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Tag: FREE
Best Free Web Hosting
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Here’s some good news–you can get a website up and running without spending a dime.
Yes. Free web hosting exists, and I’ll show you how to get it.
You’ll be able to launch a website with a few clicks, but don’t expect anything fancy.
Some of the trade-offs with free web hosting include: ads on your site (that don’t make you money), a cap on how much traffic you can get, sudden downtimes, and little to no customer support.
There’s some really great cheap web hosting options that will help you build a site without tradeoffs for a few bucks a month.
But if you really need a 100% free web hosting solution, check out my recommendations below.
#1 – Wix Review — Best Free Web Hosting With Website Builder
When it comes to building a simple blog or an online portfolio that highlights your work, Wix is the best intuitive website builder you can count on.
With the help of its simple drag-and-drop interface, you can create a simple website in minutes. Wix takes care of your website through free hosting so long as you don’t mind having Wix brand ads displayed on your pages.
And if you don’t want to build your own site, all you need to do is answer a few questions. The platform’s Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) will then automatically generate a website with a design based on the answers you give.
You’ll get a great looking page in a few minutes, and from there you can fine-tune it the way you want. Editing within Wix is easy, and you’ll be surprised at how many options you have.
Although free accounts can only use the Wix subdomain, there are enough templates and apps you can choose from to add a little bit of personal touch to your website.
Should you decide to create a website with Wix, you will get a storage space of 500 MB and a bandwidth of 500 MB, enough for a low-traffic site like an online portfolio.
If you want more flexibility, you can upgrade to premium plans anytime to access custom domain, email, and ecommerce features.
Premium plans also eliminate ads so your website will look more professional and less cookie-cutter.
But even with ads, Wix has plenty to offer that will put the spotlight on your content. Whether you’re a writer, designer, or photographer, Wix remains the best website builder to help you establish an online presence without touching any code. Sign up now.
#2 – Square Online Review — Best Free Ecommerce Hosting Platform
Square Online is a free ecommerce platform for aspiring entrepreneurs who are still getting their feet wet with online selling. Unlike big names in the industry, Square Online lets you sell unlimited products without paying recurring fees.
It’s free to set up your online store hosted by Square Online. You’ll pay a fee for transactions on the site, but it’s only a small percentage of your total sale.
Your still making money on your free Square Online site, which is pretty great considering you still pay transaction fees on paid hosting platforms as well.
The drag-and-drop editor only offers four customizable themes, but you get an assurance that every design follows your industry’s best practice. Without touching any code, you can create your online store with a responsive design that fits in any device.
Square Online also offers the following to help you get started with your business:
- Square POS integration so you can automatically import your product catalog and let it sync with your online store for a seamless inventory management
- Payment processing system that accepts all major credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
- In-house and on-demand delivery
- Instagram integration
- Free SSL security
- SEO tools
In exchange for hosting your online store for free, Square Online requires a small commission fee of 2.9% + 30¢ for each product sold. Should you decide to scale your business, you can leave the free plan and move to the premium plans starting at $12 per month.
Through a new feature called Square Online Checkout, sellers also have the option to sell their products and receive payment using only a link instead of a website.
Whether you’re an established brick-and-mortar store owner or just starting from scratch, Square Online has all the basics to help you navigate the unfamiliar world of ecommerce with ease. Start now.
#3 – DreamHost Review — Best Free Web Hosting for Nonprofits
DreamHost believes in every nonprofit organization’s advocacy so much that they’re giving them a shared hosting plan at no cost.
Aside from free web hosting, DreamHost also provides US-based charitable organizations with the following:
- Free domain
- Free backups
- Free shopping cart installation so you can accept donations with ease
- Unmetered transfer and unlimited monthly visitors
- Free SSL certificate to keep online transactions secure
To create a free hosting account, DreamHost does not require any credit card details and needs just your billing address for verification purposes.
You also need to attach a 501(c)(3) determination letter, a document from the United States IRS proving your tax-exempt non-profit status under the applicable sections of the tax code.
Since it’s a free account, you won’t have access to reliable 24/7 customer support. However, DreamHost’s dedicated help center and ticketing system offset this, which more than meets the need for straightforward troubleshooting solutions.
Should you want more control over your account, nonprofit organizations can also avail themselves of a 35% discount off DreamHost’s managed WordPress hosting plans. This means you can host your site under a paid plan for as low as $11 per month.
#4 – WordPress.com Review — Best Free WordPress Hosting Service
Often confused with the open-source software WordPress.org, WordPress.com is the free platform where non-technical users can create websites.
Since it is powered by the same robust and world-class infrastructure behind nearly half of the world’s websites, WordPress.com is the best place to learn how to manage a website while you’re still not ready or able to pay for a hosting service.
Setting up a website is easy. You can select a WordPress subdomain and choose from any of the available themes.
Just like Wix, WordPress.com also displays ads to sustain its free platform. While the ads may sometimes be annoying, this is a small price to pay for all the other features that WordPress.com has to offer:
- 3 GB storage space so you can publish both text and beautiful images
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free SSL certificate for an additional layer of security
- Optional backups so you can save your files on your hard drive
While it has excellent performance for a free hosting platform, WordPress.com can’t beat the paid version in terms of flexibility. The WordPress CMS installed on websites in paid hosting plans gives you direct server access and freedom to install plugins and themes of your choice.
Still, WordPress.com is good for starters, especially if you only want a simple, stripped-down website to showcase your writing portfolio or personal diary.
#5 – GitHub Pages Review — The Best Free Static Web Hosting for Developers
Anyone with basic coding skills is already familiar with GitHub, an open-source platform where developers store their coding projects. GitHub Pages is where you can take these codes from the repository, have them go through a build process, and turn them into a simple static website.
A static website is ideal for those who prefer a small website that doesn’t need to be updated regularly. It’s also perfect for students who want a test site to play around with or present for their school projects.
GitHub Pages is completely free, yet it comes with a range of outstanding features:
- One site per GitHub account
- Unlimited project websites
- 1 GB of storage plus 100 GB bandwidth every month
- Standard github.io subdomain or custom domain name you own
- Free HTTPS to prevent others from tampering with your traffic
- Built-in integration with Jekyll, a popular static site generator, for more customization options
To build your static website, all you need to do is sign in to your account and create a new repository. You can then use the Jekyll Theme Chooser to pick from one of the pre-made themes.
If you don’t like your theme or your static website’s content, no need to worry as changes are a simple edit and push away. You can make these changes either via the web or locally on your computer.
Whether you’re a developer or a non-techy looking for easy-to-follow instructions, GitHub Pages has all the tools you need to create a free static site.
What I Looked at to Find the Best Free Web Hosting
Before we proceed, you have to remember that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
In the case of a free web host, it has limitations that don’t appeal to everyone.
Free web hosting is designed to meet the needs of a niche market like a new hobby blogger who doesn’t intend to earn from his website or a student looking for a free platform where she can test her web development projects.
With that being said, you can’t use the same criteria in selecting a paid hosting plan when zeroing on the best free web hosting to suit your needs.
Remember, you get what you pay for. And in the case of a free web host, you shouldn’t expect to receive round-the-clock support, daily or on-demand backups, and 100% uptime guarantee, among others.
However, some free options are a cut above the rest. Use the following parameters to figure out whether a free web hosting service is worth a try.
Custom Domain
Most companies are willing to host your website for free so long as you’re also willing to use a subdomain.
For instance, Wix is a popular website builder that requires its free users to use a subdomain (e.g., neilpatel.wix.com).
A subdomain doesn’t look professional nor is it good for branding. So, unless you only want a stripped down website you can play around with, it would be better to opt for a company that can host your custom domain for free.
A custom domain is one that you own (e.g., neilpatel.com). You can purchase it from a domain registrar or from any hosting provider that also offers domain registration on the side. Domains are inexpensive, and you’ll need to renew them annually.
If branding is your top priority, make sure to find a free web host that gives you the option to stand out in a sea of other freely hosted websites.
Security
While advanced security features don’t exist in free web hosting platforms, they should at least offer a free SSL certificate.
SSL (secure sockets layer) is a technology that encrypts the information that passes through your website. It protects your site visitor’s sensitive data like passwords and credit card data from outside intruders.
If you’re launching a basic ecommerce site on a free hosting platform, a free SSL certificate is non-negotiable. However, some free web hosting services only offer a self-signed SSL, which misleads users into thinking that it’s the same as the industry-standard SSL certificate.
A self-signed SSL is issued by servers and not by trusted authorities like Comodo, Digicert, and Let’s Encrypt. Since it’s not a standard version, websites with self-signed SSL will still show security warnings to visitors.
Hence, a self-signed SSL defeats the purpose of an SSL certificate even though it offers the same level of encryption. Especially if you’re planning to sell a product through your website, having a self-signed SSL is no better than not having an SSL certificate at all.
Storage and Bandwidth
As a rule of thumb, never go with free web hosting unless you’ll use it for a basic website with little to no traffic.
A free web host isn’t designed to handle huge traffic volume. This is why it’s important to read the fine print of the hosting provider’s terms and conditions before signing up.
Unfortunately, a lot of free hosting providers tend to mislead clueless users by including “unlimited storage” and “unlimited bandwidth” in their list of features.
Disk space or storage space is the amount of server space allocated to your website files, while bandwidth is the amount of data allowed to transfer from the server to your visitors in a given amount of time. If your website is hosted in a free platform, your disk space and bandwidth are best described as low and never “unlimited.”
“Unlimited bandwidth” is a promotional tactic by free hosting providers based on the assumption that sites on a shared server will not use up the available resources, which is rarely the case.
Instead of being swayed by these superficial features, pay more attention specifically to file size limit and CPU limit.
A file size limit is the maximum file size your website can upload, while the CPU limit refers to how much of the server’s central processing unit (CPU) your website is allowed to use.
Free web hosting providers can temporarily shut down your site without warning, so make sure you know exactly what and how much your limitations are.
Ads
The only reason why free web hosting continues to exist is because of the business behind it. And a business requires a source of revenue.
Some of the more popular free web hosts sustain their platform through ad space. This monetization method may be effective, but it comes at the expense of your visitors.
You have no control over what appears on the advertisements or where they’re placed. Not to mention ads, in general, tend to be obtrusive and take the joy out of consuming your content.
If you want free hosting but care about your site’s aesthetics and user-friendliness, you can opt for a company that supports their free platform through other means, such as the sales of premium hosting plans.
Customer support
Support for websites hosted in a free web host is limited at best. Unless you already have both the budget and need to upgrade to premium plans, there’s nothing else you can do.
