Best Free Blogging Tools I Personally Use
The free blogging tools I rely on for research, writing, SEO, images, and site maintenance — explained like a real workflow, not a random list.
The internet loves “top tools” lists.
You know the kind: 47 tools, 18 extensions, 12 dashboards, and a bonus PDF if you “drop your email.”
Most of those lists are not written to help beginners. They’re written to impress beginners.
When you’re new, you don’t need a museum of tools.
You need a workflow you can repeat on a Tuesday evening after work, when your brain is tired and the only thing keeping you going is a cup of chai and the tiny hope that this blog will become something real.
That’s what this post is.
Not a list of “everything that exists,” but the free tools I keep coming back to — organised the way I actually work: like a pipeline.
I’m a Salesforce developer, so my brain naturally thinks in stages:
Input → processing → output → monitoring → iteration.
Blogging is the same. Content is your “release.” SEO is your “distribution.” Analytics is your “observability.” Updates are your “maintenance.”
So I’m going to show you my free blogging toolbox in that order, with practical notes on how each tool fits into real life.
If you want an exhaustive tool list by category, I already have a longer “catalog style” post on the site. This one is intentionally more “how I use them.”
Step 0: The only tool that matters at the start (your capture system)
Before keyword research, before writing apps, before SEO… you need a place to catch ideas.
Because ideas don’t arrive politely.
They show up while you’re commuting, while you’re in the middle of a stand-up call, or five minutes before you fall asleep.
I don’t care what you use:
Use your phone notes app, Google Keep, a WhatsApp message to yourself, a Notion page, a physical notebook — anything.
The rule is simple:
If an idea takes more than 10 seconds to capture, you won’t capture it.
Here’s my developer trick: treat ideas like logs. Don’t judge them in the moment. Just capture the event. You can filter later.
Step 1: Topic research (free tools that don’t make you spiral)
Keyword research becomes toxic when it turns into “tool worship.”
As a beginner, you don’t need 10 metrics.
You need direction.
1) Google Search itself (the underrated tool)
Open an incognito window and start typing your topic. Watch:
Autocomplete suggestions, “People also ask,” and “related searches.”
This is not magic. It’s real behavior data.
If enough people search a phrase, Google will suggest it.
And here’s the nice part: this is already closer to human intent than many keyword tools.
When I’m stuck, I do something very basic:
I type a beginner question and I read the top 5 results like a reader. What’s missing? What feels unclear? What would I explain differently?
That gap is usually your blog post.
If you want a beginner-friendly approach to keyword research without drowning in tools, this is a good starting point: Keyword Research for Beginners.
2) Google Trends (for direction, not obsession)
Google Trends is not an SEO crystal ball.
But it’s excellent for:
Comparing two topics (“WordPress vs Blogger”), spotting seasonality, and avoiding dead topics.
This is where the Indian context matters too.
Trends in India can look different from US-heavy SEO advice. A topic that’s “not trending” globally might still be relevant locally, and vice versa.
So I use Trends like I use Salesforce dashboards:
Not to predict the future, but to avoid flying blind.
3) Your own Search Console (once you have impressions)
The moment your blog starts getting impressions, Google Search Console becomes your most honest keyword tool.
Because it shows you:
What Google already thinks you’re relevant for.
This is gold for beginners because it turns keyword research into editing.
Instead of “guessing what to write,” you can:
Find a post that’s getting impressions, improve it, add internal links, and watch it climb.
If you haven’t set it up yet, pair it with analytics so you can see both search and behavior: How to Set Up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for Your Blog.
Step 1.5: A simple spreadsheet (the “content backlog” that keeps you consistent)
This is the most boring tool on the list, and it’s one of the most effective: a Google Sheet.
I use it like a lightweight backlog, the same way we track user stories in a sprint.
One row per post idea. A few columns: the working title, the primary question, the stage (draft / editing / published / updating), and two internal links it should connect to later.
That last part is important. Internal linking is easier when you plan it early. Otherwise you publish 20 posts and then you’re doing manual surgery to connect everything.
The sheet also helps you see patterns: are you writing five posts about the same thing? Are you ignoring an important “beginner” topic? Are you drifting into random topics because they feel exciting?
When I’m busy with office work (client calls, deployments, the usual), that sheet becomes my calm default. I don’t have to “think of ideas.” I just pick the next row and start.
Step 2: Planning (the free tool most people skip: a simple outline)
This is not a software tool, but it’s the highest ROI thing you can do.
Before I write, I create a quick outline with three parts:
1) What question is the reader asking?
2) What does a good answer look like?
3) What’s the next step after they finish reading?
In Salesforce terms, it’s like defining acceptance criteria before you build.
Without this, you end up writing a lot and saying little.
If you want a lightweight structure that still feels human, keep a small set of templates for yourself and reuse them without sounding repetitive (hook styles, outline patterns, and CTA styles).
Step 3: Writing (the tool is less important than your writing environment)
Beginners overthink the writing tool. Pros overthink the writing habit.
