TL;DR: Best Marketing Tools for Startups
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Canva: design made easy
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Buffer: schedule your socials
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Google Analytics: track everything
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MailerLite: email marketing automation
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Hotjar: spy on your users (legally)
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ChatGPT: content wizardry
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Yoast SEO: get found online
Starting a business is tough. You’re wearing all the hats. You’re the founder, customer support, designer, and of course…marketer. So how do you actually market your startup without losing your mind (or your wallet)? Easy: use the right tools.
Let’s break down the best marketing tools for startups that are affordable, beginner-friendly, and powerful enough to help you punch above your weight.
1. Canva: Design Like a Pro (Without Being One)
If you’re not a designer but still want to create scroll-stopping content for social media, email, or your website, Canva is your new best friend. Templates galore, drag-and-drop magic, and free options that go a long way.
Great for: social media graphics, pitch decks, email banners
Free plan available (with paid upgrades)
2. Buffer: Your Social Media Sidekick
Posting consistently on social media is key, but who has the time? Buffer helps you schedule content across all your platforms so you can look active without constantly being online.
Great for: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter scheduling
Free plan, and paid plans that start cheap
Pro Tip: Pair this with Canva for a one-two punch
3. Google Analytics: Know What’s Working
If you’re not tracking, you’re guessing. Google Analytics helps you understand who’s visiting your site, what they’re doing there, and how you can improve.
Great for: measuring traffic, understanding user behavior, tracking conversions
Totally free
Want help setting up analytics properly? Let Foxtown handle it.
4. MailerLite: Email Marketing Made Easy
Still not emailing your leads and customers? It’s time. MailerLite makes it ridiculously easy to build lists, design emails, and run automated campaigns.
Great for: welcome sequences, newsletters, promotional blasts
Free for up to 1,000 subscribers
Need help writing high-converting emails? Hit us up, we’ve got you.
5. Hotjar: See What Users Are Actually Doing
Ever wonder why people are bouncing off your homepage? Hotjar gives you heatmaps and recordings of how users interact with your site. Creepy? Maybe. Useful? Absolutely.
Great for: UX research, CRO, website optimization
Free basic plan
6. ChatGPT: Your AI-Powered Marketing Assistant
Yes, we had to include it. Tools like ChatGPT can help generate blog posts (like this one), write ad copy, brainstorm social captions, and more.
Great for: copywriting, brainstorming, idea generation
Free and paid versions available
Need help coming up with exactly what to say? Let us coach you through it
7. Yoast SEO (for WordPress): Get Found on Google
If your website runs on WordPress, installing Yoast SEO is a no-brainer. It guides you through optimizing each page for search engines.
Great for: blog SEO, page titles, meta descriptions
Free version is solid
Pair this with our SEO copywriting services for even bigger results.
Ready to Level Up Your Marketing?
At Foxtown Marketing, we help startups like yours cut through the noise and grow like crazy (in a good way). Whether you need help with SEO, ads, branding, or strategy—we’ve got your back.
Let’s chat about your startup goals: Contact us here
Or check out more free marketing resources on the Foxtown blog
Start small. Stay consistent. And when you’re ready to scale, Foxtown is here for you.
(SOMETIMES, but not ALWAYS, we are able to trade our marketing services for equity in your startup. It doesn’t work for every situation or every company, but we thought we’d put it out there. Think of us as your fractional CMO until you can afford to hire a full-time one. Let us know if you’d like to discuss that option).
Ethan Priest is a cofounder of Foxtown Marketing and the creative force behind everything visual. From digital ads and video to full brand refreshes, Ethan makes sure every piece of content looks sharp and fits the bigger marketing picture.
But Ethan’s not just a designer. He brings serious analytical chops to the table, with deep expertise in SEO, PPC, website optimization, and the data that ties it all together. He’s the guy who can build you a beautiful landing page and then tell you exactly why it’s converting (or not).
More recently, Ethan has become one of the team’s go-to specialists in AI marketing and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), helping clients show up not just in traditional search results but in AI-generated answers and recommendations. As the way people find businesses continues to shift, Ethan is already ahead of the curve, making sure Foxtown’s clients don’t get left behind.
His background spans graphic design, motion graphics, and multimedia production, and he’s known for turning complex ideas into visuals that actually land. He works closely with the entire Foxtown team to make sure every project hits the mark and looks great doing it.
While many dream of being digital nomads, Ethan proudly calls himself a “digital slow-mad,” taking his time as he explores the world one country (and coffee shop) at a time, currently based in Lisbon. When he needs to recharge, you’ll find him nose-deep in a fantasy novel, chasing mountain trails with his camera, hunting for local art scenes, or experimenting with new animation techniques just for the fun of it.
Ethan lives by the belief that creativity isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life, and every adventure feeds the next project.
