Top 5 SuiteDash Alternatives

Are you looking for SuiteDash alternatives? If yes, You are on the very right article.

Let me assume you are aware of SuiteDash, but if not, there is nothing to worry about.

In this article, I will briefly introduce SuiteDash and its features, pricing plans and whatnot. Moreover, I am going to compare the SuiteDash with the Top 5 players in the market having comparable features.

Tools are :

  1. Honeybook
  2. ManyRequests
  3. Kosmo
  4. HelloBonsai
  5. Dubsado

What are you waiting for then?

Let’s move forward with “Top 5 SuiteDash Alternatives And Their Pricing in 2022: The Complete Guide.”

SuiteDash

SuiteDash is an all-in-one platform allowing you to run all your business processes in one tab.

With the help of this software, you can integrate your business with invoicing templates, email campaigns, a customized portal, and project automation.

Also, easily exchange and share information and data from one section to another with a click.

It is a robust cloud-based software that takes care of you at every step of the business, from sending proposals, client onboarding, invoicing or tax calculation.

Features of SuiteDash

  • Fully Customizable Onboarding
  • Dynamic Data and Secure Portals
  • Custom “Book Me” Page and appointment scheduling
  • Automated contracts and E-signature Option
  • Time Tracking
  • Project Automation and Collaboration
  • Digital Proposals and Advanced Invoicing
  • File Requests & Transfer
  • Marketing Automation

Pricing Plans of SuiteDash

  1. Start Plan – $19
  • 12+ Integrated Toolkits
  • Unlimited CRM Contacts
  • Unlimited Staff/ Team
  • Unlimited Portals
  • White labeling
  • Custom Branded Mobile App
  • Email Marketing Campaigns
  • 100 Gb File Storage
  • Docs/ Academy/ Community

2. Thrive Plan – $49

  • Everything in Start Plan (Plus)
  • Auto-responder Drip Marketing
  • Dynamic Proposals Toolkit
  • Deal Stage Pipelines
  • Advanced Custom Menus
  • Custom Folder Generators
  • 500GB File Storage
  • Client-Side Live Chat
  • 1 Free Wizarding Session

3. Pinnacle Plan – $99

  • Everything in Thrive Plan (Plus)
  • Task Dependency Logic
  • Automation Toolkit
  • Trigger/ Action Automations
  • LMS learning management
  • Support Ticket Toolkit
  • 2TB File Storage
  • 1 Bonus Wizarding Session

SuiteDash Dashboard Overview

Pros & Cons of SuiteDash

PROS CONS
  • It has advanced features that make it robust software, from invoicing to integrations.
  • An advanced customization option is available.
  • Mobile App is available.
  • The UI/UX is old and, most of the time gets cluttered.
  • The complicated interface makes it hard to set up at the initial sign-up.

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is robust all-in-one software which manages the business workflow from start to end. It includes managing projects, booking and scheduling clients, sending invoices and contracts and getting paid on time.

It is a tool that controls all the client’s projects without creating delays and skipping deadlines.

They are available and user-friendly on mobile phones too. You can install it from the App Store and Google Play.

Features of HoneyBook

  • Custom Proposals and Contracts templates
  • Professional Online Invoices
  • Accept Online Payments
  • Book Meeting & Schedule it automatically
  • Invoices
  • Automation Mode
  • Integration with Calendar apps, video-conferencing apps, Zapier, QuickBooks, Gmail, and more.

HoneyBook Pricing Plans:

You can learn more about the different pricing plans on our HoneyBook pricing page.

Unlimited Monthly

$39/month

  • Proposals
  • Online Contracts
  • Online Meeting Scheduler
  • Online payment software
  • Automation
  • Free Account Migration
  • Client Portal Software
  • Payment Reminders
  • Mobile App
  • No limits on transactions
  • Add unlimited team members
  • Unlimited concierge support

Unlimited Annual

$390/year

  • Access to all Monthly features (Plus)
  • No limits on transactions
  • Add unlimited team members
  • Unlimited concierge support

Honeybook Dashboard Overview

Pros & Cons of Honeybook

PROS CONS
  • Compared to Dubsado, its initial setup was way simpler to operate and understand.
  • Availability as mobile App.
  • Batch Email feature wherein you don’t need to waste time on copy-pasting; instead, send emails to all of your clients or entire group in one go.
  • As compared to other software, it has fewer automation features.
  • They have limited customization options.
  • Not a global app, work only in a few countries,
  • Expensive pricing plans with fewer features.

ManyRequests

ManyRequests is one of the best CRM tools specially designed for Agencies. This tool manages all of your projects, team members, tracking and evaluation of bills, project automation and whatnot.

It allows your client to onboard and sign up quickly. Moreover, accepting payments and tracking conversions will get much smoother and more manageable.

One place for all the things – customizable portals, automated dashboard, client requests and communication. It is a long-term and healthy solution to grow your agency business.

Features of ManyRequests

  • Easy to use client portal – Onboard and manage clients
  • Checkout and intake forms
  • Client Requests
  • Integration with other tools
  • Easy in-app share options
  • Automation
  • Easy and fast billing

Pricing Plan of ManyRequests

We dove into the ManyRequest pricing plans and broke down all the info in our pricing article. Here is also a list of ManyRequests alternatives.

  1. Basic – $129/month
  • 5 team accounts
  • Unlimited client and requests
  • no transaction fees
  • use your domain
  • white label portal
  • Integration

2. Pro – $299/moth

  • Everything in the Basic Plan (Plus)
  • 10 team accounts ($20 per extra seat)
  • Affiliates Module
  • Use your self-address for email notification
  • Remove “Powered by”

3. Enterprise – Custom

  • Everything in Pro Plan (Plus)
  • Custom Development
  • One-on-one onboarding
  • Group training and best practices tips for your team
  • Unlimited team accounts

ManyRequests Dashboard Overview

Pros & Cons of ManyRequests

PROS CONS
  • User-friendly interface which can be used easily by anyone.
  • Robust software with almost all the features which any CRM and project management tool must have.
  • Non-availability of mobile-supported application.
  • Over-priced for newbies and solo entrepreneurs.

Kosmo

Kosmo is one of the most preferred Project Management Tools used by freelancers and creative creators. Small business owners also prefer this because of the easy dashboard interface and ease of use.

It is very affordable compared to other tools. It allows us to automate the entire business, from sending proposals to sending invoices.

It allows you to track time and create an invoice according to the tracked time.

It is designed after taking care of all the industries, including designers, writers, photographers, artists, developers, educators, and so much more.

Features of Kosmo

  • Create Branded & Custom Invoices
  • Track Payments
  • Accept Online Payments Via Credit card, PayPal and ACH Transfer
  • Time and Task Tracking
  • Create Custom Proposals
  • Professional Contracts Template
  • Track Projects and Clients
  • Saved Email Messages
  • Priority Support

Pricing Plan of Kosmo :

  1. Free Plan
  • 2 Clients
  • 2 Projects
  • 1 Invoice per month
  • One contract per month
  • Accept Online Payments
  • Time and Task Tracking

2. Unlimited Plan – $9/Month

  • Unlimited Clients
  • Unlimited Projects
  • Unlimited Invoices
  • Unlimited Contracts
  • Unlimited Proposals
  • Accept Online Payments
  • Time and Task Tracking
  • Custom Invoice Design
  • Custom Contracts
  • Saved Email Messages
  • Priority Support

3. Team Plan

  • Contact them for pricing
  • Help you set a team
  • Provide APIs access
  • Much More

Kosmo Dashboard Overview

Pros & Cons of Kosmo

PROS CONS
  • Above all, Free Starter Plan for a lifetime.
  • Easy and user-friendly interface to set up.
  • No additional PayPal and stripe charges for receiving online payments.
  • Support Team Available.
  • Lack of automation but still a good start for small business owners and freelancers.

HelloBonsai

HelloBonsai is also a top-notch client management software which allows you to convert all your pen and paperwork into autopilot mode. It streamlines all the business processes, from proposals and onboarding to invoices and tax sessions.

With this software, chances of converting deals get higher because it allows you to structure mind-blowing invoices, proposals and contracts in clicks.

With the help of this tool, you can roam around tension free as you need not worry about finances and conversions. This app will do all for you. That includes automatic expense tracking, income reporting, and tax planning. You can find a comparison with Dubsado on our Bonsai vs Dubsado page.

Features of HelloBonsai

  • Proposals Templates
  • Structured Vetted contracts and Agreements templates
  • E-signatures
  • Manage and organize client data & information
  • Task and Time Tracking
  • Create and customize invoices
  • Manage accounting and taxes easily
  • Create customized forms and questionnaire

HelloBonsai Pricing Plans:

The following are the different pricing plans offered by Hello Bonsai. Those plans may change over time, so make sure to check before signing up.

Starter

$24/mo (Best for individual freelancers and starting contractors.)

  • All Templates
  • Unlimited Projects & Clients
  • Payments & Invoicing
  • Contracts & Proposals
  • Task & Time Tracking
  • Client CRM
  • Expense Tracking
  • Up to 5 Project Collaborators

Professional

$39/mo (Best for the small business that is growing to kick off a start)

  • Everything in starter (Plus)
  • Custom Branding
  • Forms & Questionnaires
  • Workflow Automation
  • Client Portal
  • Calendly Integration
  • Zapier Integration
  • Up to 15 Project Collaborators

Business

$79/mo (The super-duper all-over package for small business owners and independent agencies.)

  • Everything in Starter and Professional (Plus)
  • Subcontractor Management
  • Hiring Agreement Template ( 1099 contracts)
  • Subcontractor Onboarding
  • Talent Pool
  • 3 Team seats ( Extra seats $9/month)
  • Accountant Access
  • Connect Bank Accounts
  • Unlimited Subcontractors
  • Unlimited Project Collaborators

Add-Ons Pricing :

  • Collaborator (Limited Access) – Free
  • Partners (Full Account Access) – $9/month
  • HelloBonsai Tax – $10/month

Are you still unsure, checkout these Bonsai alternatives.

HelloBonsai Dashboard Overview

Pros & Cons of HelloBonsai

PROS CONS
  • Mobile App is available, which makes it convenient to manage your business anytime and anywhere.
  • There is a feature where you can calculate all of your expenses for accounting purposes.
  • User-friendly dashboard.
  • High-priced for a new starter.

Dubsado

Dubsado is a business management software that is helpful for industry freelancers, and business owners, including coaches, photographers, legal professionals, virtual assistants, event planners, legal professionals, and you name it.

You can customize your brand in the questionnaire forms, invoices, and proposals to make clients feel you own this portal. This leaves an excellent impression of the business on the client.

This tool doesn’t need to run after the client to get payments. Still, the application will automatically remind the client of payments, dues, and late payments. It keeps track of every dollar you receive and spend.

Features of Dubsado

  • Customizable and reusable forms and proposals
  • Professional Invoicing and Reporting
  • Automate workflow, payments reminder and emails
  • Project and client management
  • Easy and faster schduleing
  • Brand Yourself
  • E-signature
  • Client Custom portal

Pricing Plans of Dubsado:

  1. Starter – $20/month
  • Unlimited projects & clients
  • Invoicing & Payment Plan
  • Forms & email templates

2. Premier – $40/month

  • Everything in Starter Plan (Plus)
  • Scheduling
  • Automated workflows
  • Public Proposals
  • Multiple lead capture at once
  • Zapier Integration

Dubsado Dashboard Overview

Pros & Cons of Dubsado

PROS CONS
  • You are not limited to templates for proposals and invoices, and you can create custom proposals and all types of forms with your branding.
  • There is a feature of URL mapping wherein clients will not be able to see Dubsado, and it looks like your own unique portal.
  • You can add a welcome video at the start of the questionnaire forms and style it according to your website theme.
  • Its interface is challenging to use and understand. That initial setup seems tough due to its fully customizable and automated software.
  • The monthly pricing plans seem expensive for a new freelancer or small business.

