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The 9 Must-Have Apps for Bloggers: Updated with more apps!

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My iPhone is my lifeline–seriously.

Checking to make sure posts went up correctly, keeping my eye on stats, answering emails, keeping my thumb on social media… I’d be very disconnected without it.

I have a few apps that when using, I often find myself saying, “What would I do without this?!” and I wanted to share them with you. Here are my favorite apps for bloggers:

Must-Have Apps for Bloggers: Updated with even more apps!

 

1. Facebook Of course, right? But seriously. Can you imagine having to keep up with groups, share links and respond to notifications if you were only using your computer? I’d become very overwhelmed very quickly. (Android Facebook App)

2. Twitter This might be a no-brainer for you, but I held out on the old-school Twitter app for a long time. I used several other apps to tweet and never loved them. When I finally switched to the Twitter app, I fell in love. You can easily see who follows you and shares your content and they recommend new friends based on who you are connected with. Big. puffy. heart. love. (Android Twitter App)

3. WordPress If you’re on WordPress.org (you are, right? Trust me when I say your blog needs WordPress.org) this app is my #1 must have. Respond to comments, add posts and images, edit posts and images, check your real-time stats (along with search engine terms, most viewed posts, and where people click out of your blog) and even read your favorite blogs with this app. (Android WordPress App) Update: The WordPress app also allows you to use the stat feature for Jetpack! Get real time stats and keep an eye on your blog numbers easily by signing up. 

4. Your blog Have you made an icon for your blog yet? Having an icon on your home screen makes it super easy to click over and check things out. To do this on an iPhone, open your blog in Safari and wait for it to load. Click the arrow on the bottom of the screen and click, “Add to home screen.” (Directions for Android)

5. InstaRepost I didn’t add Instagram to this list because… well… I ran out of room. I’m assuming you have Instagram already and want to tell you about an app that makes Instagram even more social–InstaRepost. Find a user in InstaRepost and repost their photo via your Instagram account (credit is automatically given). It’s a great way to show your followers cool things that have been posted! (Android InstaRepost App)

6. Feedly I am slowly falling in love with Feedly. I started using Bloglovin after Google Reader died and didn’t love their app. Feedly categorizes your groups by color (love that!) and is easy to browse on your phone. (Android Feedly App)

7. Facebook Pages Manager Yes, there is a different app for pages (and actually, a different app for messenger!). It’s easier to navigate than the regular facebook app, it gives you access to your scheduled posts and just like the desktop version, you don’t have to log out and then back in to switch pages. The only thing missing from this app is the ability to browse your facebook feed as your page. I bet that feature is coming ;) (Android Facebook Pages App)

8. PicStitch Do you have a few images that you want to share, but don’t want to clog up everyone’s feeds? Thank you for that! Use PicStitch to make collages of your photos so you can share once, but share the entire experience. (I can’t find the Android PicStitch App, but here’s a link to similar apps)

9. Pinterest You need to use Pinterest if you’re a blogger–it drives long term traffic to your content. Pinning from your phone is perfect because you’ll pin a little here and a little there. You definitely don’t want to log onto your computer and “pin dump” or pin a bunch of things at the same time. People will scroll down to get past your pins and not pay attention to any of them.  (Android Pinterest App) Need more Pinterest help? You can find my Pinterest Tips and Tricks for bloggers here.

 There you have it – 9 apps I think all bloggers need. What are your favorite apps for blogging?

Update – 8/2014 Since originally writing this post almost a year ago, I’ve added 9 more apps to my arsenal! Here they are:

Google Analytics Google just released an app for their analytics! It shows all of the most used stats, but my personal favorite is the real-time visitors. (Android Google Analytics App)

Google Adsense Keep track of your daily earnings across all of your sites in real time with this app. (Android Google Adsense App)

Google+ Rumor has it that G+ is the next Facebook. Whether you agree or disagree, the G+ app makes it easy to keep up with your friends, connect with others in groups, and more. (Google+ for Android)

StumbleUpon Though it’s not easy to Stumble posts in this app, it is easy to use the Stumble feature, which will give your website stumbles more clout. (Android StumbleUpcon app)

MailChimp If you use MailChimp for your blog’s email newsletter or RSS feed, you can keep track of your open rate, recently sent campaigns, subscriber list, and more in their app. Aren’t using MailChimp yet? Here’s an easy tutorial I wrote to help you set up that pretty email that matches your blog. (Android MailChimp app)

