As a web designer for over 20 years, I have compiled a list of some of my suggested resources and services that I use most often when designing websites. Note: some of the services below are part of affiliate programs.
Website Hosting: Siteground
I encourage my clients to use Siteground when selecting a website host. Siteground’s servers are optimized for WordPress hosting, and also include many features that other companies charge extra for. The include: free SSL certificates, free email addresses, free daily website backup, and more. In addition, you can also host unlimited websites on one hosting plan with their GrowBig and GoGeek packages. Learn more and sign up for web hosting at Siteground.
Software for Wrestling Teams & Clubs: WrestlingIQ
WrestlingIQ is perfect for wrestling clubs that want to improve their organization’s technical capabilities but have a very limited budget. Register wrestlers online, create donation and fundraising campaigns, keep parents up to date with event calendars and messaging, plus many more features to help your club run smoothly! Learn more and sign up.
Website CMS: WordPress
I use the WordPress CMS on all of my websites. It allows the client to easy edit their own site, and has a plugin repository of thousands of free plugins which can add almost any functionality you desire to your website. Learn more at WordPress.org.
Event Calendar: The Events Calendar
The Events Calendar is a WordPress plugin that creates an easy to use event calendar for your website with a variety of different views and features. You can enter the event’s name, description, date, start time and end time, and it will generate a map based on the event’s address. You can add on additional features such as event tickets and RSVPs. Learn More.
Website Forms: Gravity Forms
Gravity Forms is a powerful WordPress plugin that creates forms for your website. In addition to basic form fields, you can also add a signature, file uploads, and it integrates seamlessly with most major payment gateways and CRMs. Learn More.
Email Delivery: SMTP2Go
To ensure email form deliverability, I recommend SMTP2Go. It’s free up to 1,000 emails per month, and then packages start at $10/month for additional usage. Learn More.
Email Marketing: MailChimp
My favorite mailing list software is MailChimp. It’s free up to 500 subscribers, and you can set up RSS to email campaigns so that any time you post a news item to your website, it automatically gets blasted to your subscribers as well. Learn more at www.mailchimp.com.
Website Icons: FontAwesome
Website icons are a currently popular feature in web design. FontAwesome is a font that you can embed in your website that has over 1,000 free icons and even more paid icons in their pro plan. View their complete icon library.