These are the tools behind my sites and funnels. Some links are affiliate links; see the disclosure. If a free option is enough for you, start there.
CRM, funnels, and local client work
GoHighLevel (affiliate link): CRM, funnels, email, SMS, and booking in one platform. I built my local-business landing pages on it, and it is the system the GHL landing page guide teaches. It fits agencies and people serving local business clients who want everything in one login. It is more than a beginner needs; if you only need email, start with one of the tools below.
Email marketing
If you are starting out and only need email, a dedicated email tool is simpler and cheaper. The autoresponder comparison covers which ones allow affiliate links.
- MailerLite: easiest starting point, with a free plan.
- Kit (formerly ConvertKit): best fit for creators who write a regular newsletter.
- Systeme.io: funnels plus email in one, with a free plan.
Search and measurement
Google Search Console: free, and the single most useful SEO tool you can have. It shows which searches show your pages, how often people click, and which pages Google is not indexing.
Hosting
Netlify: this site is a fast static site hosted on Netlify. For a content site that does not need a store or user accounts, static hosting is cheaper, faster, and has almost nothing to patch.
Planning
Countdown to Freedom: my 90-day planning tool for affiliates. Start with the freedom number calculator. More in the Countdown to Freedom guide.