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Teaching people how to make websites...
...and how to make websites make money!

3. Create > Cats & Tags

3. Create > Cats & Tags

How to Use Categories and Tags in WordPress

In this tutorial, I will explain how categories and tags function in WordPress and show you how to use them effectively. These tools are designed to help organize your posts, making it easier for visitors to explore related content and for you to manage your site as it grows.

What Are Categories and Tags?

Categories and tags are tools for grouping and labeling posts in WordPress.

  • Categories are broader groupings that help divide your content into main topics or sections. Every post in WordPress must be assigned to at least one category, making it a required organizational tool.
  • Tags are more specific labels used to highlight details or themes within a post. Tags are optional, but they’re a useful way to connect posts with similar topics across different categories.

Differences Between Categories and Tags

While both are used to organize posts, categories are hierarchical, meaning you can create parent categories with subcategories underneath them. Tags, on the other hand, are flat, meaning they don’t have a hierarchy. Think of categories as the chapters of a book and tags as the keywords or topics discussed within those chapters.

MOUSE CLICK HIGHLIGHTS

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Understand the Default Category in WordPress

When you install WordPress, every site starts with a single category named “Uncategorized.” By default, all new posts are assigned to this category. Even if you create additional categories, posts will still fall into “Uncategorized” unless you change the default.

If you want new posts to land somewhere else automatically, you’ll need to update the default category in Settings → Writing. From that point forward, new posts will use your chosen category instead.

Categories are flexible: a single post can belong to multiple categories. For example, if you run a convenience store blog, a post about Spicy Tortilla Chips could appear under both “Snacks” and “Popular Items.”

This setup helps keep your content organized from the beginning and ensures that visitors (and search engines) can easily navigate your site.

The Reason for a Default Category

WordPress always needs one category to act as the default. Out of the box, that’s Uncategorized. If you hit publish without assigning a category, WordPress will automatically drop the post into that default bucket.

Most of the time, it’s smart to leave “Uncategorized” in place. That way, if you forget to choose a category, your post won’t get mislabeled in the wrong section of your site. You can come back later, review it, and intentionally assign it to the right category.

There are some cases where switching the default makes sense. For example, imagine you’re running a cooking blog where almost everything you post is a Recipe. Setting Recipes as the default can save time, since that’s where most of your posts will belong anyway. If you later publish something different—like a Kitchen Tips article—you’d just assign it manually.

The main point: use “Uncategorized” if you want a safe place for unsorted content, or switch the default if you consistently publish one type of post. Either way, it’s about making sure your site stays organized without you having to think about it every time you publish.

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Plan Your Categories

Before you start creating categories in WordPress, it helps to map out how things will be organized.

If you were running a convenience store, you might have one part of the business where customers buy packaged items off the shelves, and another where made-to-order food is prepared. In a case like that, you’d want two top-level categories: Store and Kitchen — one for each side of the business.

Under each one, you could add more specific categories like Snacks, Cold Sandwiches, or Hot Sandwiches to keep things even more organized.

Your own category setup might look different, but the goal is the same: choose a structure that matches how your site works and makes it easy for anyone posting content to pick the right category.

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Create a Top-Level Category

Type in a Name for the category — this is what you’ll use to label posts in the editor.

Set the Slug to match, but make sure it’s all lowercase, with no spaces (hyphens are okay).

Leave Parent Category set to None — that makes this a top-level category.

Click Add Category when you’re ready to create it.

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Create a Category That’s Nested Under Another Category

Type in a Name for the category. Set the Slug — it must be lowercase, with no spaces (hyphens are fine). You can let WordPress auto-fill this based on the name, or type it yourself.

Then choose a Parent Category from the dropdown. This makes the category you’re creating a child category.

For example, if you’re creating a category called Hot Sandwiches and you select Kitchen as the parent:

  • Hot Sandwiches becomes a child category of Kitchen

  • Kitchen becomes the parent category of Hot Sandwiches

  • Since Kitchen doesn’t have a parent of its own, it’s also considered a top-level category

Right now, Hot Sandwiches doesn’t have any categories under it, so it’s not a parent itself — just a child. Any category in WordPress can become a parent if something is placed under it.

There’s no special “sub-category” type in WordPress. It’s just categories:

  • Some have a parent (these are child categories)

  • Some don’t (these are top-level)

  • Some are both, if they’re in the middle of the chain

Click Add Category when you’re ready.

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Adjust a Category’s Parent if Needed

Sometimes a category gets created but isn’t placed under the right parent.

In this example, Cold Sandwiches should fall under the Store category — but right now, it’s sitting at the top level. That’s not where it belongs.

To fix it, hover your mouse over the category name and click Edit. On the edit screen, choose Store from the Parent Category dropdown. Save your changes.

Once it’s set correctly, you’ll see a dash appear in front of the name (like – Hot Sandwiches). That dash means the category is a child of the one directly above it.

Use this same approach to reorganize any other categories that were added without the correct parent.

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Assign (One or More) Categories to a Post

When you’re editing a post in WordPress, you assign one or more categories to that post. This helps WordPress know how to organize it across the site.

You’re not “putting the post inside a category” like dropping a file into a folder. You’re tagging the post with the category (or categories) you want it to be grouped under.

In the example shown, the post about jumper cables would go under the Car category — because that’s the most relevant group.

✔️ Tip: Don’t forget to click Publish (or Update if you’re editing an existing post) once you’re done.

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Quickly Update a Post’s Categories

You can quickly change which category (or categories) a post belongs to using Quick Edit.

  1. Go to Posts > All Posts in the dashboard.

  2. Hover your mouse over the post title — some links will appear below it.

  3. Click Quick Edit.

This expands a small editor right in the list view.
You’ll see a Categories section — check or uncheck whatever fits.

