Best Blogging Tools and Resources of 2025

Hey everyone, The Digital Malik here! 👋

So, I’ve been getting a ton of questions lately from friends and family about my go-to tools and resources for blogging, especially since I’ve been exploring the world of AI blogging.

“What do you actually use?” they ask. Well, ask no more!

I’ve created this handy hub where you can find all my best blogging tools for beginners and more experienced bloggers alike!

This includes some of the tools I use for leveraging AI blogging to enhance my content.

Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t just some massive list of every tool out there. Nope.

This is my personal, curated collection—the stuff I actually use and recommend.

I’m talking about tools I’ve put to the test for at least three months and seen real results with. These are my top picks, the cream of the crop!

And just so you know, I don’t accept any paid placements or promotions for this page. You can’t buy your way onto this list.

Everything here has earned its spot by delivering proven results for me.

I know budgeting is super important, especially when you’re starting out, so most of these tools are incredibly affordable.

And wherever possible, I’ve even included free options! Because who doesn’t love free?

One more thing: you definitely don’t need everything on this list.

I’ve included a couple of alternatives here and there because, let’s face it, one size doesn’t fit all.

What works for me might not be perfect for you, and that’s totally okay!

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips, tricks, and insights, including how I use AI blogging tools in my workflow!

You won’t want to miss out. 😉

My List of Best Blogging Tools and Resources

Entity Setup

Bizee (formerly Incfile): Streamlines business formation, making it easy to officially register your company. I use it because it’s affordable, efficient, and takes the headache out of the legal paperwork.

Virtual Mailbox

Bizee Virtual Address: Their virtual address service provides flexibility, privacy, and convenience, all at an affordable price. Manage your mail securely and professionally from anywhere

Domain Provider

Namecheap: I snag my domains here because they offer competitive pricing, reliable service, and excellent customer support—everything you need to secure your online presence without breaking the bank.

Blog Host

WPX.net: My go-to blog host. They offer blazing-fast speeds, top-tier security, and fantastic customer support, ensuring my website is always online and performing at its best. It’s a premium service worth the investment for a smooth and reliable blogging experience.

Best Theme

Kadence (Free/Pro): My blog theme of choice. It’s fast, highly customizable, and the free version is incredibly powerful—perfect for getting started and easily scaling as your blog grows. I use it because it gives me the flexibility and performance I need without the bloat. Psst! I use the free version only.

Best Plugins

SB Blocks: Provides 400+ pre-designed Kadence blocks, perfect for affiliate bloggers. I use them to quickly build high-converting pages without sacrificing site performance. (Paid)

WP Rocket: A caching plugin that boosts website speed, even with my host’s built-in caching. I use it to improve my PageSpeed Insights and Webpagetest scores for optimal performance. (Free)

Query Hunter: Helps me find missed keyword opportunities in existing posts. The AI-powered 2.0 version and Chrome Extension makes implementation seamless. I used this in my content audit to help me get into Mediavine.

Link Whisper: My go-to for internal linking and some affiliate link conversions. I use it to connect posts and improve site structure for SEO.

Easy Table of Contents: Automatically inserts tables of contents. I use it as a convenient backup in case I forget to add the Kadence TOC block.

Login Lockdown: Enhances website security by preventing spam logins. It’s a simple but effective free tool.

Rank Math: My all-in-one SEO plugin for keyword tracking, G4/GSC connection, and redirections. It streamlines my SEO workflow.

ShortPixel: Compresses images to improve site speed and save database space. Ideal for image-heavy blogs.

TinyPNG: A free alternative to ShortPixel for image compression. I use it when I need a quick, free option.

Pretty Links: Cloaks affiliate links for easier social media sharing. I use it specifically for social promotion, being mindful of affiliate terms.

Hubbub Lite: My preferred social sharing plugin. It’s lightweight and effective.

WP Recipe Maker: My favorite recipe card plugin (used for my previous recipe blog).

Ad Inserter: A free alternative to Kadence hooks for adding affiliate disclaimers. It’s a handy tool for ad management.

WP Code: Adds code to my header and footer. It’s essential for implementing various tracking and functionality.

Ahrefs:(Missing description) A powerful SEO tool suite. I use it for keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink checking, and site auditing to improve my search visibility.

SEO Tools

Google Search Console (GSC): Essential for monitoring website performance in Google search. I use it to track rankings, identify crawl errors, and submit sitemaps.

Google Analytics: Tracks website traffic and user behavior. I use it to understand my audience and measure the effectiveness of my content.

Keysearch.co: My primary keyword research tool, instrumental in getting me into Mediavine. I use it for finding low-volume keywords, competitor analysis, zero-volume keyword discovery, and post optimization.

Ahrefs: A powerful but pricey SEO suite. I use the Starter Plan with basic analysis, as the full version is overkill for most bloggers.

Search Response: A free tool for finding FAQ and long-tail question keywords. I use it to expand my content ideas and address user queries.

Answer the Public: A free tool for generating related queries from a seed keyword. I use it for brainstorming content ideas and understanding search intent.

Answer Socrates: Similar to Answer the Public, helping me find related questions. It offers another perspective on user queries.

