The stack: what a client gets set up on
Before the first automation there are four decisions the consultant makes on the client’s behalf, and all of them are hard to change later. These are our choices, with the price and the part where each one disappoints.
General information from our own experience, not legal, tax or financial advice. Company formation, banking and tax need a qualified professional in the relevant jurisdiction. Some links are affiliate links and are labelled as such.
Automation
Make
For: Any client with more than one tool and fewer than one developer.
Why: Every blueprint on this site runs on it. A visual editor a consultant can explain to a client in one call, and per-operation pricing that starts free.
What does not work: A scenario stuck in a loop burns a month of quota in a day. Set an error limit before switching on.
Cost: Free up to 1,000 operations a month; Core from $9 a month.
Sign up for Make →affiliate linkAffiliate link. If you sign up through it we earn a commission from Make; your price is the same, and the link gives you one month of Core free.
WordPress hosting
Kinsta
For: A client whose website is the main lead channel and cannot go down.
Why: Managed hosting: updates, daily backups and one-click staging. The consultant does not become a server admin.
What does not work: Three to five times the price of shared hosting. For a brochure site that gets a lead a week it is a waste.
Cost: From $35 a month for one site.
US LLC formation
Northwest Registered Agent
For: A non-US client selling to American customers who needs an entity, an address and a registered agent without a lawyer.
Why: Fixed price, a business address included, and human support that answers. Not "free plus add-ons".
What does not work: Formation is the easy part. Tax, annual filing and a bank account are separate work — and not this service's.
Cost: About $39 plus the state fee; registered agent $125 a year.
US business banking
Mercury
For: The LLC from the previous item, the day after formation.
Why: Opens online with no visit, no monthly fee, and virtual cards per tool.
What does not work: Does not accept every country or industry. A refusal arrives after one to two weeks with no explanation. Apply with a live website and a clear description.
Cost: No monthly fee.