Curious what tech tools the experts use?
Below are my go-to’s for online business owners. Everything listed on this page is beginner-friendly. If, however, you’d like some help integrating any of these tools, I’m here to help.
Note: some of the links below are affiliate links.
Domain Names and Hosting
- SiteGround – the BEST hosting for those just starting out. Budget-friendly with excellent support, uptime and speed.
- NameCheap – my go-to for registering new domain names. Easy to use with great pricing and support.
- WPEngine – the best hosting specifically for WordPress sites. A bit pricer than entry level options. Perfect for those who have an established business and are generating consistent revenue.
Website Basics
- WordPress – definitely the best Content Management System for small business owners. And it’s free!
WordPress Themes
- StudioPress – my absolute favorite WordPress theme shop. Fast, clean and SEO-friendly.
- Restored316 – beautiful, feminine themes based on Genesis framework.
- Divi – full-featured theme that utilizes a visual builder, which allows anyone to design their own site. My favorite choice for beginner DIY-ers on a budget.
Mailing Lists
- MailChimp – the best option for beginners. Free for the basic plan, which is enough to get your list started.
- ConvertKit – my favorite choice for seasoned email marketers. Kicks things up a notch with advanced features like automations, tagging and sequences.
Landing Pages / Lead Capture
- LeadPages – although this is a paid service, it’s worth every penny. Makes creating landing pages unbelievably easy, and has many beautiful designs to choose from. The top tier plans allow for simple A/B testing which is unbelievably helpful in increasing conversion rates.
SEO
- Yoast SEO Plugin – the leading WordPress SEO plugin for a reason. Makes SEO easy for beginners, but also has advanced features that you can dive into down the road.
- Link-able – a backlink-building platform that makes it super easy for content marketers to build high-quality links (and boost SEO rankings).
Site Speed
- WP Rocket – there are a lot of site speed and caching plugins out there. Most are confusing and give so-so results. WP Rocket is definitely a game-changer: easy to use and very effective and decreasing page load times.
Online Scheduling
- Acuity Scheduling – makes scheduling unbelievably easy. No more emailing back and forth. Bonus: The free plan is more than enough for most users.
WordPress Help
- Codeable – all developers on Codeable have passed a rigorous skills test and interview, so you know you are working with the best. They also have a money-back guarantee. Definitely a huge step up from other online hiring options.
Video Creation
- Camtasia – amazing video editing program. Super easy to use with tons of features. Easily edit and splice video and audio, add effects and transitions, and much more.
- Blue Yeti Microphone – makes your audio sound MUCH better than using your built-in computer mic. There are more expensive options out there, but, in my opinion, they aren’t worth it for those just starting out.
Invoicing
- Wave Apps – easy-to-use online invoicing tool. Makes creating professional invoices and getting paid very easy. Only downside: does not have a built-in time tracking feature.
- FreshBooks – a great option if you need to track time. Not as easy to use as Wave, but worth it if you track time due to its integrated tracking feature.
