Resources I use and love
Wirementor
Wirementor
Disclaimer: I built this tool!
Wirementor is a powerful tool to create wireframes and prototypes in no time with Elementor Pro.
If you start a project knowing the final website will be built with Elementor Pro, then it makes no sense to go through a wireframing app, a design app, a prototyping app, not to mention the inevitable revisions that go with it, to finally start creating the website from scratch in Elementor Pro.
There had to be a better way right? Until there wasn’t…
So I built it!
WordPress Themes
Astra
There are so many reasons why I love Astra that I will have to do a video & post about it.
You can get Astra for free, and it’s already a great product, but you’d miss out on features like sticky header, transparent header, custom layouts and page headers just to mention a few!
For example, with Astra I can get a different header on every page if I wanted to, I can specify various types of transparent headers (useful for example if I have a dark background on one page, and a light one on another page).
I also like the fact that you can easily add snippets of code anywhere you see fit inside a page, without have to mess around with functions.php in WordPress.
Divi
Divi is one of the most successful WordPress themes out there and I just love it.
One of the advantage of Elegant Themes (the company behind Divi) is the fact that they offer a lifetime plan, so if you’re serious about the web, this is a no-brainer!
Especially since they decide to offer 2 full layouts packs ( = full websites) per week!
A great deal, especially if you plan to start offering website creation services as the lifetime package is dirt cheap and will pay itself several times over on your first gig 🙂
Wp Theme Builders
Elementor pro
Elementor Pro was laready great but has definitely reached a new level when it became a WordPress theme builder.
So you can now create custom headers and footers, archives pages, single posts templates, 404 pages, woocommerce pages, and much more!
Does that mean you don’t need a theme anymore? Actually you still do because some things are better handled by your theme (and for that you can’t go wrong with Astra Pro), for the rest, there is Elementor Pro 🙂
WP Page Builders
Elementor Pro
Elementor Pro was laready great but has definitely reached a new level when it became a WordPress theme builder.
So you can now create custom headers and footers, archives pages, single posts templates, 404 pages, woocommerce pages, and much more!
Does that mean you don’t need a theme anymore? Actually you still do because some things are better handled by your theme (and for that you can’t go wrong with Astra Pro), for the rest, there is Elementor Pro 🙂
Divi
Divi is a theme, but also a page builder, which means you can also use the Divi builder (which is a standalone plugin) with any other WordPress theme!
Now why would you do that since an Elegant Themes subscription offers you both?
Well, maybe you must use another theme for specific reasons (custom design, woocommerce layouts, and so on.)
One of the advantage of Elegant Themes (the company behind Divi) is the fact that they offer a lifetime plan, so if you’re serious about the web, this is a no-brainer!
Especially since they decide to offer 2 full layouts packs ( = full websites) per week!
A great deal, especially if you plan to start offering website creation services as the lifetime package is dirt cheap and will pay itself several times over on your first gig 🙂
WordPress Plugins
Crocoblock for Elementor
Crocoblock (even though in terms of branding I’d have chosen a different name) is an outstanding collection of premium plugins for Elementor.
It’s almost impossible to use all of it since there are so many widgets / addons.
But I love the fact that when I start a new project, I know that one of the plugins will help me do the job.
I particularly love the JetBlog, JetTabs and JetEngine plugins, but of course the JetElements pack is definitely very good too!
And oh, they have a lifetime plan 🙂
Envato Marketplace
Whether you create websites for a living or you are trying to create your business’ website on a DIY mission, Envato Marketplace is definitely a great marketplace.
And although I don’t use their themes anymore, I definitely shop there for plugins, video, audio and pictures depending on the project.
The best deal in my opinion is their new subscription model, where you pay a ridiculous small amount to get access to hundreds of thousands of digital assets.
You’re welcome 🙂
Learning skills
Team Treehouse
If you’re looking to up your digital creative skills, you should definitely check out Team Treehouse!
I’ve used it a few years ago and it greatly helped me learn css and a few other things along the way.
The interface is playful, to the point and the courses are well organized and not overwhelming like on some other platforms.
This is more for beginners to intermediate levels so if you are already a guru that’s probably not for you. But if you want a solid foundation starting at 25$/months then look no firther!
Miles Beckler
Are you looking for great advice on how to master content marketing?
If that’s you then you should definitely check out Miles Beckler’s Youtube channel.
Miles’s content has tremendous value and the best thing is: he share for free what others are charging thousands of dollars for.
So if you’re serious about leveling up your content strategy and internet marketing skills, have a look at his channel.
You won’t regret it!
Hosting your website
A2 Hosting
If you’re looking for a fast and reliable host, not to mention that they are very competitive with their pricing, especially if you factor in the quality of their infrastructure and support.
And we all know how important support is.
Also, good to know: they have servers in the US, EU and Asia, so you’re pretty much covered, wherever your business is located!
Wp Rocket
After getting a fast and reliable webhosting company, the next step is to use a cache plugin to make your website even faster!
When someone arrives on your website, it triggers requests to the database & server on which your website is physically hosted (the images, the code, the scripts). And that is happening because your website is dynamic (it is powered by a database).
So for example, if this was translated in plain language, the requests would be something like “Go and fetch me those 5 images for the homepage, as well as the code for displaying the page color palette and typography“.
So each request back and forth between the browser and the database add up, and that can make your website slower.
So basically, what a cache plugin does is that it creates a static version of your pages, so that when a page loads, instead of querying the database as usual, it will just serve the visitor a static version of the page.
Actually, a cache plugin does more than that (compacting or minifying scripts so that it loads even faster and a lot more), but you get the idea.
However, not all cache plugins are equal, and if you’re looking for a stunning cache plugin that won’t break your website and won’t require you to have a master in computer technology, then meet Wp Rocket.
I – just – love – it!
Will you?
| 