Click Update when you’re done.

✔️ You can assign more than one category if needed.
✔️ If you see a category is missing or misfiled, you can fix it right here.

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Create a Tag

Tags are created and edited just like categories: enter a Name, set a Slug, and click Add Tag.

But unlike categories, tags don’t have any hierarchy — there’s no way to make one tag “go under” another. Every tag stands alone.

That makes tags great for flexible filtering. For example, you could use tags for brand names or special features that might apply across multiple categories — like “gluten-free” or “brand-one.”

Use categories to sort posts into big buckets.
These are your main groups — like “Kitchen” or “Store.”

Use tags to label specific things about the post.
Like a brand name, feature, or something visitors might want to search for.

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Add Tags to a Post

If you want your posts to be searchable by brand (or other specific traits), you can use tags.

Tags don’t have parent/child structure like categories do — they’re just labels you can assign to any post. Think of them as extra details that help you filter things later.

For example, if you’re writing a post about a set of jumper cables made by Brand One:

  • You’d give the post a title like:
    Brand One: Fast Charging Jumper Cables
    (Not required to include the brand name in the title — this is just to make the tag example clearer.)

  • Then in the Tags section (in the post editor’s sidebar), you’d type:
    Brand One
    and click Add.

You can add multiple tags if needed — like Brand Two, Quick Charge, or Heavy Duty.

This lets people browse or filter posts by brand name or other details (across multiple categories).

When you’re done, click Publish (or Update, if you’re editing an existing post).

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Add a Tag Cloud Widget to Your Sidebar

To show tags on your site (so people can filter posts by tag), you can use a widget called Tag Cloud.

In your WordPress Dashboard, go to:
Appearance > Widgets

On the left, you’ll see available widgets. Find the one called Tag Cloud.

Drag that Tag Cloud widget into your Sidebar (or any other widget area you want to use — this will vary by theme).

Once it’s in the Sidebar section:

  • Set the Title if you want (e.g., “Brands” or “Popular Tags”)

  • Choose the Taxonomy (leave it set to Tags unless you’ve made custom ones)

  • Optionally check the box to show tag counts next to each tag

Click Save.

This makes your tags visible on your site so visitors can click one and quickly see posts that match it.

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What Happens When a Tag in a Tag Cloud is Clicked

When you click a tag in a tag cloud, WordPress will display a tag results “feed” of posts that have been tagged with that same tag.

When the “Brand One” tag is clicked, it returns (tag results for “Brand One”), and in those tag results there is just one post “Fast Charging Jumper Cables”).

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How post navigation is used at MouseClickTutorials.com

Categories aren’t just for organizing posts by topic — they also can be used to power “post navigation”, which lets people move from the current post to the previous or next one.

This can be used in blogging, but it can also be used to make it easy for people to go through a course (one tutorial at a time) without getting lost.

On MouseClickTutorials.com, the flagship course “How to Make Websites and Content” uses post navigation to help visitors stay on track. When a tutorial post is assigned to a specific category, it becomes part of a chain — so “previous” and “next” links appear automatically between those posts.

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What the category structure of MouseClickTutorials.com looks like behind the scenes

Each tutorial is placed in its own category for easier organization, but those categories are also grouped into larger, top-level course categories.

For example, all tutorials that make up the How to Make Websites and Content course are grouped under the main categories like 1. Setup, 2. Explore, 3. Create, and so on.

A Post Navigation element was intentionally set up in the site’s design (using Bricks Builder) to connect tutorials that share the same top-level course category. That’s what makes the “Previous” and “Next” links appear between tutorials within each section.

Below those main categories, there’s another group labeled More.
These “More in ___” categories are used for posts that go beyond the main course curriculum — such as updates, follow-ups, or extra resources related to each part of the course.

This setup keeps everything structured but flexible:

  • Main categories control the core tutorial sequences.

  • More in ___ categories hold additional or ongoing content for each course area.

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How tags are used in the "More in ______" posts

Mouse Click Tutorials uses tags to organize content inside the “More in ___” posts. These posts contain multiple link feeds (lists of post links), grouped by content type — like tutorials, resources, articles, and more.

Instead of showing one big feed of every post, each content type has its own section, using Bricks’ Posts element filtered by tag.

The most recent posts appear first in each section, so visitors can quickly see what’s new.

To make browsing easier, each section is linked with navigation anchors — so visitors can jump directly to the kind of content they’re interested in, without needing to scroll through the whole page.

This setup helps keep the course content focused, while offering space for ongoing content expansion.

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How Tags Are Used for Recommended Resources

MouseClickTutorials.com creates tags for each recommended resource that a review has been created for.

  • When a recommended resource is reviewed, the review ends with a small feed of posts.

  • That feed is set to show posts that share one specific tag — for example, the tag for Rocket.net, Namecheap, Wavebox, etc.

  • Whenever a new post is created that covers/features/mentions that resource (and the post is given that relevant tag), it will automatically appear in that feed at the end of the review.

MouseClickTutorials.com

Teaching people how to make websites...
...and how to make websites make money!

Before You Buy: Know the Industry Games

Hidden Incentives in Online Recommendations

A lot of content online looks like it’s meant to be helpful. It might be labeled as a review, a list of top picks, or just a casual post like “I found this and it’s cool.” But in many cases, that content isn’t created to help someone make a better decision. It’s created to earn money through affiliate commissions.

What affiliate links are for

Affiliate links exist to support content by allowing someone to earn a commission when a product or service is purchased through a link they’ve shared. That’s the whole purpose. It doesn’t add cost to the buyer—and when used responsibly, it can reward content that genuinely helps.

