Tools & Resources for Content Creators and Small Business Owners

Whether you’re launching your first website or scaling a shop that actually makes money, having the right tools in your corner makes all the difference. These are the resources for content creators and small business owners that I personally use (or have carefully vetted) to run Restored 316. From hosting and email marketing to design tools and course platforms. No filler, no fluff. Just the good stuff.

Bigscoots WordPress Hosting

BigScoots

I recommend BigScoots if this is your first website and don’t currently have a hosting account.  Their prices are very reasonable, their customer service is fantastic, and it’s a great place to start!

Use code 4DBQWKYNMG3V to save 20% on your first month!

Kadence Pro

Kadence Pro

All our themes use the free version of the Kadence framework, but Kadence also offers Kadence Pro that adds lots of extra features and customization ability to your website!

Occasion

Occasio

Occasio audits your entire content library, spots content that is decaying, surfaces missed keywords, and more. All from your real Google data. Try it FREE for 7 days and you’ll see the benefits of this software!

iMark Interactive

Website Security & maintenance

iMark Interactive

iMark Interactive is not your typical WordPress support company. Grayson Bell and his team are actually much more than that. With over 17 years of experience they are there to help with any kind of that super techy business that comes along with owning a WordPress website, as well as offering advice on how to keep your site fast and secure!

Recommended Hosting Providers

Bigscoots WordPress Hosting
Flywheel WordPress Hosting
WPEngine WordPress Hosting

Email Marketing Tools for Online Business Owners

Kit Email Service Provider

Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

We absolutely love Kit for our email magic! It’s like having a superpower to connect with our audience effortlessly. Join the fun and watch your business soar!

Mailerlite Email Service Provider

Mailerlite

MailerLite is the email superhero you’ve been waiting for! With its super-easy interface, stunning templates, and smart automation, sending emails to your people has never been easier!

Flodesk Email Service Provider

Flodesk

With stylish templates, drag-and-drop simplicity, you’ll shine like a star in your audience’s inbox. Join Flodesk and effortlessly create stunning emails that wow your subscribers!

Stock Photography

Premium

Free

Typography

Premium

Free

Canva Design Software

Design Tool

Canva

I absolutely adore Canva! It’s the creative genie that grants my design wishes effortlessly. With its endless array of templates, user-friendly tools, and boundless customization options, creating eye-catching graphics, presentations, and social media posts has become an absolute joy. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!

Project Management & Business Organization Tools

Trello

Trello

Trello is our company’s ultimate task-taming wizard! With its intuitive boards, cards, and seamless collaboration, it keeps us organized, focused, and motivated to conquer any project with ease.

Asana

Asana

Asana is fantastic project management system that works like a hero! Its intuitive interface, robust features, and seamless collaboration keep us organized and productive throughout our projects.

Clickup

Clickup

ClickUp is the ultimate project management powerhouse! With its versatile features, customizable workflows, and seamless integrations, it transforms chaos into organized success, making every project a breeze.

Dubsado

Dubsado

Dubsado is a customer relations wizard! Its all-in-one platform, customizable forms, and automated workflows work magic in streamlining client interactions, making business relationships a breeze to manage.

Team/Client Communication

slack

Slack

We’re hooked on Slack! Its real-time communication, seamless file sharing, and integrations create a vibrant work hub that keeps our team connected, productive, and always in sync.

Helpscout

Helpscout

HelpScout is our customer support oasis! Its user-friendly interface, collaborative features, and efficient ticket management streamline our customer service, ensuring we deliver top-notch support every time.

Google workspace

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is our productivity wonderland! With its seamless collaboration, powerful tools, and cloud-based magic, it transforms teamwork, communication, and organization, making work feel organized.

Course Software

Thrivecart

Thrivecart

ThriveCart is our course success partner! Its effortless checkout process, built-in affiliate program, and powerful analytics help us maximize sales and provide an exceptional learning journey for our students.

Systeme

Systeme.IO

This is a newer software available that allows you to create funnels, sell digital products including courses, and even create a community inside their platform! The cost of this one is so reasonable for what they offer!

Learndash

Learndash

Learndash is what we use for our Lunch & Learns and it’s made by the same people that make the Kadence Framework so it works nicely with your website right out of the box and also works great with WooCommerce!

Computer/Browser Add-Ons

1Password

1Password

I seriously can’t function without this app.  I began using this app about 10 years ago for storing all my passwords and have never looked back.  I couldn’t tell you a single one of my passwords because they are all generated and secure.  This also has a phone app so you can have access to all your passwords on the go. This also allows me to login to any site I’m on with the touch of a button.

CopyClip

CopyClip

I use this app every single day since I copy and paste a LOT! My primary purpose for this app is if I’m copying and pasting code in sections or a customer’s login information.  I can copy 3 different things from an email and have all those in my clipboard for easy pasting instead of flipping back and forth between apps.

Moom

Moom

This allows you to easily position the windows on your screen into sections with the keyboard shortcuts you create.  I use this feature all the time especially while I’m developing a new theme so that I can have the site I’m working on positioned to the left, my FTP program in the top right of my screen, and then firebug in the bottom right.

Gofullpage

GoFullPage

This Chrome extension helps me take a screenshot of the entire web page from top to bottom without having to piece screenshots together.

Ecommerce Solutions for Selling Digital Products

WooCommerce

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the e-commerce powerhouse we love! Its seamless integration with WordPress, extensive customization options, and vast plugin support make it the perfect solution for building and scaling our online store with ease.

Thrivecart

Thrivecart

ThriveCart is an e-commerce superhero! With its easy setup, conversion-focused features, and built-in sales tools, it supercharges our online store, driving more sales and creating a delightful shopping experience for customers.

Easy Digital Downloads

Easy Digital Downloads

Easy Digital Downloads is our digital sales powerhouse! Its focus on simplicity, seamless integration with WordPress, and specialized features make it the perfect solution for efficiently selling and managing digital products with ease.

Shopify

Shopify

Shopify is a top-notch e-commerce solution for businesses! With its user-friendly interface, extensive app ecosystem, and powerful features, it empowers users to create, manage, and expand their online stores successfully.

Gumroad

Gumroad

Gumroad shines as an e-commerce gem! Its user-friendly approach, seamless sales process, and emphasis on digital products make it an excellent solution for creators to sell and share their products worldwide.

SendOwl

SendOwl

SendOwl is another winning e-commerce solution! Its simplicity, robust features, and focus on digital product sales make it the perfect choice for creators and businesses looking to effortlessly sell and deliver their digital goods.

Best Checkout Options for Your Shop: How to Sell Products on WordPress

Best Checkout Options for Your Shop: How to Sell Products on WordPress

Creating a shop to sell your products online is a great way to make money and expand your reach. You can use many different platforms, but which one is the best for you? I know, there are so many options, and the overwhelm is real!

Frequently Asked Questions

At minimum, you need reliable hosting, an email marketing platform, a design tool, and a place to sell your products. We recommend BigScoots for hosting, Kit for email, Canva for design, and WooCommerce or ThriveCart for selling digital products.

It depends on your stage. Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is our top pick for creators who want powerful automation. MailerLite is a great budget-friendly option, and Flodesk is ideal if beautiful design is your priority.

Nope. Every tool on this list was chosen with non-technical creators in mind. Most have drag-and-drop interfaces, solid tutorials, and beginner-friendly pricing.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we genuinely use and love.