All website owners, developers and designers have their favorite website tools, whether for plugins, themes, optimizers, backup, or domain and host providers. Everyone's needs and experience varies, of course, but here I'm sharing what I personally like to use, and why.
Not all of these are geared toward those who create websites or graphics. Any blogger or business owner interested in resources like stock photos, booking calendar, cloud storage, or a way to share their knowledge via online teaching may find just what they are looking for here.
Transparency note: Many of these links are affiliate or referral links, and that I may receive a commission if you should choose to purchase the premium versions. However, these are all products I personally use and like, and nearly all have free versions worth checking out that may be sufficient for your needs or to test-drive.
I Partner with These Software Companies and Use Their Products
Stock Photos
DepositPhotos
Stock photo banks have become ubiquitous, and happily, there are some free ones. But have you noticed that sometimes you might recognize a photo because everyone's using the same freebies?
DepositPhotos offers a wonderful variety of photographs, illustrations, and vector art, and while like many other services you can pay a monthly subscription, they too offer lifetime deals once a year or two for a hundred photos (or more depending on the deal.) You can start with their free plan and then keep an eye out for their specials, usually offered at AppSumo.
Not that I never use the free image banks! You may see many of the same images, but some to check out are: Pixabay, Pexels, Yayimages, UnSplash, and PicJumbo.
Hosting
A2Hosting
Over the years I've seen many of my web colleagues jump from one new marvelous host to another, only to be disappointed a few years later with the level of support they get. A2Hosting does not have the "developers choice" reputation of these other companies, and yet I have found them very good to work with for my particular clients.
Their uptime is usually excellent (the only host I've worked with who has better uptime is DreamHost.) I find their prices competitive, especially considering they offer multiple add-on domains which many competitors don't.
But what has earned my sticking with them for a good many years, even when they went through growing pains, is something you don't get with many of the "fancy" companies: actual phone support. I dread having to use chat or numerous emails with different staff for an issue I need explained in-depth to me. OK, sometimes I do end up in an email chain with the "gurus", but more often than not I can call, and get a kind, very knowledgeable person to assist. And if I say, "oh, while I have you on the phone can I ask something else?" they are always willing to help. Love that.
Theme
Astra Theme (BrainstormForce)
I've been using the Astra theme for quite a number of years. It's one of the most popular WordPress themes, and integrates well with the Beaver Builder page builder, as well with other page builders like Elementor and the WP block editor (Gutenberg.)
Because I do use Beaver Builder and have many of my own templates at this point, I found I personally didn't need the Pro version, but I know people who use the Pro and are quite happy with the great features it offers.
BrainstormForce, the company behind Astra and Ultimate Add-ons (below) and several other web tools for developers, is excellent with tech support as well.
E-Course Builder
LifterLMS
You have knowledge. You know stuff. You've thought about teaching the stuff you know to others but get stuck at "where to start?"
Enter LifterLMS, the most customizable e-course plugin for WordPress. LMS means "Language Management System," but if you've never set up a course, don't be intimidated by this label. LifterLMS will take you step-by-step through each process you need to know to create a course, from creating modules and videos to offering quizzes and badges. You can also set up community forums and membership tiers with different pricing structures––as simple or as complex as you'd like.
Full disclosure: I'm an admitted fangirl, because I've worked with them freelance for a few years now, writing case studies based on user interviews. It's those interviews that have me inspired by the remarkable breadth and flexibility of this software's capabilities.
Storage & Back-Up
PCloud
An alternative to GoogleDrive, iCloud and DropBox. Quite often they offer really good LTD (Lifetime Deals) so you can choose to pay once, or by subscription.
The free version offers the same 15G you get on GoogleDrive, so it's easy to try them out.
Booking Calendar
Book Like a Boss
I like this booking software. There are several different levels; I'm admittedly not at the highest tier they offer, since my needs are modest. But I can set-up appointments, phone or Zoom or Google Meet meetings, fine-tune the schedule, offer services or products, and embed the booking calendar on my own site.
It integrates with over 1,000 apps through Zapier, as well as Stripe, MailChimp, YouTube and more.
I can't really compare it to the popular Calendly, as I got this on another LTD, but I appreciate the online chat support when I've needed it, and they continuously improve and expand their product.
Plus I must admit I rather enjoy the Brooklyn accent in their tutorial videos!
Design
Beaver Builder
I love this page builder. I've used it for years, and the support is great. There is even a phenomenal Slack for the latest updates and community support. Add-on plugins that extend its functionality make it even better (like Ultimate Addons for Beaver Builder, below, or Power Pack.)
I know many people are using Gutenberg, WordPress' own block builder, but for my needs it does not come near the flexibility for design that Beaver Builder offers.
A page builder contender I'd explore is Elementor, which is also worth looking at. For now, personally, I'll continue with Beaver Builder for the aforementioned support, their dedication to keeping their product updated and optimized, and frankly, the better price.
Design
Ultimate Addons (BrainstormForce)
Another one of my website tools by BrainstormForce that I've used for years, Ultimate Addons expands what I can do with Beaver Builder. Its attractive, well-optimized modules allow me create information boxes, icon lists, modals, FAQ accordions and more.
Not using Beaver Builder? There's a version for Elementor as well! And if you are using the block editor, take a look at their improved and expanded version for that, Spectra.
Best of all, the free versions of Ultimate Addons allow you to take them for a test drive for as long as you need.
Design and Photo Editing
Affinity by Serif
I use Adobe PhotoShop because I've always used it, along with other Adobe tools. But I also purchased Affinity's three design apps: Designer, Photo, and Publisher, because with the changing focus of my business I don't need all the other Adobe apps at the same time like I did when I worked with print publishers.
For example, I only need InDesign a couple of times a year these days, and Affinity Publisher works every bit as well for my needs.
As for the other two apps, Designer is analogous to Illustrator, and Photo to PhotoShop.
For those who prefer not to deal with a (pricey) subscription, or who don't have to work in the strictly Adobe ecosphere, the apps from Affinity are excellent, and their price points (not subscriptions!) super fair for what you get.
Transparency note: Many of these links are affiliate or referral links, and that I may receive a commission if you should choose to purchase the premium versions. However, these are all products I personally use and like, and nearly all have free versions worth checking out that may be sufficient for your needs or to test-drive.