The minimalist tech stack that helps you do more—with less noise
When you’re just starting a business, it’s easy to get caught in the trap of signing up for everything. You scroll past yet another “must-have tools” post and suddenly your screen is full of open tabs, free trials, and to-do lists with tech tasks you barely understand.
Trust me, I’ve been there.
But here’s the truth: You don’t need all the platforms. You just need the right ones—the ones that actually help you run your business without overwhelming your brain.
So if you’re dreaming of a minimalist setup that works with your energy (not against it), here’s the only tech you really need to start strong—and feel good doing it.
1. Email Marketing
A must-have for nurturing your audience beyond social media
Let’s be real: social media is a beautiful way to connect, but if you want to build long-term trust and convert followers into buyers, email is where the magic happens.
Here are the top platforms worth considering (with honest vibes-only commentary):
👉 Flodesk
My personal pick + what I currently use
Flodesk is beautifully designed, ridiculously easy to use, and perfect for visual brands who want things to look good with minimal setup. Automation is intuitive, layouts are stunning, and it doesn’t charge based on list size. Ideal if aesthetics and simplicity are high on your list.
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👉 Mailchimp
Probably the most well-known, but honestly… a bit clunky. Great analytics, but not the prettiest or easiest platform. Best suited for businesses that need more complex features early on.
👉 MailerLite
A solid free option for beginners. More flexible than Mailchimp, but not as stylish as Flodesk. Great if you’re budget-conscious but still want automation and segmentation.
👉 ConvertKit
Designed with creators in mind. Clean interface, strong tagging features, and easy sales funnels. Great for writers, coaches, and digital product sellers.
👉 ActiveCampaign
Powerful but a little intense for beginners. Best if you’re super data-driven or planning complex funnels right from the start.
My advice: If you’re a visual, creative founder looking for ease and beauty—start with Flodesk. You can build from there as your needs grow.
2. Website Platforms
Your digital home base—where everything lives and converts
Your website is the first real impression many people will have of your brand, so it needs to feel so you—and work smoothly behind the scenes.
Here’s what to look at:
👉 Showit
My personal fave (and what my own site is built on)
If you want a completely custom look without hiring a developer, Showit is a dream. It works like Canva for websites, integrates seamlessly with WordPress for blogging, and gives you full design freedom. I even have a free template to help you get started quickly—zero overwhelm, all vibe.
👉 Squarespace
A great all-in-one platform with built-in hosting, e-commerce, and clean templates. Less customisable than Showit but very beginner-friendly. Perfect if you just want to get a simple site up and running fast.
👉 Shopify
Best for product-based businesses who need an e-commerce powerhouse. The design options are more limited, but the backend is built for selling and scaling.
My advice: If you’re a service provider or personal brand, go with Showit for flexibility and creative control. If you’re selling physical products, Shopify is your best friend.
3. Social Media Scheduler
For showing up consistently—without living on your phone
Socials are important, but you don’t need to be chained to your feed 24/7. A good scheduler helps you stay visible without burning out.
👉 Tailwind
What I use for Pinterest + Instagram
Tailwind is brilliant for batching content, especially if you’re Pinterest-heavy. It offers smart scheduling, analytics, and hashtag suggestions. I mostly use it for Pinterest strategy, which brings a steady stream of traffic to my site.
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👉 Later
One of the most popular options for Instagram and TikTok. Great visual planning, link in bio tools, and post automation. Ideal if your business relies heavily on IG.
👉 Planoly
Sleek interface and perfect for planning Instagram grids. Similar to Later, with a slightly more design-focused user experience.
👉 Buffer
Best for businesses managing multiple platforms or team workflows. Not as aesthetic-focused, but gets the job done across Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more.
My advice: If Pinterest is part of your strategy, go with Tailwind. For visual planning and IG-only focus, Later or Planoly is a great start.
4. Planning + Task Management
Because without systems, everything feels like chaos
You need a space where your ideas, plans, and to-do lists can live. Otherwise, everything stays in your brain—or gets lost in 47 browser tabs.
Here’s what I’ve tried (and what I still use):
👉 Structured App
My latest obsession. It’s a game-changer for visual thinkers with ADHD, perfectionism, or just general founder chaos. Structured helps me map out my day hour-by-hour without the rigidity of traditional time-blocking. It’s flexible, calming, and honestly life-changing.
👉 Notion
Great for content calendars, launch planning, SOPs, client workflows—basically your entire business brain. It’s endlessly customisable (which is amazing and also… dangerous if you’re a perfectionist). I use this for more big-picture planning.
👉 ClickUp
Ideal for teams or task-heavy projects. It can be overkill if you’re solo or early-stage, but amazing once you’re managing multiple workflows or collaborating with others.
My advice: Use Structured for daily focus. Use Notion for everything else. Together, they keep me grounded and forward-moving without the overwhelm.
Final Thoughts: Simplicity Wins
When you’re starting from scratch, the goal isn’t to build the most complex system. It’s to build something you’ll actually use. Something that supports your creativity, not stifles it.
So here’s your permission to ignore the 12-step tech stacks and instead start with a few core tools that make your life easier:
👉 Tailwind for Pinterest + Instagram
👉 Notion + Structured for planning and flow
Minimal. Powerful. Yours.
