My Recommended Marketing Tools & Resources for 2025

When I first got started in online marketing, I spent way too much money on the wrong tools. Over the years, I’ve found what actually works — tools that save time, help automate tasks, and make it easier to grow. Here’s my personal list of marketing resources that’ll help you get started the right way.

This page lists the resources I personally use and recommend for anyone serious about getting started with internet marketing the right way.

Whether you’re launching a blog, building an email list, or setting up your first sales funnel, these are the essentials that’ll save you time, money, and headaches.

1. Web Hosting & Domains

Before you can do anything online, you’ll need a place to host your website.

I’ve tested several hosting providers over the years, and Bluehost has been one of the easiest to work with. Their support is fast (especially live chat), setup takes minutes, and you can host unlimited websites on one account.

If you’re just getting started, go with their basic shared hosting plan — it’s affordable, reliable, and comes with a free domain for the first year.

🔹 Pro tip: Stick with a .com domain if you can. It’s the most recognized and trusted extension for business.

2. Email Marketing & Automation

An email list is your biggest asset online. It’s where your warmest leads live — people who actually want to hear from you.

While some tools don’t allow affiliate links (Mailchimp, for example, can be strict), GetResponse is one of the best options for marketers. It’s beginner-friendly, built for automation, and supports affiliate marketing without issues.

Other great options include ConvertKit (great for creators and bloggers) and MailerLite (simple and budget-friendly).

🔹 Pro tip: Set up a 5–7 email welcome sequence right away. Offer something valuable for free — like a cheat sheet or guide — and nurture your subscribers before pitching.

3. Landing Pages & Funnels

If you’re selling anything online, you’ll need landing pages that actually convert.

For WordPress users, Thrive Architect is one of the best tools out there. It’s a one-time purchase, integrates with any email service, and doesn’t charge monthly fees like other funnel builders.

If you prefer an all-in-one solution, ClickFunnels is also a great option. It’s drag-and-drop simple, perfect for beginners, and comes with pre-built funnel templates you can customize.

🔹 Pro tip: Start simple. You don’t need a complicated 10-step funnel — one great landing page with a solid offer beats complexity every time.

4. Content Creation Tools

Content is the foundation of inbound marketing — whether you’re writing blog posts, emails, or ad copy.

Here are a few tools I use regularly:

• Jasper AI – for brainstorming and writing content faster (just make sure to add your personal touch).
• Grammarly – to keep your writing clean and natural.
• Canva – for thumbnails, infographics, and quick design work. You don’t need to be a designer to make great visuals with it.

🔹 Pro tip: Create templates for your graphics and reuse them to keep your branding consistent across posts, emails, and social media.

5. SEO & Analytics Tools

If you want consistent traffic without relying on ads, SEO is your best friend.

My go-to tools:

• Ahrefs – for keyword research, backlink tracking, and finding content ideas that actually rank.
• Semrush – another excellent all-in-one SEO suite for competitive analysis and content optimization.
• Google Search Console – completely free, and it tells you exactly how people are finding your site (and where you can improve).

🔹 Pro tip: Focus on long-tail keywords with medium competition — they’re easier to rank for and still bring solid traffic.

6. Video Creation & Marketing

Video is huge right now — whether it’s YouTube, TikTok, or Reels, video helps people connect with you faster.

My recommendations:

• Camtasia – simple but powerful video editor for tutorials, reviews, or screen recordings.
• CapCut – great for short-form videos and social clips.
• Pexels or Pixabay – for royalty-free footage and background music.

🔹 Pro tip: You don’t need fancy gear — your phone camera is enough. Focus on good lighting and clear audio.

7. Outsourcing & Freelancers

As your business grows, you won’t be able to do everything yourself — and that’s a good thing.

Here are reliable places to find help:

• Upwork – for hiring long-term freelancers or virtual assistants.
• Fiverr – for quick, affordable one-off tasks like logo design, voiceovers, or editing.
• iWriter – for on-demand article and blog writing.

🔹 Pro tip: Start small. Outsource repetitive tasks like editing or formatting first — that’s where you’ll see the biggest time savings.

8. Bonus Tools Worth Checking Out

Here are a few extras that I find myself using almost daily:

• Notion – to organize my content calendar and business ideas.
• Trello – for task management and workflow tracking.
• Zapier – for automating repetitive tasks between your apps.
• Google Drive – for collaboration and backups.

🚀 Key Takeaways: The Tools You Actually Need

✅ Start simple – You only need a few tools to launch: web hosting, an email autoresponder, and a way to build landing pages.
✅ Use reliable platforms – Bluehost for hosting, GetResponse or MailerLite for emails, and Thrive Architect or ClickFunnels for funnels.
✅ Don’t overspend early – Begin with free or starter plans and upgrade once you start seeing results.
✅ Focus on revenue first – Set up your funnel, start collecting emails, and create content that drives traffic.
✅ Stay consistent – The best tools won’t work unless you do. Build daily habits around your marketing systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the essential tools for starting online marketing?
You don’t need a huge tech stack to get started. A solid hosting plan, an email marketing tool, a landing-page builder, and a few SEO tools are enough to kick things off. Personally, I use Bluehost for hosting, GetResponse for email automation, and Thrive Architect for landing pages.

2. Do I need to pay for marketing tools right away?
Not at all. Many great tools have free or low-cost plans. MailerLite, Canva, and Google Search Console are perfect for beginners. Once you start earning, that’s the time to invest in premium plans that unlock automation and deeper analytics.

3. Which tool is best for creating marketing funnels?
If you’re on WordPress, Thrive Architect is my top pick because it’s a one-time purchase with no monthly fees. If you prefer an all-in-one solution, ClickFunnels is beginner-friendly and comes with pre-built funnels you can customize easily.

Final Thoughts

I know there are endless tools out there, and it can feel overwhelming trying to pick the “right” ones.
My advice: start simple and master one tool at a time.

You don’t need everything at once. Focus on what gets you to revenue first — hosting, email, content, and one solid funnel. Once those are working, then scale up with the others.

These tools have helped me build and grow multiple online businesses, and they’ll do the same for you — as long as you put them to work.

See you in the next guide,
Drew