The Tools I Use to Quietly Run My Business
The Tools I Use to Quietly Run My Business
Simple software for thoughtful founders who want calmer business systems.
People often ask what I use to quietly run The Simple Setup HQ.
This is it.
No huge list.
No software I've never touched.
Just the handful of tools I genuinely use every week to create publications, automate my email marketing, understand what's working and run a simple online business without unnecessary complexity.
If I wouldn't happily pay for it myself, it doesn't appear here.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you decide a tool is a good fit for you too, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support the work I create here at The Simple Setup HQ.
The platform running almost everything behind The Simple Setup HQ
If you're looking for simple software for an online business, this is the tool I recommend most often.
I use Systeme to:
deliver my publications
automate my email marketing
build landing pages
collect leads
sell my products
manage automations
deliver digital downloads
build evergreen funnels
As my business has grown from a handful of readers to hundreds of Dear Readers, it has continued to support everything from my free Resets to paid Audio Experiences and memberships.
I recommend Systeme because it allows non-technical creators, consultants and online business owners to build and maintain solid foundations without feeling overwhelmed.
Want to understand why I care so much about simple business technology?
Read: Your Business Technology Should Give You Capacity Back →
Simple website analytics that respects privacy and tells me what I actually need to know.
For years I avoided analytics because they felt complicated, annoying and invasive.
Fathom completely changed that.
Instead of hundreds of reports, I simply see:
where visitors came from
what they're reading
what people click
which pages quietly keep working
It's privacy-friendly, fast and beautifully simple.
I don't need annoying cookie pop ups or to invade my visitors privacy of have mine invaded.
I simply want enough information to understand how people are finding my work.
If you're looking for a simpler, privacy friendly alternative to Google Analytics, I happily recommend Fathom. (Get $10 off your first invoice when you use the link here too. Sweet.)
Simple scheduling without another expensive monthly subscription
When someone wants to book time with me, this is what they use.
I chose TidyCal because I wanted something straightforward, reliable and a one time payment. It lets me create booking pages, set my availability and avoid the back-and-forth of trying to arrange meetings over email.
I use it for discovery calls, podcast recordings and client sessions, and once it's set up, it quietly gets on with the job.
If you're looking for a simple booking tool without another expensive monthly subscription, I think it's well worth a look.
My Philosophy
I don't believe you need dozens of subscriptions to build a successful online business.
I believe you need a handful of tools you genuinely understand and enjoy using.
Simple business systems create more capacity.
More capacity creates better work.
Better work continues introducing itself to the right people long after you've finished making it.
That's the kind of business I'm building.
And these are the tools helping me build it.