How to Resize an Image

How to Resize an Image

How to Resize an Image using a free online tool

Uploading big images straight from your phone or computer can slow down your website. Resizing them first makes your blog load faster, look cleaner, and feel more professional — even if you’re just starting out.

Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be technical or scary to resize an image . You don’t need special software. You just need one free tool and a few minutes. Here’s how.

Why Resize Your Images?

Most images taken from a phone, camera, or even Canva are too large for a blog — sometimes 5MB or more! That’s like posting a billboard on a garden fence.

Resizing helps by:

  • Making your pages load faster (great for readers and Google)

  • Looking better on mobile screens

  • Saving storage space in WordPress

  • Keeping your media library tidy

How to Resize an Image Using Simple Image Resizer

This free tool works on both Mac and PC — no login, no software needed.

Step-by-step:

  1. Go to https://simpleimageresizer.com

  2. Click “Select Image” and choose the photo from your device

  3. Under Resize Options, choose “Resize by Pixels”

  4. In the Width box, type: 1200
    (This is a great width for blog content)

  5. Leave the height blank — it will adjust automatically

  6. Click the “Resize” button

  7. Once it’s finished, click “Download” and save it somewhere you can find again — like your “Blog Images” folder or Google Drive

That’s it! Your image is now lighter and ready for your blog.

 

I’ve created a very short video to show you how easy it is to resize an image. 

Click the image opposite to see the video.

How To resize an image for video

Uploading the Resized Image to WordPress

  1. Open your post in WordPress

  2. Click the “+” block icon and choose Image

  3. Click “Upload”, then find your resized image

  4. Add Alt text (e.g. “Vintage clock to show past times”)

Done! 

Optional: Use Canva for Resized Blog Graphics

If you’re designing in Canva, you can set the size before you start.

  • Click “Create a Design” → choose Custom Size

  • Enter 1200 x 800 (in pixels)

  • Design your image as usual

  • Download as JPG or PNG

Now you’re ready to upload without resizing later.

A Few Helpful Tips

  • Create a folder in Google Drive called:
    Images > Ready for Blog
    So you always know what’s been resized and what hasn’t

  • Keep your image file names simple and clear, like:
    chocolate-cake-recipe.jpg
  • instead of
  • IMG_8743.JPG

Add Alt Text when uploading:
A short description of the image helps screen readers and Google

And Finally…

If resizing images still feels a bit tricky, don’t worry. You’re not alone — it’s a small skill that makes a big difference. If you have questions or want to share your favourite tools, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

And if you’re building your blog on a platform like Wealthy Affiliate, this is a great habit to develop early on. S

mall steps like this help your site load faster and feel more polished from day one.

Here’s a little transparency: My website contains affiliate links. This means if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Don’t worry, there’s no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way you can support my mission to bring you quality content.

What I Wish I’d Known at the Start

What I Wish I’d Known at the Start

Starting something new is kind of like taking a leap off a cliff — thrilling yet nerve-jangling at the same time. And let’s be honest, fear often plays a huge role in that.   These are some of the things I wish I’d known at the start.  I’m sure you know what I mean – those nagging doubts and the little voice in your head asking if you’ve made the right choice.

But it’s totally normal! Embracing that fear means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone — and that,  is where the magic happens. 

What I wish I'd known at the start | cliff jumping

What I Wish I’d Known at the Start: Preparation Matters

One of the biggest hurdles I wish I’d understood early on is the power of preparation. Building a website isn’t just about enthusiasm — it’s about having the right tools in your kit. Whether it’s tutorials, online courses, or just connecting with someone who’s done it before, preparation builds confidence.

Wealthy Affiliate, for example, was a turning point for me — offering step-by-step training, support, and a community that helped me feel far less alone.

 

Set Your Expectations (and Adjust Them Often)

Setting realistic expectations is like having a map for a long journey.

In the early days, I dreamed of quick results. But what I wish I’d known at the start is how progress can be slow — and that’s okay.

Having small, achievable goals helped me stay grounded and measure real growth.

What I'd known at the start| map of a long journey

Harnessing the Power of Experience

Every step you take offers a lesson — even the ones that feel like failures. What I wish I’d known at the start is that failure isn’t a stop sign; it’s a redirection. You learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to pivot ( sometimes, quickly!)

