Step 1: Tool Stack Considerations

This video will walk you through the factors you need to consider to figure out the best tool stack. These include; your tech ability, your budget, any special features you may need, and then finally, any preferences you may already have.

You will want to consider how you feel about the four considerations. Can you handle a lot of technical details or would you prefer not to? Do you have budget restraints? Do you have any special features? Do you already have a tool preference? Consider the answers to all these questions before you move on.

Transcript –

To help you figure out your tool stack, you need to consider a few factors. These include your tech ability, your budget, any special features you may need, and then finally, any preferences you may already have.

I’ve already put these considerations in the order you should consider them. So let’s go through them!

#1 is Tech Ability

Your tech ability should be your guiding point. This not only includes the ability you’re at right now but how much you’re willing to learn.

If you’ve already mastered WordPress and aren’t afraid to integrate several WordPress plugins to create your own set-up, it might make sense to go in that direction. If you have no idea how to use any content management system and want to keep things as easy as possible, then make sure you keep that in mind first and foremost.

This also means you may need to try some tools out and see if they make sense. Be honest about where you’re at with tech ability and where you’re willing to go.

#2 is your Budget

The second most crucial factor to consider is your budget.

If you’re trying to keep everything under $200 a month, then you can’t get the top-of-the-line tool for each component. And that’s fine. You want to give your users a good experience and don’t need the top-of-the-line for each tool. Many options offer close to all-in-one, and integrated with a couple of other economic tools will work fine.

#3 are Special Features

If you’ve got your heart set on special features, then make sure to list those out and consider them before you lock yourself into a specific tool. You can easily throw some tools out if they don’t offer these features. This makes things easier for you when it comes to making decisions.

#4 is Tool Preference

And then, finally, think about any pre-existing tool preference you may have. Maybe someone else you follow uses a tool, or you’ve taken a course on a specific learning platform and liked it. You’re allowed to have your biases. But I’ve put this last because you want to look at the other factors first.

I want to let you know this stuff is complicated. The fact that you have so many choices makes it a lot more complicated. I’ve done the best I can to start to simplify the process of choosing your tools. Let’s get started!

Task

Consider how you feel about the four considerations. What is your tech ability? Can you handle many technical details, or would you prefer not to? Do you have budget restraints? Do you have any special features? Do you already have a tool preference? Consider the answers to all these questions before you move on.

Strategic Planner

Sign up and log in to download the ‘Tool Stack Considerations’ Strategic Planner from the first task in this module. Fill it out, and then save it. Start moving your business forward!