The Best Low-Tech Tools for Starting a Membership Business
When I launched my first membership business, I thought I needed every fancy software tool available. I wasted money on complicated tech that I barely understood. The truth is, you don’t need all that. You can start a membership business with just a few low-tech tools and still create an incredible experience for your members.
If you’ve been putting off your idea because the tech feels overwhelming, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. Let me show you the best low-tech tools for starting a membership business, even if you’re not a tech expert.
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Why Low-Tech is Better When You’re Starting Out
When you’re just starting, your focus should be on building your community and delivering value, not fighting with complicated software. Low-tech tools allow you to launch faster, save money, and focus on what really matters: your members.
I made the mistake of trying to learn multiple platforms at once. I ended up overwhelmed and delayed my launch by months. Now, I use tools that are simple, intuitive, and built for creators like me.
The Platform I Use to Run My Membership Business
I rely on Skool as my main membership platform. It’s an all-in-one tool that lets me:
- Host my content (courses, videos, downloads)
- Build a thriving community without using social media
- Collect payments automatically each month
- Manage everything from one dashboard
This means I don’t need to worry about integrating multiple tools, and my members enjoy a seamless experience.
Other Low-Tech Tools That Help
While Skool is the backbone of my membership, I use a few other tools to make things easier:
- Google Docs: Perfect for creating guides, worksheets, and resources for members.
- Zoom: Great for hosting live calls and Q&A sessions.
- Canva: My go-to for creating graphics, workbooks, and visual content without hiring a designer.
- Stripe or PayPal: Simple payment processors if you’re not using Skool’s built-in payment system.
These tools are easy to set up, inexpensive (or free), and they don’t require advanced tech skills.
How to Keep Things Simple
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that your members don’t care how fancy your tech is. They care about the results and the value they get from your community.
I focus on clear communication, helpful resources, and engaging conversations with my members. Using low-tech membership tools allows me to spend more time doing exactly that.
Ready to Launch Your Membership Business?
Don’t let tech overwhelm you. You can build a successful membership business with just a handful of tools. Start with Skool as your all-in-one platform and add a few supporting tools as you grow.
Click here to create your Skool account and launch your membership business the easy way.
One of the biggest misconceptions about starting a membership business is that you need to be “tech-savvy.” I used to believe that too, and it kept me from starting for months. The truth is, you don’t need a dozen complicated platforms. Using the right low-tech tools can help you launch faster and with less stress.
I also learned that trying to cobble together too many tools can actually slow you down. Each platform has its own learning curve, and the more you add, the more likely you are to run into tech issues. That’s why I prefer all-in-one tools like Skool that cover most of what you need in one place.
When you choose simple tools, you also create a better experience for your members. Nobody likes having to log into three different websites just to access content or attend a call. Keeping everything in one place helps members stay engaged and get better results.
Another reason I love low-tech tools is that they’re usually more affordable. Platforms like Kajabi can cost hundreds of dollars a month, which is tough when you’re just starting out. Skool and other beginner-friendly tools allow you to keep your overhead low so you can reinvest in growing your community.
One thing that worked for me was starting small. I didn’t need to have everything perfect before launching. I simply uploaded my core content, set up my community space, and started inviting members. I was able to refine and add more features as I went along.
It’s also worth mentioning how helpful tools like Canva can be when you’re just starting. I use Canva to create everything from course thumbnails to community banners and downloadable PDFs. You don’t need design experience, and the templates save a ton of time.
When it comes to live calls, I’ve found that Zoom works perfectly. It’s simple for members to join, even if they aren’t tech-savvy, and it integrates well with my membership platform. I record the calls and upload the replays directly into Skool so everyone can access them later.
Another tip is to use Google Drive or Google Docs to organize resources. This is especially helpful if you want to share bonus materials or worksheets. The ability to update a document in real time without re-uploading saves me so much hassle.
Payment processing doesn’t have to be complicated either. If you use Skool, the built-in payment system makes it easy to collect recurring payments. If not, you can connect Stripe or PayPal and still keep things simple.
It’s important to remember that your members care about the value you provide, not how flashy your tech setup is. Focusing on the results and transformation you deliver will do far more for your business than investing in expensive software.
I’ve also learned that low-tech tools give you flexibility. If something isn’t working, you can easily adjust without feeling locked into a complicated system. This has allowed me to test new offers and community formats with minimal risk.
Finally, using simple tools has freed up my time to focus on what really matters: engaging with my members and growing my business. When you’re not constantly troubleshooting tech issues, you can spend more energy on creating value and building a strong community.