The Online Business Stack I Actually Use in 2026 (Tools, Cost, What I'd Change)!

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What is the minimal and absolutely essential Tools that you will need to get started with an online business?

I cover my tool stack and help you with deciding what you should get started with in this video.

I run blogs, YouTube channels, email lists, affiliate programs, and two SaaS products from one laptop. Here is every tool I use, what I pay, and what I'd cut if I was starting over.

No sponsored stack. No "tools I get paid to recommend." Just the actual tools I use every month to run an online business that generates multiple income streams — with the honest monthly cost and one thing I'd change if I was building from scratch today.

I cover five categories: content creation, publishing infrastructure, email marketing, affiliate programs, and the automation and second brain tools that keep everything organised. I also break down the total monthly cost and explain the one mistake most people make when they build a tool stack before they've built a business.

I was laid off in 2024. It didn't affect me financially because the business I'd built on the side was already replacing my corporate salary. These are the tools that run that business.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - About CreateLearnEarn
01:10 - My background & the layoff story
02:16 - Category 1: Content Creation
02:37 - VoiceLab (idea capture)
03:33 - Descript (video & podcast)
04:30 - Canva Pro (graphics & thumbnails)
05:26 - Category 2: Publishing Infrastructure
05:40 - WordPress + Hostinger (14-15 blogs)
07:04 - Category 3: Email Marketing
07:49 - BirdSend (email autoresponder)
09:20 - Category 4: Affiliate Programs
10:30 - Direct affiliate programs (Hostinger, Descript, LinkWhisper)
11:33 - How long affiliate income takes to build
12:15 - The minimal stack I'd start with today
12:48 - Category 5: Automation & Second Brain
13:04 - Notion (PARA method & second brain)
14:14 - Threadeazy (AI companion for Threads)
14:52 - Claude (AI assistant & skills stack)
16:03 - Total monthly cost breakdown (~$80-$120)
16:55 - The rule before adding any tool
17:30 - Wrap up

RESOURCES MENTIONED
1. Canva Pro: https://canva.com
2. Descript: https://get.descript.com/chuwjw3zs88j
3. Hostinger: https://www.hostg.xyz/aff_c?offer_id=6&aff_id=64189&source=youtube&aff_sub=clevid01
4. BirdSend: https://birdsend.co?fp_ref=dilip39
5. Notion: https://notion.so
6. VoiceLab (free trial): https://getvoicelab.com
7. Threadeazy: https://threadeazy.com
8. Filmora: https://dkspeaks.com/get/filmora-2/

VIDEOS I RECOMMEND:
1. Using Descript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ead6MdcJwSE
2. Using Hostinger for affiliate websites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFme8tGcDrU
3. BirdSend Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gscMkOEKlk
4. VoiceLab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoDoRZs2mHE

Some links are affiliate links. If you sign up through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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