We hit $1M ARR spending exactly $0 on marketing tools. Here's the exact stack we used and how to replicate it.

Before you drop $5K/month on MarTech, read this.

The Analytics Stack

Google Analytics 4 (Free)

  • Track everything
  • Build custom audiences
  • Create conversion goals
  • Export to Google Sheets

Pro tip: Set up custom events for every micro-conversion.

Google Search Console (Free)

  • Monitor SEO performance
  • Find content opportunities
  • Fix technical issues
  • Track keyword rankings

Microsoft Clarity (Free)

  • Session recordings
  • Heatmaps
  • Rage click analysis
  • Zero impact on site speed

Hidden gem: The AI insights actually catch UX issues you'd miss.

The CRM & Email Stack

HubSpot Free CRM

What you get:

  • Up to 1 million contacts
  • Deal pipeline
  • Email tracking
  • Meeting scheduler
  • Live chat

Limitations: No automation or sequences

Workaround: Use Zapier free tier to create basic automation

Brevo (Sendinblue) Free Tier

  • 300 emails/day
  • Unlimited contacts
  • Basic automation
  • Transactional emails

Scale hack: Use multiple accounts for different segments

The Content & SEO Stack

Google Docs + Sheets

Our entire content calendar lives here:

  • Editorial calendar in Sheets
  • Drafts in Docs
  • Collaboration built-in
  • Version history

Canva Free

Created all our:

  • Social media graphics
  • Blog images
  • Presentation decks
  • Email headers

Pro tip: Create brand templates once, reuse forever

The Social Media Stack

Buffer Free Plan

  • 3 social accounts
  • 10 scheduled posts
  • Basic analytics

Strategy: Batch content weekly, schedule everything Sunday

LinkedIn Native Tools

  • LinkedIn newsletter (free distribution)
  • LinkedIn Events
  • LinkedIn Live (after 150 followers)
  • Native video uploads

Growth hack: LinkedIn gives 10x more reach to native content vs. links

The Sales & Outreach Stack

Hunter.io Free Plan

  • 25 searches/month
  • Email finder
  • Domain search
  • Email verifier

Scale trick: Team members each get 25 searches

Gmail + Mail Merge

// Google Sheets script for mail merge
function sendEmails() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  var data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues();
  // Send personalized emails
}

Keep Reading

Want to dive deeper into growth strategies? Here are three posts that complement this zero-cost approach:

1. How One Cold Email Generated $200K

The exact template and strategy that landed a six-figure enterprise deal in 14 days. Perfect for implementing the cold outreach tactics mentioned in this post.

2. LinkedIn Outreach: 47% Response Rate Strategy

The strategy that consistently gets responses from cold prospects. Essential reading for anyone serious about outbound sales.

3. 10 B2B Growth Experiments That Actually Worked

Real experiments with real data from scaling B2B startups. Learn which growth tactics actually move the needle.