Last updated: October 18, 2020
In this always-updated guide, we'll cover every piece of software coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs need to integrate Growth Wheels and automate their customer acquisition.
We'll also cover some processes and software that help you increase your conversion rates at each step.
I recommend each piece of software here is something we personally use at Growthy.com or something we use with clients depending on their needs.
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The Growth Marketing Software Stack
Before we get into the specific software, there is one thing you should keep in mind, software only helps you get 20% of the results.
80% of your results regarding customer and client acquisition and increased month over month revenue comes from your messaging and your conversion process.
No one software will make your marketing better than investing in improving your conversion process to better convert your clients and customers.
Software is just a tool, and the best growth marketers can use any means to get very similar results as long as they understand human psychology, copywriting, and how all the pieces fit together.
We're going to start with the core foundation from the bottom up of what a person needs to start from scratch.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that I will earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies. I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or help you achieve your growth marketing goals.
#1 FOR WEBSITE HOSTING
We host a majority of my clients’ websites on Liquid Web. The reason is that when your website goes down or it gets hacked; you do not understand how to fix it, Liquid Web support is there for you 24/7, and they’ll answer the phone or chat within 59 seconds, and their help desk answers you in 59 minutes guaranteed.
They may not want me to tell you this, but they help me with stuff outside their work scope in the Cloud VPS Hosting. They allow me to set up a free SSL certificate, upgrade my server, etc.
Their website speeds are also fast.
Depending on your needs and sophistication with web hosting services, I would recommend Cloud VPS Hosting for technical people. If you don’t want to deal with the tiny details, pick Managed WordPress, or Managed WooCommerce if you want an e-commerce store in WooCommerce.
I have used Liquid Web for over 10 years, and they have saved my websites and client websites from a lot of issues (caused by hackers or me).
#1 FOR CREATING LANDING PAGES & OPT-INS
LeadPages is my go-to tool for creating effective landing pages.
They are continually adding new pages, additional features, and now you can ultimately build a useful website with LeadPages. It helps you deploy quickly.
Their lead buttons are handy for any non-lead pages, and you can connect their service with so many tools.
#1 FOR BUILDING EMAIL LISTS & AUTOMATIONS
After using many email systems for years, when drip came around and started overhauling its automation, it made drip the go-to email service for clients and me.
I build many custom automations that are easy to copy over to clients (and made available to Growthy.com customers) and run all my automation.
With an easy-to-use interface, and straightforward way to split off different projects, and tons of customization and ease of use, drip beats everything else I’ve used.
#1 FOR WEBSITES AND ENHANCING MARKETING
Thrive Themes is my go-to default theme and marketing stack for most of my projects and clients.
Thrive Themes give you the ability to create great looking and converting landing pages and websites in a few seconds. With a few tweaks, you’ll have a life ready to go page for your launches and products.
Integrates with a lot of software out there and packed with insanely useful plugins that usually cost thousands of dollars a year to purchase for one year.
The thrive membership is worth it. It gives you unlimited support and access to all current and new themes and plugins. They are always constantly updating with more features and functionality to grow your business.
Build Your Blog / Website / Course
LIQUIDWEB
My go-to web hosting for all my hosting and a majority of clients. Get off shared hosting and experience the speed and stability of your own VPS or server.
They also have a lot of excellently managed services for WordPress or e-commerce.
THRIVE THEMES
Extremely easy to create websites quickly. Can easily create your membership area and sales process.
MEMBERMOUSE
After using a lot of membership software and building many successful 6 figures plus membership websites, I highly recommend MemberMouse to start with and scale with.
It has impressive features in integrations focused on understanding and keeping your members’ members as long as possible and making more in sales.
You can also quickly build high converting checkout pages.
THRIVECART
Thrivecart is my go-to cart to create high converting carts quickly and get more sales out of my checkout page.
Easy to split tests and integrates with most tools out there.
DRIFT
Many startups and companies use all in one software for email, chat, support, and missing out on what chat does best: sales.
Drift is feature-packed and should definitely be used for your website sales process.
ZOHO DESK
Support software is a dime a dozen.
When you use one, they lock you in.
Go with Zoho Desk if you need a free version that’s powerful and grows with your company.
SHOPIFY
Go with Shopify if you’re looking for an e-commerce solution. There is a reason they are the leading one, and it’s all about ease of setting up a store and giving you the features you need.
Host Your Videos
VIMEO
For membership websites and heavy video hosting, go with Vimeo Pro at great pricing and consistency.
WISTIA
While Wistia is expensive, its integration and ease of use for marketing can be worth it.
Software For Effective Growth Marketing
DRIP
Drip is my go-to email and automation solution for a majority of businesses.
Takes minutes to create powerful automations and easy to create great looking emails.
LEADPAGES
Having been a user for years with leadpages, they are always adding more and more landing pages and powerful features.
THRIVE THEMES
Extremely easy to create landing pages quickly. It is included when you pick up a Thrive membership.
CLICKFUNNELS
The one thing about clickfunnels is their focus. You literally click and have a funnel. There are thousands of templates out there to clone working funnels around the internet.
WordPress Plugins For Better Websites
YOAST SEO
The go-to plugin to help you have better SEO on your website.
Carries a lot of functionality at a free price.
W3 TOTAL CACHE
Speed is extremely important to google, this is the plugin to make your website load faster.
I highly recommend you read any guides that help you set this up.
ALL THRIVE THEMES PLUGINS
If you’re looking for any stack a marketer or business needs, it’s in Thrive Membership plugins.
From deadline countdown to landing page creation, to beautiful membership websites, to lead generation, robust quiz creators, to split testing, and tons more. Thrive Membership combines the functionality of costly software into one seamless package.
Put All This Software Together To Create An Automated Scalable Growth Machine
You need a strategy that works both short term and long term, that scales as you grow your business. See how you can get 25-50% month over month growth using all the software mentioned on this page.