Note: The group Lead Magnet Project is currently closed to new participants.
Please reference the following professional website and email resources used and recommended by Graceful Resources.
Current cost-saving opportunities for these resources are also available here:
ConvertKit 30 Day Trial (Plus 5 Other Discounts)
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1. All-in-One Solution
Website Resource: Rainmaker Platform
Resource Summary: Rainmaker Platform is a complete turn-key solution from Rainmaker Digital (formerly Copyblogger Media). It includes managed WordPress hosting and an integrated user interface custom designed for Rainmaker customers.
Lessons Learned Summary: I assumed building a membership site on WordPress with built-in e-commerce capabilities for digital goods and courses would be easy with a few plugins.
Lessons Learned Details: Rainmaker Platform Review: Is Rainmaker Right for You?
2. Website Hosting
Website Resource: WP Engine
Resource Summary: WP Engine is the largest fully managed WordPress (WP) platform provider in the world. Tech support is available 24×7 and all staff are subject matter experts in WordPress installations.
Lessons Learned Summary: For several years, I trusted economy hosting plans (e.g. GoDaddy) but my sites kept crashing every week especially when there was any traffic spike.
Lessons Learned Details: Why I Switched from BlueHost to GoDaddy to WP Engine
3. Framework and Design
Website Resource: StudioPress Genesis Framework and StudioPress Sites
Resource Summary: The award-winning Genesis Framework for WordPress (WP) powers the professionally designed StudioPress WP child themes. Genesis is fully customizable with proven security and performance, and it is now available as a packed WordPress hosted solution.
Lessons Learned Summary: My first WP theme was designed by a team of four developers. One day, they decided to call it quits. I learned never to invest in a software team that small.
Lessons Learned Details: 10 Reasons StudioPress Offers the Best WordPress Themes
4. Landing Pages
Website Resource: Leadpages
Resource Summary: Leadpages is the largest provider in the world of landing pages for webinars, sales, opt-in, and thank you landing pages. Leadpages integrates with all major email marketing services.
Lessons Learned Summary: I originally tried to turn standard web pages into landing pages only to discover there are distinct designs and purposes for landing pages that aren’t easy to replicate.
Lessons Learned Details: 12 Key Benefits of Leadpages
5. Email Marketing Service
Website Resource: ConvertKit
Resource Summary: ConvertKit is an opt-in email marketing service designed specifically for professional bloggers and online entrepreneurs. Automatically send marketing messages by segmentation.
Lessons Learned Summary: For several years, I used Constant Contact, AWeber and MailChimp for managing email lists but they lacked the most critical marketing capability: email tagging.
Lessons Learned Details: ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More (Plus 8 Benefits)
6. Email Opt-In Forms
Website Resource: OptinMonster
Resource Summary: OptinMonster is a premium lead generation software that seamlessly integrates email opt-in forms into your website so that you can grow your email marketing list with site visitors.
Lessons Learned Summary: I originally designed my own opt-in forms and pages, but the results were not strong. I then tested multiple pop-up options, but the opt-in results were equally weak.
Lessons Learned Details: 10 Reasons OptinMonster is the Best Lead Generation Software
7. Dynamic Online Forms
Website Resource: Typeform
Resource Summary: Typeform is a professional online form design tool that allows you to connect with page visitors via engaging and conversational online forms, surveys, quizzes, and landing pages.
Lessons Learned Summary: I spent too much time trying to write the perfect web page copy to engage page visitors and realized static content (no matter how many time it is re-stated) is kind of boring.
Lessons Learned Details: 8 Typeform Examples and a Typeform Discount
8. Standard Online Forms
Website Resource: WPForms
Resource Summary: WPForms is a premium plugin for WordPress and it is branded as the most beginner friendly WordPress contact form plugin in the market. But it can do a lot more than contact forms.
Lessons Learned Summary: Setting up a contact form on a WordPress website is commonplace, but creating simple but effective form processes for your business leads and your customers are the hallmark of a professional website.
Lessons Learned Details: WP Forms Review (and a WPForms Discount)
9. Appointment Scheduling
Website Resource: Acuity Scheduling
Resource Summary: Acuity Scheduling is an online scheduling tool for any business that needs to regularly book client appointments.
Lessons Learned Summary: While there are many scheduling apps and plugins on the marketplace, Acuity Scheduling allows you to create appointment workflows that save you time, increase your revenue, and delight your customers.
Lessons Learned Details: Acuity Scheduling Review: 7 Praiseworthy Features
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Full Transparency about Recommended Website and Email Resources
I have a sponsorship relationship with this companies. If you decide to invest in their website products or services via my affiliate links, I am eligible for a nominal commission. There is no extra cost to you and your use of my affiliate links support the growth of Graceful Resources.
If you start using any of these website resources, I encourage you to become affiliates for them as well. You’ll want to spread the word too. These website resources are that good, and I would use and recommend them even if there were no affiliate programs.