
The color balancing is instant and you don't need to do anything but to confirm your newly made image.
Notebloc has many functions, but I will give you only a few.
Main characteristics of the Notebloc are:
- scan and save unlimited numbers of drawings, notes and images
- automatic detection of corners and paper
- correction of perspective balanced on 90 degrees
- automatic removal of shadows
- making the background brighter and content more visible and clear
- sharing, folders, editing
- OCR support to extract the text out of a photo
-saving documents in various formats
- small size
If you need a functional mobile scanner, I advise you to try this one.
Spike Messenger¶
If you have many emails and many being on different email platforms, it can be a daunting task to organize them. Making any sense of your daily communication becomes a gigantic task.
I have the same issue with the emails because I had to go the extra mile and create many email accounts. Some are for the websites, some for personal matters, and unnecessary internet trinkets. Every website either needs a phone number or an email.
Decentralized websites without email verification are safer and I recommend using them instead. But, sometimes there is no alternative, so email became a necessity.
In the case of multiple email accounts, all of these email accounts are receiving mail, and the mess is obvious... The logical solution would be to transfer all important things into a single email account and ditch the rest. But, that could be hard because sometimes there is no option to change an email or you don't want to do it for any reason.
Email chat turns any email conversation into a chat visually. So the communication becomes faster and better in every way. The note is integrated with the Spike so you can choose will you send a message or write a new note.
Spike messenger supports many email platforms and a user can add many accounts from the same or different platform. It will maybe have an issue to connect some exotic platforms, but in general, it will solve all your communication needs.
The interface is easy to understand and users may organize the dashboard in any way they like. Spike offers two themes and conversational messaging - either as individual emails or people, meaning emails are grouped based on who sent them.
Personal plan is free and they offer three other paid plans.
The free personal plan includes 5GB of Storage, 15k Message History, 20 Notes, 1:1 Audio/Video Calls, and some other things. Premium plans offer more features.
Blocksender¶
Delete all your email spam garbage automatically. A super easy way to delete all unwanted mail before it even reaches your inbox, no need to clean your spam or trash folder.
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