The Tools I Actually Use to Run My Business
Running a business is one thing… keeping it running smoothly (without losing your mind) is another. Over the years, I’ve tested a lot of platforms, resources and shiny new tools. Some were great, others were a total waste of time.
So instead of you wasting hours (and dollars) trialling everything under the sun, I thought I’d share my actual toolkit — the platforms I use daily inside The Visual Collective and recommend to my clients.
And the best bit? Most of these links include discounts, trials, or bonuses for you too.
🎨 Design Resources
Think of Envato Elements as an unlimited design buffet — fonts, templates, graphics, videos, stock photos, you name it. If I need to whip something up quickly, it’s the first place I go.
Stock imagery that doesn’t look like stock. Their collections are modern, stylish and brand-ready — I use them across Instagram, my website and even client projects.
If you’re after bold, punchy stock photos that stand out from the cookie-cutter crowd, Elevae is a gem. Their collections feel fresh and creative.
Want your brand to feel like it belongs in a magazine? ESI has editorial-style imagery that’s timeless, sleek, and elevated. Perfect if you’re going for luxury vibes.
📲 Social Media Scheduling
Keeping up with posting, scheduling, and tracking performance across multiple platforms can feel like a full-time job. Metricool makes it easy to plan, schedule, and analyse your content in one place. I recommend it to clients who want a stress-free way to stay consistent on social media without burning out.
💻 Websites
I design all my client sites on Squarespace because it’s intuitive, stylish and easy to update. Whether you’re launching your first site or giving your old one a glow-up, Squarespace just works.
🛒 Ecommerce
If you’re planning to sell products online, Shopify is my go-to platform. It’s built for ecommerce from the ground up, making it easy to manage inventory, payments, shipping, and everything in between. Whether you’re starting with one product or scaling a full store, Shopify gives you the flexibility to grow.
👉 Start your free Shopify trial here
✉️ Email Marketing
Flodesk is as beautiful as it is functional. I use it for all my email workflows because it’s simple, affordable and makes every email look professional. Bonus: sign up through my link and you’ll get 50% off your first year.
📧 Ecommerce Email Marketing
Sending generic emails that don’t convert is frustrating (and a waste of time). Klaviyo is built for ecommerce, helping you send smarter, automated emails and SMS that actually drive sales. Think abandoned cart reminders, personalised flows, and customer retention campaigns.
⚖️ Legal
Legal doesn’t have to be scary (or boring). Foundd Legal is run by a fellow Aussie and offers contracts + templates that are actually easy to understand. Protect your business from the start.
⭐ Reviews & Social Proof
Getting customers to trust you online can be tough without proof. Yotpo is an all-in-one reviews and loyalty platform that helps ecommerce brands build trust with verified reviews, user-generated content, and reward programs. I’ve used Yotpo for clients who need a robust, scalable solution that grows with their store.
Loox
Shoppers want to see real people using your products before they hit “buy.” Loox makes it simple to collect and showcase photo reviews, turning happy customers into powerful social proof. It’s highly rated in the Shopify App Store and easy for beginners to set up.
✨ Final Note
Some of these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to sign up — at no extra cost to you. I only ever share tools I use myself and genuinely recommend, so you can trust these will help you build a business that not only works but looks good doing it.