Here are the free writing tools I like because they reduce friction:
Google Docs (for drafting and editing)
Docs is boring, and that’s exactly why it works.
It saves versions, it works on any device, and you can write without thinking about formatting.
The “secret” feature I use the most is the ability to:
Write messy now, edit clean later.
That separation is important. If you edit while writing, you slow down and your tone becomes stiff.
Markdown (for publishing cleanly)
If you’re on Jekyll (like this site), Markdown is a superpower.
It’s readable, portable, and it forces you to focus on structure.
As a developer, I also like Markdown because it feels like writing documentation. It makes content maintenance easier later.
If you’re not technical, you don’t need to become a Markdown expert. But learning the basics pays off.
VS Code (if you’re a developer, it’s a home base)
I already live in VS Code for work.
So writing blog posts there feels normal: folders, files, search, quick edits, version control.
It also makes it easy to maintain consistency — categories, tags, links, and formatting.
If you’re not a developer, you can ignore VS Code. The goal is not “be technical.” The goal is “publish consistently.”
Step 4: Editing (free tools that actually improve clarity)
Editing is where a post becomes human.
AI-sounding writing often comes from skipping editing.
Here are the free tools and habits that help:
Read it out loud (yes, seriously)
This is the best free “tool” for tone.
If a sentence feels awkward when spoken, it will feel awkward when read.
I do one simple pass:
I read the intro and the first two sections out loud. If it feels robotic, I rewrite those parts.
Hemingway Editor (free web version)
Hemingway is not perfect, but it’s useful for spotting:
Very long sentences, passive voice overload, and dense paragraphs.
I don’t follow it like a strict teacher. I use it like a lint tool: it highlights areas worth checking.
Grammarly (free tier)
Grammarly’s free tier is enough for basic grammar and clarity checks.
The real value isn’t “perfect English.” It’s catching small errors that make your post feel rushed.
As a blogger, your credibility is fragile early on. Clean writing helps.
Step 5: Images (free tools that keep your site fast and professional)
Images are where many beginner blogs accidentally look low quality:
Huge file sizes, random stock photos, mismatched styles, and no compression.
The good news: the free stack is strong.
Squoosh (my favorite free compressor)
Squoosh is a free web app by Google that lets you compress images with control.
It’s great when you want to:
Convert to WebP, reduce size, and keep quality decent.
It also helps you avoid the “upload a 4 MB image” mistake.
Canva (free tier) for simple graphics
If you want clean thumbnails or simple diagrams, Canva’s free tier is enough.
The key is not to over-design.
Use a consistent style. Use readable fonts. Don’t make your image louder than your content.
Unsplash/Pexels (free stock) — with restraint
Stock photos are fine, but they’re not a replacement for usefulness.
I use stock photos mainly for:
Headers and general visuals, not as “proof.”
If you’re writing a tutorial, screenshots and simple diagrams often help more than stock images.
Step 6: SEO on the page (the free checklist that helps you rank)
This is where many beginners either do nothing or do too much.
My approach is boring and repeatable.
Before publishing, I check:
Title and description
Not “SEO title.” Just a clear title.
If the title can’t be understood by a tired person scrolling on mobile, it’s not done.
The description should sound human. No clickbait. No weird promises.
One clear primary keyword (but naturally)
Not stuffed. Just present.
Internal linking (3–5 links, placed naturally)
Internal links are one of the most underrated free “SEO tools.”
They help readers discover more content and they help search engines understand your site structure.
Formatting that’s easy to scan
Headings, short paragraphs where needed, and occasional small lists.
If you want a deeper checklist (still beginner-friendly), this post covers it well: On-Page SEO for Bloggers.
Step 6.5: Performance checks (two free tools that save you embarrassment)
This is the “developer brain” part of blogging that I’m grateful for.
When a Salesforce page is slow, you don’t argue with the user. You measure it.
Same here. A slow blog post feels like low quality even if the writing is good.
So before I move on, I do a quick performance sanity check:
First, I run the URL through PageSpeed Insights. I’m not trying to get a perfect score. I’m checking for obvious mistakes like huge images, layout shift, and render-blocking problems that I accidentally introduced.
Then I open the post on mobile data (not Wi-Fi) once. That single test is surprisingly honest, especially in India where many readers are still on inconsistent connections. If the page feels heavy or jumpy, I fix the obvious culprits.
This step is “free,” but it protects trust.
Step 7: Publishing and “release management” (developer mindset helps)
This is where the Salesforce developer touch really shows up.
When you deploy to production, you don’t just push and disappear.
You check logs. You monitor errors. You verify core flows.
Publishing a blog post is similar.
After I publish, I do a quick “release checklist”:
First, I open the post on mobile and check spacing and readability.
Second, I click all internal links in the post (nothing kills trust like a broken link).
Third, I check that the image loads fast and doesn’t shift the layout.
Then I share it once (not everywhere), and I move on.
This habit keeps blogging sustainable.
Step 8: Analytics (free observability tools for blogs)
Analytics is where beginners either:
Refresh pageviews obsessively, or ignore data completely.
