Below is a list of various resources and tools that are valuable for successful blogging and internet business. I will be adding to it as I test new solutions, and I’ll likely reference this page fairly often.
Some of the out-going links are affiliate links (full disclosure), however you have my word that nothing makes it to this page just for the commission. If it is on this page, then I give it my full endorsement.
Themes
- WooThemes. These guys offer some of the best premium themes around.
- Elegant Themes. These guys make great premium themes, and their price is about the lowest thing I’ve seen around. Cant beat it. Used their themes a few times. Good stuff.
- OptimizePress. I frickin’ LOVE this theme. It is a launch theme which makes life easy when you need to launch a product. Pretty much anything marketing-wise you want to do using the simplicity of WordPress, get OptimizePress. [Read my Optimizepress Review]
Hosting
- Pair Networks. I use Pair Networks for my web hosting. I’ve been with them for years and they have served me well. I use two dedicated servers and they are managed by Pair Networks.
- Hostgator. If you’re not up to needing dedicated servers quite yet, definitely check Hostgator. Awesome support. 1-click WordPress installs.
- Amazon S3. Reliable cloud storage, best used for serving large files like videos. I use it for self-hosted videos as well as off-loading larger files to save load on my own servers.
Ad Networks
- BuySellAds. BuySellAds is a network which brings buyers directly to publishers. BuySellAds takes a cut which is a bit high, but it isn’t as high as Google Adsense. BuySellAds is a nice way to put direct sponsorships on automatic for your blog.
- Chitika. Chitika is a good way to get relevant product links on your blog through the use of their minimalls. Their Chitika Premium ads are a nice way to take advantage of search traffic to your blog. Works ideally on product-oriented blogs.
- Kontera. Kontera is an ad network for contextual, in-text advertising. I have been using Kontera for some time over on PCMech.com and it works quite well for me. They are easy to work with.
Membership Site Software
- Amember Pro. A real workhorse of the membership site community, and I personally use this software on several sites. A little technical, but extremely flexible and, well… just works.
- Wishlist Member. If you’re not technical,