Tools we recommend

Eight tools for hosting, CMS, SEO, email and analytics. Each review gives a verdict, a score and what the tool is bad at.

Links to tools are direct: no affiliate programme has been joined, so Cerfel earns nothing when you sign up. Affiliate disclosure

How the scores work: each score out of 5 is an editorial opinion, written on 15 June 2026, that weighs the strengths, the watch-outs and the entry price listed in the review. It is not a lab test.

Vercel 4.9 out of 5

A host for Next.js and React sites that builds a preview of every change.Hosting & deploy. Best for: Next.js & React sites.Watch-out: the free Hobby plan is for personal, non-commercial use. Free for personal use, then $20/mo.In the guides: What makes a travel site take bookings, Choosing a website platform in 2026Read our review·Visit vercel.com (Direct link, no commission)

Ahrefs 4.8 out of 5

Keyword, backlink and site-audit data for serious SEO research.SEO toolkit. Best for: Serious keyword & link research.Watch-out: expensive for hobby sites. From €119/mo (price shown in Europe).In the guides: Core Web Vitals for small sites: a practical checklist, The SEO basics every small business site needsRead our review·Visit ahrefs.com (Direct link, no commission)

Framer 4.7 out of 5

Sites and landing pages you can design and publish without a developer.No-code builder. Best for: Landing pages & portfolios.Watch-out: less control than hand-coding. Free, then $10/mo billed yearly.In the guides: Framer vs Webflow: which one should you build on?, Choosing a website platform in 2026Read our review·Visit framer.com (Direct link, no commission)

Plausible 4.7 out of 5

Lightweight analytics without cookies, made and hosted in the EU.Analytics. Best for: GDPR-friendly traffic insight.Watch-out: fewer deep features. From $9/mo.In the guides: The SEO basics every small business site needsRead our review·Visit plausible.io (Direct link, no commission)

Hostinger 4.6 out of 5

Low-cost managed hosting for WordPress and small sites, cheapest on a four-year term.Hosting. Best for: WordPress & small business.Watch-out: renewal prices jump. From $2.49/mo on a 48-month term, then $10.99/mo.In the guides: Choosing a website platform in 2026Read our review·Visit hostinger.com (Direct link, no commission)

Sanity 4.6 out of 5

A headless content backend with structured, real-time editing.Headless CMS. Best for: Custom Next.js content models.Watch-out: requires developer setup. Free, then $15 per seat/mo.Read our review·Visit sanity.io (Direct link, no commission)

Webflow 4.5 out of 5

Visual website building with a CMS for structured content.Visual development. Best for: Content-heavy marketing sites.Watch-out: steep learning curve. Free, then $15/mo billed yearly.In the guides: Framer vs Webflow: which one should you build on?, Choosing a website platform in 2026Read our review·Visit webflow.com (Direct link, no commission)

Kit 4.5 out of 5

Email newsletters and automations aimed at creators.Email marketing. Best for: Newsletters & lead nurture.Watch-out: templates are basic. Free up to 10,000 subscribers, then $33/mo.Read our review·Visit kit.com (Direct link, no commission)

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