- Website hosting & domain recommendations.
- Design tools (WordPress, themes, Canva, etc.).
- Marketing & email tools (SMTP, automation, SEO).
- Free resources & guides you provide.
Over the years, I’ve built websites for business, personal projects, and income streams. Along the way, I’ve tested a lot of tools—some that helped me grow and others that were a waste of time. This page is my curated list of resources I actually recommend for starting and running your online business.
I’ve organized them into categories: hosting & domains, design tools, marketing & email, and free resources. Many of these are beginner-friendly but powerful enough to grow with you.
Website Hosting & Domain Recommendations
Your website’s foundation matters. A reliable host and a good domain registrar save you headaches later.
- DreamHost – Affordable, WordPress-friendly hosting with unlimited storage and bandwidth.
- SiteGround – Excellent customer service and speed, great for beginners who want support.
- Namecheap – Simple and budget-friendly domain registrar. Easy management, transparent pricing.
Personal note: I’ve used different hosts over the years. The biggest difference is in reliability. Don’t go with the absolute cheapest option—saving $2 a month won’t matter if your site is constantly down.
Design Tools (Websites, Themes & Graphics)
A professional look builds trust. Here are the tools I use or recommend:
- WordPress – The most flexible, widely used website platform. Free and open-source.
- Astra / GeneratePress themes – Lightweight, customizable themes that load fast.
- Elementor – Drag-and-drop page builder for those who want design freedom.
- Canva – Easy online design tool for graphics, banners, and social media posts.
- Unsplash / Pexels – Free, high-quality stock photos to make your site look professional.
Personal note: I design many of my own graphics in Canva. It’s fast, intuitive, and doesn’t require being a designer.
Marketing & Email Tools
Getting your site live is only step one—you need tools to grow traffic, communicate with your audience, and keep everything running smoothly.
- FluentSMTP / WP Mail SMTP – Ensure your WordPress emails (forms, notifications) actually deliver.
- SMTP2GO – Reliable email sending service for higher volume or multiple websites.
- Mailchimp / Brevo (Sendinblue) – Beginner-friendly email marketing platforms. Great for newsletters.
- Yoast SEO / Rank Math – SEO plugins that help optimize your site content for Google.
- Google Analytics – Track who’s visiting your site and what’s working.
Personal note: I struggled early with emails not delivering from my websites. Using SMTP tools solved it instantly and gave me confidence that forms and inquiries were reaching me.
Free Resources & Guides
Here are some free resources I’ll be building and sharing here on Glenn Shop:
- Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Website Business – A step-by-step PDF you can follow from niche idea to first post.
- Affiliate Marketing Checklist – Quick guide to adding affiliate links the right way.
- SEO Starter Guide – Basics of keyword research, titles, and on-page optimization.
- Email Setup Guide – How to configure WordPress email so your forms never fail.
(These will be available for download soon—check back as I update them!)
Final Thoughts
The tools you choose can either make your journey smoother or create unnecessary obstacles. My advice? Start simple. Pick one host, one theme, one email tool. As your site grows, add more only when you actually need them.
If you’re unsure where to begin, send me a message—I’ll point you toward the best option for your situation.
📧 Contact me: enquiry@glenn.shop