When looking for the best free web host to entrust your website, choose one with an active community forum.
Check the latest posts and see how fast the response time is. The more active users the service has, the quicker you’ll get a resolution to any problem you might face in the future.
In addition to a community forum, some free web hosts also have a self-service knowledge base where users can quickly get answers to their most basic questions.
Conclusion
Nothing beats a paid hosting plan for all the extra support, features, and functionality. Still, if you need free web hosting or if you want to try out different web hosts before committing to an investment, there are some good free options available.
These are my top choices if you are looking to get online without spending a dime:
- Wix – Best free web hosting with website builder
- Square Online – Best free ecommerce hosting platform
- DreamHost – Best for nonprofits
- WordPress.com – Best free WordPress hosting
- GitHub Pages – Best free static web hosting for developers
The best free web hosting for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the reviews and guide to help you narrow down your choices.
How to Adapt Your SEO to Google’s Core Web Vitals and Core Update [FREE WEBINAR TODAY]
Confused about Google’s core web vitals update? Not sure what it means for your SEO? Join my free live webinar on June 29th at 8 a.m. PST to learn more. I’ll cover what core web vitals are, why they matter, and what changes you need to make to your website.
Sign up for the core web vitals webinar free here.
When Google updates roll out, there are usually a few people who think that SEO is dead and the sky is falling.
The good news about the core web vitals update (and the core update) is the sky isn’t falling. However, there are a few changes you’ll want to make.
What Are Google’s Core Web Vitals?
If this is the first you’re hearing about the core web vitals update, here’s a quick rundown:
In May 2020, Google announced user experience would become part of their ranking criteria. The factors they’re looking at include:
- Mobile-friendly: Sites should be optimized for mobile browsing.
- Safe-browsing: Sites should not contain misleading content or malicious software.
- HTTPS: The page is served in HTTPS.
- No intrusives: No popups or other features that block the main content.
- Core Web Vitals: Fast load times with elements of interactivity and visual stability.
The goal, according to Google, is to deliver a better user experience, which is crucial to the long-term success of websites.
There’s a good chance you’re already doing most of this. However, the core web vitals gets a bit more complicated than just improving page speed. It also looks at things like the largest contentful paint, the first input, and cumulative layout shift.
These sound complex, but they aren’t.
These features look at how long it takes for your page to start displaying the most important elements, how quickly your site responds to user interactions, and how often layout shifts impact the user experience.
Essentially, Google wants to reward sites that are easy for users to use — which is nothing new. How Google decides which sites are easier to use has changed slightly, which is why marketers are paying attention.
What You’ll Learn in the Google’s Core Web Vitals and Core Update Webinar on June 29th
In this webinar, I’ll cover what you need to know about Google’s core web vitals and the core update, including:
- What core web vitals are and how to prepare your site for the upcoming changes.
- Why most users leave your website in just seconds, and what to do about it.
- Methods that SEO agencies will never tell you because they’d rather sell their own solutions.
- Three simple tweaks you can make to your site that can boost your sales by 300 percent or more.
Sign Up Now: Core Web Vitals Live Webinar
I’m really excited to talk about this topic and what it means for the future of SEO. I hope you’ll join me at 8 a.m. PST. Remember, it’s free!
How to Create a Free Google Website For Your Business
A web presence is essential for getting found online, especially these days. According to Statista.com, nearly a third of consumers in the United States look online for a local business every day. It’s simple: websites are essential for attracting new customers.
A website proves invaluable in other ways, too, like showcasing your products and increasing leads. However, your website doesn’t need to cost a fortune and include the latest features. If you’re a small business that just wants to let customers know who you are and what you do, a free Google website may be just what you’re looking for.
What is Google’s Free Website Builder?
Google’s free website builder is part of Google My Business and helps customers discover you online.
When creating your website, Google takes the information in your GMB business profile and uses it for the building blocks of your website. Aside from some customization, you’re pretty much good to go from there.
Although there’s no cost, free Google websites are professional-looking and offer a selection of contemporary themes.
Google’s website builder is suitable for everyone, even for beginners. There’s no need for technical expertise with a free Google website and no worries regarding extensive backups.
Additional benefits with a free Google website are:
- You don’t need to rely on social media: Not every potential customer is on social media, and many may not be on the platforms you like best. Having a website of your own, where people can Google your name or what you sell and find your information without signing in to Facebook or Twitter, can bring in those customers.
- Ease of use: One of the main benefits of a free Google website is its simplicity, and it delivers great-looking websites. For instance, even the free version of WordPress can seem overwhelming for the absolute beginner, with menus, pages, sub-menus, etc.
- It provides the essentials: If you’re not looking for the whole e-commerce experience, then a free Google website is all you need for reaching out to a broader audience.
Here are some more reasons why you should use a free Google website for getting online.
Why Should You Build a Website Using Google’s Free Tool?
Only 64 percent of small businesses have websites. Meanwhile, 70 percent of potential customers are more likely to buy from a business with a website.
This means 36 percent of businesses may be missing out on 70 percent of buyers.
Websites make businesses seem more legitimate, particularly if the website looks professional. Google websites, which take almost no time to set up and require minimal maintenance, can look like you spent hours of time and thousands of dollars to make it look great.
If Google’s free website gets you found, why not take advantage of its ease of setup and free features?
Google Website Builder Features
The number one thing that sets Google’s business websites apart from others is that it automatically makes the site for you. You can alter things as you need, but if you have a Google My Business account and select the website option, it automatically populates the information on a site for you using a template you choose.
Don’t let its simplicity fool you. A Google My Business free website offers you plenty in the way of features.
For instance, it provides you with built-in optimization so customers can:
- contact or message you
- place orders
- get quotes for services
- book your services or arrange deliveries
Additionally, a free Google website allows you to “showcase what makes your business special” via:
- images
- stories
- posts
Other features worth mentioning are:
- integration with Google Maps and Calendar
- image carousel and video links
- connection with Google Drive
Besides the above, Google gives you automatic updates, advertising, and it’s mobile-friendly too.
As you can see, a free Google website offers a lot to the new business owner, but how does it compare with others?
Google Website Builder Versus WordPress and Other Similar Tools
The Google website builder one-page format beats many other options in the simplicity stakes.
Additionally, it creates a website with almost no effort on your side, which is where Google’s product stands out from similar tools. It also lets you import images with a few clicks, and you can track analytics, so all in all, it offers you the essentials.
The other main advantage over its rivals is you’re not starting from scratch, and you aren’t making all the decisions yourself.
Although it may seem basic to some, Google gives you a functional, great-looking website, and with some imagination, it delivers impressive results.
For inspiration, look at what Steel Mailbox did with theirs. This Google business website starts with the basics that could be pulled in from their business information (e.g., the directions function).
If you click the “hamburger” in the upper left, you see options the company chose to add, which jump you to different page areas. One cool feature they added was a list of mailbox types with brief definitions of each one. This allows people shopping for mailboxes to understand what type they need without having to dig through Steel Mailbox’s non-Google site.
If a customer clicked on one of those blue links, they would be taken directly to the type of mailbox they’re looking for. If they went through the main site—and you can have both a simple Google business site and a more in-depth one—they would likely have to do more digging to find precisely what they need.
What a great feature for customers on the go.
When it comes to this type of website, perhaps its weakest area is ongoing SEO optimization, but you can use a free or paid-for tool to find keywords and include them in your descriptions and posts.
WordPress
While bloggers, Fortune 500 companies, and small businesses use WordPress to build their websites, it’s actually a content management system.
You’ve two options for getting started. WordPress.com gives you the free version, while WordPress.org offers a paid one.
At the free level, the most significant difference between Google and WordPress is that you can create multiple pages within your site, while Google has a one-page format.
When you get to the paid levels, you can add additional functions.
While WordPress offers many more functions than Google websites, no matter which level you use, you have to start from scratch. Nothing is auto-populated. Nevertheless, there are plenty of tutorials online if you’re just learning, and you won’t need to do any coding.
Wix
Wix is another free website builder, although it also offers premium and e-commerce plans too. Getting started is simple. Just sign up or log in with Facebook or Google to get started.
Like WordPress, the free level is relatively limited in functionality. If you’re willing to pay, though, you can access hundreds of templates, additional types of analytics, and more.
Wix provides 500 different templates, and its drag and drop feature means beginners can use it without needing technical expertise.
Other features include:
- media galleries
- mobile optimization
- unlimited fonts
- a personalized SEO plan
Wix also provides coding for visitor tracking, while its analytics tool shows your sales, traffic, and visitor behavior.
How to Customize Your Free Google Website
After you have set up your Google My Business page (detailed steps are in the next section), you’ll be able to see your site free google website in a standard setup. You can then start customizing from there.
The list nearest your sample site includes things you can do right now, like add photos, text, and themes. The one furthest left includes:
- home
- posts
- reviews
- messages
- products
- insights
Take some time to get to know these options and which each one does.
From the home page, you can also:
- finish your profile by adding opening hours, descriptions, and logos
- update customers on news and events
- create a custom @yourbusiness email address
- launch virtue tours and create adverts
You can see the themes, add pictures with a photo gallery, and edit your site’s categories from the other menu.
To best set up your site, follow these steps:
- Choose your theme: For customizing, the most obvious starting point is by looking at the themes. There are ten to choose from, all with different colors and styles of text. Click on them one by one to see which theme most closely matches your business’s style and the image you want to convey.
- Add Photos: Click on the top right-hand corner of the header picture, drag your photo, or upload one from your computer. To add other images, click on “photos” on the left-hand side.
- Editing: Edit text by clicking the blue “Edit” button under photos.
- Additional changes: Click “More” to change settings, publish, or for advice on getting customers.
It’s that easy! You’ve finished building your free Google website, and you should be ready to start getting noticed online.
How to Build Your Free Google Website
Before building your website, set up your Google my Business Page, if you haven’t already. Here’s how to do just that.
- Go to Google’s website builder.
You’re looking for the “website” heading. It’s the third one along at the top.
- Add your business name and click the blue arrow.
- Add your business category.
If your service or industry isn’t clear cut, add the class representing your company the best. Click “Next.”
- Select your location preferences.
Now, Google asks if you want your business location to appear on your website. Either select “Yes, I want it to appear on my website” or “No, I prefer not to.” Depending on the type of business, you may need to include an address. Choose the appropriate option and click “Next.”
- Choose if your business provides deliveries or services.
Choose if your business provides deliveries or services. This step is optional.
- Add your region and click “Next.”
- Add your phone number.
- Add your business address details, including country and zip code.
- Verify your accout.
- Do this by clicking on the “Home” page, which you’ll find at the top of the menu on the left, and following the “Verify” link.
