In this article, I’ll share all the Plugins, Server, and Software I personally use for building a Website. These are my essential tools — my “must-haves” — and purely my own suggestions. I hope this article will help you discover something new that you might not have known before.
Some of the tools listed include Affiliate Links. If you decide to purchase any of them through my links, it would mean a lot and would help me continue providing new articles and guides for everyone.
Let’s start with the hosting provider.
When I first started building websites — about 6-7 years ago — I went with a shared hosting plan from GoDaddy. Back then, as a beginner, it seemed like a good choice. Later on, as I gained more clients, I switched to a Dedicated Server from OVH. OVH provides very high-quality and reliable servers but they are on the expensive side.
About two years ago, I discovered Chemicloud, thanks to a recommendation from someone in the Bricks Community. At that time, I was actively searching for a more affordable but reliable option. I was skeptical at first, but after checking their services, I couldn’t believe the value they offered at those prices. I decided to try their Reseller Grow Plan, which basically gives you a WHM with cPanel, full security with Imunify 360, and 30-day backups with JetBackup — all included.
The server runs LiteSpeed Webserver and allocates 1 Core and 2GB RAM per cPanel account. It’s based on CloudLinuxOS, which isolates each account with its own resources. Until last year, I hosted 12 clients on it — all sites built with Elementor, including two small WooCommerce stores (one with 8 products, and the other with around 260).
The server handled everything perfectly, and I’ve been amazed at how fast and helpful Chemicloud’s support is. Their ticket system is also very user-friendly. In my experience, 1 Core and 2GB RAM, combined with the right plugin setup and LiteSpeed, is the best formula for a fast and stable website.
Must-Have Tools that I use across all my websites:
Bricks Builder unlocked my imagination like no other builder had before. The performance, the speed of the interface, and the sheer creative freedom it allows—there are truly no limits to what you can design with it.
If I want to take a client’s website a step further with better design elements and animations, I use Next Bricks. I’ve talked about it in another article where I also compare it to Motion Page.
I always install this on all sites to add custom PHP functions without using a child theme. I feel much safer using Code Snippets. Probably 90% of you already know it. It’s simple and reliable.
It keeps backups for up to 7 days (free version) and supports most popular cloud platforms (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.). Its migration tool has never failed me.
JetEngine allows you to create custom fields, custom post types, and more. Many people prefer ACF, but I’ve heard concerns about Jet Engine’s code quality. I personally haven’t noticed any issues. JetEngine also offers a few more features compared to others, and it’s very competitively priced.
For about three years, I used RankMath back when it was completely free. Last year, I discovered SEOPress — it’s lighter, more affordable, and has a really nice UI for quick SEO edits directly from each page.
This plugin adds basic security features. I first saw it when a client hosted their site on Siteground, but you can use it on any hosting. Before, I used a combination of Activity Log, Two-Factor Authentication, and WP Hide. Now, Security Optimizer covers all that and more — plus weekly activity email reports and instant IP blocking.
The best free cookie consent plugin I’ve found. It’s built on open-source code from GitHub, it’s lightweight, minimalistic, and covers all basic needs. The only downside: you need to manually list the cookies. But it even supports translations for different languages.
If you’re on a LiteSpeed Server, this is a no-brainer. It provides excellent caching, page optimization, CDN integration, object caching, and even free image WebP conversion. If you don’t have a LiteSpeed server, there are alternatives, but I haven’t tested others personally.
Software I use on my computer:
XnConvert (Free) (MacOS & Windows)
The best tool I’ve found for batch image conversions. You can easily rename and number images in batches, and it supports tons of formats.
HandBrake (Free) (MacOS & Windows)
One of the best free programs for video compression. If you need lightweight videos for your site, HandBrake is a must.
ShareX (Free) (Windows)
If you take screenshots often, you probably already know ShareX. It’s packed with small, super useful tools. Sadly, it’s not available on MacOS. On Mac, I use ColorSlurp for finding HEX color codes.
Αdobe Suite (Paid Only)
For photo, video, and graphic editing, I stick with Adobe. I mainly use Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Adobe XD. I’ve tried exploring alternatives like DaVinci and Figma, but I’m too used to my Adobe workflow for now.
Now let’s take a look at the hardware I use:
Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro
Around two years ago, I made the switch from Windows to Mac. It was a huge change for me, but luckily it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Truth be told, Windows does handle certain things better — like the File Manager — but with the Mac Mini M2 Pro, I have an ultra-compact machine that runs everything at top speed with total stability. It has never crashed or frozen on me. Goodbye, blue screens of death — haha!
LG UltraWide 49” Monitor
When I moved to Mac, I also decided to say goodbye to my dual Samsung 24” monitors and invest in a single LG 49” UltraWide. At first, the new workflow felt a little strange, but now I can say it was a smart move. This IPS panel with 144Hz refresh rate delivers great quality and a much smoother experience. Check out a quick video tour of my desk setup here.
Sony A7 Mark III
For content creation, I use the Sony A7 Mark III. It’s a hybrid, reliable camera that works beautifully for both photography and videography. There are thousands of reviews out there if you want to dive deeper into it. I’ve had mine for over four years now, and it still delivers outstanding results every single time.
DJI RS 4 Gimbal
Recently, I upgraded my gimbal, moving from the RS 2 to the RS 4. It’s a solid upgrade, with a super smooth transition from landscape to portrait mode, automatic axis locks, a responsive touchscreen, and a new design that splits into two pieces, making it much easier to transport.
These are all the tools I currently use to offer complete, high-quality solutions to my clients. This article may get updated over time as I add more tools to my workflow.