Conclusion

All the 5 software mentioned above are good to go. All software is top-demanding and the best players in the market. All have similar features but somehow differentiate based on customization, pricing, mobile application or client dashboard interface.

If one platform suits one particular business, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good fit for you too. So, you should be very clear about your requirements and demands.

Some of you reading this are fully set up business owners with large teams, so their priority must be advanced features and a fully functional setup to automate their high-end business.

But on the other side, some might be freelancers or small business owners, and their priority must be a reasonable CRM tool for their pockets. Because they don’t have client flow to bear significant monthly expenses.

So, choosing the right software is where you need to brainstorm.

WANT HELP IN CHOOSING…?

Sure!

From the Top 5 tools, If you are looking for clean, all-rounder software that caters to all your needs and automates the process, and you feel not spending much on software because you are not sure but want to try it, then choose KOSMO.

It has a free starter plan that provides two clients and two projects that I feel are the best for startups and freelancers. You can use their free plan.

Click here to take a close look at Kosmo.

Good Luck!

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

The Top 10 Client Portals for Accountants in 2023

Client Portals are in high demand. Not only in demand, but it’s also a must-to-have tool.

Client Portal for accountants is a cloud-based software for exchanging confidential files. Securing passwords, sending messages, and collaborating with clients, teammates and partners.

If you use Client Portal, it creates satisfaction and trust with your client. And this leads to building good long-term relationships with clients.

Most clients find taking out the time for long meetings with accountants challenging. And on the other side, it is difficult for accountants to have a timely follow-up with every client to update them.

So, here comes the need for Client portals for accountants.

Ongoing Covid-19 restrictions lead to difficulty for many accountants to have physical meetings. Clients also face the problem, so they look for accountants who can work from their location.

What matters to the client is the data they transfer will remain confidential and secure.

This scenario brought “Client Portal Software” to be in demand.

Security is the main feature for the accountant while searching for a client portal. Because there are thousands of files, this data is confidential, so security is the main priority.

There are many Client Portals for accountants in 2022 but searching for the best one is the main task. Today, I will tell you about The Top 10 Client Portal for accountants.

Be with me!

BONUS TIP: At the end, I will tell you one free project management software you can use to triple your productivity.

What is a secure client portal? And What should a client portal include?

Client Portals are cloud-based software designed for different jobs like accountants, government and lawyers.

This software helps them in their daily activities. These activities include the confidential sharing of files and private messages, and emails. It also collaborates with the client to provide an easy interface & relationship with the client.

There are many options available online for secure file & document sharing. But you are lucky, though; I have done a comparative analysis of the top 10 client portals for accountants.

Below mentioned are the top software you can choose from :

Peppery

Peppery is a modern cloud-based client portal used by accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers and various other businesses. The platform allows you to streamline your client communication, simplify file sharing, and effortlessly manage project timelines.

What sets peppery apart from many of its competitors is the ability to integrate various apps like trello, google calendar, dropbox, intercom and many more. That way your clients can find everything in one place without the need to switch between different apps.

Current Users – Accountants, bookkeepers, coaches, agencies and other professional service providers.

Website: www.peppery.io

Key Features Of Peppery Include:

  • Secure client portal with username and password for your client
  • White label the portal
  • Connects with your favorite apps
  • Secure file sharing
  • Messages/Chat with client
  • File approval
  • Project timelines
  • Competitive pricing

Huddle

Huddle is a top-notch cloud-based software for leading services firms. This tool helps collaborate with clients, teammates and partners to increase efficiency.

Current Users – Accountants, engineers and service or marketing professionals.

Their interface is professional so that client’s trust factor & transparency will remain constant.

Security : Huddle states that 80% of UK Central agencies prefer it. And it is the first vendor of SaaS collaboration that got FedRAMP certification in the US.

Key Features Of Huddle Includes:

  • Share all Types of Files
  • Collaborate with internal and external team
  • Secure interface
  • Automatic Version Control
  • Manage Tasks
  • Request Upto 500 Files at the same time
  • Accessible through mobile apps

Citrix Sharefile

Citrix Sharefile is best for all types of organizations, big or small. It maintains the security of files and information.

It integrates with Powerful Office 365, which allows co-editing and versioning.

Their email plugin helps in avoiding email clogging. The encryption feature protects these emails from the sender to the end user.

Current users – Accounting and finance, healthcare, legal firms.

Security: It has a secure file sharing option, as all the shared data is encrypted and then stored on their servers.

Key Features Of Citrix Sharefile Include :

  • Share and sync essential files
  • Content Collaboration
  • Document sharing and management
  • Secure FTP Alternative
  • Secure emails and e-signature

If you are not a technology person, this software is unsuitable for your Business. It would help if you had software that is easy to operate and less complex.

Dropbox for Business

Dropbox for Business is another sophisticated file securing and storing software. It allows users to manage information from mobile too, anytime and anywhere.

Current Users – Sales and marketing, and IT professionals.

Security: Dropbox for Business uses 256-bit AES encryption which allows access to your data. Suppose you are looking for a more high-end secure option. Keep reading!

Key Features Of DropBox Business Include :

  • Share, store, send and sync all at one place
  • Protect with e-signatures
  • Helps in organizing and managing a team
  • Automatic backups

FileCloud

Filecloud is a secure content collaboration software for sharing files and syncing platforms.

It operates from any device, including laptops or mobile phones. FileCloud can be a good choice for busy professionals who want to look at their data at any time.

Current users – Government & DOD, accounting and legal firms, and education service provider

Security: Filecloud meets very high standards of security terms. NIST approves it for FIPS 140-2, an utmost need for many US Federal implementations.

Key Features Include :

  • Remote Access
  • File sharing, organizing, and syncing
  • Automated Workflow
  • Incredible Services and Support
  • Un-matched Security

TitanFile

TitanFile is SOC-2 compliant that allows file transfer and information exchange. It has an easy interface. It also helps in collaborating with clients at the same time.

Accountants prefer this most of the time because, on a single portal, they can share all types of file sizes. It helps them to track the work progress and communicate with the clients.

Current users – Accounting, Government, Healthcare, and legal firms.

Security: Titan File secures confidential data in ISO-27001 certified data centers. Their data is encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption.

Key Features of TitanFile Include :

  • Secure Portal
  • Outlook Integration
  • Secure Web Forms
  • Shared Mailbox
  • File and Folder Management
  • Audit Logs
  • Accessible through mobile phones
  • Document watermarking and metadata scrubbing

SmartVault

SmartVault is an accountant client management software that helps automate your work. It also provides bank-level encryption security to its clients.

It is integrated with many apps like QuickBooks, Xero, Docusign, HubDoc, and many more. SmartVault helps in increasing the efficiency of workflow.

Current users – Accounting and book-keeping, Manufacturing and construction, and financial services.

Security: SmartVault promises to secure the sensitive documents of the Business. They use SSL to safeguard documents, files, passwords, and interactions. The data is encrypted by AES – 256.

Along with this, it uses PCI and DSS for a robust framework to give top-level security.

You must know that SmartVault creates many copies of data and stores it at diverse location. It helps them to create a multi-location data backup needed at the time of failure.

Key Features of SmartVault Include :

  • Online Document Storage
  • Customized Client Portal
  • E-signatures
  • Request Documents according to your needs
  • Boost productivity with Workflow Automation
  • Secure File Sharing

Portal

Portal is known for its customizability, security, design, and innovation speed.

It streamlines all tasks, i.e. messages, payments, security, help centers, automation, etc. Their dashboard is easy to access and use.

Current users – Accounting, Consulting firms, engineering, education, and startups.

Security: Portal commits the data security in every part of the Business. GDPR, CCPA, and HIPPA compliance. They are SOC-2.

They also use a bot to figure out automatic login attacks.

The company maintains multi-location backup if required at the time of failure.

Key Features of Portal Include :

  • Communicate with clients
  • Create invoices and subscription
  • Share files and get them e-signed
  • Streamline data collection
  • Improve customer experience
  • Embed popular extensions

Onehub

OneHub is the most effective client portal designed for accounting firms.

It allows the secure exchange of information. Its add-on feature of watermarking the documents and adding a custom user agreement at sign-up is wow.

Current users – Accountants and financial services firms, healthcare and manufacturing firms.

Security: Onehub provides a high level of security, from data encryption to data backups.

Key Features of OneHub Include :

  • Upload Files Faster
  • Easy Customization
  • Dozens of security features
  • Preview Files from desktop or mobile app
  • Stay up-to-date with your customers.

More Features: Watermarked Documents, Embed sign-in form, workspace agreements.

Clinked

Clinked is another client portal that allows secure communication, collaboration, and file sharing. Its interface is customizable, and you can have unlimited clients and projects.

The curious fact to know here is that clinked is the winner of the 2009 Red Herring and got 100 Europe awards. They were also a semi-finalist at Cisco British Innovation Gateway (BIG) in 2012.

Current users – Accounting, Legal, Government, and Insurance

Security: Clinked uses AWS for its data centers which are ISO 27001, HIPPA compliant, PCI certified, and completed the needs of the US government by being FISMA and FIPs certified.

Key Features of Clinked Include :

  • Customize client portal in seconds
  • Strong encryption and password protection
  • Audit trail
  • Zapier Integration
  • Fully-Functional Dashboard

Thomson Reuters NetClient CS

Thomson Reuters is the best cloud-based software for tax and accounting professionals.

It has a client portal and is also accessible through mobile apps.

It is a bit advance in features as compared to other cloud-based software. So, if you are running a large agency or working with a large number of clients, then it might be the best fit for you. If you are a starter, it may feel complex to you.

Current Users – Government, corporations, and accounting firms.

Security: Thomson Reuters promises security that data centers cannot access the data. They also provide a training program to their employees to maintain security at the organization.

They don’t allow the encryption of data from sender to receiver.

Key Features of Thomson Reuters Include :

  • Audit and accounting
  • Tax
  • Firm 7 workflow management
  • Document management
  • Payroll
  • Client Collaboration and website

Conclusion

To get great success in your Business, you need a client portal.

They are choosing the best software to help you maintain a trustworthy relationship with your clients because the client’s top priority is safeguarding their files and documents.

The collaboration feature will help you stay updated with your clients. It allows you to track the data anytime to check performance.

This list of software is best for accountants in auditing and helps them to make use of time and be productive.

I understand that finding the right client portal for accountants in 2022 is a big task. There are many options available out there.

But, I hope this blog post will help you with comparable features and knowledge to choose more quicker.

First, you need to determine the requirements of your business or work and then prioritize them. According to it, choose one client portal that suits you.

As I said at the start of the blog, I will tell you about free project management software.

Introducing Kosmo!

Kosmo is the best Client management software of 2022 for accountants. It allows accountants to create the proposal, contract, and invoice with one click. You don’t need to hop between different apps; all work is done on a single platform.