You’re ready to start building your free Google website!
Create a Free Google Website FAQs
What Is the main benefit of a free Google website?
Unlike its rivals, you’re not starting from scratch, and you aren’t making all the decisions yourself. Although it may seem basic to some, a Google site gives you a functional, great-looking website, and with some imagination, you’ll get impressive results.
How do I set up a Google My Business Page?
Google provides step-by-step instructions.
Do I Need Technical Expertise to Build a Free Google Website?
No, a free Google website creates a professional-looking website with minimal input from you.
How Does a Free Google Website Compare With Its Rivals?
While other options offer additional features, Google outshines its competitors regarding simplicity and ease of use.
Conclusion
Having an online presence is a necessity these days. If would-be customers can’t find your website, you’re likely missing out on clients.
However, building a website doesn’t mean spending a lot of money or needing technical expertise. Instead, you can begin by starting with a free Google website and set it up in a few easy steps.
Once you’re online, you can start benefiting from additional leads, more customers, and increased conversions—all the things you need for increasing your business success rate and growing a thriving enterprise.
How has using a free Google Business website affected your business?
It’s Like Free Money When You Stop Wasting Company Cash
How to Stop Wasting Company Funds – It’s Like Free Money Is it really free money? It may not be as glamorous as winning the lottery or venture capital money. It’s not as sexy as your content going viral. And it’s not as exciting as getting a shout out from major market influencers like Oprah … Continue reading It’s Like Free Money When You Stop Wasting Company Cash
It’s Like Free Money When You Stop Wasting Company Cash
How to Stop Wasting Company Funds – It’s Like Free Money
Is it really free money? It may not be as glamorous as winning the lottery or venture capital money. It’s not as sexy as your content going viral. And it’s not as exciting as getting a shout out from major market influencers like Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk.
But it is often easy, and it is certainly anything that any company can do. It’s the free money you can get from cutting waste.
A Penny Saved is a Penny You Don’t Need to Borrow or Raise
Is your business wasting money? It probably is, in some way or another. Cutting waste should always be on your radar.
What are the Ripple Effects of Cutting Waste?
Save a dollar and you won’t need to:
- Borrow a dollar and pay it back with interest
- Try to raise a dollar via crowdfunding
- Sell a dollar’s worth of your business to an angel investor or venture capitalist
- Waste time you could be using to sell your goods or services
Get Free Money from Cutting Expenses
When tightening your company’s belt, look at the expenses going out first. There are several kinds of expenses any business can and should cut. Be creative when looking to cut expenses. Here are some kinds of expenses that you might not have thought of.
How to Save Money on Salaries
Employee salaries are the largest expense for many organizations. But did you know that there’s free money lurking in there?
But let’s make one thing perfectly clear. Don’t ask your employees to take a pay cut. Please, never do this! You’ll kill morale. But you should work to tap your employees’ full potential. Hence, pay attention to training.
Employees with more training may not be using that training. So, why aren’t they? Ask employees about their background and interests. There’s a chance that they could do more for you and get more motivated about working with your company in the long run. See inc.com/peter-cohan/first-90-days-13-totally-useless-expenses-your-company-is-wasting-money-on.html.
Stop Outsourcing!
Outsourcing is expensive! Some small businesses pay thousands of dollars to outsource projects. But your company may be able to save a considerable amount of cash, by taking some or all of those projects in-house.
Give your outsourced work to part- or full-time employees. After all, outsourcing work can make it hard to communicate clearly what you want done. This results in costly errors and delays. It is worth analyzing whether hiring a dedicated worker could pay for him or herself within a year.
Save Money with Better Hiring
Hiring the wrong person can be a very expensive proposition. Still, you need someone to do the work, and you don’t have forever to decide on who to hire. So make your job postings clear and only hire people experienced in what you need for them to do.
How can you hire better? Hire employees on a trial basis. This may be through working with a freelancing site like UpWork, or it may mean using a temp agency. In either of these scenarios if you must fail, at least you fail fast.
Demolish your funding problems with 27 killer ways to get cash for your business.
Start Improving the Average Performance of Your Workforce
Let the poor performers go. People who aren’t doing well tend to be unhappy anyway. You may be giving them the nudge they need to get something else. And make sure that all the workers staying on your payroll who do contribute are doing far more than the minimum required. If you can’t motivate your C players to act more like the superstars, cutting them from the payroll will give you the money you need to hire more A players.
Save Money on Tools
Software and tools can account for a huge proportion of a company’s expenses. But far too many businesses either buy tools they don’t need or buy tools that are bloated with features they don’t use. This can be software but also, literally, tools.
The truth is the so-called best tool on the market is often designed with large enterprises in mind. This means that when you’re small, it’s likely overkill. So it’s often better to purchase something that’s better suited to a business of your size. It may be a little less sexy, but it will save you a fair amount of money while still being equally as effective. See embroker.com/blog/business-expenses-startups-waste.
Location, Location, Location
Do you really need all that office space? Can employees share desks and work from home some of the time? Can some employees work from home all of the time? WFH also opens up hiring to other parts of the globe, where potential hires might be okay with less money.
Okay, so maybe you do need office space. But does it have to be in the most expensive part of town? Pay attention to the end date of your lease and start looking for cheaper digs before you’re under the gun.
And if you find less expensive office space elsewhere, tell your current landlord when it’s time to renew. If your business has been a good tenant, they might work to keep you.
Demolish your funding problems with 27 killer ways to get cash for your business.
Office Issues
Do you cater all your meetings? Do you really have to? If you must offer refreshments, why not handle some of them in-house? This doesn’t mean your employees start cooking. But it can mean a better coffee maker or better coffee to brew in it.
Energy Efficiency FTW
Do you have to pay utilities? Can you choose your own appliances? An energy efficient refrigerator will make a difference. So will using energy efficient fluorescent lighting. And just like in your house, turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Can You Imagine How Postage is Costing You Free Money?
Do you use a postage meter? It might not seem like a lot, but paying the exact amount for postage, rather than 5 cents more every time, will add up in the long run.
Would You Like to Save on Business Travel?
We all know about meetings that should have been emails. But they’re not so bad if your meeting is held remotely or just down the hall. Do you really have to be in the southern office? Particularly in the age of Covid-19, less travel is safer anyway.
Business Expenses
Does your business have a documented expense policy? Or can anyone claim pretty much anything at any time? Traveling employees might help themselves to the minibar or rent movies from the front desk, but your business doesn’t have to pay for such things.
Why and What Wasteful Advertising and Marketing is Costing You
Marketing can be trying new ideas to see if they work. That’s okay. But if you already know, then you should stop experimenting so much!
Like the best goals, your marketing and advertising have got to be measurable. Measuring helps you realize a lot more quickly if a campaign is working, or not. See nav.com/blog/4-money-leaks-that-could-be-hurting-your-bottom-line-658859.
Revealed… Saving on Miscellaneous Expenses
When you go grocery shopping, there are always small things at the checkout. They’re often inexpensive. So people buy them on impulse, even if they weren’t on the shopping list. But those packs of gum can add up over time.
In the same way, your little expenses here and there can add up. They can really get away from you if you just open up a petty cash drawer to buy them. So keep track of these expenses and review them every month or so. Determine if they’re working for you.
Demolish your funding problems with 27 killer ways to get cash for your business.
End Poor Time Management and Get Free Money
How long are your meetings? Are they all necessary? Really? A chat program like Slack might make some of those meetings unnecessary, or at least shorter.
Poor Time Management and Commuting
Commuting can also be exceptionally time-consuming. It can also be tiring, making it harder for employees to get going in the morning. Can some or even all of your employees work from home at least one day per week? This is also a way to enhance employee morale.
Free Money, Fixing Poor Time Management, and Enhancing Employee Morale – Yes, There’s a Connection
Consider informally monitoring the weather and telling your employees to work from home when commuting conditions will be truly awful. These are serious snowfalls or blizzards, or heavy rain from the remnants of hurricanes, not brief showers. Not only are commutes longer and more dangerous, but employees are also more likely to be late.
Get Some Free Money with a Proper Financial Professional
A solid accountant will help prevent costly errors. They will also be able to calculate and pay your business taxes correctly the first time. If you, the owner, are still preparing these documents, it’s probably not a good use of your time. If you currently can’t afford an accountant, at least get good professional accounting software.
Check Your Larger Bills Carefully
If you’re just getting a one-page bill from an outside counsel law firm, or other expensive service your business must have, ask for it to be itemized. Sometimes there are billing errors and this can be the only time they’re caught.
Get Free Money from No Longer Wasting It: Takeaways
Is your business wasting money? Stop the bleeding and hire more carefully. Look into your expenses more closely. Measure your advertising to see if it’s working. Keep an eye on ways to save time. A professional accountant is worth the expense. Audit the larger bills your business has to pay, and request itemization, to be sure you’re only being charged for what you actually owe.
The post It’s Like Free Money When You Stop Wasting Company Cash appeared first on Credit Suite.
Best Free Website Builders
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Do you want to build a website? Luckily for you and the tens of thousands of online businesses out there, a digital website builder makes it easy to create professional sites that function beautifully in no time.
The best part? There are many free website builder options.
Website builders make it possible to create a responsive site optimized for SEO without having to invest a ton of money or time, which is perfect for small businesses.
But you have to learn what features to look for first.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best free website builders on the market today, as well as which one can build the best site in your niche—whether you’re selling painted rocks, are a freelance writer, or want to bootstrap a dropshipping business.
The Top 4 Options For The Best Free Website Builders:
- Wix – The best for e-commerce sites
- Weebly – The best for general sites
- WordPress – The best for blogging and content creation
- Site123– The best for quick and easy landing pages
How to Choose The Best Free Website Builder For You
What is your site’s end goal? That’s the first and most important question you want to ask yourself when choosing a site builder.
Do you want to start a blog to share your extensive knowledge and thought leadership with the world?
Do you have a graphic design portfolio you want to show off to gain more freelance clients? Are you a non-profit that needs to display annual achievements and your mission statement?
When creating your site with a free website builder, your end goal will determine what capabilities you need. Once you have your site’s end goal in mind, here are additional criteria to narrow down your choices.
Design Capabilities
If you’re a freelancer, a designer, or a photographer wanting to create an online portfolio, consider the design capabilities of each builder.
- Customization: How deep do their personalization and customization features go?
- Templates: Do they provide eye-catching site templates you can use, so you don’t have to start from scratch?
- Media storage: Does your site builder give you a lot of image storage space? Depending on how big your site will be, this is a key question if you want to keep things free.
