Marketing Technology Stack for Creators and Coaches

The complete tech stack I use to run my online business (updated February 2023)

Tired of trying to figure out what tools and resources you really need to build and run your online business?

Here’s a list I created for you so you don’t have to waste time and money guessing what works. I spend countless hours playing with all the different options to arrive at this list and it is constantly developing as new technologies and tools evolve.

I ONLY endorse software and tools I’ve either used or come highly recommended by trusted peers. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may get a small commission. However, there’s no extra cost to you.

Here is the exact technology stack I use in my coaching and course creation business.

Website – WordPress with either Blocksy theme or Kadence WP theme, Brizy page builder, and Flywheel hosting.

Funnels [Opt in Pages and Sales Pages] – Brizy. [Segmentation and lead capture] – ConvertBox.

Conversion Optimised Checkout – ThriveCart. ThriveCart is essential for taking and managing all types of payments. It hooks up directly to Stripe and PayPal and is especially useful for recurring payments and subscriptions. Checkout my post and video What is ThriveCart used for here.

Learning Management System (LMS) – My favorite LMS platform is Learn by ThriveCart. This is where resources for coaching and courses live. I created a training video showing you How to Use ThriveCart Learn.

Scheduling Tool – Calendly for direct booking onto my calendar.

Video Conferencing and Webinars – Zoom to host sessions, plus Ecamm Live to enhance the experience.

Email Marketing and Automation – ConvertKit is my recommended email service provider, and I use Make and Zapier to link different software together.

Analytics – Funnelytics and Google Analytics

Productivity – I use Logseq as my PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) system (or second brain) for creativity, resources, task management, and coaching notes, and Google Workspace for collaborating on docs and copy with clients.

These are the essential building blocks needed to build your online eco-system – content, funnels, and automation and create a successful online business.

Appsumo is another firm favorite of mine for finding time-saving tools for my business. I send digital client contracts using Better Proposals. In the last section below you will also find my entire personal library of tools and resources that I also use in my marketing and technology stack.

Want help getting your coaching business set up the right way?

CHECK OUT AWAKEN CREATOR

Conversion-Optimized Website

Having a website that successfully converts visitors into leads takes a lot of careful planning and effort. Look no further than the following stand-out contenders for building your high converting website.

WordPress

What started as a blogging platform has matured into arguably the best website platform on the planet. WordPress.org is a self-hosted CMS (Content Management System) that you can use to power your website for free. I use and recommend Flywheel Managed WordPress hosting. Speed is everything so don’t buy cheap.

Whether you sell physical or digital products and courses online there are so many quality themes and plugins available. One of my personal favourites at the moment is Kadence WP Theme.

There is quite simply very little that this platform cannot handle in its stride. You do have to have: Hosting a theme, and a page builder, so for those who aren’t very technically-minded, Squarespace is a good alternative.

MORE DETAILS

Landing Pages, Sales Pages & Funnels

Web pages built for one specific purpose – to entice visitors to take a single course of action, whether that is to download a lead magnet, book a consultation, buy your course, or something else. They convert higher than simply putting these calls to action on your website because they strip out all the superfluous information and distractions and focus on doing one thing, converting.

Brizy Pro for WordPress

Brizy Pro is a plugin that allows you to turn your WordPress website into a marketing machine. Publish conversion optimised landing pages (and complete websites) on any WordPress powered website.

With Brizy Pro as your landing page builder, you essentially have a blank canvas to make whatever you need. If you don’t want the hassle of hosting and WordPress, you could also use pre-built templates and funnels with ClickFunnels, but you don’t have the same level of control over how things look.

Elementor is another rock-solid page builder with a wealth of templates and resources to help get your funnels and website live at speed.

MORE DETAILS

Email Marketing Automation

Marketing Automation software allows you to engage with your audience, via email, on autopilot. When a visitor submits their email address, it is the email marketing automation software that is used to deliver the lead magnet and nurture that relationship to convert the lead into a lifelong client.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is a light, lean email sending machine. There are plenty of automation features that allow you to do great and powerful things with your marketing.

Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, ConvertKit is a stellar choice for you.

MORE DETAILS

Additional Resources, Tools & Software

This is my personal collection of recommended resources, tools, and software for building a successful business online. I spend countless hours testing and using the latest tools and software so you don’t have to.

Accounting

QUICKBOOKS

Funnel Blueprints

FUNNELYTICS

Scheduling & Booking