Also, Kosmo provides professional & customizable templates, which saves your time.

Above all, Kosmo is free for the starter plan.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

Ultimate guide on How to Become A Client Onboarding Manager

Client Onboarding Managers are getting fancy nowadays in all industries. There are even job roles dedicated to this that go by “Client Onboarding Specialist.”

Before we jump on what a Client Onboarding Manager is and what they do, let us first understand what exactly is client onboarding.

Let’s Begin.

Client Onboarding means introducing the customer to your product or services. and make sure to address all their questions and queries so they can find value in it and become your “New Customer.”

It seems easy, but no, it’s tricky! Client Onboarding doesn’t end here, but you need to take care of your existing customers too. So they don’t slip away after a few months of using products or services.

Here comes the role of Client Onboarding Manager.

In this blog, we will discuss the A to Z guide of Client Onboarding Manager, so no questions are left unanswered.

Let’s start with who a client manager is and what they do.

Client Onboarding Manager

The Client Onboarding Manager introduces the client to the new product or services. They also ensure that customers receive the best experience from the very start.

They must provide value to their new and existing customers, so they don’t slip away from your company. This responsibility starts from the point the customer sign-up.

Client Onboarding Managers are much in demand in SaaS companies. This is because SaaS companies follow customer adoption and retention.

In a nutshell, the Onboarding Manager is responsible for the client experience. So customers can stick to your company and become your paid client.

Roles and Responsibilities of Client Onboarding Manager

Now, as we get the idea about the client onboarding manager, let’s dig it down deeper to take a closer look at their responsibility.

Let’s begin with their key roles and responsibility :

  • Implementation assistance – Provide detailed instructions to the customer

A Client Onboarding manager should have the product knowledge to help their clients with installation.

A few products need implementation at the beginning, like code embedding, OTPs etc.

  • Advice and tips on best practices

It is necessary to have industry knowledge, not just product technicality. Because while onboarding the customer, there is a high chance that the customer will pop up with general industry questions.

For example, If you are working in Dell and dealing with a client for a laptop. So, you must know about the technicality of that particular laptop. But, you should be aware of recent technology, the latest updates, and the industry.

  • Respond to customer questions, problems, and requests

Being a good Onboarding Manager, you should take care of the performance of every client from their past queries and latest requests and doubts.

You are very much responsible for that. No question will be left answered.

Try to figure it out and pass on the same information to the product team so that things can be taken care of.

  • Ensure that customer expectations are aligned with company objectives

They are the core person to bridge the gap between what a customer wants and what a company can provide. They have the critical responsibility to understand the expectation and bring it down to the company’s value and offerings.

  • Tracking and managing customer accounts and timeline

Client Onboarding managers need to be up-to-date with all the customer accounts to track their performance and regular updates. They also must focus on the client timelines and convey the same to your team.

  • Build a loyal customer base

A loyal customer needs to be maintained and does not develop naturally. They are responsible for providing customers with an exceptional experience with a product or service.

Moreover, loyal customers build a long-term relationship with them that sustains the company, which will create an Aha! moment for them.

  • Get feedback from customers and act on it.

Client Satisfaction is on the top of the list of any company. So, once they help clients to achieve their goals with the product or service, they should take a step ahead and ask for their feedback.

This helps them to know whether their client is satisfied and is up to their expectations.

Job Description of Client Onboarding Manager

A client onboarding manager will be the perfect fit for the organization if they are comfortable with the key roles and responsibilities of the manager.

Their core responsibility is to provide the customer to achieve their goals and meet their expectations. They must guide your customer about the product or service’s features and functionality.

They are responsible for the customer’s expectations, and for the queries and questions they come out with.

Let me jot down the job specification and preferred skills required by the Client Onboarding Manager in the Job Description.

Job Specification

  • The Client Onboarding Manager will be responsible for successfully onboarding the client.
  • Essential Work includes product education, account opening, product adoption, feedback, negotiation, and implementation planning.
  • The Client Onboarding Manager is expected to coordinate with all the company’s critical departments, from the product team to the operation team.
  • Keep records of the onboarded customers and maintain progress.
  • Conduct a meeting or call twice weekly to check the progress and act on it.
  • Client Onboarding Managers are required to provide weekly reports to their senior management.
  • Understand the need of the customer to align them with the company’s aim.
  • Communicate with clients through phone calls, emails, chats, and social media. Etc.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

  • Excellent Communication Skills.
  • Strong attention to all the details.
  • Problem Solving Attitude with strategic decision-making qualities to cater to client’s expectations.
  • Management Skills to work and manage different roles at the same time.
  • Team Building Skills to work with all key departments
  • Highly motivated personality.
  • Proficiency in English.

Salary Of Client Onboarding Manager

Client Onboarding Manager Salary depends on factors like industry type, location, company, years of experience, etc.

In the USA, the salary ranges from a minimum of $35,100 to a maximum of $63 200 with an average of $43,900.

This data varies on many important factors such as years of experience, skills you possess, certifications, education, past experiences and whatnot.

I recommend working on your communication, problem-solving, and management skills, which will help you increase your position and salary.

Interview Questions of Client Onboarding Manager

A Client Onboarding Manager is hired mainly to maintain the customer experience.

The skills of communication, empathy, tolerance, patience, and problem-solving are few checked during the interview because learning the product technicality is not a big task.

To check these skills, there is a chance to conduct a role-play assessment where they will match the way to respond to situations, and that’s where you set yourself apart from the crowd.

Below are the few questions we figured out for you that had been asked for the same job role at many companies. It might help you with initial preparation.

  • Tell me about yourself and your experience in your previous company.
  • Why are you interested in this role?
  • How do you find yourself with the team?
  • What do you understand about the Onboarding manager?
  • What is the biggest challenge you see in this job?
  • What are your achievements?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • How will you manage many customers at the same time?
  • Are you comfortable handling complaints?
  • Will you feel frustrated if a customer does not understand the solution for the third time?
  • If customer requirements are different and that is not what your product offers. What will you do in that situation?

Resume Of Client Onboarding Manager

We all know that a good resume makes the first impression of us on the employer. So, we must dedicate some time to our resumes, and trust me, it will be worth spending every second.

Suppose you are applying for a Client Onboarding manager role. Your resume should correspond to that position so you can grab the employer’s attention in one go.

Your Resume Must Include :

  1. Work Experience
  2. Contact Details
  3. Highest Education
  4. Additional Skills

Moving forward, let me tell you the silly mistakes you may end up making while writing a resume. And this small mistake will lead to rejection. So, read and follow this.

  • Typing Error and Grammatical Mistakes
  • Don’t only mention experience – explain your role and understanding.
  • Don’t send generic resumes to all the companies; make modifications according to the company’s needs.
  • Don’t stretch things into paragraphs.
  • Incorrect Contact Details (Phone number, address, Email-ID)

Best Tools for the Client Onboarding Manager

Finally, you’re very aware of the client onboarding manager and responsibilities. It’s time to put extra toppings on your pizza.

I mean to say, knowing the role is fine but doing it efficiently is another step. So, let’s fasten the seat belts and focus on the journey.

There are tools that are used by the Client Onboarding manager so that they can automate a few of their work and focus on productivity.

Many tools are available online; some are paid, some are free, some are worth going for, and some waste money and time.

I am naming the best ones here, so you don’t need to waste time on research.

  • Userpilot

User pilot is an onboarding tool designed mainly for Saas companies. Without knowing the ABCD of the coding, you can create an extensive customer experience. Isn’t it?

It has features like analytics, and feedback surveys are also available to get valuable feedback from the customer.

User pilot Pricing – It starts from $0 per month up to $299 per month

  • Drip

Drip is the best tool for creating onboarding emails. It also allows the email automation, multi-channel marketing, and email campaigns,

It shows clear and understandable insights that help you to make quick decisions.

Drip Pricing – Starts from $39 per month

  • User.com

User.com is a top-notch platform for marketing automation software. It helps in turning visitors into happy clients.

Communication happens through chats, email, calls etc. It allows the gathering of leads, information, and proper communication. It will help you to save time.

  • Kosmo

Kosmo helps you make professional proposals for customers with one click of a button. This tool has vetted templates where you need to make a few edits, and you are good to go!

Not only this, no extra charges are applicable on the payment accepted from Paypal and Stripe.

Sometimes, taking care of admin work seems like a daunting task. But thanks to Kosmo, it has given me an all-rounder solution to many of my problems.

Kosmo Pricing: Starts from $0 to up to $9 per month.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

HelloBonsai Pricing Reviewed

I know the ones on this page reading this blog will be super-occupied freelancers or small business owners who are handling their own businesses and find it difficult to manage all the processes, from the proposals to the taxes.

After lots of searching, You might google “HelloBonsai” for the solution for your business.

Now the next thought would be: Will this HelloBonsai tool help me?

And, The following questions might be on your mind :

  • Will the HelloBonsai tool manage all my business, from creating proposals to closing deals?
  • How much will HelloBonsai charge for their tools?
  • Will HelloBonsai suit my type of business?
  • Are there any other affordable alternatives for HelloBonsai?

Let me now tell you all the details you need to know about HelloBonsai Tool. Be rest assured that after reading this blog, all your questions will be answered, and you will know whether HelloBonsai is for your business or not.

 

What is HelloBonsai?


HelloBonsai is an automation software for freelancers to streamline all their work, from proposals to creating invoices and tracking the time to closing it with accounting and taxes.

Because it’s a one-stop solution, it provides an organized end-to-end solution that helps you do 100% smart work rather than hard work.

Why do you need HelloBonsai?

Freelancing is looked at as the easiest work to do from anywhere and anytime.

But the reality behind freelancing is all over different as it does not mean working from home rather it includes finding clients, pitching them, quoting for projects, Setting deadlines, setting a reminder for payments, and what-not.

So, HelloBonsai will help you to organize your business steps to keep you out of the mess. Here is a look at it:

It will help simplify the workflow and make you a faster, more organized, and more professional person.

It’s a big promise of the company that after using HelloBonsai, you don’t need to work on many apps, rather all your work will be done on a single Hello Bonai Tool.

HelloBonsai Pricing Plans:

$24/mo (Best for individual freelancers and starting contractors.)

  • All templates
  • Unlimited projects & clients
  • Payments & invoicing
  • Contracts & proposal
  • Task & time tracking
  • Client CRM
  • Expense tracking
  • Up to 5 project collaborators

Professional

$39/mo (Best for the small business that is growing to kick off a start)

  • Everything in starter (Plus)
  • Custom branding
  • Forms & questionnaires
  • Workflow automation
  • Client Portal
  • Calendly integration
  • Zapier integration
  • Up to 15 project collaborators

Business

$79/mo (The all-over super-duper package for small business owners and independent agencies.)

  • Everything in starter and professional (Plus)
  • Subcontractor management
  • Hiring agreement template ( 1099 contracts)
  • Subcontractor onboarding
  • Talent pool
  • 3 team seats ( extra seats $9/month)
  • Accountant access
  • Connect bank accounts
  • Unlimited subcontractors
  • Unlimited project collaborators

Add-ons Pricing :

  • Collaborator (limited access) – Free
  • Partners (full account access) – $9/month
  • HelloBonsai tax – $10/month

HelloBonsai Features & Benefits :

  • Proposals
  • Contracts
  • Client CRM
  • Invoices
  • Time tracking
  • Task tracking
  • Accounting and taxes
  • Forms

Let’s take a brief understanding of all their services

HelloBonsai services include:

1. Proposals

HelloBonsai allows you to create and customize proposals for your clients instantly. It will help you and your business to get the deals super duper faster.

