You know those YouTube gurus with 14 monitors and 27 different tools running all at once? Yeah… that was almost me.
When I first started building my online business, I thought I had to have it all — landing page software, autoresponders, funnel builders, scheduling tools, email scrubbers (whatever those are), and a dashboard for my dashboard.
Spoiler: I didn’t need most of it. 😅
After tripping over a few expensive subscriptions, tech meltdowns, and way too many tabs open, I finally did the unthinkable…
I simplified.
And if you’re currently juggling free trials, confusing dashboards, and tools you swear you’ll learn later — this one’s for you.
What I Thought I Needed (But Ditched)
Here’s a quick confession: I once signed up for a funnel builder that had so many options, I needed a tutorial just to understand the tutorials. True story.
Here’s what I happily waved goodbye to:
❌ Overcomplicated Funnel Builders
If it takes me three hours and a strong coffee just to build one page? I’m out. I wanted clarity, not coding.
❌ Overpriced ‘Guru’ Tools
If a tool makes big promises but costs more than my monthly food shop — no thanks. (Also, I don’t actually have a dog to remortgage, but if I did, he’d agree with me.)
❌ SEO Dashboards That Made Me Feel Stupid
I tried to be clever with keyword tools, ranking trackers, heatmaps… until I realised I wasn’t trying to be an SEO agency.
❌ Tools I Signed Up For But Never Used
I’m looking at you, weird AI copy tool that wrote like a 1990s robot. (Confession #2: I now use ChatGPT and my AI AppBundle, and they’ve actually made my life 100x easier — more on that below.)
The Tools I Actually Use (And Why)
Here’s what’s stuck — and why I recommend them for any beginner trying to keep their brain intact:
✅ AWeber – For email marketing
I tried a few others that had all the bells and whistles (and the stress to match). AWeber was the one that didn’t make my brain melt. It’s clean, clear, and beginner-friendly. I build my landing pages, automate my welcome sequence, and tag subscribers without wanting to launch my laptop across the room.
✅ Canva – For visuals
I use it for blog headers, Pinterest pins, social posts, and cheeky quote graphics. I even have a few templates saved to save time. Honestly, it makes me look way more organised than I actually am.
✅ MAP – My core affiliate platform
This one helped me stop spinning in circles. It’s a full done-for-you system, designed for beginners who don’t want to build everything from scratch or spend hours on tech tutorials. You get support, structure, and a proven path. Honestly? It gave me the clarity I’d been chasing.
✅ ChatGPT + My AI AppBundle – For content support
I won’t lie — AI is my little business sidekick. Whether it’s generating blog outlines, giving me content prompts, or getting me out of sticky “how do I word this?” moments, it saves time and brainpower. No shame in using tools that work — and these work for me.
Why This Stack Works for Me
Because it lets me breathe.
It doesn’t try to turn me into a coder. It doesn’t assume I’m running a million-pound company. It just helps me:
- Connect with people
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Create helpful content
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Build trust, step by step
This stack keeps things simple enough to manage — but powerful enough to build something real.
And it leaves room for the stuff that matters: like caring for my mum, having a life outside the laptop, and maybe (just maybe) enjoying the odd cheeky wine on a Friday evening 🍷
Want to Simplify Your Own Stack?
Still stuck in the “tool trap”?
Grab a notebook (or open a Google Doc) and write down every tool you’re currently signed up for. Ask:
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Do I use this regularly?
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Do I even like it?
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Is it helping me move forward?
Cancel anything that doesn’t make the cut. Seriously. Your brain (and bank account) will thank you.
Need a place to start?
Here’s the system I still use every day. It’s beginner-friendly, no-fuss, and built to actually help: 👉 Take a peek.
Want to copy my stack?
Here you go:
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AWeber for emails
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Canva for graphics
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MAP for structure + affiliate success
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ChatGPT & AI AppBundle for content and sanity
Final Thoughts
You don’t need all the tools. You just need the right ones for you.
Strip it back. Simplify. Choose tools that make you feel supported, not stressed.
And remember: tech is supposed to help you — not hold you hostage.
So breathe. Simplify. And if you need a sign that you’re doing okay… this is it. 💛
✍️
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💬 Over to You:
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before starting your online business?
Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear it.