Both are mistakes.
Here’s the calm approach.
Google Search Console (for search reality)
Search Console tells you:
Queries, impressions, clicks, and average position.
If you’re early, focus on impressions first.
Impressions mean Google is testing your page.
Then improve the page, don’t panic.
GA4 (for behavior reality)
GA4 tells you what happens after someone lands:
Do they scroll? Do they click another page? Do they bounce immediately?
In blogging terms, the most useful beginner metrics are:
Engagement time and pages per session.
Those are human signals. They tell you if your content is actually helping.
If you haven’t set it up yet, use the GA4 guide linked earlier in this post and keep the setup simple.
Step 8.5: A tiny dashboard habit (borrowed from Salesforce)
In Salesforce, you don’t look at every object and every report daily. You keep a small dashboard that tells you if the system is healthy.
I do the same with blogging.
Once a week (not daily), I check three signals:
First: are impressions in Search Console trending up for any post? Even a small rise matters early.
Second: are people clicking to a second page, or are they landing and leaving? If internal navigation is low, I add one or two natural links where the reader would ask the next question.
Third: is any post suddenly dropping? If yes, I treat it like a production issue: I check if a link broke, an image failed to load, or a section became outdated.
This habit keeps you in “maintenance mode,” not “panic mode.”
Step 9: Maintenance (free tools and habits that compound)
This is where blogs quietly win.
Most people treat posts like one-time work.
But your best results often come from updates.
My maintenance routine is simple:
Once a month, I pick 2–3 posts and improve them:
I add internal links, clarify sections, update screenshots, and tighten the intro.
That’s it.
In Salesforce terms, this is like refactoring.
You don’t rewrite the whole org. You improve the flows that matter.
Blogging is the same.
The India-specific reality (small details that change how tools feel)
Most tool advice online is written from a US or EU perspective, and it’s not wrong — but it misses a few realities that matter for Indian readers and creators.
Mobile-first is not optional
In many Indian niches, your traffic will be heavily mobile. That changes how you write and how you choose tools:
You want bigger fonts, more whitespace, and fewer UI distractions. If your site looks clean on desktop but cramped on mobile, you’re leaking trust.
This is also why I keep my workflow simple. If I can’t review and tweak a post from my phone in a pinch, it’s too fragile.
Bandwidth and patience are real constraints
Many readers don’t have the patience to wait for heavy pages. They’ll bounce, and you’ll wonder why “SEO isn’t working.”
Most of the time, it’s not SEO. It’s experience.
Compress images. Avoid unnecessary scripts. Keep the page stable.
Free tools should stay free (mentally)
A lot of “free tool” lists hide a trap: the tool is free, but the workflow becomes expensive.
If you spend two hours configuring tools and 20 minutes writing, you’ve reversed the priorities.
So I treat free tools like utilities in a dev stack: if it saves time repeatedly, it stays. If it adds friction, it goes.
A short “stack summary” (so you don’t forget everything)
If you want the minimal free stack for a beginner in 2025, here’s what I’d choose:
Research: Google Search + Google Trends
Writing: Google Docs or Markdown
Editing: Read out loud + one grammar check
Images: Squoosh + basic Canva
SEO: Internal links + clean on-page checklist
Analytics: Search Console + GA4
Everything else is optional.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s the point: make it boring.
Boring is sustainable. Sustainable becomes consistent. Consistent becomes growth.
Want a simple writing workflow you can repeat?
If you’re tired of staring at a blank page, use a structure that still feels human and natural.
See blog post templates ->FAQs (People Also Ask)
1. What are the best free tools for blogging in 2025?
A simple stack is: Google Search Console + GA4 for measurement, Google Trends for topic direction, a clean writing tool (Docs/Markdown), and free image optimization tools like Squoosh. The best stack is the one you will actually use consistently.
2. Do I need paid SEO tools to grow a new blog?
No. You can go far with Search Console, Google Trends, free SERP research, and good internal linking. Paid tools help later, but they don’t replace strong content.
3. What’s the best free tool for keyword research?
For beginners, Google Search (autocomplete and related searches), Google Trends, and Search Console (once you have impressions) are enough to start.
4. What’s the best free tool for writing blog posts?
Use anything that helps you write consistently: Google Docs, a Markdown editor, or even a notes app. The tool matters less than clarity, structure, and editing.
5. How do I know if my blog posts are actually improving?
Track queries and impressions in Search Console, engagement in GA4, and internal navigation (pages per session). Update posts, then compare results over a few weeks.
If you take one thing from this post, take this:
Tools don’t make a blog. A repeatable workflow does.
And if you already have a developer mindset — test, monitor, improve — you’re honestly ahead of most beginners.
The free tools are just the scaffolding. The real “stack” is your habit: capture ideas, write on a schedule you can sustain, publish cleanly, and improve posts like you’d refactor code. Do that for a few months and you’ll stop asking “which tool is best?” because the workflow itself becomes your advantage.
