Tools + Resources
Here’s a list of some of my favorite tools I use every day and love! They truly make my world turn. I am sharing with you in hopes one of them will be able to make your lives a bit easier.
Website Hosting & Domain Registration
I recommend three options for hosting and domain registration. Siteground and ICDsoft are my go-to’s. And for people hosting more than one site, I recommend Cloudways.
Client Relationship Manager
I love HoneyBook. This is how I manage my client relationships and where I schedule discovery calls, submit proposals, sign contracts, accept payments, process invoices and communicate with clients. I can also organize all my workflows and automate where possible. There are a bunch of client management options out there but I find Honeybook the easiest to use and the most intuitive.
Email Marketing
Depending on my clients needs I have two recommendations. The first is Mailerlite. You can have up to 1000 subscribers and send up to 12,000 emails a month for FREE. Emails are easy to set up with a drag-and-drop editor, photo editing, and they are mobile friendly. One of the biggest benefits is that Mailerlite allows you to set up multi-email automations even on their free plan. The second option is ConvertKit. There is a low priced monthly plan, no free option, but their user experience is elevated with sophisticated forms and landing pages. ConvertKit is for the serious email marketer who is ready to take things to the next level.
Graphic Design & Social Images
Canva is where I do all my graphic design. It makes creating website or social graphics so easy — and fun. Canva is free and the Pro Plan (which I use) costs $12.95/month. The Pro plan is free to qualified nonprofits.
Online Scheduling
Calendly is my go to for this. Super easy to use and the free version is sufficient for most people with 1 calendar.
Acuity is also a great option. Scheduling appointments with Acuity is easy for your clients and completely passive on your part once you have your account setup. There is a 7 day free trial with no credit card required. Then it’s $15/month.
Visual Organizational Tool
One of my newest finds is Milanote. Milanote is an easy-to-use tool to organize your ideas and projects into visual boards. I just it to track inspiration sites, design my wireframes and just keep myself organizing in a fun, fresh way. I encourage you to check it out!
Data Management & Online Forms
One of my most favorite tools is AirTable. It’s a hybrid of a spreadsheet and database. One of the best features is the views option. You can see your data in a spreadsheet, gallery or calendar view. Plus, there is a forms option you can embed on your website and will populate your database with submissions. The uses are endless. Volunteer signups, event registrations, content calendar planning, website redesign management, club management, grant tracking and so much more. Interested in AirTable but want help implementing it? Let me know.
Accounting
Quickbooks online is where I go for accounting needs. I can invoice clients, set up recurring invoices and accept payments all through here. Plus, QB integrates with Honeybook.
WordPress Design
I recently transitioned to using Elementor as my page builder and couldn’t be happier. I’m really big on empowering my clients to be able to update their websites themselves—and Elementor makes it super easy to do it! With this tool you can see your design updates in real life and can check responsive mode with a click of the mouse. It’s a great addition to any website.
Please note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. By clicking the link and making a purchase, you won’t pay anymore, and I may receive a percentage of the sale. I only recommend tools that I use, love, and believe to be of value.
