1. Two-For-One Storehouses

Storehouses can be used as a resource dropoff for every resource Type. Take advantage of this and build Storehouses in places where you can gather from more than one resource Type at a time!

2. Set up a Market Route

While Gold Deposits are the primary source of Gold for most of the game, they will eventually deplete and then your only source of Gold would be to use Caravans. Think ahead and plan a Market route for yourself.

Send one or two Villagers to build a Market as far away from your Town Center as possible. The longer the travel distance between your Market and your Town Center, the more Gold your Caravans will bring in.

Be careful, however, that the longer your Market route is, the more susceptible it is to being attacked from your opponent, so try to find a balance between distance and safety.

Once you are done building your Market, you can use the same Villagers to built Walls (and Guard Towers) next to your market to help defend it.

3. Fishing (Water Maps)

Fishing is another source of Food that you can utilize. They are by far the best way of gathering Food, particularly in the early game where your Dock can act as an extra Economic Unit prodcution facility, while your Town Center trains Villagers to be sent to gather from other resources. But it is also the riskiest source of Food. If your opponent manages to kill your Fishing Boats or destroy your Dock, then you will be stranded for Food and your economy will suffer a major blow while you try to fix it.

Keep an eye on your opponent's activity if you opt to go with a Dock. If they move out against you, be prepared to defend your Fishing Boats. Remember that Fishing Boats have a Ranged Attack and can repair (both your Dock and each other!) so use them to buy yourself some time while you send some land Military Units to aid your Dock's defense.