Broken Link Check: Identifies broken links on my site. I use it to maintain a good user experience and improve SEO.

Moz Title Tag: A suite of SEO tools, but I might use the free Title Tag Preview Tool, to make sure its under 50 characters.

NeuronWriter: A cost-effective content optimizer, especially good for the LTD deal. I use it to refine my content for search engines and improve readability.

RankIQ: A popular content optimizer with a keyword library. While the keyword library isn’t ideal for travel, I use the optimizer to enhance my content and ensure it meets SEO best practices.

Siteliner: Analyzes a website’s internal links and identifies issues like duplicate content. I use it to improve my site’s structure and SEO health.

Other Great Tools

AppSumo: A marketplace for lifetime deals on software and tools. I use it to find hidden gems at discounted prices, though careful evaluation is key as the quality can vary. Research thoroughly before purchasing and focus on tools that address specific needs.

Make (formerly Integromat): My preferred automation platform for connecting apps and tools, especially for workflows involving ChatGPT. I use it to streamline tasks and integrate different services. Start with the generous free plan and gradually build more complex automations as needed.

TidyCal: A one-time payment calendar booking tool. I use it to schedule client calls, accept payments, and manage meetings efficiently. Integrate TidyCal with your website and payment gateways for seamless booking and payment processing

AI Writers

Jasper: My go-to AI writer for long-form content. I use it to create affiliate posts, ebooks, and even pin descriptions, as it’s easy to train to match my writing style.

ChatGPT: A versatile chatbot AI. I use it for informational posts, coding, formatting, and image creation. The paid plan is worth it for its improved memory.

Claude AI: An AI assistant I’m exploring for its writing and other potential capabilities.

Gemini AI: Google’s AI model, which I’m currently testing for content creation and research

Koala Writer: The best “one-click” AI writer I’ve tried, though I still prefer outlining and editing its output. I find it more suitable for non-travel content and social media posts.

Reword: An AI writer trained on your style and website content. I love its ability to suggest sources and statistics, making research while writing much easier.

Grammarly: My editing and plagiarism-checking tool. I use it to polish my writing and ensure my content is original.

Link Building / PR

Linkifi: A paid link-building service that delivered real results for my site. I use it to supplement my guest posting strategy and acquire branded links from reputable news organizations.

Facebook Groups for Travel Guest Postings: Free communities where you can connect with other travel bloggers for guest posting opportunities and collaborations. I use these groups to expand your reach and build backlinks.

Travel Blogs That Accept Guest Posts: Find travel blogs open to guest contributions and use this resource to find relevant sites for guest posting and build my backlink profile.

Ads

Raptive: A premium ad network for blogs with high traffic (100k+ pageviews, or 30k for new sites). I use it for ad monetization and its included content optimizer (40 reports/month).

Mediavine: A popular premium ad network (50k sessions required, or 25k for Pro program members). I used them previously and found them to be a great network, but ultimately switched to Raptive.

Email Marketing

MailerLite: My preferred email marketing platform. It’s user-friendly, reliable, and free for up to 500 subscribers. I use it for my email list management and campaigns.

ConvertKit: A more advanced (and pricier) email marketing platform. I use it for its robust automations, which are slightly more customizable than MailerLite’s.

Try Interact: My go-to for creating lead-generating quizzes. I use it to grow your email list, and it’s incredibly effective

Affiliates

Affilimate: My affiliate income tracking and optimization tool. I use it to monitor earnings, analyze user behavior with heatmaps, and find broken links. It’s been key to scaling my affiliate income, but requires a solid strategy to be effective.

ThirstyAffiliates:(Missing description) A WordPress plugin for managing and cloaking affiliate links. I likely use it to organize my affiliate links, make them look nicer, and track clicks.

TravelPayouts: A travel affiliate network. I use it for promoting travel services, especially when recommending something occasionally, and it’s a great starting point for beginners to get approved for larger networks

Digital Product / Course Creation

ConvertBox: A plugin for creating custom pop-ups for various purposes, like freebie offers, exit-intent affiliate promotions, and sales banners. I use it to boost conversions and engagement on my sites. Best Strategy: Use strategically timed pop-ups to offer relevant value to visitors.

Gumroad: A platform for selling digital products, ideal for ebooks or testing product ideas. I use it for hosting and selling my digital products, leveraging its built-in affiliate network. Best Strategy: Start with Gumroad to validate your product before investing in more complex platforms.

Canva: My go-to design tool for creating website graphics and product visuals. I use the paid plan for access to premium features and templates. Best Strategy: Use Canva to create visually appealing graphics that reinforce your brand and message.

Creative Market: A marketplace for design assets, including templates for ebooks and Pinterest pins. I use it to find professional-looking templates that save me design time. Best Strategy: Leverage pre-made templates to create high-quality designs quickly and efficiently.

Loom: A cost-effective video recording tool for creating online courses. I use it to record and edit my video content. Best Strategy: Record via the desktop app for slightly better quality and be mindful of potential technical issues.

Final Thoughts on my best blogging tools and resources!

And there you have it!

My curated list of tools and resources that I personally use and recommend.

I’ll be updating this page regularly as I discover new favorites and refine my workflow, so be sure to check back often for the latest and greatest!