Find Support in the Right Places

Having a mentor or community changes everything. I spent too long trying to do it all alone. But joining a platform like Wealthy Affiliate gave me access to experienced voices who had made their own mistakes — and were willing to share the shortcuts.

Don’t Miss the Small Wins

Sometimes we focus so much on the big goals that we miss the mini-victories along the way. I wish I’d paused to celebrate them more. I got stuck thinking I’d ‘failed’ on a big project or learning curve when I should have seen the goals I’d reached along the way.  You can become blind to those little success when you are so focused on the end goal. 

Every blog post published, every technical fix figured out, every comment received — it all counts.

What I'd known at the start| celebrate the small wins

Take Care of You, Too

Looking back, I realize just how essential self-care is. Working all the time exhausted me physically and emotionally. Breaks aren’t optional; they’re what keep you going.

Build in downtime and take care of yourself as if you were your own best employee.

Patience is More Powerful Than Hustle

Patience isn’t just a virtue — it can be a lifesaver. At first, I felt like I had to keep up with everyone else. But real progress happens when you honour your own pace and trust that slow growth is still growth.

Embrace Change (Even When It’s Annoying)

Change is the one constant you can count on. Whether it’s an algorithm shift, a  new tool or a sudden wave of self-doubt, being flexible will keep you afloat. I wish I’d known at the start that you can adjust your path without losing your purpose.

And Finally…

What do you wish you’d known when you started building your website — or what do you wish someone had told you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, or feel free to share this with someone just starting out. If you’re at the beginning of your own journey, just know: you’re not alone, you can do this.

Here’s a little transparency: My website contains affiliate links. This means if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Don’t worry, there’s no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way you can support my mission to bring you quality content.

How To Format Headings In Your Posts

How To Format Headings In Your Posts

Format headings the right way, and you’ll do more than just make your blog posts look nice — you’ll guide your readers, improve accessibility, and boost your SEO. Headings aren’t just about making text look pretty—they play a critical role in how people read and engage with your content.

For readers, clear and organized headings can be the difference between navigating your site with ease or clicking away in frustration.

And if you’re using a platform like Wealthy Affiliate, learning how to format headings in your posts is one of the simplest ways to make your content look more professional — even before you’ve added any fancy design.

When visitors land on your page, headings act like road signs. Imagine a huge bookshop with no signs or categories. That’s a nightmare, isn’t it?  The same goes for a post with no heading structure. Formatting headings gives your content clarity, flow, and focus.

Search engines also rely on your headings to figure out what your page is about. A well-formatted post doesn’t just help humans — it helps search engines, too. Done right, it improves both your user experience and your SEO.

Finally, structured headings improve accessibility for everyone — especially those using screen readers. It’s a small tweak that opens your content to a much wider audience.

How To format headings | Signpost

Best Practices for How to Format Headings In Your Posts

Use Heading Levels Properly

Start every post with one H1, usually the title of the article. Then break your content into sections using H2s, with H3s for smaller points inside those sections. This structure helps readers and search engines follow the flow of your ideas.

If you’re using WordPress or SiteRubix, heading options are right there in your editor — no code required.

📌 Sprinkle Keywords Naturally

If your focus keyword is “growing daffodils in pots”, use it a few times — especially in your intro, one subheading, and maybe a closing paragraph. But never force it. Think natural language first, SEO second.

📌 Make It Easy to Skim

Readers online tend to skim. Short, bold, clear headings help them quickly find the parts they care about. Try turning your headings into promises — they should give readers a reason to keep going.

📌 Add Visual Emphasis 

Use bold text, slight color changes, or larger font sizes to give your headings impact. But don’t get too wild — you want structure, not visual chaos. Think tidy whiteboard, not exploding scrapbook.

What Are H Tags?

H tags (short for “heading tags”) are the labels we use to show the structure of a page or post — kind of like chapter titles in a book.

  • H1 is the main title — you only use it once per page.

  • H2 is a section heading — like a chapter in a book.

  • H3 is a subsection — a point inside that chapter.

  • H4, H5, and H6 go even deeper, but most people rarely need to go beyond H3.

Think of it like this:

H1 = Book Title   
H2= Chapter title
H3 = Subsection in a chapter.