It will provide you to customize templates with the option to add a single or many packages to your proposal.

2. Contracts

HelloBonsai contracts can be created by answering a few questions and getting them e-signed.

It also has a feature of auto-reminder. Hence, it will send reminders to your clients for signing the contract. And once it gets signed, it will notify you too.

This auto-reminder feature is life-saving!

3. Client CRM

Now you can work like a multi-talented person from proposals to projects and from payments to taxes in one single workspace of your own.

Its features include Client management, collaboration, data and document organizing, and payment notification.

4. Invoices

HelloBonsai helps you to create, customize and track invoices all at the same time.

With its automation feature, the invoices are created, sent, and re-send reminders for invoices to get paid faster. It also has a pro feature in invoices: partial payments and attachments locking.

5. Time Tracking

HelloBonsai time tracker can manage and track the time given to projects and shift on other projects in a single click which helps to avoid delays.

It calculates the time taken for each project to set the rate per project and helps to complete the timesheet.

6. Accounting and Taxes

 You can keep an eye on your business finances with the generated expenses and income reports, get updates for tax reminders, and much more.

Also, you can import the expense sheet and save it for taxation while filing.

Now you track your performance for the profit and the loss at different points of time in the year along with your income and expense sheet.

7. Forms 

HelloBonsai helps to create a form for your clients or the questionnaire to understand the brief of the requirements for the project or the work.

It is reusable wherein you can use the same form for new clients or projects.

Now, You must know almost everything about HelloBonsai Pricing. I would like to provide you with an alternate tool that has an easy-to-use interface and is much more affordable to pockets.

Kosmo is here to help!

Kosmo is an easy-to-use automation tool for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs. It helps to create custom contracts that can be e-signed and invoices that allow you to add your branding.

Furthermore, it caters to all the freelancer’s basic needs, starting from managing projects to writing invoices.

Kosmo Key Benefits

  1. Invoicing & payments

Kosmo allows you to create custom invoices with their professional-looking templates. At the same time, it also helps to track the payments received by the clients and send auto-reminders if the payments are delayed.

Kosmo provides ease in payment modes by giving all options including Paypal, credit card, and ACH Transfer.

2. Manage time & task tracking

It’s time not to miss any work or deadline of your projects because Kosmo is here for you. Tada!

Kosmo allows you to allot the specific time for every project so that no task runs out of time and can be managed. It leads you to track the time taken by each project and charge.

3. Creating proposals

To win your customer’s heart, you should have to show some professionalism at the first throw itself.

So, creating the first impression with professional proposals in a click is a happy morning coffee. Additionally, it will help us be up-to-date with the tracking feature when the proposal is viewed and accepted. 

4. Handling contracts

It’s important to save our terms in the legal contracts without fail and get them e-signed by the client.

Agreeing is no hard and fast rule with Kosmo, as it provides the structured templates of contracts to customize them according to business requirements.

Kosmo Features

  • Projects
  • Time tracking
  • Invoices and billing
  • Payments
  • Contracts
  • Proposals

Kosmo Pricing Plans:

 Free Plan 

  • 2 Clients
  • 2 Projects
  • 1 Invoice per month
  • 1 contract per month
  • Accept online payments
  • Time and task tracking

$9/Month Plan 

  • Unlimited clients
  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited invoices
  • Unlimited contracts
  • Unlimited proposals
  • Accept online payments
  • Time and task tracking
  • Custom invoice design
  • Custom contracts
  • Saved email messages
  • Priority support

Team Plan 

  • Contact them for pricing
  • Help you set a team
  • Provide APIs access
  • Much more

Kosmo Vs HelloBonsai Price Comparison 

HelloBonsai is not providing any free plan and at the same time, you have to enter your credit card details to avail of their 14-day free trial.

They are offering a starter plan for $24/month, but if you would wish to operate their all features then you need to shift to their $39/month Professional Plan or $79/month Business Plan (as per your need)

Plus, a fee of 1% is charged on top of Paypal and Stripe fees, in case you want to use your personal Paypal or Stripe account.

Kosmo provides an entirely free plan which includes 2 clients, 2 projects, 1 invoice and contract per month, and similar essential features. Additionally, You need not enter your credit card details to get started.

They commit that if your business grows in the coming future then you can anytime upgrade to their Unlimited Plan worth $9/month.

Also, Kosmo allows you to add your Stripe and Paypal accounts without charging any kind of processing or top-up fee.

Let me show you a pricing difference calculated in comparing their yearly plans: HelloBonsai starts at $204/year, but also has a $384/ year and $624/year plan. But, Kosmo provides a free plan coupled with a $90/year unlimited pro plan.

 

The Final Judgement: HelloBonsai Vs Kosmo

HelloBonsai and Kosmo are both project and client management tools created for freelancers to manage their projects.

Both platforms have almost similar features and tools. They differ based on their use for end-users and their customization and template options.

In the end, you have to choose according to your business requirements and needs. 

If you are a freelancer with no big team and looking for workspace, proposals, and invoices, and task and time management, Kosmo might be for you.

Why should I choose Kosmo? 

  • Provides a free plan to get started for new freelancers without worrying about the cost.
  • Easy platform with simple easy-to-use features.
  • professional and beautiful invoices, contracts, and proposals.
  • You will receive founder-level support from a company that cares about your success.

 Add your Stripe and Paypal accounts without charging any kind of processing or top-up fee.

 

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

Starting a Freelance Agency – Complete Guide

Do you have a decent client base as a freelancer? Do you have a sufficient workload to keep you busy all year?

Then, the next best career move is to start delegating your workload. In short, it is time to start a freelance agency and build your dream team. 

However, starting a freelance creative company is not an easy process. It takes time, dedication, and lots of sweat to make room for your agency in the market. 

Freelancing is not a hobby or part-time job sector anymore. Instead, it is a well-established industry with a CAGR of 15.3% during 2019-2025.

But this doesn’t mean you cannot scale up and start your freelance agency. It is just that you need a proper plan and strategy to enter the market.

This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to start your new freelance journey and set up your agency. So, let’s get started.

Things to Consider Before Setting Up an Agency 

Before getting started with this guide, I will suggest you consider a few basic things, such as:

Finances 

Do you have sufficient funds to pay your freelancers? Do you have funds to support your agency when you don’t get regular work?

Starting an agency is a big financial burden. You need some seed funding to get your business on the road.

There might come a situation when a client delays your payment, or you don’t have sufficient cash to support routine expenses. But, you still have to pay for the team to keep them working for you.

In that case, you need some financial backup to keep your agency floating. Therefore, before starting your starting agency, sort out your financial situation.

Confidence 

You already have confidence in your craft. But, you need confidence in your management and leadership skills to start an agency.

You need to step into the role of a leader. You have to take responsibility for your team’s work and give them equal opportunities to grow.

You are responsible for setting up a smooth communication flow between your team and clients. 

Besides this, you must ensure that all your team members are on the same page.

So, ask yourself – do you have the confidence to lead a team and work on your craft at the same time? Can you delegate, manage and monitor your teammates’ work?

Mindset

Being a freelancer, your mindset is different from being a business owner. Freelancers don’t have to answer anybody.

They can work whenever they want and at whatever rate they want. But, freelance agency owners must consider their team before making any decision.

They must remember that their actions and decisions will impact their entire team.

Therefore, agency owners must make bold and risky decisions to grow their businesses.

As Seth Godin said, “you’re either an entrepreneur or a freelancer. Which one are you?”

So, you have to enter into the mindset of an entrepreneur before starting your agency business.

How to Start Your Freelance Agency? Step-by-step Guide

Moving from freelancer to entrepreneur is not easy. It is a new area where you are not thinking about yourself. 

You’re now a leader responsible for your team‘s actions and paychecks. Naturally, you need to create a proper checklist to start a freelance agency.

I have mentioned all the important steps to help you start a freelance business from scratch. So, follow these steps to dot.

Step 1. Decide your services

First, you have to decide what services you will offer to your agency clients.

The best strategy here is to offer the same services as you were offering as a freelancer. That’s because you are a master of your skill and already have a market base in your industry.

For example, your agency can provide copywriting services if you are a freelance copywriter. 

However, you can narrow down your services to particular areas to establish your market.

For instance, you can provide copywriting services to B2B brands. This way, you can focus on a particular type of client base. 

Also, you can better train your employees when you provide only selective services.

I suggest starting with a couple of services in the beginning. Then, once you get the hang of all the agency things, you can add up more services to your list.

Step 2. Define your legal status

If you plan to start a full-fledged agency, you better define your legal status.

For taxation and legal purposes, it is essential to set up a company under local and national laws. You should first check your local company law before giving a shape to your freelance agency.

In most cases, freelancers create limited liability companies. 

Limited liability companies have a separate identity from their owners. This helps to protect your personal assets and liabilities.

There are separate rules in every state or nation to set up a limited ability company. However, the basic process to set up a limited liability organization is:

  • From the Secretary of State’s website or office, get a copy of LLC articles of organization forms. 
  • Choose a name for your agency based on your state laws.
  • Fill out your LLC form. You can take help if you don’t know how to fill out this form.
  • Based on your state or local laws, you have to publish a notice in the newspaper stating that you are incorporating a new LLC.
  • You have to submit your LLC form to the Secretary of State. 
  • Draft an operating agreement spelling out financial and management responsibilities for all your LLC members. 

Besides this, you have to draft contracts and proposals for your individual clients and employees.

So, it is a good idea to hire a professional business legal consultant while setting up your agency. Since you already have so much on your plate, hiring a professional can reduce some of your workloads.

Step 3. Decide your business structure 

After starting all the legal work, you have to decide the structure of your business organization.

In a traditional work setup, companies only have one option – set up a physical office in a particular location.

But, with all the digital tools, you now have the option to set up a remote freelance agency. 

This means you can hire talent from anywhere around the globe and work with clients across borders.

The best thing is that you don’t have to pay office rent or set up basic office infrastructure to run your agency.

You can collaborate with freelancers from anywhere around the world and set up a remote office on the internet.

However, if you want to establish personal connections with your employees and clients, you can also build a hybrid agency.

In this setup, you can hire freelancers and on-site employees to give remote as well as physical access to your clients.

So, today you have several options to structure your company. Therefore, I suggest you take your time and select the best-suiting model for your company. 

Step 4. Hire the best talent 

People that work in your agency are the main reason behind your success and failure. 

If your employees lack talent and passion, it is impossible for you to provide high-quality services to your clients.

Therefore, you should focus on hiring the best possible talent that you can to give a big push to your agency.

Having good people in the starting face is very important. You need self-competent and good people by your side to give an excellent start to your company.

Contrary to expert opinions, I will recommend you do not just hire experienced people in your agency.

You should also hire freshers and people coming from different cultures and environments. This way, you can provide a better creative spin to your clients.

You can offer something that no other agency is offering in your industry. Having a diverse talent base will give a competitive edge to your company. And you can come up with something unique and creative.

Plus, you can reduce your hiring cost as freshers’ salary is less than experienced employees.

Step 5. Gather your tools

Want to run a successful freelance agency? Then, automation is a must for you.