When thinking about how to present your portfolio or brand, this is the site builder criteria you most want to pay attention to.
Learning Curve
How fast do you need your website built? This determines how much time you’re willing to spend learning the ins and outs of your website builder.
- Intuitive design: Some builders are pretty intuitive to learn, while others might have a larger learning curve.
- Ease of use: Do you want a drag and drop builder to make building and configuring your site easier? Or do you prefer writing in HTML and coding the site yourself?
- Tutorials and technical support: Do they have a robust support options where you can find answers or get a timely response from the company?
If you’re pressed for time and want something built fast, you might not want to pick a hefty builder with lots of capabilities to learn. A more straightforward drag-and-drop builder can get the job done faster and easier.
Long-Term Options
As your business grows, your website will inevitably need to grow with it. Your site needs are going to change over time. When choosing your site builder, it’s a good idea to look into what their paid features include and if they fit the bill in terms of what your site might need as it grows.
These can be things like:
- Additional hosting capacity: Once traffic to your site hits a certain threshold, you’ll likely need to purchase additional hosting to sustain your traffic growth.
- Additional plugins and design features: If there is ever a need for additional plugins and features, does the free builder provide that?
- Personalized support: Once you hit a wall creating your own site, do they have sufficient support to help you take things to the next level with CSS and HTML modifications?
Type of Website
What type of website do you need to build? As mentioned, determining your site’s end goal and working backward can help you answer that.
To give you a better idea, the internet is generally made up of five kinds of websites:
- Blog: Are you going to continually publish content that informs, entertains, or inspires a particular audience?
- Portfolio: Are you showcasing your work to sell your services to potential clients?
- E-commerce site: Are you selling products or services with an online storefront?
- Small business/organization site: Are you rounding out your brand with a public mission statement or publishing general public business information for the world to access?
- Online application: While this is technically a website with more complexity, it’s beyond a free builder’s scope since it would need serious developer chops to build well.
For most businesses, the type of site you need is a pretty basic question. But an important one to answer.
For example, most site builders have blogging capabilities, but this shouldn’t be the only thing you base your decision on. Once you’ve figured out which type of website you need to build, then we can move on to learning about the different kinds of site builders on the market.
The Different Types of Free Website Builders
Now, there’s a slew of free site builders out there, and they tend to fall into three general groups.
Basic Website Builders
I’ve yet to come across one good reason not to build a website for your business. Non-profit organizations, informational sites, and even public speakers with a personal brand can all benefit from creating a professional website found by anyone online.
Basic web builders tend to have multiple functionalities. They don’t cater to one specific category. For example, suppose you’re looking to set up a portfolio site that’s low maintenance and simple, with a general contact form, a home page, a portfolio page, and an about page. In that case, a general website builder can be a great option.
E-commerce Platforms
Are you currently selling products in a physical location? You’ll want to go with a website builder specifically made for e-commerce. Today, it isn’t enough to display your goods on a physical storefront. You need a digital storefront, too. Or maybe you want to open an e-commerce site without a physical storefront. E-commerce website builders make it easy to do that.
As an e-commerce business, you want capabilities that let you list products, accept multiple types of payments, categorize goods, and allow you to track backend inventory in real-time.
Blogging and Content Creation
The web isn’t much without content. And if you want your site found by your audience, you want to make sure to use a website builder made to enable that end goal.
If you’re a thought leader, want to build your online brand, be an aspiring blogger, or create a community around a service or product, then a website builder geared for content generation is your best bet.
You’ll be better off in the long-term as your business grows, and you won’t run into the problems you’d have if you choose a web builder meant for e-commerce.
#1 – Wix — The Best For E-commerce Sites
If you’re looking for a free website builder that does everything a real-life store manager would do and then some, Wix makes that a reality.
The thought of building an online store can be paralyzing. But once you create a Wix e-commerce site, you have access to perks like real-time tax calculations and adding several payment channels that you wouldn’t have with a builder geared toward content or portfolios.
As a product seller, Wix helps you create beautifully designed storefronts with a selection of over 800 pre-built themes and templates ready to personalize at the click of a mouse.
There’s no doubt e-commerce businesses are in good hands with Wix. It is a builder that goes out of its way to advertise themselves as such, instead of being a jack-of-all-trades. Still, as with every site builder, there can be some drawbacks. For example, if you ever want to move your site to another provider, you can’t do that with Wix’s builder because of how it’s configured. You’ll have to completely recreate it on a new platform.
Some of their e-commerce features designed to drive sales are:
- Sales and customer behavior analytics
- Displaying prices in international currencies
- Easily creating subscriptions and discount coupons for customers
- Integration with all social channels for greater visibility
- Automated email marketing and abandoned cart recovery
To get started with Wix, visit their site and sign up.
#2 – Weebly — The Best For General Sites
Let’s face it. You might not need a free site builder with all the bells and whistles. And that’s okay. That’s why Weebly exists. It’s the best site builder for general sites that need to do their job well.
It’s perfect for information businesses, non-profits, small portfolios, mission statements, or landing pages. This is because they make it easy to bring your site together with a no-nonsense dashboard and with options like built-in image editors and professional design options that let you create video backgrounds.
As a general site, you don’t want to deal with the technical stuff like SSL certification, encryption, and often costly third-party domain shopping. Weebly integrates takes care of all that for you right on their platform.
One of their best features as a site builder is that you have the option to fully customize their HTML and CSS if you choose to do so. While it might not be something you need right away, it’s nice to know you have that capability as a future option. Weebly is built for site design with a more structured approach. If you’re looking for a builder with a bit more design flexibility and freedom, this might be a downside.
Their best site builder features include:
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Drag-and-drop site builder
- Additional integrations like payments and product search with upgrade
- Integrated analytics that kills the need for additional plugin installation
- Mobile app to manage your site from your phone
You can sign up with Weebly here.
#3 – WordPress — The Best For Blogging And Content Creation
If I had to introduce WordPress to you, I’d say that it’s the top contender for blogging and content creation.
Thankfully they provide a free site builder to get you started (in addition to paid options).
For years, bloggers and companies like Disney, Dropbox, Spotify, and NBC have leveraged WordPress.com’s powerful site-building features to build audiences, expand their brand, and drive sales worldwide.
If you’re looking to blog, share your knowledge with the world, or create loads of content around your business, you’ll want to start with their free site builder. It’s designed to be straightforward and easy to use without any confusing and unnecessary features. This way, you can get started creating and publishing your content in record time. To help you if you get stuck, they provide free webinars that walk you through creating your site step by step.
Their free site builder’s biggest downside is that you might grow out of its limited blogging toolbox. But if you want paid access to fully customize your site in the future, WordPress makes it easy to upgrade without the technical hassle.
Some of the WordPress site builder’s best content creation features include:
- Optimized for search engine results
- 24/7 live chat and support
- Free subdomain that you can upgrade later to a custom domain
- Free hosting without having to use a third party
- Large selection of free themes to choose from and customize designed for sharing and creating content
Sign up with WordPress and start building your website for free.
#4 – Site123 — The Best For Quick And Easy Landing Pages
Easy and quick are the two best words to describe Site123. With its no-brainer features, it’s the best site builder for simple sites that don’t need many internal pages.
In other words, it’s great for landing pages.
Your business might not need a blog, robust e-commerce features, or top-notch design capabilities, but it’s still in need of a place online it can call home.
Site123 helps you check that off your list by being the most no-nonsense site builder possible. You can avoid frustration and a big learning curve with Site123’s optimally designed web building process, especially if it’s your first time building a site.
Their best landing page buildeing features include:
- Free speedy hosting
- Built-in media gallery with free professional icons and video
- Compatible with third-party plugins
- Beautiful pre-made landing page templates so you don’t start from scratch
- 500 MB of storage
You can start creating your online presence with Site123 here.
What is your site’s end goal?
That’s the perfect question to start and end with because it’s the best way to determine which free website builder you’ll want to use.
There’s no shortage of site builders in the market. What sets them apart is what they’re designed for and how you can use that to reach your goals.
Remember that many of them are geared for where you are now, but that can change when you think about how you plan to expand in the future.
Still, a detailed overview of each builder and what they offer will point you in the right direction.
After you determine your site’s end goal, pick the right free builder to start creating your masterpiece from one of the options on this list.
The post Best Free Website Builders appeared first on Neil Patel.
5 Free Brand Logo Tools For Your Company
If you want your business to succeed, you’ll need to pay close attention to your brand strategy. And that strategy starts with a free brand logo.
A strong brand creates instant recognition in the marketplace, especially amongst your customers.
It also builds loyalty and shows you share your customer’s values. Do this right, and both your customers and your competitors will always remember you.
If you’re yet to define and build your brand, this guide can show you where to start.
One of the best ways to leave a positive and lasting (visual) imprint of your brand is to create a unique brand logo.
Getting your brand logo professionally designed can be expensive.
Look at 99Designs research. They found that a professionally-designed logo can cost you anywhere from $400 up to $2500+, with the quality varying depending on the actual cost.
That sounds pricey, right?
You could take it upon yourself to design your logo from scratch by investing time in learning graphic design.
I could even show you where to find some free fonts you could use.
Or, I could show you how to design a free brand logo for your company with minimal effort on your part.
You see, gone are the days when your only option was to get a graphic designer to create your logo. They usually came with a hefty price tag.
Now, you can use online resources to design and create your very own brand logo for free.
And you can literally do it within a few minutes.
Some of these companies will even allow you to download your logo without having to invest any money.
In this article, I’ll walk you through five ways to create a free brand logo for your company in just minutes.
1. Free Logo Design
Free Logo Design is a free brand logo creator that allows you to create a brand logo of your own and incorporate it into your business.
You can do this in a few simple steps:
- Select an existing logo template.
- Use the editor to move and scale your text or image.
- Download your logo.
- Display your logo everywhere.
First of all, you’ll need to go to the homepage and enter your company name, as shown.
You should notice right off the bat that Free Logo Design gives you several design options as you type.
These images are too generic. You’ll want to be more specific.
So, pick a category from the drop-down menu and click “Start.”
For the “new” Kissmetrics brand logo, I’ll pick “Business & Consulting.”
Once you’ve clicked “Get Started,” it will bring you to the design page where a pop-up platform will display auto-generated logo templates from existing images.
You’ll see some containing your company’s name.
In the “Business & Consulting” category, the software generated 90 designs, with a maximum of 15 per page.
For the next step, go through all of the designs and find a logo that you think will:
- Visually look good
- Define your brand
- Be remembered by your customers
- Fit your brand strategy
Once satisfied with your decision, select the desired logo, and click “Add.”
