Introduction
The best tech stack is the one you’ll actually use.
You don’t need every shiny platform to build a profitable business. You just need the right combination of tools that help you create, deliver, and get paid—without drowning in subscriptions or endless integrations.
This post will walk you through the essential categories, the core tools worth considering, and how to choose tech that matches your business stage and working style.
Content Creation Tools
Every creator needs reliable tools to produce high-quality content.
Text and documents:
Google Docs – Simple, shareable, and accessible anywhere
Notion – For organizing ideas, drafts, and research
Visual design:
Canva – Affordable, user-friendly design for social posts, ebooks, slides, and more
Adobe Express – A step up for more customization without steep learning curves
Video and audio:
Descript – Easy video/audio editing and transcription
ScreenFlow or Camtasia – Screen recording and editing for courses
Pick one in each category and learn it deeply before adding more.
Website and Sales Platform
Your website is your digital home. It should be simple to update and built to convert.
Website builders:
WordPress with Elementor – Highly customizable if you prefer control
Squarespace – Clean, all-in-one solution for simpler sites
Sales and checkout:
Podia – Host products, courses, and memberships with built-in checkout
ThriveCart – Robust checkout and funnel builder if you need more flexibility
Shopify – For digital + physical products in one storefront
Choose a platform that integrates easily with your email and payment systems.
Email Marketing
Your email list is your most important asset.
Options worth considering:
ConvertKit – Built for creators, intuitive automation and tagging
ActiveCampaign – Advanced automation and segmentation (best for scaling)
MailerLite – Simple and budget-friendly for smaller lists
The tool matters less than how consistently you use it. Commit to emailing regularly.
Payment Processing
Getting paid should be effortless—for you and your customers.
Stripe – Clean checkout experience, works in most countries
PayPal – Widely trusted, easy to integrate
Square – Useful for in-person sales or events
Most platforms will connect to one or all of these. Pick what works for your audience and region.
Course and Digital Product Delivery
Hosting and delivering products requires reliability and ease of use.
Platforms:
Teachable – Great for structured courses
Podia – Solid for courses, digital products, and memberships in one place
Gumroad – Simple paywall for downloads and low-cost offers
Consider the buyer experience: friction kills conversions.
Project Management
Even solo creators need systems to stay organized.
Notion – Flexible all-in-one workspace
Trello – Visual boards for content calendars and workflows
Asana – Task management with deadlines and dependencies
Keep it simple—your goal is clarity, not complexity.
Automation
Automation saves you hours every week.
Zapier – Connects almost any app to any other
Make (formerly Integromat) – More advanced workflows if you need them
Use automation to:
Add buyers to your email list
Tag and segment subscribers
Deliver product access instantly
How to Choose What You Need
Consider:
What problem does this tool solve?
How often will I actually use it?
Does it integrate with my other platforms?
Is the cost sustainable based on current revenue?
Avoid stacking tools just because others recommend them. The best stack is the simplest one that works for you.
Final Thought
Your tech stack should feel like a set of supportive tools, not a second full-time job.
Start lean. Master what you have. Upgrade only when you outgrow your current setup.
Sustainability isn’t built on more tools. It’s built on using fewer tools well.
— Sloane MacRae