You cannot manage several tasks, team members, and clients without proper project management software.

Besides this, you need software for generating invoices and receiving payments from clients. You also need software to pay your freelancers on time.

If you pay your freelancers based on hours, you also need time tracking and project management software to generate invoices.

Now, no need to feel stressed about it. You don’t need to get different software to manage your freelance agency. With just one tool, you can easily manage your agency work.

Yes, Kosmo is the tool that can help you run your entire agency from a dashboard. 

It is a freelance project management software. So, it is designed considering all the requirements of freelancers and creators.

The software has all the features to manage your projects, clients, and team members, such as:

  • Generate invoices
  • Set income goals
  • Receive payments 
  • Time tracking
  • Client management 
  • Project management, etc. 

And the best part is that it is a free tool. If you only have two clients, you can use this software for free.

However, the paid version is also not too expensive. It costs $9 per month and $90 per year to manage unlimited clients with Kosmo. 

Step 6. Go through tax rules

Once you settle your legal agency, you are no longer an individual taxpayer. You are a business identity, and you have to pay tax under the company name.

Therefore, if you don’t want to get in trouble with Uncle Sam, you should go through freelance agency taxation rules and regulations prevailing in your state or County.

Also, note down all the important tax dates and documents you need to run your agency. 

If you are not good at taxes, it is better to hire a professional accountant. Today, you can find many great freelance accountants who can manage your agency account at affordable rates.

Step 7. Build your digital brand

The final step to starting a freelance agency is building your digital brand.

To attract more clients, you need to create a solid digital foundation for your business. 

Especially if you have remote work set up, you need a good digital brand to invite freelancers and clients to work for/with you. 

So, the first thing you need is a business website. It is the digital address of your business where clients can search for your services.

The website also works as a portfolio holder. You can upload your previous projects and assignments on your website to show your potential clients.

Moreover, you can publish your previous clients’ testimonials, reviews, and case studies to build your brand authority.

Also, we all know blogging is important to keep search engines active and rank your website at the top.

When you are building your digital business presence, don’t forget to set up a social media profile.

Social media marketing is the best place to promote your business and attract new clients. You can make people aware of your services with a regular social media presence.

So, depending upon your business sector, you should target the right social media platforms to create your business profiles.

Let’s Launch Your Freelance Agency Now!

There you go, people! You are now all ready to set up your freelance agency. 

Just follow this step-by-step guide, and you can start your new agency in no time.

However, one thing that you should always remember while starting an agency is to think and behave like an entrepreneur.

You are no longer a freelancer. You are a leader and project manager. So, show confidence and get into the right headspace. 

That’s it for now! And best of luck with your new venture.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

Dubsado vs. Asana: Best Project Management Software

Confused between Dubsado and Asana? Then, let’s check out the Dubsado vs. Asana comparison in depth. 

Project management is important for every business. Project managers can better run projects and store client databases with them.

Asana here is one of the leading project management software. Asana client portal lets users manage several clients at a time.

And Dubsado allows clients to view their project status in real-time. It opens up a smooth communication line between creative experts and their clients.

Its team collaboration is awesome. And many global companies are today fans of both platforms. 

But the question is — which is better between Dubsado and Asana?

Well, to know all that, let’s scroll down and explore the ultimate Dubsado vs. Asana guide. 

Ultimate Guide Dubsado vs. Asana

What is Asana? 

Before moving ahead, let’s understand what Asana is. As mentioned earlier, Asana is a project management tool. 

Asana
But it is not any PM tool. Instead, Asana has a client portal that helps clients check project updates in no time. 

It also has an easy-to-use interface. Even non-technical users can pick it up within minutes. Also, it is a nice task management software. 

Asana’s Features Checklist

Asana has many great features to support projects, tasks, or interactions. 

It allows you to disable comments for a user with a click. 

You can also sort projects based on location, time, etc.

So, let’s understand Asana features to understand Dubsado vs. Asana better.

Organize projects. It can sort your projects in a listicle or Kanban board. This helps to view important project details. 

Small tasks. Asana helps to break a task into small and manageable parts. It lets you work better and communicate. 

Assigning. Let users assign each task to a clear owner. It sets the responsibility of a person to complete a certain task.

Sections and columns. You can group tasks into sections or columns in a List. This way, you organize all tasks and align your workflow.

Custom fields. You can add dropdown or text custom fields in projects. Asana also sends notifications when custom fields are changed. 

Forms. It stores all the right project details. Asana connects forms to projects so you can track all details in one place. 

Due dates. Record due dates and times for every task. This ensures that all your projects are completed on time. 

Timelines. A Gantt view of project deadlines to better plan your workflow. 

Attachments. Integration with cloud storage services to store project-related documents. It works with OneDrive, Dropbox, or Box. 

Rules. Allows setting rules to automate repetitive tasks. For example, updating Asana fields, assigning tasks, and more. 

Templates. To get a quick start, you can use premade templates. There is also an option to save your own project as a template.  

Approvals. With the Asana client portal, clients can give approvals on your work. 

Comments on tasks. Clients can add direct comments on a task for feedback. You can also give directions to your teammates. 

Proofing. Offer clear feedback to your team and receive the same from clients. 

Comments on images. Asana lets you leave direct comments on the images. 

Project discussions. You can discuss the project’s progress with your team and clients. 

Team pages. View your entire team’s projects in a single portal. You can make team announcements at any time. 

Languages. Asana supports several international languages. It makes it easy to manage your projects in your mother tongue.

Rich text. Make your messages bold and clear with rich text. 

Advantages of Using Asana 

Asana has a huge user base in the market. Many people use this software to manage their projects today.

From the features, it is clear that Asana has some great features to support project management.

So, let’s have a look at the advantages of using Asana client ports:

Easy to use 

The best thing about Asana is it is easy to use. It has a graphical user interface that anyone can use.

It has a simple navigation system to find features. All the features are present on the dashboard. There is no hidden feature.

First-time users can find their way around Asana without any problem. 

So, if you have a big team of non-technical users, this software is perfect for you.

Smooth integration 

Do you use automation solutions to run your business operations?

Then, with Asana, you can integrate all your business automation solutions. Moreover, you don’t have to add entries again.

This software can connect with other business tools and save you time. For example, it connects well with Google Drive, Slack, Microsoft Outlook, etc. 

Great for collaboration 

Asana is a project management software with collaboration features. You can collaborate with your entire team in real-time.

You can control privacy settings and access tasks from the dashboard. It has great features for online remote teams.

Despite location barriers, you can work with your team in this collaboration software.

The software also displays the personal tasks of your team members. You can view them and add your comments.

Easy task management 

Asana has amazing task management features. You can view your team members’ tasks and assign them new tasks within the software.

You can also assign priority tasks. This way, your team members can work on the important task first.

This portal has perfect task management functions, from assigning tasks to tracking performance.

Disadvantages of Using Asana 

The Asana client portal is nice. But, it is not perfect. There are some disadvantages that users might find in this software, such as:

No time tracking 

Now, we all know how important time tracking is to complete projects on time. In addition, time tracking helps to improve teams’ performance and productivity.

But, the software doesn’t have a time tracking feature. So, it can impact your team’s performance.

Experience is essential 

Asana is a simple project management software. But only for those people who have some basic technical knowledge.

For novice users, this software has a bit of a learning curve. So, you might need some technical assistance to use this software.

You also have to provide basic training to use Asana to your team. That can increase your team’s workload and financial pressure on your company.

Too many features 

Too many cooks can spoil the dish. In Asana’s case, too many features can confuse users.

The software has so many features that new users might not understand them all.

If you are a contractor with a limited customer base, this software can confuse you a lot. There are so many features that you might not ever use.

So, for small teams, this software is too much.

Limited free version 

Asana’s forever-free version has limited features. It can support up to a certain level of projects only.

You have to pay at least $10 per month to unlock more features. Now, small teams cannot afford to spend that much money on just one software.

What is Dubsado?

Dubsado is the best project management tool for creative freelancers. It is suitable for photographers to manage various clients.
Dubsado vs. Asana

Busy freelancers can organize their project data and client appointments with Dubsado. 

The software automates all admin work. This frees up users’ time to focus on their real job. 

Dubsado’s Features Checklist

Project management. Manage all clients and projects from a dashboard. It can help you interact with clients via emails or portals. 

Easy booking. It lets you book client appointments right from your website. This will save you time in coordinating with clients. 

Lead generation. You can bring new customers with Dubsado. It can automate the client onboarding process to convert leads faster. 

Proposals. Allows you to draft several kinds of business proposals. Clients can select and sign a contract within the portal. 

Improve user experience. It can improve client experience with omnichannel contact. You can contact your clients via email, form, invoice, etc. 

 Custom elements. Dubsado has several customizable elements. It has custom forms, email templates, and more. 

Advantages of Using Dubsado 

Dubsado is a great tool. It can integrate with many other tools. And it has a simple interface.
Dubsado vs. Asana

Here are the main reasons to use Dubsado:

Customization 

Do you love your brand? Of course, you do!

With Dubsado, you can add several brand elements to celebrate your brand. 

For example, you can create templates for proposals or forms suiting your brand image. 

You can also use URL mapping to hide the fact that you are using Dubsado.

It helps to promote your brand when you use custom proposals or forms. 

Flexible workflow 

Dubsado allows you to automate your entire workflow. 

It frees up freelancers’ time that they spend on admin work. 

This way, they can focus on their main job. And use unique strategies to grow their business. 

Payment options 

Dubsado supports several payment modules like Stripe, PayPal, etc. 

You can select one or all payment options based on your needs.

You can also apply for manual payments if your client prefers to pay via a cheque or e-transfer.

Email integration 

This software will allow you to use your own domain or branded email address. Even if you are not using Gmail. 

This means when you reply to an email from Dubsado, the email will match your actual email address.

Disadvantages of Using Dubsado 

Dubsado is not flawless software. 

So, to better compare Dubsado vs. Asana, have a look at a few Dubsado disadvantages:

Hard to set up 

Dubsado’s initial setup is hard. 

People with minimal technical knowledge might find it hard to set up the software. 

There are many customizable settings that you have to select before starting. 

It has a steep learning curve. So, for non-technical users, it is not the best solution.

No free version 

Like Asana, Dubsado has no free version. In fact, its basic plan starts from $200 per year. 

For new freelancers and small businesses, it is an expensive tool.  

Also, the starter has a few features. It can’t help with scheduling, which is the main function.

For that, you have to get the Premier version for $400 per year.

Can’t Decide Between Dubsado vs. Asana?

Can’t choose between Dubsado vs. Asana? Then, let’s pick another tool.

Another option is – Kosmo. It is a free project management software for contractors and small teams.

The software has task management and client management features.

It integrates with other business automation solutions like PayPal.

You can also generate invoices and contracts with Kosmo. You can even share contracts with your clients and receive digital signatures within the portal.

It can help you create branded emails and send email alerts for important days.

You can track your team’s productivity and time. It divides projects into small sessions to help you meet your deadlines.

You can create a client database. This database can help you provide personalized solutions to your individual customers.

If you have up to 2 clients, the forever-free version is perfect. But,if you have more than 2 clients, you’ll have to get the premium plan for only $90 per year.

Moreover, you can book a free demo to better understand this product.

All in all, it is a great Asana alternative.

Dubsado vs. Asana: Conclusion

So, Dubsado and Asana client portals are a nice way to manage your projects and clients. Both have many features to manage your project and collaborate with your team.