From there, it will take you to the logo editor, where you may notice that the text and graphics are overlapping or jumbled up.
Each part of the graphic is an individual element, but the text is grouped as one.
This is your default logo.
You could leave it as it is, but, quite frankly, it won’t look great.
In this case, I’d like to move the text under the graphic and center it.
Select the text and drag it into position.
Once the text is aligned and looks pleasing to the eye, I’ll select all elements and move back to the center of the screen.
To do so, click and drag the cursor over the elements you want to move.
This creates a selection box of all elements that you can move (or rotate if required). A properties box that shows each element individually will also appear.
If you need to edit these elements, you can do so under the “Actions” toolbar.
An element’s colors can be edited, moved, flipped, and rotated.
You can also edit the color, alignment/curve, and font style of the text if you’re not quite happy with it.
Or you can add an extra logo, icon, shape, or more text from the options on the right.
Add an extra element or edit logo color if required.
Sometimes you can get stuck tweaking your design, potentially for hours.
For the “new” Kissmetrics brand logo, the goal is to create a completed logo design in only a few minutes.
And that’s all that’s needed. I’m happy with the design.
Now, with the design complete, it’s time to download your new brand logo. You can easily do this by clicking “Save” at the top-right corner of the screen.
Free Logo Design will then prepare your logo for download. Once ready, it will give you the following options:
Click “Download” and enter your name and email address.
The finished logo will now be sent to you, free of charge.
Although the free PNG file is of a low-resolution, it’s ideal for website use and email signatures.
Even the high-resolution download is reasonably priced. Currently, at $39, this includes a PDF, EPS, and vector SVG file.
This is a steal compared to the prices I mentioned earlier for a professional design, and it’s very cost-effective for a bootstrapping business startup.
Whether you’re a bootstrapping startup or not, realizing your brand’s importance can play a major role in your business’s success.
By equipping your company with a new brand logo, you’ll be one step closer to achieving this success.
2. Logomakr
Another free resource with a hands-on approach is Logomakr.
With Logomakr, you can instantly make a brand logo for your company.
Most of these free online logo makers use similar concepts when designing and editing. They use existing templates on a user-friendly design platform.
To create your design with Logomakr:
Go to their homepage, and it will greet you with an instructional video. This will quickly run through the simple process of using their platform to design a logo.
It also presents you with the following design advice to consider:
- Make your logo clean and simple.
- Make sure your logo is 100% original.
- Make sure you’re able to copyright your own logo.
- Make sure the logo fits the style of your industry.
- Make sure your final logo images are in vector format.
With your concept in mind, you’ll need to pick a graphic for your logo.
Next, search the million or more graphics in Logomakr’s database by using the search bar at the top left of your screen.
For my design, I’ll search “kiss.”
The database should then give hundreds of free-use images to choose from (for that particular search word).
Scroll through the results and select the image you’d like to use.
You’ll then return to the editing page, where you’ve multiple options to edit your design.
You can add text, shapes, paint, scale, move, or change your graphic color.
For this example, I’ll scale up the graphic to be larger. That way, it’ll stand out more.
Next, you’ll need to add your company name. Using the “add text” function, I’ll add “kissmetrics.”
Once you’ve added the text, you’ll notice two drop-down menus at the top of the screen.
One is for the font category, and the other is for the font style.
Select the font style or category that you think will have the best visual impact on your design.
You can play around with the text and the scales of the elements (text, image, or shapes) so they sit proportionate to each other.
Once you’re satisfied, consider the colors you’ll use in the final design and how that ties in with your branding strategy’s overall color scheme.
At Kissmetrics, I’m partial to the color blue.
You can change the color in three steps:
- Select the elements you wish to change.
- Click on “Change Color” in the tools section.
- Pick the color you want in the top-right corner.
Once done, you’re ready to save and download a copy. Do this by clicking on “Save Logo” at the top right corner of your screen.
This will then bring you to your final set of options, depending on the logo’s use.
To opt for the free version, you’ll need to download and give credit to Logomakr.
For this design, I’ll click on “Download And Agree To Give Credit.”
Again, to download a higher-res image than the one provided for free, you’ll need to pay a premium. In this case, it’s $19.
With the high-res image, you’ll be able to use it on banners, company clothing, and for printing purposes.
If you’ve followed the simple steps above, you should now have a free brand logo that you can use as many times as you like.
You can do all of that in under 5 minutes, too.
3. Canva
Next on the list of software that offers free downloads is Canva.
If you’re not familiar with Canva, it’s simple design software that is quite popular with graphic designers and bloggers to create high-quality images like infographics and featured images.
Its popularity is due to its simplistic drag-and-drop design tools and a huge collection of photos, graphics, and fonts.
With the easy-to-use platform, you can create your brand logo in five easy steps:
Go to Canva’s Online Logo Maker and create an account.
Once you’re done, click on the “Start Designing A Custom Logo.”
The first thing you’ll want to do is select “Elements” from the toolbar and decide on a category. For this design, I’ll use an image from “Icons.”
A library of multiple icons will then appear. Scroll through them until you find an image you can use. Then, select it.
Some elements have the word “free” beside them. These are free-use graphics that you can use in your logo design.
Now that you have the main graphic for your logo, select the element, and change the color.
Remember: always keep your branding theme in mind. So, once again, I’ll use blue.
Next, you’ll want to add your company name by selecting the “Text” tool from the toolbar. Similar to “Elements,” you have a library of templates to choose from.
Scroll through to find a text that will fit your brand, keeping in mind the “free-use” templates.
Find your favorite and click on it. I’ll use “Blue Wood.”
You’ll notice that the text will center on top of the logo element. Click on it and drag it to where you want it.
Move both text and element so that they align with the center of the design template.
Once satisfied, it’s time to edit the text.
Click on and select the small text above “Blue Wood.” Delete this text.
Click on and select the text “Blue Wood” and replace it with your company name, “kissmetrics.”
Next, edit the text’s color and size by selecting the text and using the text toolbar at the top of your screen.
You also have the option to change the font style using the drop-down menu.
Your logo should now be ready to download. Click the “Download” button at the top right of the screen.
You’ll be given different file types to select for download.
The file types available are JPG, PNG, PDF standard, and PDF print. For the Kissmetrics logo, I’ll choose PDF standard.
Once downloaded, you’ll be able to view your new brand logo in a PDF reader.
Canva doesn’t yet support exporting logos in a vector format.
For higher-res graphics, you should make your logo as large as possible and download the PDF print version.
Don’t worry; with a PNG file, you’ll be able to add your logo to your website.
Another quick, simple, and free way to create a brand logo for your company.
4. GraphicSprings
GraphicSprings is software that allows you to use their platform to design and create a logo for free.
To begin your design, go to their logo design page and enter your company name.
Next, add an image from the database by selecting “Choose Your Graphic” from the side toolbar, left of the screen.
A sub-search bar will pop-up under your last selection, with a list of categories underneath.
If you know the graphic you’d like to add, enter it into the search bar.
GraphicSprings have included an “Internet” category, which is quite fitting, so I’ll use that.
Click the category you want, and a database containing stock images or graphics will appear.
(Just like the previous software).
Can you spot a common theme yet?
This simple concept works across each platform, eliminating the need to “reinvent the wheel.”
Search through the results, and once you see an image that you’d like to use, select it.
After choosing a graphic, the software will create your design and take you to the editing page. Once you’re there, it will prompt you to select the elements for editing.
Click on the text to edit it. It will allow you to change the font style, size, and format. You can also add some cool effects like stroke, shadow, or glow.
For simplicity, I’ll leave it as it is.
The options for editing are also basic. You have the ability to change the color and add some effects.
Canva will break the graphic into different elements (similar to Free Logo Design), so you can edit each piece individually.
I’ll stick with the color theme of blue, but I’ll keep the two-tone effect.
Next, select each element and change the colors accordingly.
Once the editing is complete and you’re satisfied with the design, click “Download Your Logo” at the bottom right of the editing page.
It will take you to the payment page, where you can buy the high-resolution image for as low as $19.99.
To access the vector files with the ability to edit after you purchase it, you’ll need to pay for the standard package, which costs $39.99.
With this option, you’ll have the ability to make aftermarket changes to your logo whenever you please.
5. Designimo
Designimo also requires payment once the design is complete, but you can use the design tools for free to create the graphic for your logo.
They previously offered a low-res free download, but they now produce high-res images only.
Designimo is similar to Free Logo Design and GraphicSprings in that you enter the name of your company into the search bar and select a category that fits your needs.
It’ll then auto-generate multiple graphics using a huge database of existing designs.
Again, the level of editing is basic, but the results are solid.
It also follows the simple process that Free Logo Design uses:
- Select
- Edit
- Download
- Display
For a quick video tutorial to help you use the platform, check out how it works here.
To ensure your design goes as smoothly as possible, I’ll walk you through the process below.
First, go to the homepage, add your company name, and click “Create Logo Now.”
Then, select a category from the drop-down menu, ranging from “Alphabetic Text” to “Travel & Hotel.”
For this example, I will use the category “Alphabetic Text.”
Designimo will provide you with numerous individual designs under each category.
While the other categories use existing graphics made up of symbols, the “Alphabetic Text” generates logos in the shape of the letter selected (hence the name).
It also files them alphabetically.
For the Kissmetrics logo, I’ll select the letter “K,” and go through the results. Each letter has multiple pages of designs, so navigate through them.
Once you’ve found the one you’d like to proceed with, select the graphic.
You’ll then land on the editing page, equipped with basic design and editing tools. Using the tools available, you can:
- Increase/decrease element size
- Rotate graphics left/right
- Flip vertical/horizontal
- Change text size and font style to suit
- Apply opacity to an element (i.e., make see-through)
- Easily move elements by clicking and dragging
For this alphabetical logo, I’ll be a little creative and use the symbol shaped as “K” and use it to start the company name, “Kissmetrics.”
By deleting the “k” from the text, I now have a completely different and unique looking logo.
Edit the text size or font style, if required.
The default font is OK, so I’ll leave it as it is.
Next, change the colors to match your theme.
If you’re happy with the design, your new brand logo should now be ready to download. Click on “Download Now” or “Save For Future” (if you’d like to come back and work on it).
First, you’ll need to register your details and sign up for an account to download your image.
You’ll then be brought to an order confirmation page, to confirm and proceed to checkout.
Pay and download.
The cost for a high-res image, including PNG, JPG, and EPS Vector files, is $29.95.
Although not free, the brand logo you can create and download using this software is a high-quality graphic at a relatively low price.
Conclusion
When it comes to starting a new business, the tasks on your to-do list, along with the costs of setting everything up, can be overwhelming.
