What I actually use to run my business.
I only put tools here that I’ve used myself and would recommend to a client. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you sign up. That never influences whether something makes this list.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click and sign up, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only list tools I genuinely use and trust.
The tools that keep client relationships running.
These are the platforms I use for managing clients, projects, and the day-to-day of running a small business.
17hats
My go-to CRM and business management platform for service-based businesses. Handles quotes, contracts, invoices, scheduling, and client communication all in one place. If you’re still managing clients through a combination of email and sticky notes, this is where you start.
Affiliate link
Asana
When projects involve multiple people or moving parts, Asana keeps everything organized without becoming a burden. I especially like it for client-facing project management where visibility matters.
Try Asana ↗Zapier
The glue that holds a lot of small business tech stacks together. Zapier automates repetitive tasks between your apps so you spend less time doing things manually and more time doing work that actually matters.
Try Zapier ↗What I use to build and manage websites.
WordPress.org
The platform I build most client websites on. WordPress gives you real ownership of your site and serious flexibility as you grow. It has a learning curve, but with the right setup and support it’s hard to beat for small businesses.
Explore WordPress ↗Wix
For clients who want to be hands-on with their own website without the complexity of WordPress, Wix is a solid starting point. It’s genuinely easier to use than it used to be, and it handles the basics well.
Explore Wix ↗Google Workspace
Professional email, shared docs, and a calendar that actually syncs. Google Workspace is the backbone of most small business operations I set up. It’s worth every dollar for the polished, professional experience it gives you.
Explore Google Workspace ↗How I stay organized and get things done.
Trello
If you need a simple, visual way to track what’s in progress, what’s done, and what’s waiting, Trello is hard to beat. It’s approachable for non-tech folks and flexible enough to grow with your business.
Try Trello ↗ClickUp
For teams or solo operators who want more depth than Trello but don’t need the enterprise complexity of something like Asana, ClickUp hits a sweet spot. Highly customizable, and the free tier is genuinely useful.
Try ClickUp ↗Claude
My go-to AI assistant for drafting, thinking through problems, and building things faster. Claude is thoughtful, honest about its limits, and genuinely useful for the kind of work small business owners do every day. (Yes, I helped build this website with it.)
Try Claude ↗Have a tool question?
If you’re trying to decide between platforms or not sure what you need, just ask. Helping people avoid expensive wrong turns is part of what I do.
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