The Power of the Right Tech Stack

What is a Tech Stack?

For solopreneurs and small business owners:

The more your tools can be trusted to take care of important processes, the more mental space you can free up to add real value to your business.

At an enhanced level, a tech stack or app stack is the integrated system or network of apps that work together to streamline and automate your business. (AI and coding optional!)

The more your tools can talk to each other, the less duplicate data entry you have to do (with less chance for error too!)

What’s the Best Tech Stack?

My take on tech is that there is no single best app for every person and every use case. My goal is to help you understand what’s out there so you can make more informed choices.

How to Choose the Best Tech Stack for YOU?

Give some thought as to what’s most important to you and your business regarding tech. Establishing your tech values before doing any trials or demos will help you avoid getting too caught up in a great sales pitch.

Here’s a sampling of potential tech values to use as a jumping-off point:

• cost

• all-in-one

• privacy and security

• strong brand reputation

• high degree of customization

• integration with other core apps

• lots of opportunities for automation

• beautiful design and user experience

• support via dedicated contact, phone or chat

• a community of other users to share ideas with and learn from

Some of these will matter a lot to you, and some of them won’t matter at all. What’s important may even shift when you consider back-office apps vs client-facing apps. That’s ok, but that’s why there’s no single best app or tech stack for every person and every use case.

Dive Deep into the Problem You’re Trying to Solve

Much like a trip to the hair salon, if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want, you’re likely to end up disappointed.

If your website isn’t working for you, think about the reasons why.

• Is it too slow?

• Is it difficult to update?

• Do you not like the look of it?

• Are you not getting enough traffic?

Some of these reasons could be improved by switching website builders, but some of them could be solved with a new website theme or template or some branding support and strategic SEO.

If your CRM isn’t working for you, think about the reasons why.

• Is it not connected to your other tools?

• Can you never find what you need?

• Do you always forget to update it?

• Is it too expensive?

Some of those reasons could be improved by switching CRMs, but some of them could be solved by exploring automations and integrations, either natively through the CRM or with some outside assistance from Zapier or Make.

Think Short and Long-Term

Sometimes you need a patch solution ASAP - just make it work, we’re launching next week!

But try to think about how your current tech problem could possibly connect with other processes and systems you have now, or could have in the future.

If you’re a digital creator thinking about launching a newsletter, are you also planning to offer a lead magnet? What about a 5-day email course? Digital courses? A community?

If you’re a coach trying to find a scheduling tool, how do you charge for sessions? Is there a way to connect scheduling to payments and/or invoicing? What about a collaborative agenda? How do you share resources and notes? Do you need a portal? Are you always retyping the same content? How could you automate more of that?

You don’t need to find the holy grail tool that will handle everything (as any tool that claims to do it all rarely does it all well), but you should try to think one to two steps ahead so you can build out your business over time instead of constantly rebuilding everything from scratch.

Here’s a tip: For any core business system, look for several integration options, including Zapier. Even if you don’t use it now, you may thank yourself later!

Always review the terms and conditions and the privacy policy of any new app you try.

Looking for your next app? Check out my free app library for solopreneurs & small businesses.

If you’re a high-achieving mid-career solopreneur woman that’s looking for guidance through the maze of apps for your service-based business, check out my tech coaching services.