You don’t need 50 tools. You need the right 5.
This is the exact stack I use to run my business. Not affiliate-bait recommendation lists, just the tools that actually matter when you’re starting out, with honest assessments of what’s worth the money.
Tool Categories
| Category | Focus | Start Here |
|---|---|---|
| AI | Claude, ChatGPT, prompts | AI Tools Guide |
| Tracking | Analytics, attribution | Tracking Guide |
| List building, automation | ConvertKit Guide | |
| Advertising | Ad servers, spy tools | Ad Server Setup |
| Infrastructure | Hosting, phone systems | Infrastructure Overview |
The Core Stack
| Category | Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| AI Assistant | Claude | Research, copy, analysis |
| Tracking | RevMax + GA4 | Attribution & analytics |
| Analytics | Plausible | Privacy-first analytics |
| ConvertKit | List building & automation |
AI Tools
The leverage multipliers.
AI Tools for Media Buyers
Step-by-step workflows that actually work. Copy-paste prompts for research, ad copy, creative briefs, landing pages, and reporting.
This is the guide. Everything else in AI marketing builds on these workflows.
Claude Prompts Library
Ready-to-use prompts for marketing tasks. Research, content, ads, analysis, and strategy prompts you can copy and customize.
ChatGPT vs Claude
Head-to-head comparison for marketing tasks. When to use each AI and why.
Coming soon: AI Tool Stack guide
Tracking & Analytics
You can’t optimize what you can’t measure.
Click Tracking Guide
Understand how your tracker works. The fundamentals of click tracking, conversion attribution, and data collection.
Plausible Analytics Guide
The privacy-first Google Analytics alternative. Lightweight, GDPR-compliant, and actually usable.
CallRail Guide
Phone call tracking for lead generation businesses.
Marketing Analytics Tools
The complete 2026 stack for small businesses. What to use, when, and why.
Email Marketing
Build an asset, not just campaigns.
ConvertKit Guide
The best way to build a valuable email list. Setup, automation, and strategy.
Advertising Tools
Competitive intelligence and ad serving.
Ad Server Setup Guide
How to set up your own ad server for advanced tracking and optimization.
Infrastructure
The technical foundation.
OpenVBX Guide
Open source phone system for call tracking and routing.
How to Choose Tools
Start Simple
Don’t buy everything at once. Start with:
- Tracking. You need data before anything else.
- One AI tool. Claude or ChatGPT, pick one and learn it well.
- Analytics. Plausible or GA4 for understanding traffic.
Add as You Scale
Once you’re profitable:
- Email marketing for building assets
- More specialized tools for your specific workflow
Avoid Tool Overload
More tools ≠ better results. Master a few before adding more.
Related Resources
- Build - Use AI to build websites and tools
- Plan - Plan your AI-powered business
- Acquire - Put these tools to work on traffic
- Optimize - Use tools to convert and scale
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I actually use.
