Cake vs. Salad Tech Stacks
Your marketing tech stack is either a cake or a salad.
It's made up of all the software tools that help you run your business.
Cake stacks are all-in-one, integrated solutions like Ghost, Kajabi, or Squarespace.
These tools offer a convenient package for website building, email marketing, analytics, and more. Think of it like a pre-made cake: easy and satisfying, but with limited customization.
Salad stacks are best-of-breed, modular solutions that use different tools for each specific task. This could include WordPress or Webflow for your website, Kit or Mailchimp for email, and Kajabi or Thinkific for courses - each tool best in its class.
Like a salad, you can pick and choose the best ingredients for your specific needs and taste.
But what makes a tech stack tasty?
It's about how user-friendly and intuitive the tools are.
How easy is it to publish a new blog post? Send a newsletter? Or update a product offering?
If you're going to be fighting a tool constantly, that's no fun (like eating food you don't like).
And, more importantly, nutritious?
Your chosen stack should actively be helping you achieve your marketing goals: generating leads, driving conversions, and boosting engagement.
Results matter more than tech.
And let's not forget spoilage.
Like real food, tech stacks can go bad.
Tools become outdated, integrations and plugins break, and new marketing challenges emerge.
Not only that, but costs rise, vendors change, and new tech makes tools obsolete.
Regardless of what you choose to start, expect to be updating your tools every few years.
Preventing tech rot takes ongoing effort.
(And is something that gets forgotten by those who instruct AI to just "make an app")
This is where a skilled chef can help.
The challenge lies in the sheer abundance of tools available and the fact that some tools can be used for different purposes.
For example, just because WordPress can host courses or sell physical products doesn't mean it should. You may be better off using Kajabi or Shopify instead, depending on your needs.
A marketing technology consultant (the chef) can help you select the right tools, integrate them seamlessly, and ensure your chosen stack stays healthy and delicious as your business grows.
After all, every business is unique.
Which would you rather eat?
Choosing between a cake and a salad often depends on your business's stage and your marketing goals.
A cake can be a good starting point if you have a new businesses with simpler requirements.
But as you grow and your needs evolve, you may find yourself craving the flexibility and power of a salad.
So what's your biggest tech stack challenge? Hit reply and let me know!