Recommended Tools
The tools listed here are either ones I'm currently using, or have previously used in my business.
I don't recommend things lightly, so if they made it onto this list, you can be sure of their quality!
Please note that some of these links are affiliate links. This doesn't affect you or the price you pay, it just helps me keep the tea caddy full, so I can continue to bring you insightful solutions to your most pressing problems!
Want to know which tools would be best for you?
Follow the strategy outlined in my bestselling book "Stop Doing It All: How Solo Business Owners Can Finally Ditch The Overwhelm, Successfully Offload Tasks, And Simply Focus On What They Love" so you can streamline your decision-making and make the best choice for you.
Foundations
The platforms and tools that you'll struggle to run your online business without
The All-In-One Approach:
CopyandContent.AI
I've been using this tool every single day for over a decade to help me communicate, engage, and build meaningful relationships with my audience. The training, support, and community are second-to-none.
Seriously, Chat GPT can't hold a candle to this!
FG Funnels
I've bounced around many different website/funnel building platforms and can't find one to beat this. I moved my business here in 2023 and haven't looked back! The support team and training are amazing.
I've never paid less for my business systems!
Funnelytics
Spreadsheets have never been my thing. Funnelytics makes data look beautiful, exciting to look at, and most importantly, easy to understand. I learn something strategic about my business every time I log into the site.
I've gone from ignoring my numbers to being a complete data nerd!
The Multiple Systems Approach:
CopyandContent.AI
I've been using this tool every single day for over a decade to help me communicate, engage, and build meaningful relationships with my audience. The training, support, and community are second-to-none.
Seriously, Chat GPT can't hold a candle to this!
Convertri
Of the specialist funnel builder platforms, this one is my favourite. I used this platform for almost ten years before making the switch to an all-in-one solution. The drag-and-drop page builder makes designing pages a breeze and they integrate well with other platforms.
Thrivecart
Get a cart system and membership platform for a one-time-fee? I know, right? I used this set-up in conjunction with Convertri for many years. It's simple to use and you'll never pay another bean!
Kit (Formerly ConvertKit)
Probably the easiest to use email service available. I've tried so many different ones that I've lost count. Kit is reliable, easy to get started, and built for solo business owners like us!
Calendly
Probably the most integrable online booking system on the market... and it's FREE for most users!
Funnelytics
Spreadsheets have never been my thing. Funnelytics makes data look beautiful, exciting to look at, and most importantly, easy to understand. I learn something strategic about my business every time I log into the site.
I've gone from ignoring my numbers to being a complete data nerd!
5 Pillars of Potent Productivity™
Tools to help you get stuff done!
The All-In-One Approach:
Google Workspace
If you prefer to have all your email, storage, calendar, video conferencing, and much more under one roof, you can't go wrong with Google. I've been trusting them with my business for over 20 years.
The Multiple Systems Approach:
CopyandContent.AI
I've been using this tool every single day for over a decade to help me communicate, engage, and build meaningful relationships with my audience. The training, support, and community are second-to-none.
Seriously, Chat GPT can't hold a candle to this!
Canva
I use Canva every day to create graphics, videos, giveaways, and much more. It's super easy to use and the template library is so good, you don't even need any design skills to create some great looking work!
ToDoist
I've been using this app to organise my brain for many years. It's my sanity and my accountability partner. I simply dump the contents of my brain into the app, then allocate each item to a project so my mind is clear to focus on what needs doing today.
I couldn't keep all my plates spinning without it!
Otter.AI
Otter has been my trusty transcription buddy for many years. Whether I'm summarising a meeting, converting video to text, or talking through my thoughts, he's there to lend a high quality helping hand.
Zoom
My video conferencing software of choice. This platform is reliable and robust. The Western world couldn't have got through the COVID pandemic without it.
Integrately
Easily automate tasks across different platforms without needing to understand code. It's much cheaper than Zapier. I used this platform to coordinate many different platforms in my business for years.
Vimeo
A robust and reliable video storage platform to keep your video content safe from unscrupulous downloaders and your customers engaged in your content.
Disclaimer
These days, there are new software platforms springing up every day. I do not claim to have used them all. I have been at this online business game long enough to know, though, that when it comes to your business, the cheapest is never the best.
Trust, reliability, and integrity are key values in my business and my life, so I won't recommend any software to you that I haven't thoroughly tested and used for myself. The ones you see on the list above are the best I have used. However, I can only make recommendations based on my own experiences and you should do your own due diligence before deciding what's best for you.
Putting your business online requires investment in software and time to learn how each platform works. The decisions you make do not need to be final. You can decide to go with one software today, then change your mind tomorrow. I would recommend sticking with whichever decision you make until you start making money.
I like to equate software choices to equipment choices for completing a triathlon. You can have all the best gear but if you don't do the work, you won't complete the race. In the same way, you can swim breaststroke, borrow your neighbour's kid's bike, and run in the same sneakers you've been wearing every day for the last twenty years if you want. The point isn't what equipment you have, it's that you do the work! The same applies to your business.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I get paid a small commission if you sign up. This won't affect how much you pay - in fact, you may even get a better deal! This small payment helps me to keep my tea caddy full so that I can continue to bring you incredible insights and value. It does not mean that I am employed by, or have any other association with any of the companies on this page.
All my recommendations are completely independent and based solely on my experience using their products - whether I get a commission or not.