But creating a brand logo for your company doesn’t have to be.
Branding should be the core of your company’s marketing strategy.
Your brand should tell a story, and part of that story is your logo.
Being an expert in graphic design or outsourcing to a professional was once the norm (and it still is for many brands).
But now, the Internet is full of innovative people with new ideas and free software that can help new businesses reduce their startup costs.
With user-friendly tools, it’s possible to create a free brand logo for your company in minutes.
These platforms also help prevent you from being paralyzed by options.
Previously, you may have been up all night studying “how-to-design” videos on YouTube.
Now you don’t have to.
These platforms do most of the designing for you and, and they’ll even give you some quick tutorials. All you have to bring to the table is a good idea and an eye for a visually-pleasing design.
With your brand’s color and theme in mind, pick the software that is easiest for you and get started designing a free brand logo today.
In terms of user-friendliness, design results, or cost, which free brand logo software would you recommend?
The post 5 Free Brand Logo Tools For Your Company appeared first on Neil Patel.
Free Video Editing Software For E-commerce Videos
High-quality video content is a great way to showcase products professionally in an e-commerce store. AI Multiple, a digital B2B research firm, found that video content makes website visitors 64-85% more likely to buy a product, compared to static images.
There are many ways to edit your videos for free. Free video editing software has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the perks of the programs are always evolving.
These days, you can create high-quality, engaging video content that converts without paying the high sticker price of big-name software. If you’re not sure about product videos for e-commerce, or you don’t know where to invest your money, then free video editing software is a great place to start experimenting.
Is Free Video Editing Software as Effective as Paid Tools?
Paid doesn’t always mean better. Free video editing software has come a long way since its inception, and the latest platforms are incredibly versatile.
Many paid tools have impressive free versions, so you can use your favorite software without paying a subscription fee. This is a great way to test out content types and figure out the design direction for your videos.
Paid Tools with Free Subscriptions
These free versions allow you to test out paid products and see how they work. If you’re a beginner, there are tutorials and walkthroughs that can get you started.
That being said, there are many free tools with equal or greater editing options as paid tools. It’s important to figure out what kind of features you’re looking for, whether that be short-form, DIY social videos, product testimonials, online ads, or animated clips. Once you know what you need, it will be much easier to find the tool that suits your verticals.
How to Use Free Video Editing Software to Help Your E-Commerce Site
Video content can help you display your products in new and inventive ways. Customers appreciate being able to see a product in action. They also want to know what other people think of it, so posting reviews and demos can be a great way to target those audiences.
Youtube is the second-most trafficked site on the internet, coming in right after Google. This tells us the public is interested in video content and is searching for it every day. In fact, it’s estimated that users spend almost 100 minutes a day watching online video content.
So, what are these consumers looking for?
The CMO Council, a marketing research firm, found 48% of consumers want to see content that reflects products or services they are already interested in. Likewise, 43% of consumers want to see content that gives them clear information on the next steps they need to take in order to purchase.
Free video editing software can help you speak to this growing demographic and introduce your products to their vast sales funnel.
With well-edited videos, you can showcase the way your products move, answer FAQs, make your own promotional videos, highlight customer reviews, and give live product demos. This offers new value to your consumers that static content misses.
Want to find out how to get started with video marketing? With just a few simple tools you can maximize your conversions and extend your reach online.
What Features to Look For in Free Video Editing Software
Free video editing software can help you to create stand-out video content for your e-commerce platform.
There are so many different programs to choose from and even more features to consider.
But don’t get overwhelmed!
The first step is to figure out what you want your content to look like. Are you making short-form ads for Instagram Stories? Are you creating Google ads, Facebook banners, or on-site product pieces? Different content requires different features, so make sure you know what you’re looking for.
Once you know what you want to create, sorting through the noise is easier. Here are some features to consider when choosing your free video editing software.
Choose Your Video Editing Skill Level
If you’re brand new to video editing, it’s best to start simple. Choose video editing software that doesn’t have too many complex features and one that will give you a tutorial. You can also find an online walkthrough to explain the best ways to use the software.
Give yourself enough time to play around with software before your project deadline. These tools can have a learning curve depending on which software you choose, so keep that in mind before you commit.
Video Editing Supported Formats
Some platforms, such as Youtube, require specific formats in order to upload content. It’s important to research what your format requirements are before diving into the new software.
If you want to publish your content in 4K, or maybe convert it to 720p, it’s a good idea to factor that into your content creation planning.
Some free video editing software platforms have a range of compatibility options, while others are very limited. Be sure to read the fine print before downloading anything.
Audio Video Editing Tools
Depending on what kind of content you’re producing, you may want to add audio tracks or musical elements to your videos.
Some free video editing software support audio mastering, while others don’t have those options. You may be able to add audio in through a secondary program if you want to, but it’s probably better to find software that does everything you need it to from the start.
Likewise, the audio tools may be limited to in-program purchases or pre-determined tracks. So be sure to choose software that will allow you to upload outside media if that’s what your content needs.
Titles and Subtitles
Titles and subtitles are a great way to overlay branding or text. You can also increase accessibility and speak to consumers who may have their volume turned off as they scroll.
Many free video editing software platforms have title and subtitle options. That being said, not all of them allow you to export or import these and you may need to do a bit of extra research to find a platform that supports more advanced text options.
Collaboration
If you’re looking to involve your team members in the editing process, then choosing a tool that supports collaboration will be important.
Many of these tools have limits on how many collaborators can participate, so make sure you know how many people will be logging onto the software and in what capacity they will be contributing.
Best Free Video Editing Software
No matter what kind of content you want to create, there is a free video editing software out there that can make your e-commerce dreams come true.
Remember, there are different apps for mobile, desktop, and even Instagram-specific editing tools. Read the software details to ensure you’ll be able to use your video on your desired platform.
Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark is one of the most approachable free video editing software platforms. You can add images, soundtracks, and animations directly into your uploaded videos. You can also edit and share your videos from the app, so you don’t have to spend time waiting for lengthy uploads.
Adobe Spark features:
- Seamless social sharing options
- Variety of typography, animations, imagery, and themes to choose from
- Metric tracking for content
The free version gives you access to most of their basic editing software. You can also go premium for $9.99 per month.
Avidemux
Avidemux is a great beginner video editing software. It can be used on Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems and boasts a clear, simple, easy-to-navigate interface.
The downside is there aren’t as many features as some of the other software platforms we’ve discussed. That said, if you’re just getting into video editing, this is a great place to start.
Avidemux features:
- Cutting
- Encoding
- Filtering
- Audio integration
Avidemux is 100% free.
Clipchamp
Clipchamp lets you edit clips directly in your browser without having to upload anything. It’s compatible with all file sizes and offers a range of customizable video templates curated by industry professionals.
Clipchamp features:
- Video editing
- Compression
- Converting
- Add audio
- Add text
Clipchamp is a great option for those looking to do some quick and easy editing. Although it lacks some of the in-depth, professional features that can be useful, it makes up for it by being easy to navigate and learn.
The basic platform is free for up to 5-minute pieces. Premium plans begin at $14 per month.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a professional-grade free video editing software that can be used on either Mac or Windows systems.
HitFilm offers advanced and beginner features that rival some of the best paid platforms out there. The catch? You have to post about them on social media before you can start editing.
HitFilm Express features:
- Green screen effects
- Advanced cutting tools
- Video and audio filters
- Layers and masking
- 3D video support
If you’re a beginner, factor in some extra time to learn the interface. Don’t worry too much, there are a range of tutorial videos to get you started which are based on popular Hollywood franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. The videos are fun to watch and you might even learn something!
Wave.video
Wave.video is free video editing software for creating branded content. They have a huge stock video and image library and an array of different templates you can add to your video.
Wave.video features:
- Free library of image and video clips
- Voiceover recording
- Audio library of 300,000 royalty-free audio tracks
- Ad-free video hosting
Wave.video is free for up to 15-second videos. Paid subscriptions start at $8.25 per minute.
Looking for more video editing software options? Check out these 5 video editing tools.
Next Steps After Choosing the Best Free Video Editing Software Tool
Once you’ve chosen your software, it’s time to get to work!
Depending on the software you pick, your next steps will look a little different.
If you choose a professional video editing software such as Avidemux or HitFilm Express, then you’ll need to upload some content of your own before you get started.
If you have some product shots or e-commerce reels, you can upload them into these platforms to cut them into shorter clips, add in text overlays or branded content, or add in audio tracks or music.
If you chose a more simple software like Adobe Spark or Wave.video, you could start by choosing a template and editing it to make it your own. You can also upload product images or videos and then utilize some of the free, in-app features like typography or animations to enhance your video.
To maximize your content for e-commerce conversions, make sure you tailor your content for your platform. If you’re trying to showcase how your product works, a product video is a good place to start. If you want to advertise a sale or discount on a Facebook ad, be sure to pay attention to sizing requirements and formatting options.
Conclusion
We know how important video content is for e-commerce conversions, but making video content doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
If you’re looking to drive more e-commerce store traffic or maximize audience engagement with fun and creative video content, then using free video editing software is a great place to start.
Who knows, maybe with a little practice, you’ll be the next Spielberg of e-commerce.
What are some ways you can use video content to strengthen your e-commerce sales?
The post Free Video Editing Software For E-commerce Videos appeared first on Neil Patel.
32 Free WordPress Themes For Effective Content Marketing
You already know that WordPress is a popular CMS and that most content marketers love it for their business or personal blog. But there’s a question lingering: How do you choose the right free WordPress theme when there are so many out there?
Trust me; it’s not as easy as you think.
When I started blogging, one of the crazy activities that killed my productivity was checking out new personal blog themes. I just couldn’t find the right one for me. But I know better now.
The reality is you need to find one of the responsive WordPress themes for your personal blog launch’s success.
Did you know that your success as a content marketer goes beyond writing great content?
There are so many factors that will ensure that you’re always at the top of your game and getting the juice from any given search engine.
Your attitude to work, the way you market your content, and, most importantly, your blog’s look all play a key role. It must have a responsive design, not just be pretty.
Investing in a professionally-looking theme is important, but what if you’re just a beginner and you want a free WordPress theme that still looks gorgeous? Can you find one?
Sure you can. I decided to write this article because I get a lot of emails from readers who want to find the right WordPress themes that will aid in effective content marketing.
A free WordPress theme is great, but don’t forgo a responsive design for your personal blog when many themes have a very cost-effective, one-time fee.
