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Having an effective digital PR strategy can make all the difference in building your brand's reputation, gaining visibility, and driving traffic. Unfortunately, if you were to sign up to all the necessary digital PR tools, you'd be out of pocket by over $1k per month. Fortunately, we've combed the internet to find you a list of 10 free digital PR tools to boost your online presence! Here's a round-up of some fantastic free digital PR tools that can help you optimise your PR campaigns without breaking the bank. These tools will be a game-changer for businesses, especially in New Zealand, looking to connect with journalists, influencers, and customers while building their online reputation.



Connectively, a free digital pr tool

Connectively is a valuable tool for building relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers. It allows you to discover media contacts and streamline your outreach efforts, making it easy to pitch your brand to the right people. Whether you’re promoting a new product or seeking media coverage, Connectively gives you the tools to connect with top-tier media professionals across various sectors.


  • Use it for: Establishing media relationships and increasing press coverage.




BuzzSumo digital pr tool

With BuzzSumo, you can identify top-performing content in your industry and track the influencers driving those trends. The free version of BuzzSumo gives you insights into the types of content that resonate with audiences, helping you tailor your outreach and content strategies for PR success.


  • Use it for: Discovering trending topics and influencer outreach.



Mention, digital PR tool

Mention is a social media listening tool that helps you track mentions of your brand across the web. This tool provides real-time monitoring of blogs, social media, and news sites, helping you manage your online presence and quickly respond to any press or social conversations about your business.


  • Use it for: Social listening and PR crisis management.




Hunter, free digital PR tool

Hunter.io allows you to find email addresses for journalists, influencers, and media contacts, making it easy to conduct PR outreach. It’s ideal for building a media list on a budget, and its free version offers a limited number of searches each month.


Use it for: Building a PR outreach list.



Muck Rack free digital PR tool

Muck Rack connects businesses with journalists by providing a searchable media database. You can look for journalists by the types of stories they cover and pitch your brand directly to the most relevant contacts. This tool also helps you track your PR results and monitor news in your industry.


  • Use it for: Connecting with journalists and media outlets.




Press Hunt, digital PR tool

PressHunt is a fantastic alternative for digital PR professionals looking for a free tool. It provides access to a vast database of journalists, allowing users to filter by beat, location, and publication, perfect for sending targeted outreach to the right media contacts.


  • Use it for: Finding journalists and building targeted media lists.




Prowly, digital PR tool

Prowly offers PR software that includes a media database, press release distribution, and analytics. The free trial allows you to get a feel for the platform and see how it can streamline your PR efforts, making it easier to run campaigns and connect with media contacts.


  • Use it for: PR campaign management and media outreach.




Snov.io. digital PR tool

Snov.io provides email tracking, CRM integration, and lead generation tools, perfect for PR outreach and follow-up emails. Its free tier offers a limited number of searches but is useful for finding contact details for your PR outreach efforts.


  • Use it for: Email outreach and follow-up automation.




ResponseSource digital PR tool

ResponseSource connects brands with journalists looking for expert commentary, case studies, and PR collaborations. It’s a great way to quickly get press coverage and build your brand’s authority in your industry.


  • Use it for: Securing press mentions and media collaborations.




Google Alerts, free digital PR tool

Google Alerts allows you to monitor the web for mentions of your brand, competitors, or relevant industry topics. By staying on top of media mentions, you can respond to opportunities quickly and manage your brand’s reputation in real-time. Plus, it’s completely free.


  • Use it for: SEO, Reputation management and real-time media monitoring.


Connect with Journalists, Influencers & Bloggers with these Free Digital PR Tools


These free digital PR tools can help you build your brand’s authority, secure press coverage, and manage your online reputation without stretching your budget. With the right tools in hand, digital PR can boost your online presence and help you compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace.


  1. Introduction

  2. Logo Generators

  3. Brand Guidelines

  4. Font Generators

  5. Brand Colour Generators

  6. Mockup Generators

  7. Texture Tools

  8. Gradient Tools & Inspo Sites

  9. 3D Designs Website

  10. Conclusion


Introduction


Developing your brand guidelines and designing your logo can be a daunting and time consuming process. We've put together a list of our favourite logo generators & branding tools and sites to simplify branding journey. Let's get straight into it!


Logo Generators


Looka logo generator

Investing in a freelance logo designer is ideal, but if you're building your brand on a budget, you can still create a professional logo using DIY tools. Here are some of the top logo generators that deliver quality results:



Brand Guidelines


After you’ve nailed your logo, the next crucial step is creating your brand guidelines (or brand deck). This ensures consistency across all your digital and print marketing, from your website to your social media presence. Your brand guidelines will cover things like logo usage, font choices, colour schemes, and even the tone of your messaging.


Font Generators


Panagram Panagram fonts

The right typography is key to making a great first impression. It can set the tone for your brand identity and enhance your message. Here are some of our favourite resources for discovering free and premium fonts that will help bring your brand to life:



Brand Colour Generators


Brand Colour Schemes by Pigment ShapeFactory

If you want to convey trust, excitement, or sophistication, choosing the right brand colours is key. The following sites make choosing the colour scheme for your brand fun and easy:



Mockup Generators


Brand Design Mockups by Flair.ai

Once you have your logo and brand assets in place, showcasing them on products or marketing materials is the next step. Use these mockup tools to visualise your branding in the real world:



Texture Tools


Texture True Grit Supply


Gradient Tools & Inspiration Sites


Gradient Tools by ShaderGradient

Adding textures and gradients can elevate your brand’s look and make it stand out. These sites offer everything you need - from for a vintage feel to a sleek modern design:



3D Design Website


3D Design by Endless Tools

Looking to add an extra dimension to your branding? 3D design is becoming increasingly popular, and the following tools can help you create stunning visuals:



Logo Generators & Branding Tools Conclusion


With the right tools, designing your brand doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re just starting your branding journey or giving your business a refresh, these resources will help you create a strong, consistent brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

Take the time to experiment and build something that truly reflects your business. Need more help with your branding? Reach out to us for expert advice or to collaborate with our design team!


