My Tech Stack: The Tools I Use to Run My Digital Marketing

My Tech Stack: The Tools I Use to Run My Digital Marketing

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless late nights scrolling through endless lists of tools, wondering which ones will actually make your marketing life easier without turning into a money pit. I’m Raphael, a digital marketer who’s been in the trenches for over five years, juggling everything from SEO campaigns to social media fireworks for small businesses and startups. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my personal tech stack—the everyday heroes that keep my operations humming without the chaos. No fluff, no sponsored plugs; just the real deal on what works for me. Grab a coffee, and let’s dive in. Who knows? You might find your next favorite tool here.

Getting Organized: Project Management and Collaboration Essentials

Running a digital marketing gig means wearing a dozen hats at once—client calls, content calendars, ad optimizations, you name it. Without solid organization, things can spiral into a mess faster than a viral TikTok trend. That’s why my stack starts with tools that keep me sane and my team (even if it’s just me and a couple of freelancers) on the same page.

First up is Notion. I swear by this all-in-one workspace for everything from brainstorming campaign ideas to tracking client projects. It’s like a customizable wiki meets database meets to-do list. I set up dashboards for each client with embedded calendars, task lists, and even mood boards for visual inspiration. The best part? It’s free for personal use, and the premium version is dirt cheap if you need more storage. No more switching between apps—everything lives in one spot.

For collaboration, I lean on Slack. Email threads? Forget about it. Slack’s channels make it easy to chat in real-time, share files, and integrate with other tools. I have bots set up for reminders, like pinging me when a Google Analytics report drops. It’s informal, fun with emojis and GIFs, and keeps the vibe light even during crunch time.

And for scheduling? Calendly is my secret weapon. Clients book calls directly through my link, syncing straight to my Google Calendar. No back-and-forth emails, just seamless magic.

Content Creation: Where the Magic Happens

Content is king in digital marketing, right? But creating it shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth. My stack here focuses on tools that make ideation, writing, and design a breeze, even on days when creativity is hiding under the couch.

I kick things off with Grammarly for writing. As someone who types faster than I think, this tool catches my typos, suggests better phrasing, and even checks tone to ensure my copy sounds engaging rather than salesy. It’s integrated into my browser, so it works everywhere—from emails to blog posts.

For blogging and website management, WordPress is my go-to CMS. It’s flexible, SEO-friendly out of the box, and has a massive plugin ecosystem. I use the Yoast SEO plugin to optimize posts on the fly, ensuring they’re search-engine ready without extra hassle. Paired with Elementor for drag-and-drop page building, I can whip up landing pages that convert without coding a single line.

Visuals are huge, so Canva handles my graphics. From social media posts to infographics, its templates and stock library save me hours. Pro tip: Upgrade to Pro for brand kits—it keeps everything consistent across clients. For more advanced edits, I dip into Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Photoshop and Illustrator, but only for high-stakes projects like rebranding.

SEO and Analytics: Data-Driven Decisions

Ah, the backbone of any solid digital marketing strategy—SEO and analytics. Without these, you’re basically throwing darts in the dark. My tools here help me spy on competitors, track performance, and tweak strategies based on real data.

Semrush is my SEO Swiss Army knife. I use it for keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audits. It’s not the cheapest, but the insights pay for themselves—like discovering low-competition keywords that skyrocket traffic. For on-the-go checks, Google Search Console is free and essential, alerting me to indexing issues or search performance drops.

Analytics-wise, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) reigns supreme. It tracks everything from user behavior to conversion paths. I set up custom dashboards to monitor campaign ROI at a glance. To complement it, Hotjar adds heatmaps and session recordings, showing me exactly where users drop off on a site. It’s like having a crystal ball for UX improvements.

Social Media Management: Staying Connected Without the Burnout

Social media is a beast—fun, but exhausting if you’re posting manually across platforms. My stack automates the grunt work so I can focus on strategy and engagement.

Buffer is my scheduling hero. I queue up posts for Instagram, Twitter (or X, whatever we’re calling it now), LinkedIn, and Facebook all in one dashboard. Analytics show what resonates, and the AI suggestions help brainstorm captions when I’m stuck.

For deeper dives, especially on Instagram and TikTok, I use Later. Its visual planner lets me preview feeds before posting, ensuring that aesthetic pop. And for community management? Sprout Social handles monitoring mentions, responding to comments, and generating reports. It’s pricier, but worth it for agencies handling multiple brands.

Email Marketing and Automation: Nurturing Leads on Autopilot

Email might seem old-school, but it’s still gold for conversions. My tools here build lists, automate sequences, and track opens without feeling spammy.

Mailchimp is my starter pack. Easy drag-and-drop templates, segmentation for targeted sends, and A/B testing to refine subject lines. As campaigns grow, I switch to ActiveCampaign for advanced automations—like triggering emails based on user actions on a site. It’s CRM-integrated, turning leads into loyal customers seamlessly.

For forms and pop-ups? OptinMonster captures emails on websites with exit-intent tech. Sneaky but effective.

Advertising Platforms: Scaling with Paid Traffic

When organic isn’t enough, paid ads step in. My stack keeps budgets in check while maximizing reach.

Google Ads for search and display campaigns—its keyword planner and smart bidding make optimization a snap. For social, Facebook Ads Manager (now Meta Ads) targets audiences with laser precision, from lookalikes to retargeting. I also dabble in LinkedIn Ads for B2B clients, where the professional network shines.

To track it all? Google Tag Manager sets up pixels and events without developer help.

Conclusion: Why This Stack Works for Me

There you have it—my no-BS tech stack that’s evolved through trial, error, and a few caffeine-fueled all-nighters. It’s not about having the fanciest tools; it’s about ones that fit your workflow, scale with your business, and don’t break the bank. I prioritize integrations (most of these play nice together via Zapier if needed) and start with free tiers to test waters.

If you’re just starting out, pick 3-5 essentials and build from there. Remember, tools are only as good as how you use them—experiment, analyze, and iterate. What’s in your stack? Drop a comment below; I’d love to swap tips. Until next time, keep marketing smart!

Image source: blog.flipsnack.com