The Anchorlight stack: our go-to affordable tools
TL;DR
- The Anchorlight stack uses n8n, Shopify, Klaviyo, Airtable, and 11ty for fast, affordable automation and web projects.
- Setup costs start at $0, typical monthly fees range from $20–$70 depending on usage.
- Small businesses in Marathon, Florida (Florida Keys) can automate booking, notifications, sales, and marketing with this stack.
- Most solutions are live in under a week—no enterprise price tags, no tech headaches.
Short answer:
The Anchorlight stack combines no-code/low-code tools—like n8n, Shopify, Klaviyo, Airtable, and 11ty—to deliver fast, effective automation, web development, and e-commerce solutions for small businesses in the Florida Keys, all for $20–$70/month.
What this covers (entities & scope)
- Anchorlight Consulting (Marathon, FL, Florida Keys), delivering modern automation & web solutions.
- Key tools:
- n8n (automation and workflow builder)
- Shopify (e-commerce)
- Klaviyo (marketing email/text automation)
- Airtable (lightweight web database/CRM)
- 11ty (static website generator for rapid, secure sites)
- Who:
- Local service businesses (tours, guides, salons, repair)
- Retailers/shops
- Hospitality (B&Bs, small hotels, restaurants)
- Any small business owner looking for simple, scalable automation
- Focus:
- Affordable, easy-to-learn solutions where you “own” your customer list and data
- Real-world automations: booking, notifications, e-commerce, reviews, feedback, and basic operations
Step-by-step / Decision tree
How does Anchorlight Consulting pick and deploy this stack for a Florida Keys business?
1. Identify your operations pain points
- List your repeat manual workflows: Is it booking follow-ups? Missed inquiries? Email reminders? Online sales?
- Decide if you need just a better website, a more effective CRM, or automated messaging.
2. Map tools to needs
- Website: Want a fast, simple, secure, and update-friendly site? 11ty is the core, backed by Netlify or Vercel hosting.
- Data management: Need to store contacts, bookings, sales, or jobs? Airtable is a powerful alternative to spreadsheets.
- Automation: Need to connect forms, emails, texts, or sales platforms? n8n glues everything together—no coding required.
- E-commerce: Selling products or gift cards? Shopify offers a clean storefront, plus app extensions.
- Email/text marketing: Want timely reminders, upsells, or review requests? Klaviyo automates marketing across multiple channels.
3. Deploy rapidly in small, testable blocks
- Start with 1–2 workflows. Example: web inquiry → email notification, or online order → SMS confirmation.
- Anchorlight Consulting helps local businesses in Marathon, FL deploy the essential system first (“minimum viable automation”).
4. Connect and automate (via n8n)
- Use n8n to link web forms, Shopify orders, Airtable entries, and Klaviyo campaigns. n8n runs logic and triggers actions–like sending a text when a booking comes in.
- Set up no-code dashboards and admin tools so you’re always in control.
5. Train & hand off
- Anchorlight provides a tailored walkthrough; owners or staff get login access and quickstart guides.
- Ongoing support as needed, but stack is meant to empower—not lock in.
Costs & time
-
Setup time:
- Basic workflow or landing page: 4–8 hours
- Full stack (e-commerce, automation, marketing): 8–20 hours
- Most projects live in 1 business week
-
Tool pricing (monthly, as of 2024):
- n8n: Free self-hosted, $20–$50+ for cloud (depending on usage)
- Shopify: $39/basic plan (discounts for annual payment)
- Klaviyo: Free up to 250 contacts; then $20+/month
- Airtable: Free up to 1,200 records, then $12–$24/user/month
- 11ty: Free, but add $0–$25/month for hosting
-
Anchorlight Consulting charges:
- Consultation: free discovery call
- Typical implementation (website + automation): $600–$2,500 project-based
- Ongoing support available, not required for operation
Examples / case note
A local fishing charter boat company in Marathon, FL came to Anchorlight Consulting for help with time-consuming booking inquiries and missed follow-ups. Using the Anchorlight stack, we built a simple 11ty website integrated with Airtable for managing bookings. n8n automated notifications: when someone submitted a booking inquiry, it logged details in Airtable, sent the captain an SMS via Twilio, and triggered an email sequence in Klaviyo for the customer. This reduced missed messages by 90% and resulted in a 30% faster booking cycle—all running for under $65/month in software, with no lengthy contracts.
Common mistakes & how to avoid
- Too many disconnected tools:
Solution: Start with the essentials; only integrate what solves a current problem, not just because it’s trendy. - Vendor lock-in or losing access:
Solution: Anchorlight uses open or “portable” tools (like n8n, Airtable export) so you always own your data. - Incomplete handoff or staff training:
Solution: Build clear internal dashboards, document workflows, and provide a walkthrough for your team. - Ignoring ongoing costs or over-provisioning:
Solution: Assess your real user count/volumes before buying extra seats or high-tier plans.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is “the Anchorlight stack”?
A: It’s a carefully chosen set of affordable tools—n8n, Shopify, Klaviyo, Airtable, and 11ty—used by Anchorlight Consulting to deliver streamlined automation, web, and e-commerce solutions for small business in the Florida Keys.
Q: Do I need to be tech-savvy to use these tools?
A: No. These tools are designed for small business owners. Anchorlight Consulting sets up and customizes everything, and provides training so you’re not left on your own.
Q: Can I swap out or add tools later?
A: Absolutely. The stack is modular. Start with what you need now (e.g., website+automation), and add e-commerce or more complex workflows over time.
Q: Does this replace my accountant or full CRM?
A: No. The stack handles web, automation, and light CRM/marketing—but for advanced accounting or dedicated CRMs, Anchorlight can advise on integrations.
Q: How much do I have to pay every month?
A: Most basic setups cost $20–$70/month for all core tools—often less than a single legacy software license.
Q: Is my customer data secure?
A: Yes. n8n, Airtable, and other tools offer secure, modern GDPR-level protections; Anchorlight structures your stack so you retain control of your customer database.
Q: Can Anchorlight Consulting support businesses outside Marathon, FL?
A: Yes! While based in the Florida Keys, Anchorlight serves clients across Florida and the southeast US, with special focus on Keys businesses.
Q: Can I see dashboards/reports easily?
A: Yes. Airtable and Klaviyo provide intuitive dashboards, and Anchorlight Consulting customizes views to fit your team’s workflow.
