If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re using the right digital marketing tools — or missing out on something that could make your life a whole lot easier — you’re not alone.

At 9 Clouds, we help businesses across all kinds of industries cut through the noise and focus on what actually works. One of the first things we look at with new clients? Their marketing toolbox. 

Do they have the essentials covered? Are there tools that could save them time, improve results, or take things to the next level?

In this post, we’re breaking it down into two simple categories:

• The must-have tools every marketing team should be using
• And the nice-to-haves that can make your day-to-day a lot smoother

But here’s the best part: if you want the full list — including the game-changing tools we use to put our clients ahead of the competition — you can download our complete marketing toolbox checklist at the end of this post. 

It’s free, it’s useful, and it might just change how you work.

The Essentials: Digital Marketing Must-Haves

These are the core tools every business should start with. Whether you’re running ads, sending emails, or building a customer database, these essentials form the foundation of your digital strategy.

1. Google Ads

It’s hard to overstate how powerful Google Ads can be for visibility and lead generation. With the right targeting and copy, even a modest budget can drive meaningful traffic and conversions.

2. Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram)

Still one of the best platforms for reaching highly targeted audiences. From lead generation to retargeting, Meta Ads play a crucial role in nurturing users through the funnel.

3. HubSpot (Starter/Pro)

A favorite CRM and automation platform here at 9 Clouds (not just because we’re a HubSpot Certified Partner, either). Even on the lower tiers, HubSpot can help centralize contacts, track leads, and launch simple (still effective) email workflows. No need to use it as your CRM, either!

4. Google Analytics

Understanding how visitors interact with your website is non-negotiable. GA4 may have a learning curve, but the free insights are well worth it.

5. Canva

For quick, polished graphics, Canva is a marketer’s best friend. From social media to display ads, it’s the perfect tool for small teams without a full-time designer. 

6. Mailchimp

Simple, affordable, and effective for email marketing. Mailchimp can help your business get started with newsletters, promotions, and basic automation.

7. BitWarden

With so many logins across marketing platforms, password security should be a priority for your team. BitWarden is a simple, secure password manager that helps your team store and share credentials safely — without sacrificing speed or access. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes tools that keeps your digital marketing operations running smoothly.

Nice-to-Have Tools (That Make Your Life Easier)

Once you’ve got the essentials in place, the following tools can then elevate your digital marketing game. These tools aren’t critical from day one — but they quickly become indispensable as you grow.

1. TikTok and Snapchat Ads

Not every platform fits every business, but exploring additional ad networks like TikTok and Snapchat can help you reach untapped audiences. We’ve been able to see great results for our own clients!

2. Amazon Ads

If you’re in e-commerce, Amazon Ads can be a powerful way to get in front of high-intent shoppers.

3. SEO Site Checkup

Think of this as a quick health check for your website. It’s a helpful tool for finding low-hanging SEO opportunities. We recommend SEMRush’s free site audit tool. 

4. TextExpander

Efficiency matters. TextExpander is a neat keyboard-shortcut tool lets you setup your own shortcuts — from short things you might type a lot (like your email, meeting links), to correcting words you commonly misspell, to long checklists and paragraphs you can work from. 

5. HootSuite

Manage your social accounts from one dashboard. Schedule posts, monitor engagement, and stay on top of your brand presence.

6. ChatGPT (for content ideas, social copy, or email drafts)

AI is becoming a bigger part of marketing every day. While it shouldn’t replace human insight, tools like ChatGPT can speed up ideation and content creation.

Want the Full List of Tools (Plus Game-Changers)?

The digital marketing landscape moves fast, your marketing toolbox should be able to keep up. Whether you’re just starting out or refining a mature strategy, having the right tools in place makes your work more efficient, targeted, and effective.

Our complete marketing toolbox checklist includes all of tools that can transform your digital strategy through automation, attribution tracking, deep CRM integrations, and AI-powered performance. 

These are the game-changers — and we’ve bundled all of the tools into a free downloadable guide.

Just fill out this quick form, and we’ll send you the full list of tools — including the ones that help our clients get ahead of the competition.

Need help figuring out which tools are right for your business? We can take a look with a free marketing tools audit.

am I using the best tools for my business?