Despite what every social media guru says, running a successful online business is not for the faint-hearted. An trying to workout what online business tools and platforms to use can be overwhelming.
Every online business needs different tools (think everything from web hosting and course platforms to email management and payment integration) to connect your service or product with your ideal customer. Even the simplest of online businesses need certain tools to serve their customers, keep things organized, and grow sustainably. And sometimes, just choosing which tools to invest in feels like a whole job on its own!
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Things to consider before you commit to an online business tool or platform…
Before we get into it, I want you to remember that once you sign up for a platform, you aren’t signed up for life. So take the pressure off yourself to find the perfect online business tool or platform, and just start with finding a great one for now. If you’re just in the early days of creating your business, chances are you won’t know exactly what you’ll need as your business grows. That’s totally okay! Many successful businesses out there have had to change up their systems over time, and so can you.
Here are three things to consider before committing to an online business tool or platform:
- Does the platform only address what you need now, or does it provide room to grow?
Free options for platforms can be tempting when you’re starting with a minimal budget, but they may limit your growth options or make it difficult to upgrade later on in your business journey. For example, if you’re using a free email provider and outgrow it, you could be facing quite the project to transfer all your contacts and data to a paid option. Look for something that can grow with you, or at least has flexibility to expand in the ways you may need.
- Is it cost- and time-efficient to go for an all-in-one platform, or to use multiple cheaper tools?
Something like Kajabi is known for its all-round, do-it-all awesomeness, but it does come with a price tag. If you’ve got the funds from the start and know you’re going to use a lot of its features, it might be worth the upfront cost to allow you to put your time and effort into growing and building your business rather than managing multiple platforms. On the other hand, if budget is tight, you can often start with a few affordable tools and add on over time as your needs expand.
- Do your platforms integrate with each other? Some platforms play beautifully together, while others, well… don’t. Having seamless integration can be a major timesaver and prevent a lot of frustration. If you need a web automation tool like Zapier to make things connect, that’s another cost to factor in. A quick online search of the platforms you’re considering (like “MailerLite integrations”) can give you insight into which tools are compatible and will help you map out your tech strategy more easily.
The online business tools and platforms I use (and why I love them)
Here’s my tried-and-tested online business tool kit to help you launch with confidence and grow with ease.
*Some links on this blog are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase, and I only recommend products that I’ve personally used and I believe in!
Showit: Website Design Platform
It’s no secret I adore Showit. It has honestly changed the web design world in the best ways possible. No more code, click and drag editing and is the perfect place to create show-stopping website that will have people raving about you and your website.
What you need to know: Showit is a drag-and-drop website builder that gives you total design freedom. Unlike traditional website builders, you can customize everything without touching a line of code. It’s ideal if you have a vision for how you want your site to look but don’t necessarily have the coding skills to bring it to life. It is also unique in how you can individually edit both the website and mobile version of your site. Which can take a little longer, but means you avoid clunky looking mobile sites.
To put it simply – Showit is the go-to place for drool-worthy websites.
Why it’s my favorite: You get the flexibility of designing a unique site with little-to-no restrictions. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with WordPress for blogging, which makes it super powerful for content creators.
RELATED: Why I chose Showit for my Business – and love it!
Why it might not be for you: If you are primarily an ecommerce business and wanting to have a store with 15+ items. It is possible to use another platform to sell items through your Showit website, but I’d suggest looking at Shopify if you are predominately an online store.
Others Website Platforms I love: Shopify, Podia, SquareSpace
Want your first month free on Showit? Click here get access.
Discover Fully Loved Showit Templates
MailerLite: Email Marketing Platform
MailerLite is not often the top of everyone’s list for email marketing, but it is a hidden gem – especially for those who are looking for an affordable and reliable way to get started as a new business. I am continually surprised by how much I love MailerLite.