Buffer I often sing the praises of Buffer, and here’s another reason to sign up. I share my *old* blog posts often using Buffer instead of a plugin that randomly tweets your old posts. I also use Buffer for managing my client’s social accounts. I have access to all of my pending and previous shares while on the go, making it easy to re-share posts on the go. On Friday afternoons I usually sit down for 15 minutes and set my Buffer queue to share my top posts thorugh Facebook and Twitter throughout the next week–15 minutes, friends. (Buffer for Android)

Hootsuite You’re more of a Hootsuite person than Buffer? That’s ok. As long as you’re not sharing your posts using a plugin (why? Read #3 here.), you’re a-ok in my book. (Hootsuite for Android)

Triberr Wish you could share posts from all of your favorite bloggers, and have them share yours, as well? You need Triberr. The only downside is they don’t have an app yet. That shouldn’t stop you from using it on your phone, though. Head to Triberr, click the box with an arrow pointing up on your toolbar, then click Add to Home Screen. You’ll soon have a pretty Triberr button like I do, and you can share away!

Dropbox Do you hear angels singing? That’s because Dropbox has answered the prayers of people everywhere. Sync all of your files in the Dropbox cloud and have access to them from any computer or mobile device. As a blogger, this app is huge for me. Sign up for a free Dropbox account here. Save your post images and switch from laptop to desktop easily. Grab them from your phone to share on social networks. Seriously-it’s my favorite app. (Dropbox for Android)

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Comments

  1. Great post, Becca! I think we might be iPhone twinsies – you’ve pretty much made a list of all of my favorite blogging apps too. And my husband literally calls my phone my “lifeline.” :)

    Totally agree that the Twitter app is best and I’ve been starting to love Feedly too. And PicStitch is definitely a fav. Only one I might add is Bitly, which I’ve started using here and there.

    Question: I assume that you (like me) have a personal Facebook page and a blog page. I use Facebook Pages Manager for my blog page and the Facebook app for my personal page – so I don’t really use the main Facebook app for blogging at all. Curious why/how you use both?

    Thanks – great info!

    • I like the way the Feedly app looks – I’m kind of an app snob. Feedly was more difficult to add my feeds to, but I’m thinking that was because it was late at night and I was tired.

      • I was not happy when Google Reader ended. I compared many RSS reader sites and ended up falling in love with Feedly.

        Thanks for this post. I downloaded three apps I hadn’t known about: Google Analytics (had only used it on my computer until now); pic stitch, and InstaRepost.

  3. I love this. I’m good to go on a lot of them, but have a major aversion to Pinterest. I guess I will have to get over it.

    • Really, Matt?! Maybe you need a Pinterest immersion program? Slow and steady? Start with the START boards!

  4. Love your list, the only one I didn’t recognize was InstaRepost, going to check that out immediately!

    I am really loving the Buffer app, which I have on my Iphone, my Chrome and my Ipad. It allows me to push additional content on a schedule that I set up and it works so well. And they have great customer service. Also, Buffer just announced that you can post to your Google+ Page FINALLY.

    I also love my Feedly but I’m a little angry at them for moving the Evernote share button to the premium version. I used that all the time and right now do not intend to upgrade.

    • Thank you, Carey!

      I left Buffer off because I talked about it in my last blogging post, but could have easily added it! And are you ready to hear this? I don’t have a G+ page yet. I have a profile, but haven’t jumped into the pages yet.

  5. I just added my site icon to my phone. I’m new to blogging and the iPhone, or any smartphone for that matter, so this is all so new to me! This is a great list! And, since using Pinterest, I’ve definitely been Pinterest Dumping. I use my computer for almost everything, so I guess I need to get on the phonewagon! Thanks!

    • You’re learning at an extraordinary pace, Anna! Make sure to give yourself a break!!

      You’re going to love your iPhone more and more each day ;)

  7. These are great. I love the tip about putting my blog on my home screen. What a simple but helpful tip!

  8. I am trying to use the WordPress app because it sounds awesome, but I am running into technical difficulties. It seems that because I am a self-hosted WordPress blog, I need something (I installed Jetpack) on my back end. But then it keeps telling me that I need to connect with WordPress.com and that I already have a login, (probably because I have tried to figure this out before), but I am unable to actually login. Any suggestions?

      • I do, but only because I just installed it! :) It is telling me I need to activate it by connecting to WordPress.com. But at the top it talks about it being for self-hosted sites.