But, they are not perfect. They both have some flaws like too many features or expensive plans.

But, there are alternatives for this software also available. For example, Kosmo.

It is easy to use. There are many other features like invoice creation and proposals.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

6 Best Independent Contractor Software to Better Manage Your Clients

Are you an independent contractor? Then, you must have a busy schedule. 

Managing several clients and projects on your own is not an easy task.

Thus, you should invest in the best independent contractor software. The software will help you automate repetitive tasks. 

This will free up your time that you can use to build personal relationships with your clients. 

Besides this, the freelance industry is growing faster. This industry is growing at a CAGR of 15.3% between 2019-2025. 

So, the competition is high in the industry. Thus, you need independent contractor software to provide a good user experience.

Today, there are many great contract management software available in the market. So, you might find it hard to find the best contractor software. 

But nothing to worry about. Just follow this guide to learn about the best contract software features and options. 

Must’ve Independent Contractor Software Features 

Most contracts make the mistake of getting the software without comparing features. 

You see, people, good contract management software is useless if it doesn’t meet your requirements.

Or if the software vendor doesn’t update its features with time.

So, you should note all your contract software needs. And based on that, find the best independent contractor software. 

Every contractor has different software needs based on their projects and clients. 

But some core contract management needs are the same. And based on that, I have shortlisted the must-have contract management software features:

Consistent and single dashboard 

 A good independent contractor software has a single dashboard. It provides a complete view of all contracts. 

It also shows the contract end, completion, and other details. This makes it easy for contractors to plan and make decisions.

The dashboard can help contractors to schedule and complete pending projects on time. They can also decide whether they have time to take on new projects or not.

Access contract data 

Do you have several contracts running at once? Do you provide various services to clients?

Then, if you do not sort different contracts and track each contract’s information. You might miss important project details, leading to a poor user experience.

So, the best solution is to get an independent contractor software with centralized storage.

This makes it easy for you to access contract data with a click. This way, your team has to spend less time searching for information.

CLM software also sorts your contract information. This will help your teams to collaborate on a contract and access information.

Besides this, contract management software must have search filters to find information faster.

Contract creation 

It takes time to create a contract document from scratch. Also, you have to write a contract with proper language and legal terms. 

It is a boring task to detect errors in a big contract document.

Therefore, good contract software allows you to create contracts with simple templates.

This way, you don’t have to spend hours writing and correcting contract documents. 

You can simply use a template and create a custom contract for every client.

Besides this, a portal is required to manage and analyze all contracts. 

This process will not only fasten up contract creation. But also decrease your liability and increase compliance. 

Automated workflow 

Human errors are a huge problem while managing contracts. One small mistake, and you can invite legal trouble your way. 

Thus, you must get an independent contractor software that limits manual work. 

For example, calculating invoices based on working hours is prone to error. But, when software calculates task sessions, there is no room for error. 

Contract management software with automatic workflow can help to avoid gaps. The software can send email reminders to ensure your employees don’t forget anything. 

With automation, you can reduce your time and resources on contract workflow.

You can better guide yourself through every step of the contract lifecycle. You can give more time to creating business growth strategies. 

So, look for software that can automate most human tasks.

Electronic signature 

You must have to sign several contracts and documents every day. 

In this, contract management software with e-signature functions is vital. 

It will save you from all the hassle of downloading, printing, and scanning contracts. 

You can simply sign the document within the software. 

This feature comes in handy when you have to get clients’ or team members’ signs in real time. 

Document management system 

The contractor does not have to work on contracts all day. They have to also work on various documents supporting their contracts. 

For instance, schedules, budget estimates, and other documents. 

In this, if your project management software only helps with contracts. Then, you need to get separate software for document management.

It can create a huge confusion when you have to move back and forth between software.  

You should look for a contract management system that can work with document management tools. 

This way, your team can work through one software and find the relevant information.

Smart reporting 

To provide the best services to your clients, you must always know what’s going on with each contract. 

You must know when a contract is in progress and when it is complete. You also need to know all project deadlines and important notes. 

Therefore, your independent contractor software must have smart reporting features. It will also help you stay up to date. 

6 Best Independent Contractor Software for Better Workflow Management 

Now that you know what features to look into your independent contractor software. So, the next step is to find the best contractor software to manage your different contracts.

There are many great contract management software available in the market. 

I will suggest that you find the best software after understanding your business requirements.

However, some of the best contract of software that anyone can use today are:

1. Kosmo 

Kosmo is a simple independent contractor software. This software will help you create custom contracts for different clients. 

You can follow all the industry compliance to draft contracts. It offers a single dashboard to view all your contracts and proposals.

You can track your contract and individual task sessions. This way, you can access your client’s information with a click. 

You can also sign your contract and manage different documents within this software.

The program also helps you generate invoices and receive payments from your clients. There is also a notification feature to complete your contracts on time.

Besides this, it is also a project management software. So, you can work on several projects and clients at the same time.

The best part is it is a free tool. You can use the software for free if you have 2 clients.

However, if you want to work with more clients, you can upgrade to the premium version for only $9 per month. 

2. Bonsai

Bonsai is a customer relationship management software. It is a cloud-based software for small teams to manage their contracts.

The software has all the features that you ever require to work with different clients. It has invoicing to outbound marketing features in one place. 

If you want to scale up your business operations, this is the perfect contract management software.

It is a perfect tool for remote companies to manage their team members from around the globe.

The software supports more than 30 languages, which makes it perfect for international teams.   

The software also helps to generate leads and manage different contracts. It has a dedicated contract tool to store and organize your contacts in a dashboard.

There are also many other features to run your business operations. For example, email alerts, time tracking, and so on.

The software is compatible with all the leading operating systems. You can also use the software on your mobile devices.

For accounting teams, it is a great tool. That’s because it can integrate with several accounting software like QuickBooks.

If you are undecided if Bonsai is the right solution for you, we’ve listed some of the best Hello Bonsai alternatives here.

3. HoneyBook

Do you want to scale your small business? If so, HoneyBook can be a good option for you. HoneyBook is a direct competitor to Hello Bonsai and you can compare them here.

It is a cloud-based CRM software that helps to manage contracts and clients. You can build a personalized relationship with your clients with HoneyBook.

Besides this, the software can support all the features that you might need to grow your business. It has time tracking software to ensure that your team‘s productivity is always high.

This also leads to the generation and invoice-creating software features. You can find new clients and manage their contracts with this tool.

The software is available on Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS devices. Due to mobile support, you can always stay connected with your team and be kind.

All these features definitely come at a higher price than comparable solutions.

You can also use HoneyBook with QuickBooks, Stripe, and FreshBooks

4. Icertis Suite

Contracts are boring. They are full of statistics and figures that make no sense to novice users.

And this independent contractor software has understood this problem. Icertis Suite has used artificial intelligence to create smart contract management solutions.

This software turns boring statistics into result-driven strategies. You can better understand your contract and plan of action with visual charts.

This program is available in over 40 languages. So, you can use this program to work with your remote teams located across the globe.

In more than 90 countries, this software has helped several clients. Moreover, around $1 trillion worth of contracts Icertis Suite has designed. 

All in all, it is a simple and easy-to-use software to manage contracts for big companies.

5. App4Legal

App4Legal is an all-in-one contract management software. With this program, you can get full contract life support.

You can create, share, approve, sign and execute contracts with this one tool. 

There are many great contract templates available. You can use these templates to create contacts for several clients.

It is a multi-language software. Thus, you can coordinate with your international clients and teams.

If you plan to scale up your business, this software is perfect for that.

6. Plutio 

Plutio is a CRM solution for freelancers. This software covers all the basic needs that freelancers and contractors have.

It is one platform to manage leads, invoices, and clients. You don’t need to get any other software with this one.

It has a simple interface. Thus, your team members can work on it. 

It has automated all the essential contact management features. So you can better focus on growing your freelance business. 

It has automated billing and invoicing features. You can receive payments and send reminders for due payments.

So, if you just want to focus on your business, you should get this software.

Parting Note

The independent contractor software can change the entire game for you. It allows you to better manage your contracts and offer better customer support service.

You can free up your time with this software. This way, you can better focus on important business strategies.

You can focus on things like team management, customer relationships, and so on.

So, this post has already shared the best contract management software features and 6 amazing options.

Now, I will let you decide which software is best for your business. 

However, in my opinion, I would suggest you go with Kosmo.

This is because the software has a free version and is perfect for freelancers. It has contact management, invoicing, project management, and many other features.

But, the final choice is always yours.

That’s it for now! If you have any suggestions for contract management software, please share them in the comments.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

Top 6 Client Reporting Tools to Build Solid Agency-Client Relationship

Are you struggling to maintain a good relationship with your clients? If so, get client reporting tools today.

Most agencies face problems while building relationships with their clients.

The main reason behind it is a lack of trust. Clients don’t trust agencies and vice versa.

So, the first step to building relationships with your clients is gaining their trust. A report shows that 53% of consumers buy from brands they trust. 

And with regular reporting, you can win your clients’ interest.

When you share regular reports with your clients, this will show your hard work and efforts to them.

It will create a transparent workflow, which will help to build a strong relationship.

So, let’s explore some of the best client reporting tools to work on your agency-client relationship.

Why Do You Need Client Reporting Tools?

Client reporting software is not much common today among small businesses. 

And that’s a big problem. Clients are the reason you have a business today. If people start not trusting your brand, you will have no business tomorrow. 

But, if you are not sure about getting a client reporting system, these reasons will help you decide:

Show your value

A client is paying you for your services. So, they want to know how you are spending their money.

Suppose you provide digital marketing services to businesses. In that case, you need to share reports with your client to show them how your efforts are turning into results.

For example, you can share Facebook growth metric reports or traffic reports with your clients. This will tell clients that their money is not getting wasted.

Moreover, you can show clients how capable you are. When you say that you can produce good results in a short time, people might not believe you.

But, when you share reports, it will better display your worth to them. 

Maintain legacy clients

It is not easy to find new clients in this economy. It takes constant marketing efforts and sales hassle to find good clients.

So, you should fight tooth and nail to hold your existing clients. You should build a healthy relationship with your current clients.

With legacy clients, you don’t have to worry about a slowdown or recession. These people will work with you no matter what.

That is because they trust your brand. And, don’t mind recommending your services to their friends or family.

With reporting, you can show your clients how you can help them.

For example, you can share your client reports by email with your old clients. You can show them what you can offer them. 

Good customer support 

Reports are something that clients should never ask from agencies. In fact, you should provide real-time reports to your clients.

It helps to build a good customer experience. When your clients know the exact position of their project, they will get peace of mind.

They don’t feel like you are hiding something from them. It opens up a communication line between your agency and clients.

Some agencies these days use black hat strategies to improve their clients’ SEO scores faster. But, in the long run, these strategies damage online brands.

So, with reporting, clients can see that you are using all-white hat strategies to grow their business.

Relax clients 

Digital marketing agencies always have to deal with agitated clients. That’s because it takes time for digital marketing efforts to come on the ground.

Experts always say to wait for at least 4-6 months to see the actual impact of digital marketing work.

But, clients don’t understand these things. They want results.

So, with reports, you can show results to your clients. You can show clients how your digital ad increases their website traffic.

So, you can relax your clients with reports and make them trust your abilities.