What You Need to Know: MailerLite is a super affordable, user-friendly email marketing platform that offers powerful tools for small businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs. It includes essentials like email automations, landing pages, pop-ups, and analytics, all within an intuitive interface. MailerLite also provides a robust FREE (yep, you heard me. FREE) plan, which covers a lot of the basics you’ll need to build and grow an email list without a big investment.
To put it simply – If you want to start a email list for FREE or wanting to sell digital products without major fees, MailerLite is honestly where it’s at.
Why It’s My Favorite: MailerLite is perfect for anyone new to email marketing or those on a tight budget. It gives you access to many features typically found on higher-cost platforms, such as drag-and-drop email building, customizable forms, and helpful automations. The free plan lets you grow up to 1,000 subscribers before any fees kick in, making it super accessible. It’s also reliable and easy to navigate, which is especially helpful if you’re just getting the hang of email marketing. It also allows you to sell digital products, which is a game changer for small businesses who are just starting out with a low budget.
Why It Might Not Be for You: MailerLite does the basics very well, but it may not be enough for advanced marketers who want deeper segmentation, complex automation workflows, or detailed reporting. The templates and design options, while good, are somewhat limited, so if branding is a top priority, you may find the visual customizations lacking. And while its free plan is great for starting out, you might find the platform’s limitations noticeable if your list or needs grow quickly, making an upgrade or a shift to another tool necessary down the line.
Want to try Mailerlite? Let’s go!
Kit (Formerly Convertkit): Email Operating System
I must say, I am really loving the nice little rebrand for Kit (Formerly ConvertKit). If you are looking for a more advanced program that MailerLite, then Kit is a solid option. Kit is built specifically for creators and entrepreneurs who want an email marketing platform that’s powerful, yet straightforward. It’s designed to make managing subscribers and email sequences a breeze, allowing you to set up automations without feeling overwhelmed by tech. Kit’s strength lies in its simple, tag-based organization and powerful segmentation features, which help you create highly targeted campaigns.
To put it simply – Kit is super savvy when it comes to emails, and is a great starting point for small business wanting to get started online.
Why It’s My Favorite: Kit has a bit of everything; market leading emails and automations, swoon-worthy landing pages, sell digital products effortlessly and even a mini website for you. Kit is great if you’re serious about building a lasting connection with your audience. It’s flexible for growth, offering everything from beginner-friendly automations to advanced options for those more experienced. Plus, their customer support and resources (like their Creator University) are top-notch, providing a lot of value, especially if you’re newer to email marketing. And the clean, simple interface keeps things uncluttered, letting you focus on building your audience and connecting through engaging emails.
Why It Might Not Be for You: Kit’s power comes with a price, and for someone just starting with a limited budget, the cost can be a bit of a jump compared to MailerLite or other budget options. If you’re mainly looking for a newsletter tool without the need for advanced tagging or automations, a simpler and less expensive option might serve you just as well in the beginning.
Want to try Kit? Start an email list for free or start your free trail for Kit.
Shopify: Ecommerce Platform
Chances are you’ve been a customer to a business using Shopify, you’ve probably even scrolled 3 of them in the last 24 hours. From large companies, to small start-ups, Shopify’s reputation and robust features make it hard to beat when it comes to selling products. Shopify’s Starter Plan integrates with Showit, so you can link the beauty and flexibility of your Showit site, with the ecommerce capabilities of Shopify.
What You Need to Know: Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world, known for its reliability, ease of use, and vast range of features. It’s designed to help you create a beautiful, functional online store with everything you need to manage products, process payments, track inventory, and more. Shopify also offers a robust app marketplace, letting you expand your store’s capabilities with everything from analytics to marketing tools.
To put it simply – If you are a predominately a product based business, stop looking elsewhere. Shopify does it all.
