These are the services and products I rely on. This page contains affiliate links.
Web Hosting:
DreamHost has hosted the majority of my websites for the past 15 years, including this one right here! Their “shared unlimited” plan is a good starting point for a new website owner, and it’s super-easy to upgrade to their premium DreamPress plan when you start getting more traffic.
GreenGeeks offers fantastic performance powered by green energy, at reasonable prices. Opt for the Pro plan to get unlimited storage space.
Siteground hosts many of my client sites and is rock-solid, with two caveats: All of their plans include strict limits on storage space, and their non-discounted prices are steep. Their GrowBig plan is good value for money if you sign up with the new-customer discounted pricing.
Domain Name Registration:
NameCheap is where I register any domain names that aren’t included in my hosting plans (both of my recommended hosts have plans that include one or more free domain registrations). I’ve been a satisfied customer for more than 10 years. All registrations include free domain privacy.
Email Marketing:
AWeber has hosted my email lists for the past 15 years. They have a free plan that’s legit (not a limited time trial!), and an impressive commitment to keeping up with changes in the industry.
Premium WordPress Plugins:
SolidBackups (formerly BackupBuddy) is the plugin that handles the backups for my Peace of Mind Program clients. I used to say that BackupBuddy was worth its weight in gold, until I was reminded that software doesn’t weigh anything. It makes backing up (including scheduling automated backups and storing them off-site) a snap.
Gravity Forms has the most powerful and flexible form generator in the WordPress world. If you just need a basic contact form or two, you don’t need it (just install Jetpack and use its free contact form module), but for complex forms, up to and including sophisticated shopping-cart checkout forms, contracts, petitions, and more, Gravity Forms is the best.
Easy Digital Downloads is my shopping cart of choice (and it’s not just for downloads; I sell subscriptions and services with it as well as downloads). The base plugin is free, but paid add-ons provide most of the functionality that e-commerce sites need.