Trust me, I’ve got you covered. Without much ado, here is a list of 32 professional, free WordPress themes that you can download:
1. Sparkling [Preview – Download]
It’s time to sparkle your personal blog. If you’re looking for a flat, clean, and professional-looking theme, Sparkling may just be the right one. It was developed using Bootstrap 3.
This modern theme has a front-end framework feature that optimizes it to display smartphones, desktops, tablets, and other devices well. This WordPress theme is unique from the millions out there because of its pixel-perfect design, full-screen slider, and widgets that you’ll fall in love with.
‘Sparkling’ is built to have a premium layout, and every content marketer who prides content above everything else will benefit from it. If you’re looking for one of the SEO-friendly responsive WordPress themes, you’re in luck.
It’s Schema compatible — which is great for SEO. Most of the free and paid plugins out there are supported, such as SEO by Yoast, W3 Total Cache, Quick AdSense, Akismet, Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, and more.
For effective content marketing, you need a WordPress theme that hands control over to you so that you can add, modify, or delete any plugin, section, or even modify the layout as you see fit.
Whether you’re interested in using the Sparkling WordPress theme for your personal use or business, you’ve won the jackpot. This theme cuts across different industries such as education, business, web design, marketing, health and fitness, and many more.
2. Dazzling Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Dazzling is an unrivaled responsive theme. It’s developed using Bootstrap 3 and comes with an optional full-screen slider. This is useful when you’re building your first corporate or portfolio site.
This flat theme has mint green accent colors and will inspire you to embrace the best side of content marketing. I’m fond of this theme because it’s clean, unbeatable, and will enhance your personal brand. What more could you want?
Startup entrepreneurs, CEOs, and public speakers will benefit from the full-screen slider because they’ll use it to showcase their keynote speeches or other key presentations.
Dazzling WordPress theme includes added optimization for a lot of the essential plugins and custom widget designs out there, such as All-in-one-SEO Pack, JetPack, Contact Form 7, and more.
3. OceanWP [Preview — Download]
OceanWP is a single theme, but it’s so customizable that it feels like getting multiple themes all at once. With more than 3 million downloads, there’s a good chance you’ve come across a few websites using this ultra-flexible theme.
What really stands out about OceanWP is its demos — these are essentially fully-build websites you can copy and then customize. The theme is fully responsive, offers fast load times, built-in SEO features, and is translation ready.
If your business sells physical or digital products, OceanWP has you covered with built-in WooCommerce functionality.
4. Travelify [Preview – Download]
Travelify is another free WordPress theme. It has some premium functionalities that allow you to change the theme layout (full, no sidebar, or wide, for example).
This responsive WordPress theme is mobile responsive, modern, and can be used for virtually any subject or business objective. For example, if you’re a content marketer, Travelify puts value on your content and highlights your best work for your readers to enjoy.
It’s a pixel perfect design, with a featured slider which you can turn off with a single click. The flexibility that the theme offers enables you to alter its layout until it suits your objective. You can also use a background image to customize the theme to your brand.
5. Ascent Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Ascent WordPress theme is designed with responsiveness in mind. This means that it’ll appear well on tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop of all sizes. The innovative technology used is based on CSS3 and HTML5.
What I like about Ascent is the richness of the slider that appears above the header. It’s more than just a personal blog; it’s a visual blogger’s dream.
In other words, your pictures get an added optimization that would make them stand out from the rest. If you’re a photographer, digital marketer, or content marketer, you can use Ascent to improve user experience.
This theme has been downloaded over 30,000 times, making it one of the most popular responsive WordPress themes of both professional and free.
A right and left sidebar gives you added flexibility, and this theme is translation-ready. This is essential if you’ll be serving a wider audience in different languages.
6. Auberge [Preview – Download]
Do you struggle to create the right content for your customers? You’re not alone. If you want to attract and nurture an audience with your personal blog, you need various content.
But, let’s assume that you’ve created a variety of content; how do you showcase all of them in the right manner? You need the right WordPress theme and Auberge may just be the right one.
This impressive WordPress theme is free, professionally-designed and it’s currently used by over 30,000 blogs. Auberge’s overwhelming quality and usefulness make it a one-stop theme for those who want to expand their content marketing reach.
Auberge is built around a mobile-first design concept, which makes it 100% mobile responsive. One vital reason why you probably should consider this theme is because the content can be easily showcased on retina displays that have high resolutions.
A challenge that most site owners face when showcasing their best content, is resizing and compatibility issues, which severely drops the value of the content.
The theme would suit every niche, but it’ll probably best serve restaurants and cafe pages. When constructing your pages, you can use the Beaver page builder plugin. You can download and use the lite version at no cost.
7. Hestia Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
Hestia is a website builder that features a slick, fully customizable design. Don’t let their branding as a”one-page theme” make you think it will limit you — you can build a fully functional, multi-page site with this theme.
Top features include easy to use customizer, WooCommerce ready, page builder compatibility, and fast load times. It is also SEO friendly and provides clean, optimized code for fast loading times.
If you are looking for a highly flexible theme with e-commerce capabilities, Hestia is a solid choice.
8. Awaken [Preview – Download]
Awaken WordPress theme is free and has a 4 out of 5-star rating. If you’re fond of a minimalist design, this theme is for you. It’s extra white spaces push your content to the forefront and eliminate distractions.
Awaken is a magazine theme that includes two widget areas. The posts are also showcased, using three distinct widgets.
The layout of this theme is constructed using the Bootstrap framework, with mobile responsiveness in mind. In particular, mobile users will benefit from your blog, if you use this theme.
Another essential feature of Awaken is the nifty slider. The theme options panel gives you added flexibility, which enables you to change the theme color, font attributes, and links.
9. Neve Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
Neve is a light, modern WordPress theme that will serve your content marketing needs because it has clean and validated code.
This means that no matter how minimal your technical skills, you can edit and structure your theme to display your content well.
With basic HTML/PHP knowledge, you can structure your content display area. If you’re not a skilled developer, you don’t have to worry, because the theme options panel enables you to update your settings, including custom header and footer designs and layout.
One other feature of Neve WordPress theme offers easy setup, reliable updates, fast load times, and it is compatible with AMP.
Neve is focused on being lightweight, fast, and easy to use, making it an ideal free WordPress theme for beginners or anyone who wants an easy-to-build site.
10. The SSMAG [Download]
SSMAG is a mobile responsive, plug and play free WordPress theme that has a grid-based layout. Content creators will find this theme useful, because of its feature that positions your content to go viral– well-designed social share buttons.
The design layout is optimized to engage readers and to cause them to explore your site further. SSMAG was created in 2015. It has custom widgets, to display text and HTML elements.
Apart from being browser compatible, the SSMAG theme supports embedded video, which will play a vital role in explaining what your blog is all about, instead of using your featured image on a post page.
11. Albar Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
Albar is a multipurpose WordPress theme that can be used to build a business website, portfolio, e-commerce store, or blogging site. It is responsive, which means it easily adapts to all types of devices including tablets, mobile phones, and desktop computers.
The theme features minimal settings to make it easier to use, but enough customizations to let you build exactly the site you need. It is lightweight, scalable, and offers security features so your site will be fast and secure.
12. Esteem Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Most beginners to blogging are looking for a WordPress theme that will showcase their portfolio or samples so that potential clients can find them easily. If that’s what you’re after, Esteem will be the right personal blog theme for you.
Esteem is a simple theme that offers unlimited theme color options so that you can change the feel and look of your site to stand out from the competition. The Esteem theme comes with two custom themes.
One of the themes is custom-built to display your products, portfolio or services. You can upload and set your custom logo and site title from the theme options panel.
If you want to gain traction, nurture a loyal audience, and establish your brand online, you should leverage the Esteem theme customizable header image.
13. Accelerate Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
Who says that you can’t find a modern WordPress theme with a premium look for your site?
Well, Accelerate is right here to fill that spot. Accelerate is a super flexible theme that’s suitable for portfolio, personal, travel, corporate, or business services sites.
If you’re an artist, like a photographer or illustrator, you can use the fullscreen slider to showcase your best work.
Accelerate theme sends a strong, clear message to your target audience, through its flat and straight-forward design that blends perfectly with your content (video, blog posts, audio, etc).
Accelerate is fully responsive and displays well on any type of mobile device. Moreover, the theme is retina-ready, to enhance your audience viewing experience and lower bounce rate.
14. Ample [Preview – Download]
It’s time to personalize your blog with this eye-catching and professional theme. Ample is a free minimalist and multipurpose WordPress theme that comes with feature-rich options for customizing your layout and setting the right metrics for your site. Mobile device responsiveness helps your search engine results.
Building your personal brand is an essential part of running a successful online business. So, it’s necessary to customize your site, by adding a professional logo and relevant header text that will appeal to your target audience.
Ample multipurpose WordPress theme is suitable for business or personal blog use and will play well in any industry, but it’s particularly useful for authors, freelance writers, and book review writers.
15. WP-Premium Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
If you’re familiar with Copyblogger, you’ll agree with me that their first theme looked similar to this theme. I also know a few bloggers who started out with this theme, but later changed when their business grew.
Why am I saying this?
Well, it’s to let you know that WP Premium free WordPress theme provides a rich experience for the end-user, as well as premium functionality and a trendy look.
If you’re looking to start a serious blog, you should consider using WP Premium. It’s 100% responsive, which means that your texts and images will display smoothly on any device.
This theme is powered by Foundation – a front end framework that’s flexible, user-friendly, and professional.
WP Premium takes a content-first approach. The homepage widget areas let you manage your sidebar, header, navigation menu, and footer. Other functionalities are a wide selection of widgets, such as the author widget that displays relevant information about the author or blog owner.
You also have the advertisement widget, for monetizing your blog content with AdSense, ClickBank, CJ, and any third-party affiliate network that supports HTML code and CSS.
16. Quickstart [Preview – Download]
This is a free and professional theme from Gabfirethemes.com. What differentiates this theme from others is the fact that you can structure your personal blog layout as you want it to be.
Your category page doesn’t have to be a bland list of articles; you can now put the right content there and re-engage your audience. From the themes control panel, you can select alternative header templates quickly. No coding experience is required to effect this change in a highly responsive design.
Localization support is also enabled, because Quickstart was designed to appeal to international and local site owners. It supports multiple languages and it’s compatible with WPML’s multilingual plugin.
There is also another feature that makes this theme unique. The Gabfire module. This is an extended functionality that enables users to embed videos and default post images, so that the difficulty associated with embedding YouTube videos, for example, is eliminated.
Quickstart free WordPress theme is equipped with a single post image slider, category templates, page templates, and an advanced control panel. It’s search engine optimized and mobile one of the mobile responsive WordPress themes we like.
