Running a small business means handling marketing, sales, social media, emails, customer support, and almost everything else. It’s exciting but exhausting and that’s where marketing automation tools save the day.
These tools help automate repetitive tasks like:
- Sending emails
- Scheduling social posts
- Tracking leads
- Following up with customers
- Running campaigns
- Managing sales pipelines
I’ve used or tested many automation tools, and here are my top 12 recommendations for small businesses based on simplicity, cost, features & results.
1. HubSpot
Best For: All-in-one sales + marketing automation
Why I Like It: Everything under one roof CRM, marketing, automation, lead tracking.
Top Features:
- Email automation workflows
- Landing pages & forms
- Lead scoring & tracking
- Ads + Social media automation
- CRM included
Great for growing businesses
Can get expensive as contacts grow
2. Mailchimp
Best For: Beginners & email automation
Top Features:
- Email marketing & sequences
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Landing pages
- Basic automation workflows
Easy & affordable
Limited advanced automation
3. ActiveCampaign
Best For: Businesses needing advanced automation
Top Features:
- Behavior-based email automation
- Sales CRM + lead scoring
- SMS + email campaigns
- Advanced workflow logic
Very powerful
Takes some learning
4. Zoho CRM
Best For: Budget-friendly CRM + automation
Top Features:
- Email sequences
- Social media automation
- Sales pipeline workflows
- Lead scoring
Great price-to-value ratio
UI feels slightly complex at first
5. ConvertKit
Best For: Content creators, coaches & solopreneurs
Top Features:
- Email funnels & tags
- Landing pages
- Audience segmentation
- Sell digital products
Clean & easy
Not built for ecommerce stores
6. Brevo (Sendinblue)
Best For: Small businesses needing affordable automation + SMS
Top Features:
- Email + SMS automation
- WhatsApp campaigns
- Drag-and-drop builder
- CRM included
Very cost-effective
Template options are limited
7. Kajabi
Best For: Course creators & coaches
Top Features:
- Course hosting & funnels
- Email automation
- Landing pages
- Memberships + payments
All-in-one for educators
Higher price point
8. Hootsuite
Best For: Social media automation
Top Features:
- Schedule & publish posts
- Inbox & mentions monitoring
- Analytics dashboard
- Team collaboration
Great for managing multiple platforms
Pricey for freelancers
9. Buffer
Best For: Budget-friendly social media scheduling
Top Features:
- Post scheduling
- Social analytics
- Engagement tools
- Team access
Simple & affordable
Fewer advanced features than Hootsuite
10. Drip
Best For: Ecommerce automation
Top Features:
- Email + SMS workflows
- Abandoned cart automation
- Ecommerce segmentation
- A/B testing
High-conversion ecommerce automation
Not ideal unless you run an online store
11. Leadpages
Best For: Lead generation & landing pages
Top Features:
- High-converting landing pages
- Pop-ups & alert bars
- Integrates with email tools
- A/B testing
Great for ads + landing pages
Limited email features (need integrations)
12. Zapier
Best For: Connecting apps & advanced automation triggers
Top Features:
- Connect 5,000+ apps
- Multi-step workflows
- “If this happens → Do this” automation
Makes all tools work together
Workflows can get expensive at scale
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Ideal For |
| HubSpot | All-in-one CRM + automation |
| Mailchimp | Email beginners |
| ActiveCampaign | Advanced automation |
| Zoho CRM | Budget small businesses |
| ConvertKit | Creators & solo entrepreneurs |
| Brevo | Email + SMS on budget |
| Kajabi | Course sellers & coaches |
| Hootsuite | Social media automation |
| Buffer | Budget social scheduling |
| Drip | Ecommerce marketing |
| Leadpages | Lead capture pages |
| Zapier | App integrations & triggers |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is marketing automation?
Marketing automation means using software to automate marketing tasks like email campaigns, social posting, lead follow-ups, and CRM updates.
2. Which tool is best for beginners?
If you’re new, start with:
- Mailchimp
- Brevo
- ConvertKit
These are simple and affordable.
3. What is the most affordable option?
Brevo and Zoho offer excellent automation at budget-friendly pricing.
4. Can I automate social media posts?
Yes tools like Hootsuite and Buffer automate scheduling, posting, and analytics.
5. Do I need automation as a small business?
Absolutely it saves hours every week, increases conversions, and improves your customer experience without needing a large team.
6. Best tool for ecommerce automation?
Drip (or Klaviyo bonus option) is perfect if you run a Shopify / WooCommerce store.
7. Can I use multiple tools together?
Yes! Many businesses combine:
- CRM (HubSpot/Zoho)
- Email automation (ConvertKit/Brevo)
- Social automation (Buffer)
- Integrations (Zapier)
Final Thoughts
Marketing automation is not just a luxury anymore it’s essential for modern small businesses. It saves time, reduces workload, improves customer relationships, and helps you scale faster.
My Quick Personal Recommendations
- Best overall: HubSpot
- Best budget tool: Brevo / Zoho
- Best for creators: ConvertKit
- Best for ecommerce: Drip
- Best for social: Buffer / Hootsuite
Start small. Automate one process at a time.