Running an online business can be overwhelming—especially when you're bombarded with shiny object syndrome.
If you don’t know what that is, it’s when entrepreneurs get easily distracted by new, exciting, and attention-grabbing tools or strategies. The result? You waste time jumping from one thing to another instead of focusing on what actually moves your business forward.
I know the feeling—I’ve been there too. But I don’t want you to waste your time testing every tool out there. I already did that for you.
So, here’s a handpicked list of the best business tools for coaches and online entrepreneurs—ones I personally use and recommend.
I am your guide
Who am I anyway, and why you should read on:
I’m Vena Verga-Danemar, a licensed lawyer turned legal and business strategist for online business owners. I’ve helped dozens of women build their coaching practices by simplifying legal requirements—so you can avoid overwhelm, confusion, and legal drama.
Here is what this Article will discuss:
Website & Sales Funnel Platforms: Wix vs. Shopify – Which Platform is the Best Business Tool for Coaches and Online Business Owners?
I get it. You need a website, but you don’t want a tech nightmare.
I recommend Wix because:
✔️ It’s easy to use. No coding required.
✔️ SEO is simple to set up (a must for visibility).
✔️ The drag-and-drop editor makes designing a breeze.
But if you're selling physical products, Shopify might be a better fit. Here’s why:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Best for | Coaches, consultants, service-based businesses | E-commerce businesses (physical products) |
Ease of Use | Very easy | Requires setup & customization |
SEO Tools | Built-in SEO wizard | Advanced SEO tools but more manual setup |
Pricing | More affordable | Higher monthly costs + transaction fees |
Customization | Flexible for service-based businesses | Best for selling physical products |
👉 Verdict: If you’re a coach, consultant, or service provider, Wix is your best bet. If you’re running an e-commerce store, Shopify wins.
Kartra vs. Kajabi, Teachable & SamCart – The Best All-in-One Platform?
If you’re tired of juggling 10 different tools, Kartra might be your solution.
Why? Because it lets you build landing pages, create email funnels, host memberships, and sell products—all in one place.
So how does it compare to the competition?
Feature | Kartra | Kajabi | Teachable | SamCart |
Best for | Coaches who need an all-in-one platform | Course creators | Online course hosting | Selling individual digital products |
Pricing | More budget-friendly | More expensive | Lower-cost but lacks marketing features | Focused on sales, not marketing |
Email & Automation | Built-in | Limited automation | No built-in email | Only for checkout automation |
Membership Site | Yes | Yes | No | No |
👉 Verdict: If you’re a coach looking for a complete business platform, Kartra is the best pick. If you’re solely focused on online courses, Kajabi or Teachable might work better. If you’re just selling digital downloads, SamCart is a good choice.
Appointment Scheduling for Coaches: Calendly vs. Acuity – Which Makes Scheduling Easier?
I use Calendly because:
✔️ It integrates seamlessly with Zoom.
✔️ It’s beginner-friendly (no tech headaches).
✔️ You can embed it directly into your website.
But if you need advanced payment options, Acuity might be a better fit.
Feature | Calendly | Acuity |
Ease of Use | Super easy | More complex setup |
Website Integration | Yes | Yes |
Payment Integration | Limited | Full payment processing |
👉 Verdict: For simple scheduling, Calendly is king. If you need customized booking flows with payments, go for Acuity.
Social Media & Marketing Automation: Tailwind vs. Later & Buffer – Best Social Scheduler for Coaches?
If you don’t want to be glued to social media 24/7, Tailwind is a lifesaver.
✔️ Smart scheduling keeps your content running.
✔️ Hashtag suggestions help boost reach.
✔️ SmartLoop recycles evergreen content automatically.
But how does it stack up?
Feature | Tailwind | Later | Buffer |
Best for | Pinterest & Instagram | Instagram & TikTok | Multiple platforms |
Smart Scheduling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Evergreen Content Recycling | Yes (SmartLoop) | No | No |
👉 Verdict: If you’re focused on Instagram & Pinterest, Tailwind is a no-brainer. If TikTok or LinkedIn is your thing, consider Later or Buffer.
Chat & Messenger Marketing for Coaches: ManyChat vs. ChatFuel – The Best Messenger Bot for Coaches?
ManyChat lets you automate DMs, book calls, and follow up with leads without lifting a finger.
✔️ Works on Facebook & Instagram.
✔️ Helps grow your audience on autopilot.
✔️ Includes a free plan!
Feature | ManyChat | ChatFuel |
Best for | Coaches & course creators | E-commerce stores |
Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | More advanced |
Free Plan? | Yes | No |
👉 Verdict: For coaches who want to automate lead generation, ManyChat is the winner.
Business Compliance & Financial Tools: SimplyVAT vs. Quaderno – Which is Better for Global Tax Compliance?
Feature | SimplyVAT | Quaderno |
Best for | VAT compliance in the UK & EU | Automated tax handling worldwide |
Multi-Currency Support | Yes | Yes |
Automation | No | Yes |
👉 Verdict: If you sell in the UK & EU, SimplyVAT is a great choice. If you sell globally and want automation, Quaderno is better.
Podcasting Distribution for Coaches: Podbean – The Best Podcast Hosting for Coaches
If you're not using a podcast to grow your coaching business, you're missing out on a powerful authority-building tool. A podcast lets you connect with your audience, showcase your expertise, and attract high-quality leads—all while creating content that works for you 24/7.
I personally use Podbean for the Legally Fluent Podcast, and here’s why:
✔️ One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. ✔️ Easy monetization with built-in sponsorships and listener donations.
✔️ Seamless website integration so your episodes appear directly on your site.
✔️ Affordable pricing compared to other platforms like Buzzsprout or Anchor.
Feature | Podbean | Buzzsprout | Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters) |
Best for | Coaches & business owners | New podcasters | Hobby podcasters |
Monetization Options | Yes (ads, listener support, premium content) | Limited | Limited |
Distribution | Apple, Spotify, Google & more | Apple, Spotify, Google & more | Spotify & limited platforms |
Website Integration | Yes | No | No |
👉 Verdict: If you want a professional, scalable podcasting platform for your coaching business, Podbean is the clear winner. It gives you full control, easy monetization, and one-click distribution to all major platforms.
Final Thoughts: Which Tools Should You Use?
I get it—there are a lot of tools out there. But the key is choosing what actually fits your business. Sometimes, it is not just about the cost. You also need to take into account efficiency, learning curve and most importantly if it saves you time.
Which business tools for coaches are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments! 🚀
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About the Author
Hi! I’m Vena Verga-Danemar, an Onlinepreneur Legal Strategist. As both a lawyer and an online business owner, I’ve helped dozens of coaches, consultants, and course creators legally start and grow their businesses using strategies that don’t require working 24/7.
Follow me in Instagram and Linkedin for tips and strategies on running a sustainable business that attracts leads and clients without the legal drama.
If you want weekly tips and strategies on legally running your coaching and expert business in the digital age, don't miss an episode of Legally Fluent® Podcast: Online Business Decoded. Click here to check out the episodes.
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