My Tech Stack, Workflow, most used Apps
Affiliate Notice
Note: My tech stack is below – I have an affiliate relationship with some of the providers of tools and software listed below. This means that I may earn a referral fee should you decide to purchase them. This is at no extra cost to you and in many cases you receive a discount.
AIRTABLE
A great online database that looks just like a spreadsheet. Airtable is super-powerful behind the scenes and is a great way to move from your simple spreadsheet to a more powerful database and workflow engine. It has a mass of integrations and automations and is my go-to application for client workflow and automation projects.
ALFRED
Mac only – A fantastic productivity tool that brings keyboard shortcuts, automated processes and actions, text shortcuts and much, much more to reduce the amount of time you spend doing the day to day actions on your Mac. There’s a free version but the paid powerpack is a must.
ASANA
I’ve been using Asana since 2008 and simply find it one of the best online Project Management tools available. In fact, I liked it so much that it became the foundation of my consulting business. I continue to try the new tools and services but nothing seems to keep pace with Asana.
BLUEHOST HOSTING
Bluehost is perfect as an entry level hosting provider. This was one of the first ISP’s I used and still continue to have them mange my domains. They’ve seen a few ups and downs during their time, but recent service improvements have made a big impact.
CALENDLY
I used to hate the back-and-forth emails just trying to set up meeting times that suited everyone. This time-wasting is now removed with Calendly. It just syncs with your calendar and clients simply pick a time that suits them (and you). Works across timezones also
CLOUDWAYS
Cloudways is the ISP that hosts this website. Choosing an ISP is just painful these days with so much rubbish out there. Cloudways is the professional end of the scale. It comes at a price of course, but so does quality.In honesty I’ve never had an issue or need to contact support. It just works.
KIT (formally Convertkit)
I switched to Convertkit from Mailchimp as the number of functions and options on Mailchimps free service seemed to be getting less and less. I took the paid service for automations and extras, but Convertkit has now introduced a free package too.
GOOGLE WORKSPACE
Google Workspace is a suite of productivity and collaboration tools that includes Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and more. It allows teams to work together in real-time, access files from anywhere, and streamline communication and productivity.
GRAVITY FORMS
Gravity Forms is a Premium WordPress plugin that enables users to create custom forms for their websites. It includes a drag-and-drop form builder, advanced form fields, conditional logic, and integration with third-party services. It simplifies the process of creating and managing forms, surveys, quizzes, and other user input.
MAKE
I found Make around the same time I found Zapier. They both essentially allow you to create automations. Make has a very different user interface and has a few additional features. There have been a lot of improvements in recent years and I believe that Make.com is slightly cheaper than Zapier.
NOTION
I was an early user of Notion and loved it from the moment I saw it. I now use it to manage every aspect of my work and personal life. The learning curve is steep but once configured it can petty much do everything. I now use it to manage everything from tasks and projects to tracking finances and habits.
PIPEDRIVE
Another one of those CRM Apps where I seem to have tried them all and just come back to Pipedrive. I’ve upgraded and downgraded and upgraded again a few times which just shows how it scales for the size of your business. I love the simplicity of the functionality as well as the price.
SITEGROUND HOSTING
I’ve used a number of hosts in my time but I have to say that Siteground delivers superb support that can’t be beaten. The hosting services are ‘professional’ standard so obviously you pay a little more than most, but if your website and services are critical, Siteground is the way to go.
SETAPP
SetApp is a subscription-based service for Mac users that provides access to over 200 curated apps, including productivity, creativity, and maintenance tools. With a single subscription, users can save money and time by avoiding the need to purchase and manage individual apps. SetApp offers a 7-day free trial.
TEXTEXPANDER
The uses for Textexpander are too numerous to mention. Shortcuts, spelling autocorrections, templates, adding links and a host of useful timesavers. There’s a lot of overlap with Alfred so worth looking at both tools before deciding which one works best for you.
ZAPIER
Zapier is a web automation tool that enables users to connect different web applications and automate workflows without coding. It offers a library of pre-built integrations, or “Zaps,” that automate tasks such as data transfer, notification, and scheduling. Zapier supports over 3,000 apps and offers a free plan.
ZOOM
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that enables users to host and attend virtual meetings, webinars, and online events. It offers features such as screen sharing, recording, virtual backgrounds, and real-time collaboration. Zoom supports up to 1,000 participants per meeting and offers a range of pricing plans