The problem is how these links influence what gets recommended in the first place.

How incentives distort content

Some affiliate content is shaped by payouts—where higher-paying products and services get pushed harder. But more often, the problem is something else entirely: laziness.

A lot of affiliate content isn’t the result of research or thoughtful guidance. It’s based on whatever’s convenient. A product or service is already popular, someone else is promoting it, or it has an affiliate program—so it gets plugged in without much thought. There’s no testing, no real consideration of what would actually help the audience, and no accountability.

In these cases, the product or service itself might be perfectly fine. But the recommendation isn’t grounded in anything useful, and that’s what creates the disconnect. It leads to content that promotes whatever’s easiest to monetize, skips stronger alternatives that require more effort to discover, avoids mentioning downsides that could reduce clicks, and simply recycles whatever’s already trending among other affiliates.

It’s not about how much something pays. It’s about why it’s being recommended.

A product or service that pays well isn’t the problem if it actually fits the use case. But when it’s included just because it earns—or because it was the easiest thing to grab—that’s not a real recommendation. It’s content that exists to sell, not to help.

How to recognize honest affiliate content

Genuine recommendations feel different. Affiliate links are disclosed openly. Pros and cons are explained clearly, not glossed over. The explanation comes before the link. Alternatives that don’t offer commissions are still mentioned when they’re relevant. And the content doesn’t rely on pressure, urgency, or sales language to get someone to click.

When an affiliate link supports a thoughtful recommendation, it adds value. When the link is the reason something was included in the first place, the integrity of the content falls apart.

How this site handles it

Affiliate links are used here—but never as the reason something gets recommended. Some products and services pay nothing. Others pay less than their competitors. If they actually work, solve a real problem, and serve the audience this site is built for, they get included.

Payouts don’t determine what’s shown. Usefulness, reliability, and fit for the audience do.

Every recommendation on this site includes two links side by side: a clearly marked affiliate link, and a non-affiliate version. That way, anyone who wants to support the site can do so with one click—without being forced into it. And anyone who doesn’t can still access the same product or service without friction.

No popups, no fake scarcity, and no pressure. Just clear information and real options — presented with your time and trust in mind.

How to Choose Web Hosting That Won’t Screw You Later

Why Hosting Choices Can Look Fine at First — and Still Cost You Later

Many web hosting recommendations are influenced by affiliate incentives. That influence often shapes what gets promoted — not based on what’s reliable or useful, but based on what earns commissions. To understand how that works, scroll up to Hidden Incentives in Online Recommendations.

Once that’s clear, it becomes easier to recognize common patterns in how web hosting is sold — especially when it comes to pricing, positioning, and long-term reliability.

What Is Web Hosting, Really?

Web hosting is infrastructure. It’s what keeps a website live, accessible, and functioning smoothly. It stores the site’s files, manages uptime and speed, and often determines how frustrating things get when something breaks.

A good host does its job in the background — quietly, reliably.
A bad host appears fine at first — then slowly drags performance down through downtime, slowness, or support failures.

And often, that decline is masked early on by extra-friendly onboarding.
Sales chat is responsive. Setup support feels hands-on. It’s all about getting the account active and the site online fast. But after that grace period — often right after the refund window passes — service quality shifts.

Some companies do this deliberately: prioritize new customers, while gradually neglecting existing ones.
Others just aren’t equipped to deliver consistent support at scale. Either way, the pattern is common — especially with shared hosting.

Why Shared Hosting Gets Promoted So Heavily

Shared hosting is one of the most promoted types of hosting — not because it’s reliable, but because it’s easy to sell and easy to profit from. Many hosting companies offer shared plans as a low-cost entry point. And many of those companies run affiliate programs where commissions are paid out just for generating a new customer — regardless of which plan the customer signs up for.

That means affiliates often push the cheapest plan available, because it’s easier to convert — even though the payout is the same (or nearly the same) as recommending a better option. A $2.99/month shared hosting plan can still result in a $100+ commission, because the hosting company expects that customer to stick around long enough to cover the cost.

This dynamic is why shared hosting dominates most “best web host” lists — not because it’s actually good, but because it converts easily and pays well.

Why This Site Rejects Shared Hosting Entirely

MouseClickTutorials.com does not recommend shared hosting under any circumstances — not for beginners, not for temporary projects, not for anyone.

Even when managed by capable companies, shared hosting remains too unstable, too crowded, and too limited to serve as reliable infrastructure. It introduces risks and headaches that are completely avoidable with better hosting types. The environment is unpredictable, the performance is inconsistent, and the support is often too generic to be helpful when something goes wrong.

This position isn’t based on theory — it’s based on what actually happens when shared servers are overloaded, misconfigured, or mismanaged. And even without bad intent, it’s incredibly easy for problems to creep in unnoticed. One site’s spike in traffic or bad code can affect everyone else on the server.

Shared hosting is one of the biggest reasons new site owners feel like they “did something wrong,” when the real issue is invisible under the hood. That’s not a foundation worth building on.

The Issue with “Free” Domains

Many hosting companies advertise a “free domain” when signing up for a plan. But in most cases, the domain offer includes conditions:

  • The domain may be registered in the host’s name rather than the customer’s.

  • It may be locked or tied to the hosting plan, making it difficult or expensive to transfer.

  • The domain becomes the anchor keeping people on subpar hosting just to keep their site online.

    The fix: always register domains separately with a trusted registrar like Namecheap. That ensures full ownership and makes it easy to change hosts at any time.