This structure helps:

  • Readers scan your content easily

  • Search engines understand what your page is about

Video

I’ve made a very quick video to show you how to format your headings in WordPress.  Just click the image to view the video.

How To Format headings in your posts video link

Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Format Headings

Overdoing SEO

Using your keyword in every heading might seem smart… until your post reads like a robot wrote it. “Format Headings: How to Format Headings for Formatting”.  Keep it natural.

Skipping Accessibility

Don’t just bold text to look like a heading — actually use heading tags (like H2, H3, etc.).  Screen readers depend on them, and you’re leaving people out if your structure is only visual.

 

Style Inconsistency

Mixing up your heading styles can confuse your readers. Choose one format — like title case or sentence case — and stick with it from start to finish. Consistency feels polished, even if the design is simple.

How to format headings in your post | Style Inconsistency

Simple Tools to Help You Format Headings

In most blog editors (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or SiteRubix), formatting headings is as easy as selecting a block of text and choosing a heading level from a dropdown.

If you’re using Wealthy Affiliate’s SiteContent editor, the headings are already built in — and the training there can guide you step-by-step if you’re unsure where to start.

Plugins like Kadence Blocks or Elementor even give you visual previews of your heading styles as you go.

And Finally...

Do you format headings in your posts with a plan — or is it something you’re still figuring out?

I’d love to hear how you’re approaching structure in your content. Leave a comment below or share what you’ve learned — especially if you’ve just finished setting up your blog.

Here’s a little transparency: My website contains affiliate links. This means if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Don’t worry, there’s no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way you can support my mission to bring you quality content.

How To Create A Contact Page

How To Create A Contact Page

Picture this: someone’s browsing your site, enjoying your content, and they want to reach out. What do they need? A solid contact page. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a contact page that feels friendly, clear, and genuinely useful.

This isn’t just about listing a phone number or email. A contact page builds trust. It shows that you’re open, real, and ready to connect. Think of it as the friendly front door to your website.

Even big names like Apple and the BBC make sure their contact pages are easy to find and use. It’s a sign of professionalism — and a great way to help visitors feel comfortable reaching out.

A symbolic open door to represent website contact|how to create a contact page

What to Include on Your Contact Page

  1. Basic Details Your name, email address, and phone number (if you want to share it). Keep these clear and easy to spot.
  2. A Simple Contact Form Forms let people send you a message without needing to open their email program. Just ask for a name, email address, and message — keep it short and friendly.
  3. Visual Clarity Using icons (like a small phone or envelope) and plenty of space helps make everything easier to read.
  4. Accessibility Make sure your page works well on phones and is easy for screen readers to understand. If someone’s using a keyboard or assistive tech, they should be able to use your form without trouble.
  5. A Quick Note on Privacy Let your visitors know their message will be treated with care. A short line like: “We won’t share your details with anyone” goes a long way.

Tips for a Friendly and Usable Contact Page

Make it easy to find. Your contact page should be in your main menu or clearly linked in the footer. Use a straightforward label like “Contact” — no need to get fancy.

Keep it tidy. Don’t crowd the page with too much information. Use headings, white space, and plain language.

Test it yourself. Send yourself a message from your own form. Ask a friend to try it too. If it feels easy, you’re on the right track.

How to Create a Contact Page (Tools for Beginners)

If you’re using WordPress or a similar site builder, there are simple tools that do the hard work for you. Many themes come with a ready-made contact page you can edit.

Plugins like WPForms or Contact Form 7 can help you build a form without needing any coding skills. Most are free with upgrade options.

If you’re a member of Wealthy Affiliate, there are tutorials to walk you through setting up your contact page using the SiteRubix builder. It’s beginner-friendly and well supported.

You can read my review of Wealthy Affiliate Here

How Do You Know If It’s Working?

You don’t need fancy tools to start.

  • Try sending a message to yourself.
  • Ask a friend to use the form and see how it feels.
  • If people are getting in touch — it’s working!

Later on, if you’d like to see how many people visit your contact page, tools like Google Analytics can help. But for now, simple is best.

How To Create A Contact Page | Contact icons

And Finally…

Do you have a contact page on your website yet?

If so, how easy is it to find and use? If not, today’s a great day to add one. A good contact page is more than just a form — it’s a friendly welcome sign for your readers.

