Running a successful business—especially in the world of shirts, tumblers, stickers, DTF printing, and sublimation products—means having the right tools to stay organized, boost productivity, and increase sales. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a growing team, these tools will help you streamline your workflow and maximize profits. 🚀
1. Website & E-Commerce Platforms
Your website is your online storefront. Having a fast, professional, and easy-to-navigate website can make or break your business.
✅ Shopify – The go-to e-commerce platform for selling shirts, tumblers, and more.
✅ Etsy – A great marketplace if you’re targeting handmade or unique product buyers.
✅ BigCommerce – Ideal for scaling businesses that need more customization.
2. Payment Processors
You need a secure and reliable way to accept payments from customers.
✅ Stripe – Great for online businesses and integrates seamlessly with Shopify.
✅ PayPal – Widely trusted and allows quick checkouts.
✅ Square – Perfect for in-person and online transactions.
3. Design & Mockup Tools
If you're selling custom apparel or personalized products, mockups and high-quality designs are essential.
✅ Canva – User-friendly design tool for creating social media posts, logos, and marketing materials.
✅ Placeit – Create realistic mockups of shirts, tumblers, and stickers in seconds.
✅ Adobe Illustrator – For professional vector designs and logo creation.
4. Project & Order Management
Keeping track of orders, designs, and customer requests is crucial to running a smooth business.
✅ Trello – Organize tasks and track projects visually.
✅ Asana – Great for managing teams and ensuring deadlines are met.
✅ Notion – All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and project management.
5. Email Marketing & Customer Engagement
A strong email marketing strategy helps you stay in touch with customers and boost repeat sales.
✅ Klaviyo – Designed for e-commerce businesses to automate email campaigns.
✅ Mailchimp – Easy-to-use platform for small businesses just starting with email marketing.
✅ Shopify Email – Built-in email marketing for Shopify users (this is a great way to keep everything in one place!).
6. Social Media & Scheduling Tools
Social media is key for promoting your products and driving traffic to your store.
✅ Meta Business Suite – Manage Facebook & Instagram in one place.
✅ Planoly – Schedule and plan Instagram and Pinterest posts ahead of time.
✅ Later – Drag-and-drop scheduling tool for social media.
7. Shipping & Order Fulfillment
For small businesses selling physical products, shipping efficiently is crucial.
✅ Pirate Ship – Discounted USPS and UPS rates for small businesses.
✅ ShipStation – Integrates with multiple platforms for seamless shipping.
✅ Printful – A print-on-demand service that handles fulfillment for you.
8. Legal & Business Tools
Protect your business with contracts and track your finances like a pro.
✅ QuickBooks – Manage bookkeeping, invoices, and taxes.
✅ HoneyBook – Contracts and client management for creatives.
✅ Dropbox Sign – A simple, secure way to sign and send contracts electronically (this is what I personally use!).
Final Thoughts
Running a small business isn’t easy, but having the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you’re designing new products, handling customer orders, or scaling your brand, these tools will help you stay efficient and profitable.
What’s your go-to tool for running your business? Let’s chat in the comments! 🚀
