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Get ready to transform your side-hustle
The Simplest and smartest tools for side-hustles and small businesses
If you, like a lot of us, have found yourself in the position of needing a side-hustle but lost in what to use then hopefully this will help.
Whether you are starting from scratch or wanting a more professional way to grow, below you will find a simple list of the best tools trusted tools to keep your set-up running smoothly.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.*
Build your business
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Manage your time
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Love what you do
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Learn new skills
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Build your business · Manage your time · Love what you do · Learn new skills ·
Best for total beginners and quick launches
If you want to start making money quickly with zero tech skills, minimal costs, and simple setups, use these:
Canva (Design and Marketing): The ultimate tool for busy mums. You can design logos, digital products, social media posts, and printable files directly from your phone in under 5 minutes. They have thousands of pre-made templatesso you never have to design anything from scratch. When you are busy with life you can have a professional look to your business without the hassle.
[Click here to try Canva Pro fro free Link coming soon]
Shopify Starter Plan (Simple Selling): If you want to sell your digital printable, templates or physical products through social media or Pinterest, this is the easiest way to start. it lets you sell the products with a secure checkout button without needing to build a massive, complex online store. They have done the work for you.
Click here to start your Shopify free trial and plan
Best for growing businesses and advanced set-up
If you are ready to scale up, need deep customisation, or want a high powered, fully independent website that can handle massive traffic, these premium tools are built for you:
Shopify Premium (Full E-Commerce Store): When you are ready to build a fully branded, highly professional online store-front. This gives you complete control over inventory, customer shopping carts, advanced shipping options, and automated discount codes.
Click here for your Shopify plan
Liquid Web (High-Performance Premium Hosting): If you are moving away from simple platforms and building a custom WordPress or WooCommerce business, you need hosting that won’t crash. Liquid Web is a premium choice that handles heavy website traffic, offers top-tier security, and provides 24/7 technical support so your site is always online making sales.
[Click here for Liquid web link coming soon]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a laptop to use these tools?
No, you can easily design your products and manage your social media graphics using the free Canva app directly from your phone.
Shopify also has an excellent app to check your store orders on the go.
How much money do I need to start?
You can start designing completely for free with Canva. Shopfiy offers highly affordable starter trials, meaning you don’t need to invest hundreds of pounds upfront to test your business idea.
Can I really of this in small pockets of time?
Absolutely. These tools are specifically chosen because they require no coding or advanced design skills. You can set up your links, design a graphic, or check your store during standard nap time slots if needed.
Honest Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely believe will save you time and stress.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
The Small Business Toolkit
Starting and running a multi-niche brand from home means choosing tools that save time and keep you organised. These are the reliable staples I use and trust to keep my digital setup running smoothly.
A solid external hard-drive so you don’t risk losing your work and keeps your laptop running smoother by not clogging it up.
The SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD: This pocket-sized drive completely saved my sanity when it came to running local site backups and storing large design files. It is incredibly lightweight, surprisingly rugged, and transfers files up to 4x faster than a traditional bulky external hard drive. Check out current pricing and availability on Amazon.
Photo by Pond Juprasong on Unsplash
An adjustable Laptop stand for comfort.
Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Riser: Elevating my screen to eye level with this sleek aluminium riser completely stopped my daily neck strain while typing up posts. It folds flat into a bag, keeps my laptop from overheating, and instantly makes a small kitchen table feel like a professional desk setup. Check out current pricing and availability on Amazon.
Multi-cable adaptor for all the many devices you will want to connect.
Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub Adapter: Modern slim laptops never seem to have enough plug ports for all our business accessories. This compact hub plugs into a single slot on your computer and instantly gives you extra slots to connect your SanDisk SSD drive, a wireless mouse, charging cables, and an external screen all at once. Check out current pricing and availability on Amazon.
Photo by dlxmedia.hu on Unsplash
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on Unsplash
A ring light and phone holder for. Whether you are on screen or taking images of products you will need a reliable lighting and imaging setup.
Probably my least favourite aspect of the business but necessary. If desk-top is your choice then this is a great choice. The Evershop Ring Light (with Tripod & Phone Holder, whether you are creating high-quality Pinterest graphics and filming quick video reviews requires perfect lighting, this kit completely delivers. Sturdykeeping my phone completely steady, while the adjustable brightness and warm-to-cool color modes instantly remove harsh household shadows without making my workspace look washed out. Check out current pricing and availability on Amazon.
If you prefer a full tripod set up with remote then this ATUMEK 12” ring light with tripod stand is a popular choice.