During my years of blogging I have taught and mentore by the best on how to make a blog. I have also purchased many tools, products and services. Some great…some bad!
Here are the tools, products and services I currently use and recommend.
Setting Up Your Small Business Blog
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Featured “How To Make A Blog” Product
This is a step-by-step course which takes you through the complete
process to build your very own online business.
There are 6 stages:
- The Blogging Essentials
- List Building
- Traffic Generation
- Product Creation and Launching
- Copywriting Secrets
- Outsourcing
For more information check out this link: Income Blogging Guide
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Domain Name and Hosting
I use Bluehost, HostGator and LunarPages for myself and clients due to their excellent support service, reliability and low cost.
Bluehost
Bluehost are one of the top rated hosting companies around. You get a free domain, unlimited hosting, unlimited space, unlimited email accounts. Plus you can install WordPress in seconds. All for just $6.95 a month.HostGator
HostGator are reliable, supportive and have very low costs...from just $3.96 a month.LunarPages
This blog, WeBuildYourBlog uses LunarPages. They offer a full range of hosting. For WordPress, prices start at just $3.95 a month.Top of Page
Themes
Once you have chosen your hosting I recommend you invest in a premium theme. The majority of premium themes are now fully Search Engine Optimized and come with a huge amount of flexibility and functions.
These are the ones I have personally used:
Headway
WeBuildYourBlog.com uses the Headway Theme. Headway is a great theme allow you to have complete control and rearrange your site layout without touching a line of code. Each page on your blog can be different. It uses a unique drag and drop facility so you can build your site easily.Woo Themes
Woo Themes offer numerous different WordPress themes for all types of pluishers. No matter what your blog subject is, Woo Themes will have a theme that matches it perfectly.Flexx
The Flexx theme gives you the edge with built in SEO features, easy to plug-in graphics and backgrounds, and other features that will save you time or from having to learning code. You get over 1000 different layouts to choose from with each Flexx theme.Photocrati
If you want to show your photos, this is the theme to use. I don't really need to say anymore...just check out the demos by clicking on the 'buy now' button.
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Backups
Headway
WeBuildYourBlog.com uses the Headway Theme. Headway is a great theme allow you to have complete control and rearrange your site layout without touching a line of code. Each page on your blog can be different. It uses a unique drag and drop facility so you can build your site easily.Woo Themes
Woo Themes offer numerous different WordPress themes for all types of pluishers. No matter what your blog subject is, Woo Themes will have a theme that matches it perfectly.Flexx
The Flexx theme gives you the edge with built in SEO features, easy to plug-in graphics and backgrounds, and other features that will save you time or from having to learning code. You get over 1000 different layouts to choose from with each Flexx theme.Photocrati
If you want to show your photos, this is the theme to use. I don't really need to say anymore...just check out the demos by clicking on the 'buy now' button.
Don’t loose all your hard work…ensure you have proper backups in place.
Backup Buddy
If you are serious about your small business blog...then backup your blog. Don't wait until it is too late. The free WordPress plugins don't backup your entire site...you need Backup Buddy.
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Header Banners
Backup Buddy
If you are serious about your small business blog...then backup your blog. Don't wait until it is too late. The free WordPress plugins don't backup your entire site...you need Backup Buddy.
You want you business blog to ‘stand out from the crowd’, don’t you? So, invest in a personally designed header banner.
No Products
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Blog Writing
You will have read many times…”content is king”…and it’s true. If you publish great quality blog posts…visitors will return.
Blog Writing
In conjunction with my business partner, we offer high-value, low-hassle blog writing for busy people who need some support to free up time. We write superb unique articles, of at least 500 words in length, for you to use on your blog. The articles can be on any subject you wish.How To Write Articles
If you cannot afford to hire a blog writer, then discover the best way to write articles for maximum exposure and traffic.The Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers
This resource is like having a blog post expert looking over your shoulder...making sure you have completed everything possible to get maximum SEO, traffic and visibility...before you hit the 'publish' button.Top of Page
Keyword Analysis
You have to target the best keyword phrases for your business blog. Get the keyword phrases wrong and all your future efforts are wasted. This is the best tool available…by far.
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Search Engine Optimization
This is a crucial aspect of blogging to get right. You cannot afford to get SEO wrong.
Scribe
Search Engine Optimization can be easy...with ScribeSEO. This plugin removes all the complexity and you’ll achieve higher search rankings and increase the targeted traffic to your site!Top of Page
Traffic
These are the tools I use on a regular basis to get as much free natural traffic as possible.
Build Backlinks On AutoPilot
This tool build back-links from high profile websites each time you publish a post...automatically. Each time I publish a post...within seconds I get another 60 back-links within seconds...all on autopilot.Blog Traffic Formula
Discover how to get free traffic from all the blogging ‘big boys’ (Chris Garrett, Daniel Scocco, Darren Rowse, Jack Humphrey, Jason Katzenback, Matt Garrett, Yaro Starak). Solid, proven advice.Blog Carnival Submitter
This is one blog traffic getting process that many bloggers don't use. In 2008, a high profile blogging mentor told me I should start submitting my blog posts to the different blog carnivals. I did and never looked back. Each week I get more traffic and more backlinks. This software reduces the amount of time More Info »Book Marking Demon
Book Marking Demon allows you to automatically bookmark websites to over 100 book-marking sites in minutes and best of all without spamming. As a result of using Book Marking Demon, my sites backlinks vastly increase within days. Try it!Index Checker
Just becasue you submit your sitemap to Goolge, doesn't mean your blog posts are indexed. This simple tool tells you which of your blog posts are indexed and more importantly...which are not...all with one click.Headlines
Creating an eye-catching headline for your blog posts makes all the difference. Crappy headline = no visitors Awesome headline = loads of visitors This product helps you swipe awesome headlines.Top of Page
Email Services
“The money is in the list”. No doubt you would have heard that phrase before. It’s true…but only half true. The money is in ‘how you treat and build a relationship with your list”. Without a list you are leaving a lot of ‘money of the table and the best customer list building service around is Aweber.
Aweber
Aweber offer excellent value for money email services. What makes them the number one email service provider is their easy to use functions and the fact they offer live support.Top of Page
Squeeze Pages
A squeeze page is a one-page website that is specifically designed to entice people to give you their email address in return for a free gift or “give away” product.
It’s a way to build a quality list when used with Aweber (see above). To simply and easily build a squeeze page use this tool.
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Copy Writing
Without engaging and professionally written content, you won’t be able to build a personal brand…sell products…make money…build trust…
To be a successful blogger, copy writing is a fundamental and required skill.
The Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers
This resource is like having a blog post expert looking over your shoulder...making sure you have completed everything possible to get maximum SEO, traffic and visibility...before you hit the 'publish' button.Top of Page
Product Launching
Learn how to Launch the **** out of your E-Book
Creating your product can be hard work! Launching it is even harder! Make sure you get the best of your product launch. You can CHEAT...use this guide.Top of Page
Hi, Andrew Rondeau here and this blog, my blog, will not lie to you. I will give it to you straight.This blog is about blogging, the Internet and sharing my experiences and advice on 