Why Cheap Hosting Isn’t Really Cheap

Low introductory prices like $2.99/month are usually misleading:

  • Most require paying 2–3 years upfront to get that rate

  • Renewal rates after the initial term are much higher

  • Core features like backups, SSL, and live support may cost extra — or be limited

  • “Unlimited” plans often include vague usage caps that throttle performance as sites grow

What seems cheap upfront becomes expensive over time — in stress, in missed revenue, and in wasted hours troubleshooting problems that wouldn’t exist on better infrastructure.

And that’s not just a figure of speech. If a site owner spends 40+ hours a year dealing with slow load times, broken features, unclear issues, and back-and-forths with bad support — and if that person would be paid even minimum wage for that time — the true cost of “cheap” hosting becomes obvious.

The value of reliable hosting isn’t just technical. It’s economic. It protects time, momentum, and peace of mind.

Understanding Hosting Types — and Why This Site Only Recommends Some

There’s no universal “best,” but some types of hosting are far better suited for actual website owners — and some should be avoided entirely. Here’s a breakdown:

Shared Hosting
Low-cost, low-quality. Unpredictable performance. Limited scalability.
Often oversold and oversaturated. Even beginners should avoid it.

Managed WordPress Hosting
Built specifically for WordPress. Handles caching, updates, backups, and security automatically.
Fast, secure, and low-maintenance — ideal for most creators, freelancers, and business owners.
This is the default recommendation for a reason.

VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)
A private slice of a physical server. More control and flexibility, but also more responsibility.
Best for those with technical experience or specific configuration needs.

Cloud Hosting
Highly scalable and fast — if fully managed. If unmanaged, it can become overly complex.
Great for ecommerce, SaaS, or platforms expecting rapid growth, as long as the host handles the technical side.

Dedicated Hosting
An entire server for one user. Very powerful, very expensive.
Best reserved for advanced use cases with high traffic or strict infrastructure needs.

Colocation
The highest tier — full control over physical hardware inside a rented datacenter rack.
Used for enterprise infrastructure, compliance requirements, or custom network architecture.
Not relevant for most site owners.

What Actually Makes Sense for Most People

For most websites — especially anything built on WordPress — managed WordPress hosting strikes the right balance. It’s fast, secure, and far easier to manage than alternatives that require technical upkeep.

There are more powerful hosting options for those running complex infrastructure or custom apps, but managed WordPress hosting covers the needs of most creators, freelancers, small businesses, and growing projects — without the stress.

The best managed hosts don’t just check boxes. They eliminate problems before they happen.
They don’t disappear when support is needed. They don’t nickel-and-dime for features.
They just make the site work — and keep it working.

That’s the experience most people are actually looking for. And that’s the experience this site teaches people how to build toward.

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Hosting Types, Use Cases, and a Reliable Default

Why Your Host Isn’t Just a Checkbox — and What Actually Works for Most People

Most people picking web hosting treat it like a quick checkbox.
Domain, check. Hosting, check. Done.

But your hosting provider determines how fast your site loads, how often it breaks, how secure it stays, and how painful things get when something goes wrong.

It’s infrastructure — not a formality.
And one type of hosting still gets pushed far too often — especially by affiliate blogs chasing easy commissions.

Shared Hosting

This is where MouseClickTutorials.com draws a hard line.

Shared hosting is the $2.99/month pitch that sounds beginner-friendly… but quietly causes more damage than most new site owners can spot. Your site gets dropped into a crowded server with hundreds or thousands of others, all fighting for the same limited resources.

If another site spikes in traffic or runs unstable code, your site slows down — or goes down.
Support is slow, vague, and scripted.
Problems get blamed on you, with upgrade nudges as the default fix.

It often looks fine at first. That’s the problem.
When your site slows down or glitches later, you assume it’s something you did wrong.

But it’s not. It’s the hosting.
This site does not recommend shared hosting. Not for beginners. Not for anyone. Not ever.

Managed WordPress Hosting
This is the recommended path for most people building on WordPress.

Managed WordPress hosting is built to remove technical headaches. It handles backups, caching, updates, and security automatically — so you don’t need extra plugins just to keep things stable. The best providers offer fast performance and platform-aware support teams who actually know WordPress.

It’s low-maintenance. High-reliability.
And it’s the default recommendation here because it actually works.

VPS Hosting
A virtual private server (VPS) gives you more control and power — but also more technical responsibility.

You manage server setup, patches, security, and updates.
It’s great for developers and experienced users.
It’s not ideal for beginners or creators who want to focus on building content, not managing infrastructure.

Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting can be powerful, scalable, and efficient — if it’s fully managed.

Otherwise, it comes with complexity most people don’t want.
Server configuration, cost optimization, scaling logic — it’s easy to get lost in the weeds unless the platform handles those pieces for you.

Used well, cloud hosting is a strong choice for fast-growing platforms, ecommerce sites, or custom apps. But for a first site or general-purpose WordPress site, it’s often overkill.

Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting gives you your own physical server — with total control and no resource sharing.

It’s powerful and expensive, and usually reserved for specialized use cases: high-traffic apps, large media platforms, or advanced infrastructure stacks.
It’s not the place to start unless you already know exactly why you need it.

The Reliable Default

For most people using WordPress — creators, freelancers, educators, business owners — managed WordPress hosting is the most useful path forward.

It’s fast. It’s secure. It scales without stress.
And it keeps your site online, protected, and supported — without you needing to touch the backend.

That’s what this site recommends.
That’s what this site teaches.
Because it actually works.

Why Rocket.net is Recommended for Managed WordPress Hosting

1. Specialized WordPress Hosting: Why Rocket.net is a Perfect Fit

Rocket.net focuses exclusively on hosting WordPress websites. This specialization ensures their servers and services are optimized to deliver the best performance, security, and user experience for WordPress users. If you’re building a WordPress site, Rocket.net provides a tailored environment designed specifically for your needs.

