Tools I Use for Online Business
A transparent look at the software I actually use day-to-day. Your needs may differ. these just work well for my setup.
Quick Context
I run a small content business, so my stack prioritizes affordability and simplicity over enterprise features. If you're an agency or larger team, some of these might not scale for you. Total cost: around $50-150/month depending on usage.
beehiiv
Newsletter & Content Platform
What I use it for: Newsletter publishing, audience growth, and content monetization. The built-in ad network, boost program, and referral system make it easy to grow and earn without juggling multiple tools.
Downsides: Automations locked behind Scale plan. No SMS or push notifications. Template library is still growing.
GetResponse
Email Marketing + Webinars
What I use it for: Email campaigns when I need better deliverability or run webinars. Their built-in webinar tool is solid and saves paying for a separate platform.
Downsides: Gets expensive as your list grows. Some features feel dated. Automation builder has a learning curve.
Kartra
Complete Business Platform
What I use it for: Higher-end course delivery. Kartra's video hosting has behavioral triggers (e.g., "send email if student watches 75% of a lesson"). Useful for premium products where you want more control.
Downsides: Expensive starting point. Interface feels busy. Overkill if you're just starting out or have simple needs.
Make (Integromat)
No-Code Automation
What I use it for: Connecting apps that don't have native integrations. The visual workflow builder helps me understand complex automations better than Zapier's linear approach.
Downsides: Steeper learning curve than Zapier. Some niche apps aren't supported. Can be confusing for simple one-step automations.
Notion
Notes, Docs, Projects
What I use it for: Content calendar, SOPs, and research notes. It's where I plan before executing in other tools.
Downsides: Can become slow with large databases. Offline mode is limited. Not great for real-time collaboration compared to Google Docs.
GetHookd
Ad Research + AI Creatives
What I use it for: Ad research and creative inspiration. Instead of scrolling through Meta Ad Library for hours, I use their 23M+ ad database to find what's actually working. The AI script generator saves time when I need fresh hooks.
Downsides: Credit system can feel limiting on the starter plan. Heavily focused on eCommerce, so B2B or SaaS ads are harder to find. AI scripts need editing before use.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I actually use, but your needs might be different, so do your own research.
Common Questions
What about GoHighLevel?
GoHighLevel ($97-297/mo) is excellent for agencies who want to white-label and resell to clients. If that's your model, it might be a better fit than anything I listed. For solo creators, the white-label features add cost without much benefit.
What about HubSpot?
HubSpot's free CRM is genuinely excellent for sales teams. If you do a lot of outbound sales or need pipeline tracking, it could be better than what I use. Their marketing tools get pricey though ($800+/mo for full features).
Do you use all 6 tools?
Rarely all at once. I mainly use beehiiv + Notion day-to-day. GetResponse for webinars, Kartra for specific premium products, Make when I need to connect things. Most people only need 2-3 tools to start.
Where should a beginner start?
Pick one tool that covers your core need and stick with it until you outgrow it. For newsletters and content, beehiiv's free tier is hard to beat. For better email deliverability, start with GetResponse or ConvertKit. For sales-focused businesses, HubSpot's free CRM. Don't overthink it. you can always switch later.
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