WP Plugin
★4.9
Rank Math SEO
The SEO plugin we run on every site — schema, redirects, and content analysis without the bloat.
Visit rankmath.com ↗
The Toolbox
Tools we actually use to build and run sites.
A curated directory of the WordPress plugins, software, lifetime deals and gear behind HostingProTips — and the client sites we build. No filler, no pay-to-list. If it's here, we use it.
Heads up: some links below are affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we list or how we rate it.
WP Plugin
★4.8
LiteSpeed Cache
Server-level caching that pairs perfectly with LiteSpeed hosting. Huge speed gains, zero cost.
Visit wordpress.org ↗
WP Plugin
★4.8
UpdraftPlus
Scheduled off-site backups to Drive, S3 or Dropbox. The restore-in-one-click safety net.
Visit updraftplus.com ↗
WP Plugin
★4.7
Wordfence Security
Firewall + malware scanner that catches most attacks before they reach your site.
Visit wordfence.com ↗
WP Plugin
★4.8
Fluent Forms
Fast, lightweight form builder. The contact + lead forms on this very site run on it.
Visit fluentforms.com ↗
WP Plugin
★4.9
Perfmatters
Disables the scripts you don't need, page by page. Quiet, surgical performance wins.
Visit perfmatters.io ↗
Amazon
★4.8
Logitech MX Master 3S
The mouse that survives 10-hour build days. Quiet clicks, infinite scroll, worth every cent.
Visit amazon.com ↗
Amazon
★4.9
Samsung T7 Portable SSD
Where our local site backups live. Pocket-sized, fast, and rugged enough to travel.
Visit amazon.com ↗
Amazon
★4.7
Elgato Key Light
If you record tutorials, this is the lighting upgrade that makes the biggest difference.
Visit amazon.com ↗
AppSumo
★4.5
Lifetime SEO Toolkit
A solid keyword + audit suite for solo site owners who don't want a monthly SaaS bill.
Lifetime deal Visit appsumo.com ↗
AppSumo
★4.4
Social Scheduler Pro
Queue a month of posts across platforms in one sitting. Pays for itself in saved hours.
Lifetime deal Visit appsumo.com ↗
AppSumo
★4.3
AI Writing Assistant
Drafts outlines and first passes fast. We edit heavily — but it's a real time-saver.
Lifetime deal Visit appsumo.com ↗
Tool
★4.8
Cloudflare
Free CDN, DNS and DDoS protection. The first thing we put in front of any new site.
Visit cloudflare.com ↗
Tool
★4.7
Canva Pro
Where our blog graphics and social images get made. Templates that don't look like templates.
Visit canva.com ↗
Tool
★4.8
Ahrefs
The research tool behind our topical maps. Pricey, but the backlink data is unmatched.
Visit ahrefs.com ↗No tools in this category yet — check back soon.
Know a tool we should test?
We only list things we've actually used. If there's a plugin or app you swear by, tell us — we'll put it through its paces.