17. Astra Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Astra has some amazing functionalities that you’ll love. This is a professional-looking theme that would have sold for $39 or more, but you can download and use it as a free WordPress design.
It has a clever ‘above-the-fold’ slider that displays your best and latest works. If you’re an author, you can use this to showcase your book. If you’re an artist, such as a photographer, illustrator, or web designer, this sleek slider will be very helpful for you.
Astra free WordPress theme displays your content using the default font face that’s clear and professional. If you’re an intermediate blogger or online entrepreneur and need a sophisticated theme that has all the modern functionalities intact, Astra may just be the right one for you.
18. Onesie [Preview – Download]
As the name implies, Onesie is a flat and free WordPress theme. It’s a one page, responsive theme and can be used for business or personal blog purposes.
It adapts to different screen sizes, making it possible for your texts and images to display perfectly on iPads, iPhones, tablets, and other mobile devices, including smartwatches.
Onesie is easy to customize. You can change the background image to whatever you want. The header images can be customized to your taste. You can also create custom navigation menus, choose the right font, and alter the layout design for optimal user experience.
Onesie is browser compatible, which means that it displays perfectly on popular search engine platforms that your target audience will most likely be using, such as Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and more.
It also contains standard theme features, such as the theme options, automatic updates, and translation-reader functionality.
19. Path [Preview — Download]
Note: Path is no longer free, but at just $14, it’s still incredibly affordable and may be worth the cost if you love the features!
You can use Path, a stylish WordPress theme, if you’re working on a multi-author or magazine-related site.
One powerful functionality of Path is that you can use the built-in WordPress custom header to manage your site’s feel, control the logo and other branding aspects of your site, as long as it’s in agreement with WordPress and Hybrid Core.
Several plugins, such as Gravity Forms, Social Path, SEO by Yoast, and more, are fully supported. No matter your industry, as long as you’re passionate about building a community, creating viral content, and generating leads for your business, you can use the Path theme.
20. Sinatra Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
If your theme looks professional, it’s going to give you a mindset that makes you think as if you’re on top of the world. You might be a personal blog beginner, but it wouldn’t make any difference – because you’re already on the right foot.
Sinatra is one of the most lightweight and easily customizable WordPress themes that you can download for free. It’s designed by sinatrateam.
This is one of those themes that could have been sold for $39 or more, but the company decided to give it away. While it’s still free, you can download it for your next blog.
It’s mobile responsive, SEO-friendly, and contains multiple layouts for customizing your blog so that your content gets attention. It’s also translatable and built with SEO best practices in mind.
21. Calenotis Magazine [Preview]
Calenotis Magazine WordPress theme comes free of charge. It’s ideal for any type of project.
If you’ve just launched your book (whether ebook or hardcopy), or you want to create in-depth content that will generate organic traffic for you, this magazine theme will do the job right, from the very beginning.
Calenotis is a popular theme used in the health and fitness industry. The majority of the internet marketers out there aren’t aware of this theme. If they were, why would they not be using it?
The good news is that you’ve got the chance to use it while it’s free. The fullscreen slider will house your best works, latest pictures, upcoming programs, and more. This theme was designed using the minimalist principle – “omit needless things!”
The default font size for the body text may not be perfectly legible, but with HTML and CSS experience, you can always change your text’s size to suit your users.
22.Portum Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Portum WordPress is free, responsive, and has a stylish front page slider where you can showcase your best work. This theme also supports modern web tools and plugins.
Site speed is one of the Google ranking factors that you’ve got to always consider. This theme is super fast. Your users will thank you for it.
The single post area is professionally designed, and the font style and size are carefully set to make maximum impact. This is a true, modern free WordPress theme that’s responsive, used by thousands of sites, and is absolutely free.
23. Typepress [Download]
Typepress is a free and colorful WordPress theme. Colors drive people. In fact, in the psychology of colors, certain colors have proven to improve click rate on call-to-action as well as increase sales.
If you’re looking for a free theme that will be colorful, agile, and has all the powerful functionalities to build your business, Typepress could be your answer. It was developed by Arm Studio and released for free to the world.
Browser compatibility is one feature that makes this theme a resourceful one. No matter what browser that you or your visitors are using, they’ll not have issues reading your content, watching videos, or downloading your report. Even on mobile devices, mobile users will enjoy navigating your site because of it’s mobile-friendliness.
24. Foodica Lite Free WordPress Theme [Download]
Not all content marketing sites are business blogs or news sites. If you’re looking to build a food or recipe-based website, consider Foodica.
Foodica fills the food-blog gap by providing a beautiful, easy to use theme for food or recipe-based websites. It features a beautiful slider, responsive layout, and featured slider support for posts.
Note that there are two versions of Foodica — the Lite version is free, while the Pro version costs $69 and comes with additional customizations, support, and a recipe index.
25. Business Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
When you mean business (a site that will make you money), you’ve got to consider a theme that was designed for that. There are several ways to monetize and make money from a blog.
That said, do you know that the manner by which you place your affiliate links, promotional banners, and other calls-to-action plays a vital role in your conversion rate?
Absolutely. It does!
Business WordPress theme may be free, but it comes with premium functionalities that make it easier to advertise on your blog like a pro. Apart from the monetization aspect, the single post is given top priority, as well.
You can customize your logo, header image, background color, or other images. Its responsive design with the drag-and-drop slideshow interface gives you an added experience, and your site visitors will fall in love with it.
26. GreatMag [Preview – Download]
GreatMag is 100% free to use. It’s a magazine theme and has features that enable you to optimize your homepage and add important sections such as about us, our portfolio, products, and careers.
The front page image slider is ideal for showcasing your latest completed projects, clients you’ve worked with, testimonials, or some of the works you’re proud of.
When it comes to branding, GreatMag is flexible. You can upload your logo in the header section, and it’ll be seen clearly because the space provided is large. You can also use different themes to customize your site to your liking.
It also offers bundled widgets so you can easily (and quickly) get your site up and running, works with Google Fonts, features a page builder, and is 100% translation ready.
27. Basic Free WordPress Theme [Preview – Download]
At some point in your blogging business, you’ll need to focus on getting the right content out, attracting a loyal audience, and answering their questions. You may not need a fancy theme at such points, except if you don’t have enough money to buy a premium theme. But, you can use this Basic theme.
You may think that there is nothing special about ‘Basic’ free WordPress theme, but that’s not true. Most successful marketing blogs are built on minimalist personal blog designs, with the primary focus on the content and user.
If you’re just starting out with WordPress, you need to start with a theme that you can learn from, not a sophisticated one that requires a high level of coding experience.
The layout of the Basic free WordPress theme is super simple, giving you the freedom to customize your site’s look and feel. You can achieve this through the Themify options panel.
This theme was designed with features that will take you from where you are in your content marketing career to a new level. The lightbox gallery, RSS, footer menu, 5 theme skins, social icons, child theme support, and more will enhance your blogging experience and that of your users.
28. Parallax [Preview – Download]
Parallax is a free WordPress theme, and I’ve seen it at work on several industry blogs. It’s well designed and has modern features to bring your content to life. It features parallax scrolling to present beautiful images in an easy-to-navigate format.
One of the challenges of content marketing is producing engaging content. Even if you succeed at creating the right type of content, how do you present it to your audience? What format will be best for you? Parallax is one of the responsive WordPress themes that can help here.
What if you can cut through the chase, use the different widgets for the header, sidebar, footer, and single post to showcase different content types such as videos, slide presentations, blog posts, e-books, and continue to evolve your site based on real metrics?
Parallax offers a drag-and-drop editor, meets SEO best practices, and helps increases time on page with 3D animation effects. Just remember that these images are heavy, so they can slow page speed down.
29. Airi Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Airi is the right WordPress theme to use for pretty much any type of business site. For example, if you run a digital camera reviews blog, you can use this theme to display your best shots, edited works, and more.
This theme is highly customizable, as it was built with the Elementor plugin that allows you to easily move all the elements around. It also supports Ecommerce if your business sells physical or digital products.
Airi also offers a bunch of demos you can import, edit, and publish. If you want a professional website done fast, this is an ideal theme to consider.
30. Live Wire [Preview]
I like Live Wire WordPress theme because of two things: it’s free, and it’s clean. Any search engine will love its responsive design. It’s primarily designed with mobile in mind and includes an advanced options panel for structuring your layout. It supports Hybrid Tabs, post formats, Gravity Forms, and much more.
Live Wire has features that make it possible for you to customize several elements, such as your navigation menus, layouts, CSS, and even your background.
The theme also includes breadcrumbs, sticky posts, translation-ready capability, featured images, and more.
Note: LiveWire hasn’t been updated recently, but it still gets great reviews. Just keep in mind you could have issues with newer WP features and plugins.
31. Hemingway Free WordPress Theme[Preview – Download]
Hemingway’s free WordPress theme is specifically made for bloggers who want to improve their blogs. This theme was designed to conform with the latest version of WordPress, it’s streamlined, and it has the parallax scrolling effect.
It features a two-column layout that was designed specifically with bloggers in mind. Other features include retina-ready assets, block-editor supports, and customizable styles.
As a high-quality theme, Hemingway is sleek, but the developers kept it minimalist design style that always puts content first compared to some other highly responsive WordPress themes. It’s mobile responsive, which means that any device can display this theme perfectly.
32. Fullby [Preview – Download]
Fullby was inspired by Twenty Fourteen, one of the world’s most popular themes, with over 1 million downloads. At first glance, Fullby gives you that feeling of a professional site, because of its layout design.
The framework for this free WordPress theme is based on the latest Bootstrap framework. This is a grid style, lightweight, and fully responsive (displays well on any mobile or desktop device) theme.
You’ll also like the lightweight theme, which includes two customizable images, and the featured option for the posts can be structured exactly as you want it.
This is a good platform for your content, and the galleries and videos that are supported make this theme a favorite for most celebrities. If you’re a blogger, you’re a celebrity, too.
This Fullby free WordPress theme is fully optimized for search engines and has functionalities for your single post page and custom sidebar.
Conclusion
There, you’ve got it, the 32 professional, free WordPress themes to help make your content marketing more effective. Remember that it doesn’t matter which industry your working in because as much as content is king, design is the prime minister.
Getting one of the most responsive WordPress themes is important, even when starting. And there are so many to choose from.
When you give ample time to choosing the best theme for your blog, especially at the beginning, you’re establishing your foot in your industry. Your brand becomes noticeable to your target audience, and, trust me, that is priceless.
What is your favorite free WordPress theme, and why do you love it?
The post 32 Free WordPress Themes For Effective Content Marketing appeared first on Neil Patel.