Keep everyone on the same page

Your client has only outsourced services from your agency for a project. But, your client is still the owner of the project.

So, it is a good idea to keep clients in the loop. You should share real-time reports with them to keep them updated.

You and your clients are working on the same project. So, you both need all the information to make further decisions.

Sort team conflicts 

With reports, project managers can resolve team conflicts without any problems.

Reports provide managers with details of the performance and production schedule of each employee.

This way, if two team members have issues, reports can give a base to resolve them.

For example, if there’s a team conflict regarding time spent on completing a task. Then, reports can show you how much time each employee has spent on a task.

Managers can ensure that their projects are submitted on time with instant reports. 

Detect issues early 

Things don’t always go the way you have planned. Your project timeline might extend due to some external factors.

So, reports help you keep ready for those uncertain situations.

Using reports, you can see when your project is not following according to your set timeline.

In that case, you can either find the reason behind slow project progress. Or, you can ask for an extension from your clients.

Now, asking for extensions from clients right before the completion date is an unprofessional move.

Thanks to reports, you can now detect issues before it’s too late. This gives you proper time to find the right solution to solve those issues.

Educate your clients

You are the master of your services. You know how things work in your industry.

But your client is not aware of those things. They want assistance and education from you.

Reports here can help you educate your clients about your industry. You can show clients different situations that might arise during the project completion.

When you onboard a new client, reports can help you show them what they should expect in the coming days.

Also, you can use your previous reports as case studies to target new clients. 

You can use screenshots from your reports and share them on your website or social media platforms. It will work as a social proofing element to market your services.

6 Best of the Best Client Reporting Tools

Client reporting is the best way to build agency and client relationships. You can better communicate and market your services to potential clients with reports.

So, client reporting is important for all agencies. But, for that, you need to first get the best of the best client reporting tools.

If your software is not up to the mark, you cannot gain all benefits from reporting.

So, here are some of the best time reporting tools for small businesses and agencies:

1. Kosmo 

Kosmo is a simple and easy-to-use client management portal. It is a complete client management software with several interesting features.

It has a simple client tracking layout that allows you to see everything you need to remember about the client in an instance. 

Apart from client features, this software has many other features to manage clients and projects. For instance:

  • Branded emails
  • Generate invoices
  • Track projects and task sessions
  • Maintain client database
  • Set income goals and project timelines
  • Integration with other business tools like PayPal 
  • Contract and proposal creation

Despite all the amazing features, it is a free tool. If you are a freelancer, you can use this software for free.

For agencies, it has a compatible pricing range. You can get the software for only $9 per month or $90 per year.

2. Megalytic

Megalytic is a data analysis and report creation tool. This software tracks data from different resources to create a complete performance report.

If you use Google Data Studio (GDS) tools, this software goes well with it.

It is a cloud-based software that integrates with different solutions. It is a simple data collection and reporting software.

You cannot do anything else with this software. For project and client management, you need to use separate tools.

Megalytic pricing starts from $39.99 per month. So, for mid-size businesses, it is an expensive tool.


3. Databox

Is your agency data scattered across different tools and software? Then, you should get Databox to store all your client data in one place.

The main function of this client reporting tool is to collect your agency data from different sources and store it in a location.

This way, you don’t have to move back and forth between different tools to find relevant information. You can just open Databox and find the information that your client is requesting.

Databox works well with different business automation tools, such as:

  • HubSpot Marketing
  • HubSpot CRM
  •  Google Analytics
  • Adwords
  • Facebook ads
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin Company Pages 
  • Instagram

Databox is a single platform for agencies. This helps agencies set goals and share performance reports faster with their clients.

4. RavenTools

RavenTools is the perfect client reporting software for digital marketing agencies. The software has all the basic features that marketers need to provide reports.

Agencies can create different types of digital marketing performance reports with this software. For example:

  • A research center to analyze competitors or targeted website
  • Complete report on backlink building campaigns
  • SEO auditor reports
  • Social media marketing schedules and updates, etc.

For analyzing your client’s website with their competitor, this is the best tool. You can compare different statistics, like: 

  • Backlinks
  • Domain authority
  • Load time
  • Page speed

It also has a simple drag-and-drop menu. You can add details to your reports with this.

For a digital marketing agency, this is the must-have client reporting software.

5. Metrics Watch

Metrics Watch is a bit different client reporting system. It is a cloud-based software that helps agencies share reports with their clients.

It is an email-based software that helps you deliver reports to your client’s inboxes. There is no need to use any third-party tool or link to share reports.

This software can share instant reports with your clients via email.

Moreover, it integrates with many other tools. It works with Facebook ads, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, etc.

It is the perfect software for white labeling to avoid client confusion.

You will also get a 14 days free trial with this software. After that, you can select subscription plans starting from $29 per month.

6. TapClicks

TapClicks is an ultimate reporting tool for marketing agencies. This software contains all the features that agencies need to share with their clients.

It is a cloud-based software that can store all your reports.

It can provide clients with a complete picture of their marketing campaigns. 

Using campaign analysis features, project managers can share detailed reports with clients.

Many other modules are available in the software to provide better reporting features. For example:

  • TapReports to share omnichannel reports with clients. 
  • TapWorkflow to manage workflow and keep the marketing team on the same page.
  • TapOrders helps to receive payments and manage client orders. 
  • iSpionage is intelligent marketing software to align all search engine optimization results.

Using all these different tools, you can provide a complete overview to your clients. This will help you improve client satisfaction levels.

Conclusion: Best Client Reporting Tools!

Is it your business goal to improve relationships with your clients? Do you want to impress your existing clients? Do you want to attract new clients?

Then, all you need is the best client reporting tools. Reporting not only helps to gain your client’s trust.

It also helps to showcase your value. You can better tell people about your work when you have reports to show your value.

So, to build a strong agency-client relationship, select the best client reporting software today.

I have shared my favorite 6 client reporting platforms with you. My most favorite one is Kosmo.

Because it is easy to use and perfect for small businesses.

Rest, you can test all the software and come to the right decision.

That’s it for now! Keep on exploring more information on this blog site.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

How To Get Graphic Design Clients For Your Design Agency

Graphic designing is one of the emerging careers in 2022. Every large organization has a need for creative art for the success of all businesses. So, there is a massive demand for Graphic Designers.

Graphic designing has an immense scope, from web designing to corporate branding, from promotional items to print production.

So, as we can see, graphic designers will always be on the top of the wanted list because they carry potential skills that are required by every business. So, if there is massive demand in the market for graphic designers, then where are graphic designers lacking?

The answer to this is that graphic design is a vast skill. In this competitive corporate world, businesses are looking for freelancer niche-specific graphic designers. Why freelance now?

Because companies are cutting their office expenses and want graphic designers to work on a requirement basis, the point is: How does a graphic designer know a company is looking for them?

So, here comes the main hot topic “How to get graphic design clients in 2022?”

So, all the graphics designers out there reading this blog, stay tuned because I will break down the whole process of getting the client into 10 easy step-by-step strategies for you.

Getting a graphic design client is no hard and fast rule if you rigorously follow the below-mentioned strategies.

Here they are:

  1. Identify your niche and narrow it down ( focus on your niche)
  2. Decide what you value and stick to it
  3. Create your portfolio and optimize it
  4. Register with job sites – Upwork, Fiverr, FlexJobs
  5. Go where graphic clients already are ( follow your graphical design clients)
  6. Utilize social media to create valuable content and market it
  7. Make sure everything is up-to-date
  8. Networking with a network – ask for referrals and recommendations
  9. Make use of social proof
  10. Follow-up is consequential, so don’t ignore it

Let’s take a brief look at the steps necessary to find new clients for your freelancing business.

Step #1
Identify your niche and narrow it down ( focus on your niche)

Choosing a niche and narrowing it down seems easy, but it’s the most tricky thing ever. We never know which niche is profitable and which is not, which is most demanding and which is not?

First, you must find out the areas you are interested in. Rather than describing yourself as a general graphic designer, you can be more specific with your specialized generic fields and look far more professional.

You won’t believe this step of narrowing will do 50% of your work and double your chances of getting the client sooner.

Let’s understand this with an example,

Suppose there is a Gaming company looking for a graphic designer. Whom will they approach?

  1. A graphic Designer
  2. 3D and Animation Specialist Graphic Designer

I know the definite answer is Option B. Reason being in this scenario, the gap between graphic designer and client reduces.

Clients will get to know that you are specialized in what they are looking for. And you will also deliver the best out of it being specialized in a particular generic field.

If you find it challenging to find a niche, click here.

Step #2
Decide your value and stick to it

After knowing your niche, you should be clear on your values because values set you apart from the crowd.

There are high chances of converting a client if you can communicate your values to your clients.

To know your value, sit back and answer these questions.

  • What is a unique or special skill you have?
  • What sets you apart from other competitors?
  • What will you provide to your clients that other designers don’t?

Most graphic designers skip this step, and this is where they lack. Let me make it easy for you.

Understand with the above example,

Suppose you have an experience in the gaming industry in 3D and animation graphics. In that case, you will have more value for your clients because you understand the needs and requirements of that industry better than others.

So, communicating value to clients is essential. You can add your achievements to your portfolio, display awards and results of past projects, etc.

Step #3
Create your portfolio and optimize it

The portfolio is the foremost thing that leaves the first impression on your client. It would help if you were sure to make your portfolio as best as possible.

The portfolio is one of the crucial assets for winning graphic design clients.

Your portfolio must communicate the best of all of your past projects. This can be a win-win position if you update your portfolio regularly.

There are a few things to keep in mind while making a portfolio. Check this out.

Must Include :

  • Who you are
  • What you do
  • Your Previous Works/Projects (The best ones)
  • Easy Portfolio Format
  • How to Get in Touch with you

Step #4
Register with job sites – Upwork, Fiverr, FlexJobs

The fastest and easiest way to get graphic design clients is to sign up on trending and fast-growing freelancing websites. Here are the very high chances that you get a client.

There is a massive list of freelancing sites, but these are the best places where you can sign up and get your first client now.

  • Fiverr

The most loved and preferred freelancing site is Fiverr and we published an article about Fiverr’s pricing structure as well. You set your hours, and you can set your days, you can specify additional charges and whatnot. It helps you build your little empire. Yes, empire (lol).

Fiverr has many opportunities where you can create your gigs in just a few minutes and live in your empire to get the client. Fiverr has a couple of different charges for sellers and buyers.

It’s pretty easy to become a seller on Fiverr, so you can get started finding clients in a matter of minutes.

  • Upwork

I have chosen Upwork here because it is the most helpful marketplace that can help you get graphic design clients. As per my experience, it takes a bit more time to set up the account than in other marketplaces but spending time here is worth every second.

Upwork has so many opportunities for freelancers that many graphic designers are getting full-time living opportunities for this.

  • Flexjobs

My last favorite freelancing job site for getting graphic design is Flexjobs. They provide many opportunities for specific fields. The interface is easy to use and a quick solution for getting a graphic design client.

It will not disappoint you anyway!

Step #5 Go where graphic designing clients already are ( follow your graphic clients)

Conversely, if the client is not searching for you, you go where the client is already present.

That makes sense, right?

This is one of the most beautiful strategies to get your living from graphic design. There are many conferences, business meet-ups, or local working spaces where industry people hang around, available almost everywhere.

You need to figure out a few and catch up with them there.