  9. Ok, I figured it out somewhat. I had to re-register with WP using a different email account, but it seems like I am on the right track!

    • It shouldn’t be that difficult!! I’m sorry – I hope it’s worth it!

      I think Google Analytics is most accurate, but this at least gives an idea of where you are for the day. I like that you don’t have to wait until the next day to see results.

  10. This is a great list! I had not heard of feedly before. I think this will be a great tool for myself since I have started blogging. Thanks!

  11. Do you know really good apps for Ipod’s for chores or homework? My 13 year old son is trying to talk us into getting him one and thought maybe you might know off the top of your head.

    Thank you.

  14. Hi Becca,

    Michelle from Williams’ Haven (WordPress blog)
    Love this Post! I use most of these apps. Great list to keep as a checklist to stay focused on the apps bloggers should be using. Thanks for sharing. Would love more posts like this.

    Michelle

  18. Hi, just came across this. I wanted to suggest the app fuzel, which is an amazing collage app with customisable templates. I’ve been living on that app. But seriously as a blogger and a serial instagrammer, I have soo many apps, out of which 21 are just related to photography and editing, and then there’s about 12 social and social related apps.

    Roxanne D’souza
    http://www.head2heels.co

  19. Hey Becca! I’m a fairly new blogger (only been blogging for less than a year). I’m on Blogger right now — is that a good or bad thing for being new to the blog scene? And if I need to switch to WordPress, do you have any advice for how to do that? Also, I’m on Pinterest at least an hour a day, and I have a real problem with “pin dumping.” I’m scared if I don’t Pin everything I like, I’ll forget to remember it later. How can I avoid pin dumping? Thanks so much for this list!

  21. No Google+? That’s the best place to get news, heck some bloggers use G+ as their place to host a blog. Why is facebook an “of course”? You say it like it’s obvious. If I was writing a blog for grandma’s and tweens I might include that.

  26. Fantastic list! I love all these apps and they really are invaluable. I wanted to say thank you and give a shout out to you for including links to the android apps too. I know there are lots of iPhone users, but as an android user, it gets frustrating when it’s all for iOS. Thanks again! Pinned!

  27. I have a BlogSpot blog. I’ve been tempted to use word press but not gone there yet.

    Here’s a great app I love. “iWatermark”

    If you like to add a watermark to your blog pictures, this is great and easy and quick to add your personal touch to any photo on your iPhone. Then slip the photo onto your blog.

    I also have the Blogger app on my iPhone and can easily post and edit at my finger tips.

    Lisa

  28. this is incredible! Idk why I didn’t have the Adsense app before. I just downloaded a bunch of these. I’d recommend Evernote & the reddit app also!

  29. Great apps, I already use a lot of these but there’s some here I’ll check out. I’d also recommend Rhonna Designs, word swag and canva…for doing great blog and Instagram graphics

  30. Thanks for sharing this list of apps. All of these apps are really necessary for bloggers but I don’t use all of them through my phone.
    I am still using Bloglovin for finding great articles. In fact, one can use Pinterest as well but that doesn’t work when you want to keep track of updates from your favorite blog. Bloglovin is good but using them on phone or even iPad is a bit irritating which slightly explains why you moved to feedly. I haven’t tried feedly but this is the second recommendation I have got about the platform, so I think I am going to try it.
    Did you mention Google+? I use that a lot now considering that it allows to easily reach to normal people. Facebook just doesn’t let you do that these days.

  31. Thank you for this awesome list. I have several of these but a few are new names. Time for research and learning a few new tricks :D

  32. Than you so much for the information. I am a newbie to website development and blogging (which I love) and you have provided so much information which is new information to me and rounds out my knowledge. All the tech stuff is relatively new to me-apart from fb and twitter.

  33. I’m wicked late to the party but I honestly didn’t know Google had apps for Adsense and Analytics. I also kept forgetting to re-download the Facebook Pages app to my new phone. Thanks for this :)

  34. So, I am just starting out and still reeling from things I want to do WITH my page. I have FB and a Twitter account. If I just do a few steps at a time, that will be fine with me. Thanks for sharing some great ideas.

    Tammy

  35. Thank you very much for this post! I found it on Pinterest first thing this morning and I love it. I’ve downloaded Google+, Google analytics and a few other apps that I didn’t know existed but I already use on my computer. Thank you!

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