Try our website cost calculator now to find out what you can do with your budget.



Introduction


A lot of the business owners I meet have a good thing going already, and it's usually a mix of great branding, storytelling, lead generation and customer acquisition and run exclusively from their strong social media presence or from various b2b referral partners, paid advertising or the king of them all, word of mouth.


What if one or more of those revenue streams got knocked out for a period of time? Aside from word of mouth, all of those pipelines heavily rely upon third parties. Today, it's not uncommon to see businesses shut up shop for weeks, even months because they got locked out of their Instagram or TikTok account.


Your website is not only the heart of your online presence, it's also your asset; completely isolated from many of those third party issues. If you're creating a new website, it’s gotta be on point. In this blog, we’ll dive into why having a up-to-date website isn’t just a nice have - it’s essential to boosting your brand, collecting valuable data, ramping up conversions, and setting you up for success.


Why a New Website is Worth it


Website Benefits


The benefits of creating a new website are that it boosts your visibility, makes it easier for people to find you through search engines, and it's also a hub for customer engagement from inquiries to online purchases, and streamlines processes that might otherwise take hours. Plus, with the right design and functionality, it can collect valuable data to help you understand your audience better, personalise marketing efforts, and ultimately grow your business faster.



The website we built for Chatty Chums
The lifestyle website we built for Chatty Chums

Choosing the Right Platform When Creating a New Website


Wix vs. Webflow: What’s the Best Fit for Your Business?


Selecting the right platform depends on your business needs and tech know-how. Wix is a great choice for those who want a straightforward setup, while Webflow offers more flexibility for those who want a custom touch.


  • Wix Perks:

    • Super user-friendly, even if you’re not a tech whiz

    • Plenty of templates to choose from

    • Built-in SEO tools to help you get noticed


Study: According to a survey by WebsiteBuilderExpert, Wix is one of the most popular website builders due to its ease of use and customization options. WebsiteBuilderExpert Survey


  • Webflow Perks:

    • More design freedom

    • Great for advanced custom features

    • Ideal for ambitious projects with big goals


Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, or WordPress: E-commerce Platforms for the Modern Business


If you’re running an online store, choosing the right platform is key when cresting a website. Whether you’re catering to customers in Auckland, Wellington, or Sydney, platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress each offer unique benefits.


  • Shopify: Ideal for managing products and payments with ease. It’s a solid choice for businesses looking to scale quickly.


  • Squarespace: Great for businesses that want a stunning site without the hassle. Perfect for those with a sharp eye for design.


Study: Squarespace is noted for its elegant design templates and ease of use, according to a review by PCMag. PCMag Review


  • Wix: An accessible option for smaller e-commerce stores, offering a range of templates and simple e-commerce features. Ideal for businesses that need an easy-to-use platform without compromising on design.


  • WordPress: Best if you’re after flexibility and don’t mind a bit of a learning curve. Its vast range of plugins supports complex e-commerce setups.


Key Website Features Every Business Needs


User Experience: Keeping Your Visitors Engaged When Creating a New Website


In Aotearoa, your website is like your digital storefront. It’s where you show off your brand and what you’re all about. A sleek, modern site helps build trust and shows you’re legit but if your site looks outdated or clunky, you risk losing potential customers who might think you’re not up to scratch.


  • Must-Have Elements When Creating a New Website:

    • A fresh, standout design that reflects your vibe

    • Clear and engaging branding

    • Easy-to-find contact details and support

    • Testimonials and success stories

Study: A study by Stanford found that 75% of users judge a company's credibility based on their website design alone. Stanford Web Credibility Research


How First Impressions Influence Customer Decisions


Research says people judge your website in less than 0.05 seconds. Yep, less than half a second! Your site needs to impress from the get-go. A well-designed site that’s easy to use can turn casual visitors into loyal fans, whether they’re checking you out from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, or beyond.


SEO Basics for Websites


A website that’s a breeze to use keeps visitors engaged and coming back. Factors like fast load times, mobile-friendliness, and smooth navigation can make a huge difference. For example, a one-second delay can result in a 7% drop in conversions - so speed definitely matters.


  • Top UX Tips:

    • Make sure your site works well on mobile

    • Keep load times quick

    • Use clear, compelling calls-to-action (CTAs)


A great website needs to be easy to find, too. Basic SEO practices like using relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and alt text for images will help your site rank better in search results, attracting more visitors from New Zealand and beyond.


  • SEO Essentials:

    • Use keywords that resonate with your audience

    • Include meta tags and headers

    • Optimise your images and create useful internal links


Study: Moz’s SEO guide highlights the importance of keywords, meta descriptions, and image optimisation for better search engine rankings. Moz Guide


Conclusion


For businesses, from restaurants in Auckland to enterprises looking to expand globally, a well-designed website is your digital storefront. It’s not just about looking good but about building trust, engaging users, and being easy to find. By choosing the right platform and focusing on user experience and SEO, your website can become a powerful tool for driving growth and success both locally and internationally.


Try our website cost calculator now to find out what you can do with your budget.

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