Copy My Tech Stack - Every Tool, System, and Product I Use, Love, and Recommend 100% in My Business
Sometimes it’s just nice to take a peek behind the curtain of another woman’s business operations isn’t it? Share with me your project management software, and you’re speaking my love language!
With so many softwares and systems and tools available for online business owners, it can be hard (and completely overwhelming) to research, pick and set up the right tools for you.
Sometimes it’s easier to keep putting it off, using the piecemealed process you’ve been using because you know sitting down to research tools means giving four hours of your life away for a system that may or may not even work for you. I get it.
While each business is different, and what works for me may not necessarily work for you or your business structure, I want to offer you a boost in the tech department by pulling back my own business curtain.
Pulling Back the Curtain on My Tech Stack
Today I’m sharing my complete tech stack (aka, every tool I use in my business) so you can copy it in its entirety or use this list as a jumping-off point for researching and building your own tech stack.
Squarespace. This is an all-in-one hosting for your website, easy to learn and edit for non-tech-savvy business owners. (I wrote more about Squarespace here on the blog, because I just love it so much!)
Asana. I love this free tool to create tasks and streamline projects, workflows and assignments! If you love Asana and want to use it better, I went through Uplevel With Asana and loved it!
Planoly. This one’s a game-changer for your Instagram feed. It’s a free drag-and-drop tool to plan and visualize my feed.
FG Funnels. This is amazing software for your core business system components like CRM, scheduler, funnel builder, membership portal, and client messaging! I use this for my sales page for my signature service, the Dawn Approach.
Slack. This app is perfect for client communication. In my business, each client gets their own private channel for the length of their project.
Dubsado. I love this software because it helps me manage proposals, contracts, and invoices while staying on-brand and professional.
For design, I love Adobe Suite for design and photo curation and management, Artboard Studio for mockups, and Canva for fun, easy and quick designs.
For file organization, I use Google Drive to share files with clients, and Dropbox for internal file organization.
Flodesk for beautiful email templates that are drag-and-drop and easy to customize.
Calendly for easy and free scheduling with clients.
Zoom for easy and free virtual calls with clients and groups.
Loom. This software is perfect for easily filming quick videos to clients and team members.
And, of course, I love MacBook Pro and all Apple systems (hello, Airdrop!)
How to Structure Your Own Tech Stack
You may take a look at this list and go, “Woah. How do I even begin building my own?” Here are a few easy, simple-to-follow tips for getting started building your own tech stack to make running your business operations smoother and all-around happier!
Outline your processes. This doesn’t have to be done in one all-out sitting. As you go through the daily motions of running your business and serving your clients take note of the steps you go through to get things done.
Audit your processes. Over time you’ll have a great overview of the inner workings of your business operations. Now take that red pen and ask, “where should things be easier?” Specifically, look for areas that feel convoluted, and that feels like bottlenecks in the flow of your business.
Create a list of needs. Think of this as a wish list! Do you need a way for clients to book their own sessions? Do you need a way for clients to access their files without emailing you for them? Fill in the blank, “wouldn’t it be nice if____?”
Research software and tools. As you do, hold their features up to your wish list. No tool is perfect, but what tool addresses 85% of your most pressing needs?
Learn the software. Most tools offer introductory resources to help you set up and begin using the product. Don’t skip this part! You may think, “I’ll figure it out as I go,” but taking some time on the front end will save you time and energy down the road. Trust me.
One at a time, friend. One at a time. It may feel tempting to overhaul your business in one fell swoop, but make a list of your most urgent needs and rank the tools you want to adopt by priority. Go one or two at a time, master them, weave them into your business foundation - then move to the next!
