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The Tools I Actually Use & Recommend

“A blunt, hype-free list of the software and platforms that run my business—plus an honest disclaimer on how this page works.”

First, A Very Straightforward Disclaimer (The “Legal & Ethical” Stuff)

Let’s be completely transparent before we talk about software.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means if you decide to click on one and pick up a tool, I may earn a commission from the provider.

Here is what you need to know about that:

  1. It costs you nothing extra. In fact, because of affiliate partnerships, these links often get you free extended trials, discounted onboarding, or exclusive bonuses you wouldn’t get by visiting their homepage cold.
  2. I only recommend tools I genuinely respect and use. If a platform is clunky, overpriced, or run by shady operators, it doesn’t make the cut. Period. No commission check is worth wrecking trust with you.
  3. Software won’t save a broken offer. Buying these tools won’t magically put money in your bank account tomorrow. They are simply the digital wrenches and screwdrivers that make running an online business faster, cleaner, and a lot less painful.

Now that we’ve got that out in the open, here’s the exact tech stack I recommend for running a lean, high-margin affiliate setup.

1. The All-in-One Engine: GoHighLevel

If you’ve ever tried to string together WordPress, Zapier, an email autoresponder, a calendar booking widget, and a funnel builder, you know it feels like trying to keep an old clunker running with duct tape.

GoHighLevel replaced virtually that entire Frankenstein stack.

  • What it does: Hosts your landing pages, manages your email and SMS broadcasts, tracks pipeline leads, handles CRM data, and automates follow-ups in one clean dashboard.
  • Why it’s essential: It eliminates software bloat. Instead of paying six different subscriptions every month, you manage everything under one hood.
  • The Affiliate Model: GoHighLevel pays 40% recurring monthly commissions for every active user you refer. Just a small handful of business owners using it through your link can cover your overhead and generate predictable recurring income month after month.

Get A 14-Day Free Trial To GoHighLevel

2. Fast, Dead-Simple Video & Content Creation: Descript

Affiliate marketing today runs on short, authentic video and clear audio. But traditional editing software is unnecessarily tedious.

Descript turns editing a video into editing a Google Doc.

  • What it does: Transcribes your video or audio recording instantly. If you want to cut an awkward pause, a stutter, or an entire sentence, you literally highlight the text and press “delete”—and the video cuts itself.
  • Why it’s essential: You can produce short-form clips, reels, and video tutorials in minutes rather than spending entire afternoons dragging razor tools across a timeline.
  • The Affiliate Model: Descript offers a recurring creator affiliate program, making it an easy recommendation for anyone building a content or video-first brand.

Try Descript For Free Here

3. Lightweight, Conversational Email: Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

If you don’t need a heavy enterprise CRM and just want a platform designed specifically to write personal, conversational emails that land in the primary inbox, this is the standard.

  • What it does: Manages your email newsletter list, automates simple welcome sequences, and segments subscribers based on what links they click.
  • Why it’s essential: Its focus is plain-text, high-deliverability emails. Emails read like direct personal notes from a friend rather than glossy corporate ad flyers.
  • The Affiliate Model: Pays 30% recurring monthly commissions for the life of every referred customer.

Start Your Free Trial With Kit

4. Reliable Domain Registration: Porkbun

Please don’t buy your web domains from hosting companies that sneakily hike the price to 3x on renewal or bombard you with endless upsells for basic privacy protection.

  • What it does: Dead-simple, cheap, transparent domain registration with free WHOIS privacy and straightforward DNS management.
  • Why it’s essential: You can point your custom tracking domains and landing page URLs in about three minutes without navigating spammy checkout pages.

Grab Your Custom Domain On Porkbun

How To Approach This Stack

Don’t go out and buy every single tool at once just because they exist.

If you are just getting your feet wet, start with a solid landing page/email tool and a custom domain. Focus on driving conversations and testing your first offer. Add the extra pieces only when your workflow actually demands it.

Got questions about whether a specific tool fits what you’re trying to build? Just reply to any of my emails—I read every single one.

Talk soon,

Jay Salton