Tool Box.
These are tools that I use everyday and highly recommend
Email & Automation.
My Favourite Email & Automation Tools for Small to Medium Businesses
#1 Choice
I’ve used them all and ActiveCampaign is my first choice for email & marketing automation. ActiveCampaign is a combination of ease of use, powerful features and no-brainer pricing for all budgets. AC also has the ability to deep sync data with Shopify, WooCommerce & BigCommerce, making it by far the best option for eCommerce.
#2
Ontraport is another great option for marketing automation. Ontraport is also relatively easy to use and has a few added features such as a built in landing page builder.
#3
ConvertKit is designed primarily for bloggers. Although they feature set is not very deep, they have made it simple for bloggers to run the automations they need.
#4
Kartra is a new kid on the block but has a really robust feature set including landing page builder, sales funnel builder and a healthy set of all in one templates.
#5
Infusionsoft is still a great and powerful tool, but it is struggling to hold it’s market share. If you are set on using Infusionsoft, be prepared to hire a consultant to help.
Landing Page Builders.
These are my preferred stand-alone landing page builders
#1
ConvertFlow is quickly rising as one of my favourite all around tools. With their recent release of a landing page builder tool, it is difficult for me to recommend another landing page tool because of how well the rest of the ConvertFlow tool set works. ConvertFlow syncs in real time with your CRM to deliver the right messaging based on the what you know about the viewer. As a landing page builder alone, it does a fine job. But when combined with the other segmentation targeting tools it has to offer, it is amazing.
#2
It’s not the prettiest option available, but it is very effective! The tools, strategies and community involvement with Clickfunnels makes it a tool that can benefit just about any business.
#3
For sales funnels I prefer Clickfunnels. But if I want a stunning design of for opt-in pages, or sales pages that lead to a separate shopping cart, Instapage is hard to beat.
#4
Unbounce is a very close third. This has very robost functionality for even the most custom demands.
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Hosting.
My recomendations for hosting your websites.
#1
This is by far my favourite hosting stack. Create your own Virtual Server on DigitalOcean and have it managed by ServerPilot. It’s low cost and extremely high performance.
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#2
For those who just want great hosting for their WordPress site without getting too technical, then WPEngine is your best choice.
#3
Dreamhost is very close behind WPEngine for all around performance and features. It doesn’t quite have the feature set of WPEngine but it is a little cheaper.
#4
For those on a budget that just need something low cost that will do the trick, then Siteground is the most stable & best optimized option for you.
WordPress Builders.
These are my favourite WordPress builders. Don’t build another WordPress site without one of them.
#1 Choice
Elementor is my Go-To builder for WordPress. It is fast and has an unbeatable feature set. Aside from the feature set, Envato now makes a free WordPress plugin with dozens of Free Elementor (& BeaverBuilder) templates.
#2
BeaverBuilder is another extremely powerful WordPress builder. It doesn’t yet have the same capabilities as Elementor, but is a developer favourite, and also has free templates through the Envato plugin.
#3
Thrive Architect has many of the same advantages as Elementor, along with a full suite of conversion tools that compliment it very well. You can purchase Thrive Architect on its own, or get it included in a full suite of WordPress conversion tools through Thrive.
#4
Divi is another powerful and popular WordPress builder. It’s not my personal favourite, but has definitely earned an honourable mention in this list.
Ecommerce Platforms.
My Preferred eCom Platforms for Online Stores
#1
Shopify is your best choice if you plan to pen a store. It is fast, reliable, scaleable and integrate with just about everything. The ecosystem of Shopify Apps is amazing. Pople sometimes think they will save money by going with Woocommerce, but that is rarely the case.
#2
Although I recommend Shopify over Woocommerce, there are still instances where Woocommerce is the best choice. If you run a membership site, or want to sell products from your site, but ecommerce isn’t the main focus of your site, then Woocommerce is a great choice.
#3
I still do really like BigCommerce, but the biggest reason it doesn’t come in first place is because it doesn’t have near the ecosystem of useful apps & integrations that Shopify does.
Sales Funnel Builders.
My Preferred Sales Funnel Builders
#1: Overall Favourite
This is an overall incredible shopping cart and Sales Funnel Builder. It is easy to use. Incredibly powerful. Integrates well with just about everything. And the best part…
You can still purchase it for a One Time Fee – Lifetime Access! [No monthly charges].
Must be paired with another landing page builder for sales pages
Excellent Stand Alone
If you need a simple all in one solution for sales pages, checkout and upsells in a funnel, then Clickfunnels is the tool for you.
Best For Shopify Funnels
CartHook is the Shopify App equivalent to Clickfunnels. If you run a Shopify store, CartHook is your very best solution to increase all Average Order Values by offering one click upsells at checkout.
Lead Capture / Calls To Action.
The Best Call To Action Tools
#1
ConvertFlow syncs in real time with your CRM to deliver the right call to action based on the what you know about the viewer. Not only target specific pages/post for call to actions, but whether or not the viewer is on specific lists, has specific tags, or has already accepted previous offers. Very powerful segmenation rules allow you to present the right call to action at the right time.
#2: WordPress Only
ThriveLeads is a runner up, but is only available for WordPress. At a lower price point than ConvertFlow, ThriveLeads is a very intuitive way to display Calls-to-Action that are relevant to the specific page being viewed.
#4
Sumo is another great suite of tools designed to deliver calls to action and capture leads. Sumo can be used on multiple website platforms and is very simple to use.
Dynamic Website Content.
Change Your Website On the Fly Based on CRM Data
#1
RightMessage is an amazing tool that lets you dynamically change any element of your website on the fly (in real time)based on what your CRM knows about the visitor. Change headlines, images, sections or Calls To Action based on any data you’ve collected about the visitor. No coding required. Visually create new versions of any element for segments of your audience. Very powerful!
Website Conversion Rate Optimization Tools.
These tools will help you visualize activity on your pages to better optimize conversions
Membership Platforms.
The Best Platforms To Build Your Membership Site
Membership Plugins.
The Best Membership Plugins For WordPress (if you are set on using WordPress for your membership site)
SEO Tools.
The best tools to use for your SEO
Amazon Seller Insights.
Best Tools for Amazon Sellers
Design Tools.
The Tools I Use For Design Work
#1
There really is no substitute for the Adobe Creative Cloud. It is the grand master when it comes to all things deisgn. From Photoshop, to Illustrator, the Premiere and After Effects for Video. I will likely never be without my Creative Cloud Subscription.
#2
Canva is a great tool for making quick creatives, or if you are looking for some design inspiration. Sometimes it is faster to customize a social graphic in Canva (free) than it is to open Photoshop or Illustrator.
#3
Adobe Spark is similar to Canva fro creating quick social creatives, and is included in the Creative Cloud.
Stock Images.
Where I Go For Stock Images
Graphics.
Where I Go For Graphics
DISCLOSURE:
Many of the above links are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will get a small referral commission. It will cost you the same (and in some cases less) than if you purchased the service on your own. Thank you if you do purchase through one of my links. It helps me create more great content.
Keep in mind that I could promote almost any product, but choose only to promote these particular products because I have used them and know they will work well for you. The order of recommendation has not been skewed by the amount of commission. The top recommended services are 100% due to them being what I believe to be the best tools for the job, without prejudice.
