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Below are my go-to tools for running an online business
I've handpicked each one because they’ve genuinely made a difference and I think you’ll love them too. Bonus: you’ll find some sweet discounts through my affiliate links (I only recommend what I truly use and trust).
Business Tools
I use Dubsado to keep my client experience seamless—from the first inquiry to the final invoice. It handles proposals, contracts, forms, emails, scheduling, and payments so we don’t have to manually piece it all together (or forget something important). It saves hours of admin, keeps everything in one place, and makes sure I actually get paid—on time, without chasing. You can start free with your first three clients, and if you love it, use the link below or code NORTHROSESTUDIO for 20% off your first year.
What is it?
Client Relationship Manager (CRM)
Why you'll love it:
I use ClickUp to keep my business (and brains) in check. It’s where I plan projects, track tasks, build out SOPs, organize docs, and actually see what’s happening—without juggling ten different tools or forgetting what I was supposed to do next. It saves hours with automations, makes team collaboration way easier, and grows with you as your business does. You can try it for free, set it up how you work, and finally feel like you’ve got your systems together. I honestly don’t know what I'd do without it.
What is it?
Project Management System
Why you'll love it:
The Contract Shop® is my go-to for legal templates that don’t make my brains melt. Everything’s written by a real lawyer (without the hefty price tag) and easy to customize so you can actually use it, not just stare at it in a panic. I love it because the templates cover everything you didn’t even know you needed—industry-specific, straight to the point, and built to keep your business protected. Total peace of mind, without the legal drama.
What is it?
Customizable Legal Contract Templates
Why you'll love it:
PolicyBee is how we protect my business with insurance. It’s made for entrepreneurs, sole traders, and freelancers, and takes minutes to set up easily. They act as a broker, so they’ll appoint the right insurer for you and make sure you’re getting the best deal without you having to stress. It’s easy, quick, and you'll even get £20 cashback when you use our link!
What is it?
Business Insurance
Why you'll love it:
We use Flodesk because it makes email marketing look and feel like us—clean, elevated, and easy to manage. The drag-and-drop builder and beautifully designed templates make it simple to create emails that actually match your brand (without needing to be a designer). We especially love that the price doesn’t go up as your list grows, which is practically unheard of in email marketing. And if you’re ready to give it a go, you can get 50% off your first year with our link below.
What is it?
Email Marketing Platform
Why we love it:
Design Resources
I build our websites on Showit because it gives me total creative freedom without the tech headaches. The drag-and-drop builder is super intuitive, so you can design exactly what you want with no restrictions. It’s a dream for creatives who want a site that looks custom, but don’t want to mess around with code. Use my link below or code NORTHROSE to get your first month free and give it a proper test drive.
What is it?
Drag-and-drop Website Builder
Why you'll love it:
I use Adobe Creative Cloud for pretty much all things design—logos, branding, mockups, photo editing, video editing, you name it. It’s the industry standard, and while there are other tools out there, nothing really compares when it comes to quality and control. If you’re designing on the regular, it’s 100% worth having in your toolkit. And yep—I've got a little hack to get 65% off, linked below.
What is it?
Subscription-based Design Software
Why you'll love it:
If you’re tired of cheesy stock photos, ESI is a breath of fresh air. Their image and video library is full of beautifully curated, on-brand content that actually feels like you—not a staged stock shoot from 2012. I use it for everything from websites to social posts, and the membership gives you access to thousands of visuals that make your brand feel polished without looking try-hard. Check them out below.
What is it?
Stock Photography Site
Why you'll love it:
Courses & Memberships
BOD was one of the very first courses I took, and honestly, I still get value from it today. Created by Elizabeth McCravy (designer, template shop owner, all-around gem), it’s packed with everything you need to build a design business that actually books clients. From marketing and pricing to discovery calls, mindset, and client processes—it covers it all. You even get to watch Elizabeth on real calls and join live coaching sessions for extra support as you go. If you’re a designer who wants more clarity, confidence, and dream clients—this one’s a no-brainer.
What is it?
Business Course for Designers by Elizabeth McGravy
Why you'll love it:
If you’re a Showit designer wanting to build a template shop, this program is for you. Revolving Revenue is hands-down one of the most generous, value-packed courses we’ve ever taken. Sam and Rachel know their stuff and everything they share is absolute gold. They have regular coaching calls, co-working sessions and course updates. Plus their famous Designer ToolKit that has tons of canvases and shortcuts you can use on your own templates. Can't recommend it enough!
What is it?
Program for Showit Designers by NorthFolk
Why you'll love it:
If you’re ready to build an online shop with Showit + WooCommerce, Ingrid’s 101 course is where we’d start. She’s known in the Showit world as the go-to for Woo setups, and for good reason. She breaks it all down step-by-step, so even if tech isn’t your thing, you’ll feel totally supported. If you’re adding e-comm to your site, this is the course that’ll help you do it right the first time.
What is it?
WooCommerce Course by Penguin Designing
Why you'll love it:
Want to add a quick and simple shop to your Showit site? Shopify Lite is a great option—and Ingrid’s masterclass walks you through exactly how to set it up without the stress. It’s a super straightforward way to add a cart system and start selling, fast. As always, Ingrid breaks it down step-by-step and makes the tech feel way less overwhelming. Perfect if you want to get your shop up and running without diving into full e-comm mode.
What is it?
Shopify Course by Penguin Designing
Why you'll love it:
I love Skillshare for those times when I want to learn something new without committing to a full-on course. It’s flexible, affordable, and packed with classes on everything from business and design to web dev and beyond. It’s helped me build real skills I actually use—and you can try it out with your first month free. No pressure, just see what grabs your attention.
What is it?
Library of Self-Paced Online Courses
