Tools
The website tool stack we reach for in 2026
Hosting, CMS, SEO, email, analytics: what we run projects on, and the point at which each one stops being worth it.
We get asked our stack almost weekly. Rather than answer one email at a time, here is the honest, current list, with the trade-offs we actually weigh. Some links below are affiliate links; they never change what makes the list.
Where we host
For anything we build in Next.js, hosting is not really a debate. For client sites on WordPress or with tight budgets, we pick differently.
How we manage content
When a client needs to edit often and we are on a custom build, a headless CMS keeps editors happy without compromising the front end.
Our pick: Sanity
A flexible content backend that editors do not fight with.
How we grow traffic
SEO research, email capture, and privacy-friendly analytics form the growth layer we set up on almost every project.
Ahrefs
SEO toolkit
The SEO data we trust most for keywords, backlinks, and audits.
What we like
- Largest live backlink index
- Reliable keyword data
- Excellent site audit
Watch-outs
- Expensive for hobby sites
- No free plan
Kit
Email marketing
Creator-friendly email and automation without the enterprise bloat.
What we like
- Simple, powerful automations
- Clean signup forms
- Strong deliverability
Watch-outs
- Templates are basic
- Reporting is light
Plausible
Analytics
Lightweight, privacy-first analytics with no cookie banner needed.
What we like
- No cookies, GDPR-friendly
- Tiny script, fast
- Clear single-page dashboard
Watch-outs
- Fewer deep features
- No funnels on cheapest plan
Want the no-code route instead? For landing pages and portfolios we often hand clients a builder they can run themselves.
Picking tools is the easy part. If you would rather we set this stack up and build the site for you, that is most of what we do. And before you launch, run the Core Web Vitals checklist.
If it sounds like a fit
Tell us the goal. We will tell you whether we are the right studio for it.
Keep reading
ToolsFramer vs Webflow: which one should you build on?
Both build polished sites without code. The honest dividing line is narrower than either company suggests, and it comes down to your content.
August 6, 2026 · 7 min read
ToolsChoosing a website platform in 2026
WordPress, Webflow, Framer, or custom? Three questions settle it, and none of them is about features.
May 28, 2026 · 9 min read