2. Blazing Fast Performance: Why Rocket.net Prioritizes Speed

With advanced caching, a content delivery network (CDN) included in every plan, and servers fine-tuned for WordPress, Rocket.net ensures your site loads quickly for users around the globe. Fast websites improve user experience and can help boost search engine rankings.

3. Comprehensive Security: Why Rocket.net Protects Your Site

Rocket.net provides built-in security features like firewalls, malware scanning, and protection against DDoS attacks. Their proactive approach ensures your website stays safe and your data remains secure without needing additional plugins or services.

4. Hassle-Free Management: Why Rocket.net is Easy to Use

Rocket.net simplifies WordPress hosting with automatic updates, a clean and intuitive control panel, and one-click WordPress installations. Their beginner-friendly interface and expert support make managing your hosting stress-free, even if you’re new to websites.

Rocket.net is a premium WordPress hosting provider that specializes in delivering fast, secure, and user-friendly hosting services. With optimized performance, built-in security, and dedicated WordPress support, Rocket.net is a top choice for anyone looking to create and maintain a high-performing WordPress site.

Check out the complete setup tutorial here →

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When Managed Hosting Isn’t Enough

Other Hosts to Consider

Rocket.net is the recommended starting point for most users — it’s fast, secure, and built specifically for WordPress. It handles speed, stability, and security without overwhelming you with backend tasks.

But if you’re building something more complex, running multiple applications, or just want to understand what else is out there, here are a few other hosts worth knowing about.

These hosts are grouped by how much control and infrastructure complexity they offer — starting with other options in the same managed WordPress category, then expanding into VPS, full-stack platforms, and finally, enterprise-level hosting.

Managed WordPress (Same Tier, Different Strength)

Templ.io
Templ.io is another managed WordPress host — in the same category as Rocket.net. While Rocket.net is the top recommendation here, Templ.io stands out for one reason: their support team is more willing to assist with technical issues at the code level.

If a plugin breaks layout or a script throws an error, they may help you investigate what’s going wrong. They won’t write your code, but they’ll go deeper than most.
Use if you want managed WordPress hosting with an extra layer of technical support — without leaving the simplicity of this hosting tier.

Managed VPS (More control, broader use cases)

KnownHost
KnownHost gives you full server-level access through managed VPS hosting. You can install custom software, run multiple apps, configure email, and handle more advanced workflows than a WordPress-only host would allow.

Some plans still use cPanel, while others may include DirectAdmin — check the specifics before choosing.

Use if you’re managing more than just a WordPress site, or need flexibility that managed WordPress doesn’t offer.

Managed VPS (cPanel-focused, long-term scalability)

Hivelocity
Hivelocity offers managed VPS hosting with strong cPanel support, full root access, and upgrade paths into dedicated servers or colocation — all without locking you into a proprietary dashboard.

You’re not limited to WordPress, and you don’t need to give up traditional tools.

Use if you want a cPanel-friendly platform with the freedom to run mixed environments — and the ability to scale far beyond VPS later if needed.

Cloud-Native Performance Hosting

Servebolt
Servebolt doesn’t follow the VPS/cPanel playbook. It’s built from the ground up for speed — especially for dynamic sites like WordPress or WooCommerce.

They manage performance at the stack level: memory allocation, rendering optimization, backend tuning — all handled by their proprietary infrastructure.

Use if you’re running a high-traffic or ecommerce-heavy site where raw speed is a top priority and you’re okay with skipping traditional server tools.

Dedicated Servers (Unmanaged, full control)

Hetzner
Hetzner is known for high performance at extremely competitive prices — especially in the EU. They offer both dedicated hardware and cloud instances, but everything is self-managed. No hand-holding, no support for setup or configuration.

It’s powerful, but entirely your responsibility.

Use if you know what you’re doing and want total ownership of your environment for speed, scale, or regulatory control.

Colocation (Enterprise-grade physical infrastructure)

Colocation Providers
Colocation means you own the hardware. You rent rack space in a datacenter — they supply power, cooling, and bandwidth, but everything else is up to you.

This isn’t a web hosting plan — it’s raw infrastructure.

Used by SaaS companies, media platforms, and organizations with strict compliance, latency, or scaling needs.

Providers in this space include Hivelocity, PhoenixNAP, Equinix, Digital Realty, ColoCrossing, and OVHcloud.

Use if you already know exactly why you need this. If you’re not sure, you don’t.

Recommended Resources - Review Process

Traffic Light Rating System: Overview

Recommended resources are rated using a system inspired by traffic lights. This system makes it easier to find what’s actually useful for building websites, streamlining workflows, and boosting productivity across different areas. Resources are evaluated for their quality, reliability, and how much they benefit MouseClickTutorials’ audience.

Green Light resources are intentionally few. Very few resources are truly Green Light worthy, and from those, only a small mix is chosen. That’s deliberate — people only have so much time, energy, and money, so this tier exists to serve the best interests of MouseClickTutorials’ audience. If a resource appears here, it’s because it delivers proven value for those learning and building along with this site.

Yellow Light resources are also excellent, but not all are meant for the very top. Most wouldn’t make the cut for Green Light, though a few could. Their placement here doesn’t take away their value — it reflects the balance between curation, context, and the need to keep Green Light small and focused. Yellow Light provides more worthwhile resources that can still help this audience, without stretching the top tier too far.

Why No Red Light Resources?

There’s no “red light” category here. Low-quality or harmful resources aren’t listed at all. This approach is intentional, for a few reasons:

  • Practicality: Listing every bad product or service would flood the site with noise and make it harder to spot what’s actually valuable.

