Rampant Web Designs Resources

This page lists the WordPress hosting services, design tools, themes, and plugins I recommend and use on a daily basis. Some of the resources are free and some of them are premium (you need to pay). If you click on one of the links where I’m an affiliate and purchase a product, I will get a small commission and it won’t cost you one penny extra! I like to call it my gadget fund. Thank you!

If you enjoy this site and find you need one of these products, I’d really appreciate it you used a link to make your purchase. Besides, there’s another gadget I need to buy! 😉

Basic Blog and Website Domain Hosting Services

A good host should be reliable, performance flawlessly and fast, be compatible with the most popular WordPress themes and plugins and provide a price that is appealing to customers.

I use Bluehost and Hostmonster. They all offer pretty similar packages. You can choose from 1 to 5 years. If you’re unsure if your website is one you want to stick with for 5 years, pick 1 year. You can always extend the time later.
I’m currently using Bluehost for most of my own websites.

Premium Website Hosting Service

Cake Hosting – Premium hosting for smart businesses. Unlike everything you’ve experienced in the past, Cake Hosting provides you with personal one-on-one friendly support with a small team who gets to know you and who serves you on a personal level. When you sign up with Cake, please don’t forget to include Rampant Web Designs in the “Who’s Your Web Designer?” field. That’s how I get a small referral fee from them. 🙂

Premium WordPress Themes

I’ve used the StudioPress themes for several client projects. More than 86,000 website owners trust StudioPress themes for WordPress to bring their content to the world and I’m one of them. StudioPress starts with the Genesis framework (considered the industry standard) and then they build world-class themes with built-in security and content optimization. Students in my all-day WordPress intensive classes get the Genesis framework and one theme included…an $80 value!

Tools and Plugins

Adobe Photoshop is one of my favorite professional tools. They have periodic specials for regular users and even better prices for students and teachers (some rules may apply). Existing CS3 or later customers can save when upgrading to the new Creative Cloud.
For those of you that want an easier to learn, more affordable program, Adobe Photoshop Elements is a great choice.

WPMU DEV creates some fantastic plugins and themes to make your WordPress life easier. I especially like MarketPress – the easiest to use, best designed, and most powerful ecommerce/shopping cart plugin available for WordPress today – and they guarantee it!

WPLifeguard+ has developed a plugin that provides access to some awesome training videos that can be added to the dashboard of any WordPress installation. It’s a great tool for clients who need a helping hand at any time of the day or night.

Just for Fun Section

Why not wear a limited edition t-shirt while you’re working on your WordPress site? TeeFury was started in 2008 by a bunch of artists who love limited edition t-shirts. At TeeFury you’ll find a new amazing tee every 24 hours for just $11….don’t blink!