Recommended Tools & Resources — Mal Sangster

Recommended Tools & Resources

The exact tools, software, and gear I actually use and trust. I only list things I’d recommend to a friend — most have a free version so you can start today.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you — if you sign up or buy through them. I only recommend tools I genuinely use and believe in. Thank you for supporting the site.

Build & launch

Get your site and funnel live

Everything you need to put a professional presence online and start collecting leads and sales — without a developer.

Sio

Systeme.io

All-in-one funnels & email

★★★★★

Build sales funnels, host your product, send email campaigns, and take payments — all in one place. There’s a genuinely usable free plan, which makes it my top pick for beginners.

Best for: selling a digital product or course on a budget.

Try Systeme.io free →

Hostinger

Web hosting & domains

★★★★★

Fast, genuinely affordable hosting with a one-click WordPress install and free domain on longer plans. What I recommend when you want your own self-hosted site without the big monthly bill.

Best for: your own WordPress blog or business site.

Get Hostinger →

Namecheap

Domain names

★★★★☆

Cheap, no-nonsense domain registration with free WHOIS privacy. Where I grab domains when a host doesn’t include one.

Best for: locking in your domain name for a few dollars.

Search domains →

Lasso

Affiliate link management

★★★★☆

The WordPress plugin that turns plain affiliate links into clean product boxes like the ones on this page — plus link cloaking and click tracking so you know what’s working.

Best for: running an affiliate site that actually looks professional.

See Lasso →

Create with AI

Tools for the work itself

The AI tools behind the seven side hustles — writing, design, chatbots, and automation. Most have a free tier that’s enough to land your first client.

Canva

Design & social graphics

★★★★★

Drag-and-drop design for social posts, thumbnails, lead magnets, and simple branding. The free plan covers most beginner client work.

Best for: social media content creation.

Try Canva →

AI Writing Tool

Content & copywriting

★★★★☆

A dedicated AI writing assistant speeds up blog posts, product descriptions, and client copy. Pick one you like — swap this card for Jasper, Writesonic, or Copy.ai once you’ve chosen your affiliate program.

Best for: AI-assisted content writing.

Check it out →

Make

No-code automation

★★★★☆

Connect the apps a business already uses and remove the repetitive manual steps. Powerful free tier — perfect for delivering your first workflow-automation project.

Best for: workflow automation for small teams.

Try Make →

Chatbot Builder

Chatbots & voice agents

★★★★☆

No-code platforms (like Voiceflow or ManyChat) let you build a working chatbot or voice agent from templates — no programming. Swap in whichever one has an affiliate program you’ve joined.

Best for: custom chatbot & voice-agent builds.

Check it out →

From Amazon

Gear & books I recommend

A few physical picks for setting up a productive home workspace and sharpening the mindset. Swap each placeholder for a real product using your Amazon Associates links.

Product image

[Book title]

★★★★★

View on Amazon

Product image

[Laptop stand / gear]

★★★★☆

View on Amazon

Product image

[Noise-cancelling headphones]

★★★★★

View on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price shown on the Amazon site at the time of purchase will apply.

Keep reading

More guides on the site

Point these at your niche pages as you publish them. Update the links and titles below.

→Start an AI side hustleThe complete beginner’s guide →Best free AI tools for beginnersWhat to use before you pay a cent →How to get your first clientOutreach that actually gets replies →Pricing your servicesWhat to charge as a beginner