  • Liability: Calling out poor options by name risks legal issues like defamation. Focusing on trusted recommendations avoids that problem.

  • Awareness: In other parts of the site, industries like web hosting and affiliate marketing are explained in depth — so readers learn how to avoid pitfalls and spot shady practices without needing a blacklist.

Green Light Resources

Wavebox

Wavebox

Wavebox is a unified browser-workspace platform designed to streamline how people manage apps, tabs, and daily workflows. Instead of juggling dozens of windows or losing track of important tools, Wavebox brings everything together in a structured, distraction-reducing environment. Its Chromium foundation ensures full compatibility with modern web apps, while its workspace organization, app containers, and sleep-mode optimizations keep performance smooth even with heavy multitasking. Whether handling email, project dashboards, creative tools, or research tabs, Wavebox creates a stable hub that simplifies digital work and reduces friction throughout the day.

Beyond organization, Wavebox includes powerful features such as memory isolation, multi-account separation, customizable workflows, and deep integrations with AI and automation tools. These capabilities help users maintain focus, switch contexts without clutter, and move through tasks with more efficiency and clarity. Built-in features like split-screen views, tab sets, and smart search reinforce Wavebox’s role as a consolidated command center rather than a standard browser. With continuous improvements and a design centered on productivity, Wavebox has become a preferred choice for creators and professionals who want a faster, more controlled way to manage complex digital environments.

Wavebox

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ChatGPT

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a powerful AI platform built to enhance creativity, clarity, and problem-solving across a wide range of real-world tasks. It isn’t a basic content generator; it functions as an adaptive thinking partner capable of understanding context, analyzing information, and producing high-quality outputs that support user goals. The interface is built for speed and precision, making it easy to draft content, refine ideas, interpret instructions, and break down complex topics. Whether the task involves building a website, improving workflows, planning content, or mapping out next steps, ChatGPT offers a focused environment that elevates both creative and technical work.

Beyond writing support, ChatGPT includes advanced multimodal abilities such as image understanding, image editing, troubleshooting guidance, data interpretation, and step-by-step reasoning. This allows it to assist with everything from diagnosing technical issues to shaping strategies and improving decisions. Its ability to shift between creative insight, analytical depth, and practical instruction sets it apart from single-purpose tools. Combined with continuous updates and a design centered on usability, ChatGPT serves as a reliable partner for anyone looking to work smarter, speed up production, and navigate complex problems with confidence.

ChatGPT

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Namecheap

Namecheap

Namecheap is an ICANN-accredited domain registrar that offers a wide range of services dedicated to securing online identities for both individuals and businesses. With a strong reputation for affordable pricing, Namecheap allows users to register their domains without hidden fees, making it an attractive option for many. Its platform is designed with user-friendliness in mind, providing intuitive management tools that enable customers to easily manage their domains and associated services. Whether you’re a startup looking to establish your brand or an individual wanting a personal website, Namecheap caters to a variety of needs while emphasizing full ownership and control over the domain.

In addition to domain registration, Namecheap also provides various ancillary services, such as hosting options, SSL certificates, and website builders, allowing users to create a complete online presence from one platform. Their commitment to customer support is reflected in their responsive help desk, which assists users with any queries or issues they may encounter. This combination of reliable service, valuable features, and a focus on user empowerment has solidified Namecheap’s position as a premier choice for anyone looking to build and maintain a robust online identity, ensuring that customers can confidently navigate the complexities of establishing a website in today’s digital landscape.

Namecheap

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Rocket.net

Rocket.net

Rocket.net is a premium managed WordPress hosting platform engineered for exceptional speed, reliability, and security right out of the box. Unlike traditional hosts that require extensive configuration to reach peak performance, Rocket.net optimizes everything at the edge, delivering ultra-fast load times through its global CDN, built-in caching, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. The platform is designed with creators and businesses in mind, offering a clean, intuitive dashboard that makes it easy to deploy, manage, and maintain WordPress sites without technical friction. Whether you’re launching a personal project or scaling a high-traffic brand, Rocket.net provides an environment that prioritizes both performance and simplicity.

In addition to speed, Rocket.net emphasizes security and stability, integrating automatic backups, WAF protection, malware prevention, and daily updates to ensure your site stays safe and running smoothly. Their support team—known for rapid, expert-level assistance—helps users resolve issues quickly and confidently, reinforcing Rocket.net’s reputation as a premium hosting provider. Combined with its focus on transparency, hands-off optimization, and consistently strong uptime, Rocket.net has become a preferred choice for those who want a powerful, worry-free hosting experience. Its performance-first ecosystem enables creators to focus on building content and growing their audience while the platform handles the technical heavy lifting behind the scenes.

Rocket.net

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Bricks Builder

Bricks Builder

Bricks Builder is a highly flexible visual website builder for WordPress that empowers creators to design fast, modern, and fully responsive sites without relying on bloated themes or complex coding. Known for its clean interface and precision control, Bricks gives users the ability to build everything—from simple landing pages to full-scale dynamic websites—using an intuitive structure panel and real-time editing environment. Its performance-first approach ensures that sites load quickly and rank well, making it a strong choice for both beginners who want clarity and professionals who want depth. With global classes, reusable templates, and fine-grained layout controls, Bricks places real design freedom directly in the user’s hands.

Beyond page building, Bricks includes advanced features typically found only in premium add-ons, such as a native template system, dynamic data integration, theme-builder capabilities, and conditional logic. This allows you to visually create headers, footers, archives, single posts, and even WooCommerce layouts from a single unified tool. Its active development cycle and helpful community also ensure that users receive ongoing improvements, transparent communication, and practical support. Altogether, Bricks Builder stands out as a powerful all-in-one solution for anyone looking to build a polished, high-performance WordPress website with full creative control—streamlining the process while keeping the technical foundation solid and future-ready.

