These are tools, websites, and resources I've personally used and feel good about recommending. I'll write about each section soon! DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links to products and services. This means that if you click on my link to make a purchase then I will get a small commission at no extra expense to you. You can read my Disclaimer and Privacy Policy for more details.

Web Hosting

Many people ask if it is possible to sell on Etsy and on your own website. Not only is this allowed, but I’d also encourage any craft business to plan to do this if they aren’t already. You could even skip Etsy and get to starting a craft business on your own. To have a website, you must have both a domain URL and hosting purchased. Here are my top recommendations for hosting providers for selling handmade items online. Read more of my in-depth reviews of each option listed right here!

• GreenGeeks
• Shopify
• SSLS (If you're web-savvy and can install an SSL yourself)
• WP Engine - Get 3 months free on annual plans

Web Development

There's a lot of tools, apps, and websites out there that may be better. These are the ones that have impacted me, or I continue to use them. Also, when I say website developer, I mainly mean the usual frontend or WordPress types. You only need to look at job boards to see "web developer" can mean different things to people, so I want to clarify here. You can read about each site listed here in-depth here.

• Plural Sight
• Brad Hussey's Udemy Courses
• Sublime Text
• Google Analytics Academy
• CSS Tricks
• Font Awesome
• Codepen
• Google Pagespeed Insights

Wordpress Plugins & Themes

I've used a lot of plugins in my career as a website developer and small business owner. My toolkit has evolved over the years as I grew more knowledgeable. Right now, here are my essential WordPress plugins that most websites would benefit from installing. You can read why these are my favorite plugins to use here.

• Elegant Themes
• BluChic Feminine WordPress Themes
• Beautiful Dawn Designs WordPress Themes
• RankMath
• UpdraftPlus (For automatic backups)
• Wordfence (Security app)
• Akismet
• Email Address Encoder
• Litespeed Cache
• Show Current Template (If you're doing any theme development)
• Tasty Pins

Email Marketing

• Flodesk
• ChicBoss Sales Funnel Template

Blogging, Writing, and Affiliate Marketing

• Affiliate Marketing Bundle
• Boost Blog Traffic eBook
• Affiliate Programs Master List eBook
• Blogging Income Tracker
• Ebook Bestseller Bootcamp
• How to Write Content that Goes Viral e-book
• 300+ Handpicked Affiliate Programs for Bloggers – Ebook

UX Resources

• Nielsen Norman Group

Marketing & SEO

• CreativeLive: Online Creative Classes Taught by Top Experts!
• Adweek
• Ads of the World
• Moz Blog (And their tools)
• SEMRush: The Best Tool for SEO & SEM - Try it Free!
• BrightLocal: The Best Local SEO Tool

Free Stock Photos, Tools, and Templates

• Unsplash
• Pexels
• Pixabay
• Canva
• Canva Social Media Templates
• Image Optim
• Free Design Consultation from 99Designs
• Morguefile
• Photoshop Express Editor

Social Media Apps and Tools

• Tailwind
• Later App
• Linktree
• Ascent Instagram EBook
• Adobe Lightroom App
• VSCO
• Hashtag Hacks for Instagram
• Pinterest eBook
• Kate Backdrop Inc.

Packaging, Shipping, and Printing

• ULINE
• ValueMailers
• Staples
• Minted (For business cards, promotional cards)
• Moo (For business cards, stickers, etc)
• Printful (Print on demand)

Random Tools I Use Sometimes

• Bitly Link Shortener
• Encode Email Address (Helps prevent spam)
• Color Snapper 2 (I use this A LOT to get the exact hex codes that are on my screen. It's been so useful)
• Autonomous ErgoChair 2 (Best work chairs I've ever used!)

Project Management

• Asana
• Trello
• Habit Daily Tracker App