Writer
Tom Kessler
Senior Editor, Software & Automation
Tom spent a decade in software and IT operations roles before moving into writing full time, and edits most of the SaaS and automation coverage on this site alongside his own reviews. He tests a tool the way he'd actually set it up for a team — pricing tiers, admin permissions, what it takes to migrate off it later — rather than going by the marketing page. Outside of work he's the person friends call when a subscription needs cancelling.
Articles by Tom Kessler
Bento for copywriters: finding the right buyer
How copywriters use Bento to skip Upwork's bidding and pitch marketing leads directly, with a small, specific audit instead of a generic proposal.
7 min read
Is AWeber okay with affiliate marketing?
Many email platforms suspend accounts the moment they spot an affiliate link. Here's where AWeber draws the line, and how to stay well inside it.
8 min read
How to build an ActiveCampaign automation in 2026
One trigger, one outcome, one branch that actually differs. The build order, the test plan, and the duplicate-entry mistake that sends the sequence twice.
11 min read
Jotform offline forms for field contractors
Job site safety audits, change orders, punch lists, and photo evidence collection using mobile forms that work without cell service.
7 min read
How to use Cloudways staging without losing live data
How to use Cloudways staging: create a copy, test changes, and push files or selected database tables to live without overwriting orders, users or comments.
11 min read
Find brand contacts by working backward
Give Bento a few creator handles and it finds the brands paying them. How to use Instagram prospecting to pitch your own angle to companies already spending.
8 min read
ActiveCampaign vs Klaviyo: best for ecommerce?
Klaviyo is built around a product catalogue and purchase history. ActiveCampaign is built around a contact. For a pure store, that difference decides it.
10 min read
Cloudways for agencies: costs, client access and catches
Cloudways for agencies: what twenty client sites really cost per month, team permissions, client billing, the partner tiers, and the limits to plan around.
11 min read
Bento follow-ups that don't feel like nagging
Most brand deals are decided on the follow-up. How to time Bento's automatic follow-ups, use reply detection, and write a nudge that doesn't sound desperate.
8 min read
Jotform AI Agents tested: do they beat a form?
We built agents for customer service, lead qualification, and payment intake to see where the format actually holds up and where it doesn't.
8 min read
Setting up Web Push notifications in AWeber
A one-click browser prompt instead of a form field. Here's how to turn on Web Push in AWeber, set the opt-in timing, and send your first notification.
8 min read
ActiveCampaign vs HubSpot: which is better in 2026?
ActiveCampaign automates better for less money; HubSpot is the stronger sales platform and prices like one. Which half you need decides it.
11 min read
AWeber's AI Newsletter Assistant: does it save time?
We fed it a few blog URLs and a topic prompt to see whether AWeber's AI writer holds up as a first draft, or just moves the blank page elsewhere.
8 min read
How to find the right person to pitch at a brand
A walkthrough of Bento's search filters — niche, region, and the specific job titles worth targeting, from Influencer Marketing Manager to Head of Growth.
8 min read
Jotform for landlords: applications and leases
How independent landlords and small property management teams collect tenant vetting data, background check consent, and signed lease addendums.
7 min read
ActiveCampaign review 2026: pros, cons and pricing
The automation engine is still the best in its class for small business. The pricing, the add-ons and the new contact-counting rule are where it gets expensive.
13 min read
Jotform vs Typeform: completion rates and cost
One question at a time versus a full operational workflow: what testing both side by side showed about drop-off, branching logic, and cost per submission.
8 min read
Bento user reviews: Trustpilot vs Reddit
What Bento users say on Trustpilot (4.6 stars) versus Reddit, and why the two disagree. Our own verdict is in the full Bento review.
10 min read
AWeber vs Mailchimp: which one is worth your money?
Mailchimp became a full marketing cloud with a price tag to match. AWeber stayed narrower and easier to deal with — here's how they compare.
8 min read
Bento review: software vs an influencer agency
Database prospecting, automated follow-ups, rate benchmarks, escrow for freelance hires — we went through what onBento.com's creator sales suite actually does.
8 min read
AWeber review 2026: is it still worth using?
AWeber has been sending automated emails since before Gmail existed. We spent weeks in the dashboard to see how it holds up against its 2026 competition.
9 min read
Cursor vs Claude Code vs Copilot: which is worth it
Three different shapes of the same idea, at $10 to $200 a month. Which one is worth paying for depends on how you already work, not on which is cleverest.
10 min read