Bricks Builder

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Envato

Envato

Envato is a comprehensive creative marketplace designed to provide high-quality digital assets for building websites, videos, brands, and online content. Instead of sourcing graphics, templates, plugins, or stock media from scattered platforms, Envato consolidates everything into a single, well-organized ecosystem. Its library includes WordPress themes, design templates, stock photos, music, motion graphics, and more—making it a reliable resource for creators who want polished, professional assets without spending hours searching. With clear licensing and easy downloads, Envato supports both rapid production and long-term project needs across a wide range of creative fields.

Beyond its marketplace, Envato offers subscription-based access through Envato Elements, unlocking unlimited downloads for those who produce content at scale. This includes templates for websites, presentations, social media, and video editing tools—ideal for anyone building a digital presence or producing regular tutorials. Combined with strong search features, curated collections, and continuous library updates, Envato has become a go-to solution for creators who value quality, efficiency, and consistency. Its emphasis on accessible assets and straightforward workflows makes it an essential companion for modern content production, helping projects move faster while maintaining a professional polish.

Envato

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Canva

Canva

Canva is an accessible design platform built to help creators produce polished visuals without the complexity of traditional graphic design software. Its drag-and-drop interface, extensive template library, and wide selection of fonts, graphics, and layout elements make it easy to create everything from social posts and thumbnails to presentations, print materials, and web graphics. Canva’s workspace focuses on speed and clarity, allowing users to move from idea to finished design quickly while maintaining a clean, professional look. Whether preparing course assets, marketing materials, or visual elements for a website, Canva provides a straightforward environment that supports both beginners and experienced designers.

Beyond basic design tools, Canva offers features such as brand kits, collaborative editing, background removal, AI-assisted generation, and an ever-expanding media library that helps streamline creative workflows. Export options accommodate a variety of formats, making it simple to integrate designs into videos, websites, or printed materials. Continuous updates and a strong template ecosystem ensure users always have fresh resources to draw from. With its blend of usability, flexibility, and creative support, Canva has become a go-to solution for anyone who needs high-quality visuals without slowing down production, enabling fast iteration and consistent design across all types of content.

Canva

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ScreenFlow

ScreenFlow

ScreenFlow is a streamlined screen recording and video editing platform built for creators who need clean, professional results without a complicated production pipeline. It captures screen activity, webcam, microphone, and system audio with clarity, making it ideal for software tutorials, walkthroughs, and instructional content. The interface emphasizes ease of use and precise control, allowing users to cut, annotate, highlight, and refine footage quickly. Its smooth timeline editing and built-in visual callouts help turn raw recordings into polished, viewer-friendly videos with minimal effort.

Beyond basic captures, ScreenFlow includes advanced features such as multi-layer editing, animated annotations, text effects, chroma key, and audio cleanup tools that elevate production quality. Export presets optimize videos for course platforms, YouTube, and social channels, ensuring consistent results across different publishing workflows. Stable performance and a lightweight footprint keep the editing process responsive, even for long-format tutorials. With ongoing updates and a user experience centered on speed and clarity, ScreenFlow remains a favored tool for creators who want an efficient, all-in-one solution for turning screen recordings into professional, instructional content.

ScreenFlow

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Davinci Resolve

Davinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a comprehensive post-production platform designed for creators who want studio-level control without relying on multiple separate applications. Its unified interface brings editing, color grading, visual effects, audio engineering, and delivery together in a single workflow, allowing projects to move seamlessly through each stage of production. The editing workspace is fast and responsive, supporting precise cuts, layered timelines, and efficient assembly for everything from short-form content to long-format videos. Resolve’s color grading tools—renowned throughout the industry—enable detailed adjustments that shape the style, mood, and visual identity of any project.

Beyond editing and color, DaVinci Resolve integrates advanced modules such as Fusion for motion graphics and compositing, Fairlight for professional audio mixing, and a powerful export system tailored to every major platform. GPU acceleration keeps performance smooth even with high-resolution footage, and continual updates introduce new creative tools and workflow improvements. This all-in-one structure makes Resolve especially valuable for creators who want to keep their entire production pipeline under one roof. With its blend of power, precision, and long-term scalability, DaVinci Resolve stands out as a cornerstone tool for producing polished, high-quality video content at any level of expertise.

Davinci Resolve

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Fileside

Fileside

Fileside is a focused, multi-panel file manager designed to eliminate the friction of navigating complex folder structures. Instead of juggling separate windows or repeatedly drilling into nested directories, Fileside lets users build custom layouts with multiple panels visible at once, creating a clear overview of their entire workspace. This approach makes comparing folders, moving assets, and organizing project files significantly faster, especially for creators handling large volumes of media, screenshots, documents, and production resources. Its clean interface keeps everything accessible without the clutter typical of traditional file explorers.

Beyond its layout system, Fileside includes practical features such as persistent workspaces, quick folder bookmarking, panel presets, and rapid file previews that help maintain momentum during content creation and editing sessions. Drag-and-drop operations feel smooth and predictable, reducing repetitive actions and keeping workflows efficient. Stability and low overhead make it reliable even when managing sizable directories. With an emphasis on clarity, speed, and control, Fileside serves as a dependable organizational hub for creators who want a more structured way to manage digital assets and stay oriented during demanding projects.

