This page features reviews for the software I use to run my website — my list of tools of the trade. This site goes back to 2010 and through the years I have kept this page updated with what I currently use.
Running an online business means relying on software providers. I’ve used and discarded more software solutions than I can count!
This page will save you time and frustration — I’ve already spent the time and had the frustration so you don’t have to. 🙂
The video is a quick overview of six of my favorite tools that I use to grow my business.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch all my videos
For more in-depth reviews of tools I use, read on!
The links below will — at no additional cost to you — put a little money in my pocket. I’d appreciate you using them if you’re comfortable with it. A little extra income makes it easier for me to keep bringing you all the information and training here.
The tools I recommend have been personally tested by me.
If you have any questions or want more information, please feel free to contact me.
Pamela Wilson
WPX Hosting and Elementor, plus StudioPress themes
I am happily hosting this site on WPX Hosting and have been blown away by the quality of their customer service and the speed improvement on my site.
As a designer, I love to use website tools with design controls, and have been delighted with the ease of use and end results I’ve gotten from Elementor.
If you’re not a designer or a coder, I highly recommend the WordPress themes from StudioPress, which is a part of WPEngine. StudioPress themes are beautifully designed, and coded to be fast to load.
✅ Elementor if you have a design background
✅ StudioPress WordPress themes for predesigned themes. Sign up for WP Engine hosting and get access to 35+ StudioPress themes for free!
Teachable review
When you want to focus on teaching online and selling products — and not on the technology that’s used to deliver your offerings — you need a solution that’s super simple to use.
But … it also needs to be a pleasant experience for the user.
Look for:
I feel fortunate to be using just such a platform, Teachable. Want to see what I built on Teachable? Visit the my courses page.
Kit review [formerly ConvertKit]
Writing and sending compelling, informative and helpful emails is a great way to build a profitable relationship with your audience.
When I first started out I used Constant Contact. After that, I moved to AWeber. In order to help clients, I have dabbled in MailChimp.
But for ease of use and some serious firepower, I now wholeheartedly recommend Kit. Kit has the ease of use of some of the “starter” email marketing companies out there.
But Kit does so much more. You can segment your list and send them different emails. You can deliver opt-in incentives in a flash. And you can quickly and easily send don’t-miss messages to your audience.
If you’re just starting out with email marketing, you can begin using Kit for free — and unlock all the features when you refer friends.
If you are already using email marketing and are ready to harness the power of Kit, use my link below to get the first month free.
✅ Kit
Demio review
Zoom webinar review
YouTube Live review
Webinar software has come a long way. I’ve used most of the current products at one time or another.
One important pro tip: If you need webinar software for a single event and don’t have plans to delivery webinars every month, you can sign up for a single month with the paid providers reviewed below.
Demio is one company that’s getting traditional webinar software right.
Demio is the perfect combination of powerful tools with ease of use.
You can set up a new webinar in less than a minute. Invite co-hosts and attendees in a flash. Host the webinar and share your camera, screen, or both. Play a video during your webinar. Host “like live” events featuring replay videos.
Demio is pricey. Want a less expensive option?
Zoom webinars offer a very inexpensive option for delivering webinars. The interface isn’t as polished as Demio’s, but on the plus side, most people are more than familiar with Zoom so they’ll feel right at home when they log in.
If you already have a paid Zoom account, you can simply add the webinar functionality for a single month when you need it.
YouTube Live is another option and this one’s free! If you have a YouTube channel already, you’ll simply schedule a live video and deliver it at the time promised. Share the link with your audience and when they show up to the live presentation, they’ll find a chat box where they can interact with you live.
I’ve used OnceHub (affiliate link) to schedule meetings since 2012. You can block out your creative time and decide when you’re available for meetings!
RECOMMENDED
✅ OnceHub
Namecheap review
You’ve got an idea for a business, a product, or a book. Step one is to make sure there’s a domain name available!
The service I use to register domain names is Namecheap. It’s super easy to use, with a streamlined interface and competitive pricing.
Warning: buying new domain names can be addictive. 🙂
PicMonkey review
My go-to site for quick photo editing is PicMonkey. They have a vast collection of easy-to-use tools at a low cost of entry.
PicMonkey is not as sophisticated as Photoshop, but it’s a whole lot easier (and more fun) to use.
I created a whole page with my favorite business books, organized into categories.