Every blogger should have basic server tools available in case they ever need them – for server changes or perhaps for backing up files. Those willing to learn how to use the advanced server tools can reduce their costs and maximize their blog’s performance.
There are updates and more tools pages yet to come – so stay tuned! If there are server tools not listed here that you think should be included, please feel free to contact me via social media or this website’s contact form and let me know what you think is missing.
Quick Links
Use the links below to skip ahead to the tools you’re looking for.
Basic Tools
Here’s a small collection of basic tools to allow remote connections from your computer to your web server.
File Transfer Tools
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FileZilla
Windows / MacOS / LinuxMost bloggers don’t have much need for software to copy files from your PC to a remote server PC via FTP / SFTP because WordPress allows you to upload all your media through it’s own interface – and WordPress itself is usually installed for them by their hosting provider. If you do have need for a file transfer program however, FileZilla is the best one out there.
Remote Access Software
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PuTTY
WindowsWindows doesn’t come with it’s own SSH terminal. If you need remote access to a web server from Windows, you’ll want to install PuTTY.
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OpenSSH
MacOS / LinuxMacOS and Linux based computers usually have SSH capabilities built in. If you’re running one of these, you probably don’t need to do anything as it’s already there waiting for you.
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Secure Shell
Chrome Browser / ChromebookIf you use the Chrome browser or especially if you own a Chromebook, you can SSH to a remote server with this app.
Advanced Tools
If you really want to maximize the performance of your blog or save money and handle more technical tasks yourself instead of paying others, these tools could come in very handy.
Web Server Software
When it comes to web server software, hosting companies will generally use one of these two packages. Apache has been around longer and is the most widely used, but Nginx is quickly gaining ground as it is less memory intensive and responds faster. My general advice when looking at hosting is to use a host that uses Nginx on their servers for the performance boost your site will have.
Database Tools
If you’re using WordPress or most modern content management systems, your website uses a SQL database to store things like articles and settings. MySQL is the most popular though I personally prefer MariaDB – which is a fork of MySQL that was created after MySQL was bought by Oracle in order to have a perpetually open source alternative. PHPMyAdmin creates a more user friendly web based interface to MySQL and MariaDB. MySQL Workbench can be used instead of PHPMyAdmin and runs on your own computer instead of on your web server.
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MySQL
Windows / MacOS / Linux -
MariaDB
Windows / MacOS / Linux -
PHPMyAdmin
Requires PHP enabled web server + MySQL or MariaDB
Blog Platforms
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WordPress
Requires PHP enabled web server + MySQL or MariaDBWordPress is the 800lb gorilla in the room when it comes to blog platforms – they just cannot be ignored. It’s estimated that 30% of all websites use it – not just blogs.
Virtualization Software
This is a topic that I know most bloggers will have zero idea about. Virtualization can be thought of as creating a fake or virtual computer inside your existing computer that has it’s own operating system and software.
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VirtualBox
Windows / MacOS / LinuxThere are a couple reasons I can think of where a blogger could make use of VirtualBox. 1 – Having a place on your own computer that you can test the validity of a backup of your website. 2 – Having an offline copy of your website for developing / testing site changes before you put them online.
Linux Server Distros
If you’re going to setup your own VM server at home to test backups or develop site changes, you’ll need a Linux OS to install on your VM. These two are the ones most popular with web hosts. Pick the one your hosting company uses.