Fileside

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Yellow Light Resources

A

(No entries yet)

B

(No entries yet)

C

Canva
A drag-and-drop design tool that’s simple to use and great for social graphics, thumbnails, or even pitch decks.
Visit Canva

ChatHub.gg

Designed to support multiple AI chat models in one place, this platform is particularly useful for comparing responses from different models or avoiding rate limits. Users can view up to six prompt windows simultaneously, allowing for the exploration of various models on the same screen. While only one prompt can run at a time, the ability to send a prompt and skim through responses that have already landed enables a more dynamic workflow. This feature is especially beneficial for those in a hyper workflow mode, as it helps maintain creative flow. Users can quickly switch between prompts and ideas, making it easier to iterate rapidly. Although the primary use case is for comparing responses from different AI models, the platform also supports users who thrive on taking swift action and keeping momentum in their creative processes.

Note: While ChatGPT is often the go-to choice for many, this platform serves as an excellent alternative during moments of heightened productivity.


ChatHub.gg

Classic Editor
Restores the original WordPress post editor for those who dislike Gutenberg.
Classic Editor Plugin — by WordPress Contributors

Classic Widgets
Restores the legacy drag-and-drop widget screen in WordPress. Helpful for non-block users.
Classic Widgets Plugin — by WordPress Contributors

D

Darius Foroux – Get Rid of Your High Expectations
An insightful article discussing the pitfalls of holding high expectations. Foroux shares personal experiences to illustrate how unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment. He suggests embracing lower expectations to cultivate gratitude and reduce frustration, promoting a more content and resilient mindset.
The Article

DuckDuckGo AI Chat
Lets you access lightweight AI chat without logging in. Good fallback if you’re out of GPT-4 messages or hitting limits.
DuckDuckGo AI Chat

E

(No entries yet)

F

Fileside
Fileside is an app that enhances the user experience for MacOS file management. While MacOS excels in many areas, users often seek a more efficient alternative to the default file manager. Fileside offers a simpler, more productive interface that empowers users to manage their files more effectively.

G

Gary Vaynerchuk – “No Overnight Success”
Not a tool, but a mindset, from a very successful entrepreneur. This video helps anchor you in the long game of building something meaningful.
Watch on YouTube

GeneratePress
A lightweight, performance-focused WordPress theme that’s well-coded and easy to customize. Free and premium versions available.
GeneratePress — by Tom Usborne

Google Calendar
Classic time management tool. Great for time blocking, recurring tasks, and syncing across devices.
Google Calendar

H

(No entries yet)

I

InstaWP
Instant WordPress installs without needing a domain or hosting. Perfect for recording tutorials, building client demos, testing plugins, or just trying out ideas without breaking your live site. Think of it like a WordPress scratchpad — fast, flexible, and surprisingly powerful for how light it feels.
InstaWP

J

Jetpack (VaultPress Backup)
While Jetpack is bloated, the Backup feature (formerly VaultPress) is one of the most reliable WordPress backup tools.
Jetpack Backup Info — by Automattic

K

(No entries yet)

L

(No entries yet)

M

MindMeister
Mind mapping tool for brainstorming, site structure, or project planning. Visual thinking made simple.
by MeisterLabs

N

(No entries yet)

O

(No entries yet)

P

Pexels / Pixabay
Free stock photos and videos you can use in your projects. Great when you need visuals but don’t have time to create your own.
Pexels — by Canva
Pixabay — owned by Canva

Q

(No entries yet)

R

Runway ML
AI-powered video tools for editing, background removal, and more. Helpful for fast content creation.
RunwayML

S

Stable Diffusion
Free, open-source image generation tool. Create artwork from text prompts—no subscriptions required.
Stable Diffusion

Steve Pavlina – How to Build a High-Traffic Web Site or Blog
A foundational guide emphasizing the creation of original, timeless content to build a loyal audience. Pavlina advocates for providing genuine value, focusing on long-term growth over quick fixes. His approach centers on authenticity and consistency to attract and retain readers.
The Guide

Suno AI
Generate music from text prompts. Good for creators looking to experiment with background audio or build a vibe.
Suno AI

T

TablePress
A plugin for embedding tables in WordPress posts or pages. Great for data display if you need sortable or filterable tables, but don’t overuse to avoid bloat.
TablePress — by Tobias Bäthge

Text Mechanic
A suite of browser-based tools for manipulating and formatting text. Great for bulk cleanup tasks like removing duplicates, adding line breaks, or stripping characters.
Visit Text Mechanic

TinyMCE / TinyWYM
Used in WordPress as the classic visual editor. Useful for people who prefer WYSIWYG editing over the Gutenberg block system.
TinyMCE — by Ephox
TinyWYM — legacy editor, less supported

U

(No entries yet)

V

(No entries yet)

W

Workflowy
Minimalist outliner with zoomable nesting. Great for note-taking, planning, or managing long-term projects.
Visit Workflowy

X

Xmind
Visual mind-mapping tool with clean design. Great for brainstorming, structuring ideas, or planning complex projects.
by XMind Ltd.

Y

(No entries yet)

Z

(No entries yet)

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The content on MouseClickTutorials.com is built with clarity, purpose, and respect for the reader’s time. Tutorials are crafted to support real progress: setting up the essentials, understanding how things work, choosing reliable products and services, building a site aligned with personal goals, and learning how to earn ethically online.

If something here proves useful, feel free to share it with others who might benefit. Whether it’s a single page or the entire site, thoughtful recommendations help valuable resources reach more people trying to build online with integrity.

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Forced funnels, artificial urgency, and inbox campaigns dressed up as generosity are not part of this model. Content remains fully accessible—no gatekeeping, no gimmicks—because real value shouldn’t come with strings attached. Trust is earned through usefulness, not pressure.

For those studying online marketing, this approach may be worth exploring. Sustainable growth often comes from delivering honest content, making ethical recommendations, and focusing on long-term relationships—not short-term conversions.

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