#Networking Is Always A King

But if not offline, then online is just a matter of clicking. Open your Facebook and Instagram, join groups, see your clients and you are all done. Not just this, Linkedin is also a great hit where you get potential clients of graphic design.

Step #6
Utilize social media to create valuable content and market it

Is Anything more potent than Social Media? I guess NO!

Social Media is one of the most potent assets anyone can have.

You might not have followers, likes, or subscribers as a beginner. But learn social media, use hashtags and catchy captions, make attractive thumbnails, and make reels because content goes viral like a fire on social media.

Use a business account, maintain a professional presence, and upload your work so that if someone finds it attractive, they will follow you. Likewise, you will start getting clients and orders from social media.

Step #7
Make sure everything is up-to-date

Regular posting and regular presence make you look available for work. It creates a high chance of getting a graphic design client because they are usually curious to see the latest work rather than the same monotonous work.

So, it would be best if you were up-to-date on your platforms. No matter how they result for you, you should be active with the latest trend and projects so that nothing will be left behind.

Step #8
Networking – ask for referrals and recommendations

“Don’t run behind the opportunity. Create the opportunity.” Yes, this phrase is so suitable for graphic designers because they are the ones who are required in every service field and every potential business.

So, you need to go out and create opportunities for yourself. Have meetings, introduce yourself, give proposals on how you can be beneficial for them and their success, and see the results then!

Why should they not hire you at that exact moment? They will employ or connect you with someone who needs your skills by referring you.

So, always network and grow 3x.

Meanwhile, references and recommendations are also compelling but mostly not taken seriously. Always ask for feedback from your client after the submission of your work. It not only helps you in improvement but also creates a bunch of reviews for you to showcase to your clients.

There are many marketing tools available online, but till today, Word of mouth is considered and given importance by the big firms to grow.

Step #9
Make use of social proof

Taking reviews is fine, but do post them on social media. After seeing the testimonials, there is double the chance to build trust and convert it into your regular paid client.

Trust in mind is the main point where clients decide whether they will onboard you.

You can ask your clients to give you feedback and recommendations on your website, which will be helpful for you to learn about your values.

Because it’s human nature, if a client sees that you have done excellent work for another organization, they recommend you. They will ultimately be assured of your skill and provide you with work.

Also, add a social proof page on your website column too.

Step #10
Follow-up is consequential, so don’t ignore it

Last but not least, there are high chances of getting lots of queries but no revert later. Or it might be that some of them asked for your portfolio and didn’t get back.

What to do, then?

Write a follow-up.

Some of you might think they will get back to us if they are interested, but if they don’t, they are not likely to take the services.

Someone who reached out in the first place is the most crucial customer base which has high chance of converting into potential clients because they enquired after looking at your profile and asked for a portfolio because they are already interested.

So, most of them get busy or skip and ignore it for some reason. Still, your follow-up reminds them to have a look again, and this step conveys that you care about their business and gives a thumbs up to your value.

Get going!

Once you get the client, then to help you out, let me share one freelance business management tool which will help you to provide value to your customer.

There is different project management software out there; some are paid, and some are free, but choosing the best is still confusing.

KOSMO is a great tool I use for my clients. It helps me create professional graphic design invoices, contracts and proposals in a blink of an eye with the help of their beautiful templates.

Kosmo’s platform is easy to use and manage. It helps you to manage your business smoothly with customizable documents.

For beginners, freelancers, and small business owners, it is the best tool to work with your client. It will save you time so you can invest that in your creativity,

Some might be thinking, “How much does Kosmo Cost?”

It’s $0 (FREE). Yes

Its plan starts from $0 up to $9 per month. You can upgrade your plan if you grow your client base.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.

The Best Creative Agency Organization Charts in 2022

Every business is aware of the importance of organization charts. It is also known as an org chart or organizational chart. It displays the structure of any organization.

Being a part of a creative agency, you must know how important it is to have an organizational chart. Because it is to understand the relationship between the departments, teams and employees.

It is designed and presented in the form of charts and flow diagrams using digital tools.

Learn how Creative agencies use charts to organize their teams and share responsibilities. Thus, leading to a smoother operation process for the business. Let’s dive into the basics of the organization charts to understand it and have no doubt left unanswered.

What is a creative agency org structure or agency org chart?

Creative Agency Organizational charts are also known as hierarchy charts. It is a representation of the structure of the innovative agency organization.

Circle and square shapes are used for an employee’s name and their respective job position.

They interlink with each other with the help of lines. It shows the relationship between the departments, teams, and their roles.

Creative agencies use org charts to look at the overview of the organization. Including the number of employees. Several levels, team interaction and relations, higher authorities and much more.

Why is the organizational structure necessary for the growth of a creative agency

Creative agencies need the org chart at every step. It does not matter whether you are a big brand or a newbie. But structuring the org chart will be beneficial in many ways.

It is an invaluable tool. But it is proportional to the agency’s success. Not only success but efficiency, scalability, growth, communication, and culture.

While making the org chart, hundreds of questions will pop up immediately in your mind.

What should I take care of while making an org chart? Which type of org chart suits my business? How to make a flawless org chart? What mistakes to avoid while making it? What are the tools used for designing it?

And endless questions.

But to help you with these doubts, we have covered all the major topics in this article.

What are the leading positions in creative agencies?

Creative agencies have different levels of job roles in the organization. Understanding the position is essential because it decreases miscommunication among teams and employees.

So, leading positions in any creative agency are :

  • Management Team

The management team includes the top managers of respective departments. They have the power of decision-making and implementation.

The Board of Directors, Managing Director, and Agency President come under this category.

  • Middle Level

The middle level is the team of people positioned below the management team. They have to execute the decisions made by top management.

Example -Production Head, Accounting Manager, Client Onboarding Manager, Marketing Manager, Head of technology etc.

  • Junior Level

The Junior level is the employees who are responsible for the day-to-day operations. They are the first face for direct communication with the clients.

Marketers, developers, content writers, account executives, creative teams, etc., come under this category.

What are the most common agency hierarchy org charts?

Agencies use a hierarchy org chart to group their employees. In this, their responsibilities can be drafted and managed. It gives an overview of the employees’ roles and who to report on their roles and positions.

There are 3 most common hierarchy systems – the traditional model, the matrix model and the pod system.

  • The Traditional Model

The Traditional Model is generally opted for by large agencies with various services. This model has a centralized authority for all the departments they have to report.

It has divided based on departments. Particular departments have Marketing managers, finance managers, HR managers and so on. Moreover, this is further bifurcated into the teams working in those departments.

The dip in this model is that this does not allow and presents cross-functional relations.

It is best suited for large agencies providing specialized services to reduce dependency.

For example, Logo Design, Content Writing.

  • The Matrix Model

The Matrix Model has similar authority and departments to the traditional model. Still, the plus point is that it allows cross-divisional teams.

Suppose any creative agency opts for this model. In that case, they can cater to their client’s needs by maximizing cross-communication.

But, there is one loophole in this model. It is not specified which team should report to whom. This confusion occurs because there are two authorities to report. That is the division head and the project head.

  • The Pod System

The Pod System is more of an organic approach and is preferred by new agencies.

In this system, all the higher authorities were removed. And the client can have access to only 4 key lead departments of the organization, that is,

  • Planning Lead
  • Creative Lead
  • Business/consumer Strategy Lead
  • Project management Lead

So, anytime any department feels they can communicate or give tasks to others, they can do it.

This model’s benefit is minimizing the approval process and eliminating the senior heads.

Variation in creative agency hierarchy

1. Size of the agency

  • For Bigger Agencies

All the large creative agencies offer many services to cater to their client’s needs. But managing a large number of people is not an easy task.

The team is sometimes so busy providing the work that they delay having a word with their client.

The agency should have one account manager for every team in large organizations. The account manager will be the primary person in the client and team interactions. So, the point of contact will remain constant.

It allows clients to develop a good relationship with the agency with the account’s main point.

The account manager is for sharing the main message or feedback with all the departments. Not to individuals.

  • For Smaller Agencies

There is no hard and fast rule for everything. In Smaller agencies, the working environment is more flexible than in large agencies. They maintain a friendly and informal relationship with their employees.

The roles and responsibilities of employees are not fixed here. It varies according to the situation and needs.

The Pod system best fits these types of organizations. So, team members don’t need to seek central authority or head positions for approval.

2. Location of the agency

The hierarchy designed with more than one location should take care of. Because the agency will have clients from different geographical areas.

These clients will need daily face-to-face interactions for their queries and requirements. So, agencies functioning at multi-locations will have a structure like this.

In multi-location, the leading authority is not centralized but decentralized at different-different locations.

Communication is the main priority among different regions’ authorities.

The lack of communication will lead to confusion, misunderstandings and frustration.

So, managing the brand, all the region’s authorities must coordinate with each other.

Why is there a need for a creative agency org chart?

  • Shows clear reporting structure

In creative agency organizations, many departments are divided into teams, head autothirty, and managers.

New employees find it tough to assess whom to report to, whom to submit the project, or whom to ask in case of any query.

So, the org chart helps new and existing employees understand the agency’s structure.

  • Efficiency of team

In the creative agency, the org chart helps increase team members’ efficiency. It helps in better communication among the different departments to streamline the workflow.

It increases the speed of the approval process and significant interdependence among departments.

  • Scalability

Every creative organization needs new hiring according to their workflow. So, adding new employees to the organization must update the entire department. Hence, there is no delay or excuse in the client’s projects.

Conveying each and every one is tough. So here comes the role of an org chart, one click to update everyone in the organization.

  • Manage workloads

In any creative agency, it is difficult to access the workload of every individual. So, the org chart helps creative agencies help to measure the workloads of managers.

To know how many employees they are managing and how many departments are under them.

Tips for improving the efficiency of the team’s hierarchy?

Alone, the organization’s structure is not the only factor for the creative agency. But many other factors play an essential role in the improvement of the agency.

Now, I will share a few essential tips for your creative agency to make the right org chart or structure for you.

  • Be flexible

Don’t be rigorous enough to fit your creative agency in the pre-defined org chart. Organizing is developing in a manner which needs some creating in the org charts.

So, be flexible to try new structures, recreate new charts, and try new strategies to check which one is best for you.

  • Senior department people portray themselves as coaches.

Senior management teams or executives play an essential role in the creative agency. They dedicate half of their life to increasing the organization’s productivity.

With their knowledge and experience, they can be the best teachers for juniors. Instead taking authority of signing and approving.

If they can use their knowledge in teaching and guiding their junior team members. In that case, it will have a positive impact on the growth of the agency.

  • Engage employees

While re-creating the org hierarchy, you must ask junior employees to put in their efforts. Not always seek senior people and the board of directors. Their suggestions can be valuable here.

In that created structure, executives and staff are the main ones who will put that in actuality. So, taking their insights might help you determine the best fit.

Best Org Chart Software in 2022

Coming to the best software to meet your goals for creating charts below software are:

Ideal agency structure?

So, most of you might be thinking now, “Which organization chart or hierarchy will be best for you?”

Let me tell you; that there is no straightforward answer to this question. Some agencies like traditional, whereas some like pods depending upon their sizes.

On the other side, some organizations like pod systems because they want flexibility.

In simple words, the best agency structure for your creative agency is the one which pleases your team.

Get Organized & Win More Clients

Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.

Post written by:

Kosmo is a free All-In-One Workspace for Freelancers.