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You shouldn’t struggle to make money blogging. From day one you can structure your blog to earn income while delivering valuable, free content to readers.
There are many ways to monetize a blog and numerous (often free) tools that make it easier. No matter your niche—travel, parenting, fashion, food, or anything else—there are tools that can help you generate income from your blog in 2018 and beyond.
Ready to make money blogging?
Some of these tools I invested in when I first launched my site; others I added as my goals evolved. Throughout that process I needed reliable hosting, programs to create eye-catching images for the site and social media, and systems to manage income and expenses. Below is a curated list of my go-to tools that help turn a blog into a profitable business.
Bluehost
A dependable web host is essential to making money with a blog. If you started with a bargain host, upgrading to a cost-effective, reliable provider like Bluehost can make a big difference—especially if you plan to grow your site and publish lots of photos. A stable host lets your content perform well and supports traffic growth.
Tailwind
Pinterest has driven thousands of visitors to my site, but manually pinning every day takes time. Tailwind is a Pinterest-approved scheduling tool that lets you scale your presence without spending hours on the platform. For many bloggers it’s an indispensable way to grow traffic and income.
Divi Theme
Choosing the right theme matters. Free themes often lack features and some paid themes are difficult to customize. Divi’s visual, drag-and-drop builder makes it simple to design pages that look professional without frustration. If you prefer a visual editing experience, Divi can save time and help you create a polished site.
Stitch Fix
High-quality photos and a put-together personal style help your brand. Stitch Fix makes getting stylish wardrobe pieces convenient—items are chosen for your preferences and you only pay for what you keep; returns are free. For bloggers who appear on YouTube or social media, having a reliable style source can boost confidence and presentation.
IPSY
Well-applied, current makeup reads better on camera. IPSY is an affordable subscription that delivers beauty products matched to your preferences, helping you keep makeup fresh and camera-ready for a small monthly cost.
Fiverr
A strong logo and consistent branding are important. If you’re not a designer, Fiverr connects you with affordable freelance designers to create logos, social media assets, and other graphics to give your blog a memorable identity.
MailChimp
Building an email list is one of the best ways to grow traffic and connect with loyal readers. MailChimp offers a free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers and easy-to-use opt-ins and drag-and-drop email design. If you haven’t started email marketing yet, MailChimp is a simple, low-cost place to begin.
CreativeLive
Investing in your skills pays off. CreativeLive offers classes on photography, blogging, business, and more from experienced instructors. Many sessions can be streamed for free, and the paid courses are a valuable investment for improving photography and content creation skills that translate into a stronger, more profitable blog.
PicMonkey
If Photoshop feels overwhelming, PicMonkey is a beginner-friendly tool for creating attractive blog graphics and social images. It provides templates and easy layout options that help you produce eye-catching promotional materials for posts and social channels.
Food Blogger Pro
For food bloggers, Food Blogger Pro offers video tutorials and resources tailored to every skill level—from photography to SEO and monetization strategies. Specialized training like this can accelerate growth and improve content quality.
Grammarly
Polished writing builds credibility. Grammarly’s free service catches grammar and spelling issues beyond a basic spell check, helping you publish with confidence and reduce errors in your posts.
QuickBooks
As income grows, organization becomes critical. QuickBooks helps track expenses, organize receipts, and manage blogging income, making taxes and bookkeeping much easier for a business-minded blogger.
ShareASale
Affiliate networks like ShareASale connect bloggers with brands and sponsorship opportunities. Joining an affiliate network makes it easier to find products and programs that align with your audience and start earning commission.
If you have questions about any of these tools or how to use them to increase blog income, feel free to reach out through my contact form.