Blogging has boomed in the last 10 years, with more people than ever wanting to have the flexibility of earning money from home, meaning blogging is a big business.
Free Tools for Bloggers
There are so many great free tools out there for bloggers to utilise, and here are six amazing free (or low-cost) ones that I wish I knew about when I first started out…
1 – Canva
Canva is my top-rated blogger resource. There’s a free version that has 100s of completely free templates and images which is a godsend to any bloggers that are just starting out and aren’t making any money from their blog just yet.
Here’s everything you need to know about Canva’s free version
2 – Google Keyword Planner
You have to research all of your posts before, during and after posting. Keyword tools can cost a fortune, but through Google ads keyword planner, you can get access to keyword trends for free. I do not create a post without checking Keyword planner first – and you should too!
3 – OpenOffice
This is a completely free version of Microsoft office. It does everything the expensive Microsoft version does, except it costs nothing.
4 – Google Drive
I don’t think I could live without Google Drive! I have it pinned and use it for so much! I used to use sticky notes on my computer, but after killing a few laptops I realised I needed an online solution.
I use the spreadsheets to track my incoming and outgoings for tax purposes.
I have used the forms before, there are handy when you’re asking other bloggers to contact you for certain purposes such as link swapping and for quotes etc as you can collect any information that you need.
I use the docs for just about everything else! I am a huge fan of lists. I was forever thinking of blog ideas, then forgetting them a few hours later, so now I have a list of ‘article ideas’.
I have notes for all my logins and pretty much everything I need to remember.
5 – Gimp
Gimp manipulation software is a free photoshop! You can do everything on the program that you can do in photoshop.
It does take quite a bit of time to learn how to use the software, but Google has plenty of how-to guides on everything you would ever need to do. I have learned so much from following guides online.
6 – Pinterest
Pinterest is a must for bloggers, you can drive SO much traffic to your blog by simply creating a pinnable image.
There are 1000s of templates in Canva you can use, so you don’t even have to be an expert in graphic design! You can also connect your Pinterest account from Canva and instantly share your designs.
Here’s a great guide for bloggers looking utilise Pinterest
I hope these amazing tools will help you on your blogging journey, whether you’re just starting out or an established blogger looking to save some cash, these tools are a must.
If you know of any other free tools we should add to this list, please let us know in the comments below…
Claire Roach is the UK’s #1 Online Shopping Expert and founder of Money Saving Central. With 15 years of experience in personal finance, Claire is an expert in Sale Date tracking, helping people to budget, cut costs, make money, save and invest wisely.
She is a busy mum of 5 with experience in blogging, affiliate marketing, website design, web development and SEO.
