As we move into 2025, I wanted to share the tools that are keeping my business running smoothly and efficiently and I will be taking into the new year. Whether you’re gearing up for new goals or just looking for ways to make your day-to-day simpler, these are the must-haves that I can’t live without right now.

1. ProperPlan for Project Management

If you’re still trying to juggle all the moving parts of your business manually, this tool is a lifesaver. I use ProperPlan* to keep track of everything from client projects to managing my home and personal life, and it’s been a game-changer. It’s simple, effective, and helps me stay focused on what matters most without getting overwhelmed by the details.

2. Loom for Quick Communication

Loom is my go-to for quick screen recordings and updates. Whether I’m sending instructions to a client or explaining a process to my team, it saves so much time compared to writing out long emails. Plus, the ability to explain things visually means less back-and-forth!

3. Xero for Accounting

Let’s face it, accounting isn’t anyone’s favourite task, but Xero makes it so much easier. I use it to manage invoices, track expenses, and stay on top of my financials. It’s user-friendly, integrates with my bank, and keeps me feeling in control of the numbers.

4. Flodesk for Email Marketing

FloDesk* is the tool that brings my email marketing to life. The templates are stunning and so easy to customise. I love how simple it is to set up automations, manage my list, and create campaigns that connect with my audience, all while looking professional.

5. Canva for design

I’m sure you already know Canva, but it’s truly a lifesaver. From social media graphics to printable resources, it’s what I use when I need to create something visually appealing, fast. Whether I’m whipping up a course workbook or an Instagram post, Canva has my back.

6. Shopify for my shop

I’ve been working on a switch to Shopify* since April last year and so far, I am much preferring Shopify to Woocommerce and I only switched my site online recently. I used Woocommerce for pretty much the lifespan of my business until I started building the Online Business Planner Co.

It’s easy to manage and fast which I love. A slow online shop was one of the reasons I made the switch and decided to put all my offers into one place. One checkout. One way in. (I’m still working on making this shift but I’m getting there with moving away from ThriveCart.

7. Google Workspace for managing files and collaboration

For managing all my documents, spreadsheets, and collaboration with my team, Google Workspace is a staple. It’s reliable and allows for real-time editing which is brilliant for collaborating with clients.

I also love that I can organise my inbox in a way that doesn’t overwhelm me (There was a point where my inbox was just wild, so now that I have that set up, I wouldn’t want to run my business without it. I put it off for ages as I was already using something else for storing my files.

8. Heartbeat for Community Management

Heartbeat is the hub for all of my courses and resources and managing my community. Whether it’s discussions, courses, or events, it’s all in one place, making it easier for me to engage with my members and keep the conversations going. It’s intuitive and creates a great space for connection.

I have been hosting office hours there for a while now and I love the chat feature for doing this.

9. ThriveCart for Bundles

When it comes to managing payments, ThriveCart* has been amazing. It’s great for upsells, cart customisation, and managing subscriptions. Plus, its simple checkout process helps ensure I never lose a sale. It integrates easily with my other tools, so it’s a no-brainer for one off things that I will offer throughout the year like when I host bundles.

I am mostly using Shopify to sell now as I wanted everything all in one place. (Which, I have to say I am loving)

I still have some stuff into ThriveCart but I’m making the transition slowly.

10. Publer for social media scheduling

I have always been a scheduler for social media but since coming off maternity leave, that kind of went out of the window a little. I love to have things planned and done ahead of time but these days that’s a lot harder in my own business. I’m busier than I’ve ever been.

I’m getting back into the flow behind the scenes and I’m going to be delegating some projects soon so I can get into a good flow with this for 2025. I also use this for a few of my clients and it has been a godsend.

What I love about Publer* is that the UI is nice and easy to navigate, I can use it for Pinterest scheduling and I can easily upload a CSV file which make ‘plan-ahead’ me happy. One of my favourite features is the labels. I use these for content pillars so I can schedule categorises in bulk.

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