Have a look at a few sites you admire. What do you like about their contact pages? I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if you’ve got questions about creating your own.

Let’s make it easier to connect.

Here’s a little transparency: My website contains affiliate links. This means if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Don’t worry, there’s no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way you can support my mission to bring you quality content.

How to Add a Menu to Your Website (A Simple Guide for Beginners)

How to Add a Menu to Your Website (A Simple Guide for Beginners)

If you’ve ever landed on a website and thought, “Where do I start?”, chances are the site didn’t have a clear menu. And if you’re building your own site — especially for the first time — this guide will show you exactly how to add a menu to your website that makes sense, feels friendly, and helps visitors move around with ease.

Whether you’re blogging, building a digital shop, or simply sharing something meaningful, a clear menu is essential. 

What Is a Website Menu, Really?

Think of your website menu as a navigation tool — like a shop directory or a signpost in a garden centre. It helps visitors find their way without getting overwhelmed or lost.

Menus typically live at the top of your page (horizontal),

on the side (vertical),

or tucked into a corner on mobile devices (like the little “hamburger” icon).

Depending on how your site is built, menus can reveal dropdown options, highlight popular pages, or quietly guide your visitor from post to post.

They don’t need to be flashy — but they do need to be clear.

How to add a menu t your website |visual examples of horizontal, vertical, and dropdown website menus<br />

Step-by-Step: How to Add a Menu to Your Website

Let’s take this slowly. Here’s how to add a menu to your website in a way that feels purposeful — not rushed or chaotic.

1. Plan First

Start by listing out your main content areas. Ask yourself:

  • What are visitors coming here for?

  • What do I want them to find quickly?

Group related topics together. Keep it simple — no more than 5–7 top-level menu items is a good rule of thumb.

How to add a menu to your website| :menu planning

2. Match the Menu to Your Site’s Purpose

A blog often works best with a horizontal menu that includes “Home,” “Blog,” “About,” and “Contact.”
If you’re running a store, dropdowns may help organise categories like “Shop by Topic” or “Bundles.”

Sites built through platforms like Wealthy Affiliate (which includes WordPress hosting and support) often make this process easier, as they provide beginner-friendly tools to create and manage menus — without any code.

3. Build the Menu (Tools You Can Use)

  • WordPress: Go to Appearance > Menus
    Create a new menu, name it something clear (like “Main Menu”), and start adding pages.
  • Divi Users: Use the Divi Theme Builder to style your menu and preview it across devices.
  • Canva (for visual mockups): If you want to plan the look before building, a simple sketch can help.

Click on this image to watch a short video to show how to add a menu to your website.

How To. add a menu to your website..

If you’re not using a platform like WordPress, you may need to explore tutorials for your builder (e.g. Wix, Squarespace), but the concept remains the same.

4. Choose a Style That Suits Your Audience

For your readers, clarity is kindness.

  • Stick with strong contrast between text and background
  • Use clear fonts, like Arial or Georgia
  • Avoid too-small dropdowns — they’re fiddly on mobile

Accessibility matters. Your site should be easy to explore for everyone — including those using screen readers or keyboard navigation.

How To Add A Menu To Your Website | easy to read Horizontal Menu

5. Test and Refine

Once you’ve added your menu:

  • Test it on a desktop, tablet, and mobile phone

  • Click every link — does it go where it should?

  • Ask a friend or family member to try it (ideally someone not “techy”)

Adjust anything that feels clumsy or confusing. A few tweaks now save lots of visitor frustration later.

Your Menu: Best Practices

Here’s how to keep your site menu working for you — not against you.

  • Use plain language: “About Me” works better than “Who Am I?”

  • Keep it visible: Don’t make visitors hunt for it

  • Link internally: If you write a new blog post, make sure it fits somewhere in your navigation

  • Avoid clutter: Too many menu items create decision fatigue

And yes — make sure your menu supports your website’s goals. Whether you’re helping people learn, shop, or simply read along, your menu should make that easier.

You might also enjoy this beginner-friendly overview of website menus from WPBeginner — written in a straightforward way with visual aids that align with your learning style.

And Finally…

Have you created a menu you’re proud of? Or perhaps you’re still unsure what to include?
Tell me in the comments — or share what you found most confusing when first learning how to add a menu to your website.

Your experience might help someone else take that next step, too.