I geek out on online tools…pieces of software, apps, browser extensions, etc. to get stuff done faster, more efficiently and (sometimes) cheaper.

Here’s a semi-comprensive list of tools I use anywhere from once an hour to once a week and everywhere in between in my side hustles.

Full disclosure: There are a few affiliate links here, and if you click on them and purchase, I make a small commission. Feel free to follow them, or not. With that said, I have been using every tool on this list personally, typically for several years. I don’t recommend anything I don’t personally use in my own business.

Favorites denoted in bold.

Administration & Billing, Marketing, CRM

  • Xero (invoicing)
  • Todoist (to-do list)
  • Auto TextExpander (Chrome Extension for shortcoding bits of text)
  • Pushbullet (Chrome Extension that allows you to send SMS via computer)
  • Facebook ads (lead acquisition)
  • Bitrix24 (CRM, project management)
  • Keap [formerly Infusionsoft] (CRM, marketing automation, lead acquisition and management)
  • LeadPages (landing pages)
  • ClickFunnels (landing and sales pages)
  • Kartra (CRM, lead forms, marketing automation, cart/checkout)
  • Zoho (email)
  • Stripe (payment processor)
  • PayPal (payment processor)
  • Google Sheets (tracking EVERYTHING)
  • TinyScanner (all-digital paper scanning app)

Website & Design

  • WordPress (website CMS)
  • Hostinger (crazy cheap web hosting with really good customer service)
  • Elegant Themes (WordPress themes and plugins)
  • GoDaddy (domain registration)
  • Canva.com (digital/print collateral)
  • Adobe Illustrator (illustration/design)
  • Adobe Photoshop (illustration/design)
  • Adobe InDesign (illustration/design)
  • Microsoft Powerpoint (presentations)
  • Google Slides (presentations)

Voiceover, Course Creation

Arbitrage/Resale

  • UPS (Shipping)
  • USPS (Shipping)
  • Facebook Marketplace (Product sourcing and sales)
  • eBay (Auction/sales marketplace)
  • Reverb (musical instrument sales marketplace)

Fun/Learning

  • Duolingo (Italian)
  • Lumosity (brain training)
  • Fallout Shelter (theoretical, gamified training for our inevitable, collective, post-apocalyptic descent into anarchy)
  • Honey (money saver)
  • RetailMeNot (money saver)

My Office