Why It’s My Favorite: Shopify’s ecosystem is so well-rounded that you can handle all aspects of e-commerce in one place. Its drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, so even if you’re not a tech pro, you can create a professional-looking store with ease. And, because it’s one of the most widely used e-commerce platforms, there’s a wealth of resources and a community of users to lean on. Plus, Shopify has built-in tools for SEO and integrates smoothly with major payment gateways, making it reliable and convenient.
Why It Might Not Be for You:
Shopify’s flexibility is incredible, but it comes at a cost. Monthly fees can add up, especially once you start adding paid apps for specific functions like advanced analytics or upsells. If you only have a few products or are just testing the e-commerce waters, Shopify’s cost might feel high compared to other platforms. Additionally, if you want very deep customization, you might find some limitations unless you’re comfortable with a bit of coding or have a budget for a developer.
Want to try Shopify? Get your first month for only $1.
Other Essential Business Tools and Platforms I use to run my Business Online
Podia: Online Course Platform
Podia is a user-friendly, all-in-one platform that lets you create and sell online courses, digital downloads, and memberships. It’s perfect if you’re building an educational component to your business and want everything in one place – plus, they have a no-fuss, no-fee transaction model.
Stripe: Payment Processor
Stripe handles payments, and it’s ideal if you’re using multiple platforms and need a seamless way to collect payments without building a store. You can integrate it into so many apps and platforms, which makes it a flexible choice as your business grows. Stripe is my go-to when using MailerLite.
Tailwind: Social Media Scheduler
If social media feels like a time-drain, Tailwind is here to help! This scheduling tool is a lifesaver for Pinterest and Instagram, allowing you to batch and schedule content all in one go. With tools to analyze and optimize your posting strategy, it’s a great way to manage your social media without getting stuck on the platforms all day.
WordPress: Blog Host
If blogging is part of your business strategy, WordPress is a robust, SEO-friendly platform to keep your content front and center. If you are wanting to build a blog-based business, or to use your blog to drive traffic to your website, WordPress are best in the biz. Showit integrates seamlessly with WordPress for beautiful and SEO powered blogging.
Want your first month free WordPress blogging on Showit? Click here get access.
Canva: Graphic Design Program
Canva has come a long way in that last few years, and honestly rivals Photoshop (even though pro-designers don’t like to believe it!). It is every non-designer’s dream come true. It’s easy to use, filled with templates, and has advanced features like background removal and brand kits – all without the steep learning curve. It’s worth upgrading to the Pro version for things like premium templates and additional storage. It’s one of those online business tools that every business owner needs asap.
Notion: Project Management & Planning
Notion can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be. It’s one of those versatile online business tools that is perfect for keeping all your planning and dreaming all in one place. Use it for keeping track of projects, client notes, and even content calendars. The customization here lets you make Notion work exactly how you want, whether you’re organizing weekly tasks or mapping out big picture goals.
SquareSpace Domains: Web Hosting Platform
Formerly known as Google Domains, SquareSpace Domains provides easy domain hosting; great if you want an all-in-one experience for your domain and site.
Google Analytics: Analytics and Research
Google Analytics is essential for tracking who’s visiting your website, how they’re finding you, and what they’re engaging with most. Pair that with Google Workspace for file storage and collaboration, and you’ve got a solid setup for data and document management. Best thing about it – it’s completely free! So it’s a perfect starting point for accessing basic website analytics.
Google Workspace: File Storage and Management
Google Workspace is an all-in-one suite of productivity tools that includes file storage, document collaboration, branded email, calendar, and more. At the heart of its file storage system is Google Drive, which provides cloud storage for all types of files – from documents and spreadsheets to presentations and images. It works as a great storehouse for your digital products.
Start using your Online Business Tools and Platforms now!
Starting an online business might feel like you’re adding a million little tools to your toolkit, but each online business tool plays a role in helping your vision come to life. So before you rush into signing up to one, make a bit of a toolkit roadmap to work out what you need now and in the near future. Adjust as you go and pick what’s right for you – that’s how you’ll build a setup that truly serves your business.
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