Freelance Billing and Time Management
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- hubb7designs0
@ETM.... which service do you use?
- Miguex0
I'm all for cloud, I've been using iBiz for years, and I wish they have that, I just dont want to pay a subscription fee, because it adds more overhead. These are solutions for bigger companies. I think freelancers agree the last thing you want to do is add more overhead, specially when work is down.
- hubb7designs0
I'm with Miguex on the overhead issue. I also do understand that $5-$20 per month isn't much. But when you start to account for 2 or 3 more little $5-$20 per month charges, they start to add up.
And for myself, I'm just starting, only have 2 clients who are both looking for cheap design work. So I'm really trying my best to keep monthly bills to a minimum.
I looked into Harvest, but at first glance, I didn't like the task management. It seemed like I would have to create a "product" for each different task I would be doing. Which I'm sure is the better way, to have set prices for all that you offer, but for me right now I don't know much about what others are charging and I am trying to be flexible for each of my clients.
Looking into something like Daylite now. I'm thinking paying a one time cost and then around $10 for a year of iPhone app use isn't that bad. What I think it's missing is being able to have my clients log into the system to update task and view and pay invoices.
Finding something that fits all the likes/needs and fits my wallet has proven to be quite difficult.
- yeah getting rid of recurring bills saves you so much moneyfourth
- ETM0
Just starting out? Haven't you been 'just starting' for 3 years? And having 'flexible' (see inconsistent) pricing for different clients is such an issue and real devalues what you do while also muddles the message to new clients and referrals about what you charge. Breaking this cycle when you get more successful is a monumental task.
More on topic, regarding Harvest, setting pricing in your preferences for a task is optional, not required. You can set a rate with every invoice creation. Secondly, if you only have 2 clients/projects, Harvest is free. Again per your comments/questions, Harvest will let your clients pay online by integrating with a paypal account, but it will not allow clients to update tasks. That is really outside what most of these do. That's more of a Request Tracker/ticketing system. I think Freshbooks may have an add-on for that, but not sure of cost of quality.
- hubb7designs0
Problem I have with Harvest is the way the Task are set up. Why would I want to create and save to add to projects later, every task I do?
- mantrakid0
Problem with internet-based / cloud apps is if your service provider or internet connection drops, your SOL.
Plus you're also relying on the cloud apps server stability... all your data are belong to them.. I recently signed up for that new Wunderlist app everyone is talking about and as soon as i registerred the app asked me to login, I enter username & password, it tells me "server unreachable". Delete app. :P Could only imagine what I'd do if I had all my shit in there and needed something while on the phone with a client.
- hubb7designs0
^^Great Point... Do you use an offline software?
- mantrakid0
@hubb, only online/cloud software I use is google docs for 'unimportant' stuff.. like rough sketch spreadsheets for quick calculations, etc. everything else is desktop-based. Even my gmail comes into Mail.app for local usage.
I use the desktop version of Billings for my invoicing and Time tracking. I used to use iBiz for years, but it had too many bugs and the developers weren't really 'on it'. Billings works nice, in my opinion. easy to estimate, track time, invoice, send statements, and collect payment/mark paid.
- AntiLabs0
I use Billings. It's a local app, which I like. And you can setup your install to run as a server so you can access your account using Billings for iPhone. Marketcircle, the developer, just came out with Billings Pro which is for businesses with multiple team members and is accessible via iOS devices as well.
Another solution they have is Daylite. Which is a CRM and project management suite that can accommodate multiple users as well as access from iOS devices and Mac laptops remotely.
My office uses both (Billings 3 and Daylite), and I just got Daylite Touch going and I love it. I have Billings 3 installed on an iMac that is used only for admin/clerical stuff, and the Daylite server runs on the same machine. By doing this and setting it up for remote access, machines with Daylite running as a client can access calendars, contacts, projects, etc. from anywhere w/a internet connection, or via 3g using Daylite touch.
I think Marketcircle is ahead of the curve as it relates to other local Mac apps because they've done what it takes to allow you to access your business management apps via mobile. And they work really well.
- JG_LB0
I'm currently using the free account of FreshBooks but am considering buying Billings. Anybody else out there used either or both?
- sublocked0
Meh.
- fourth0
I excluded all of the monthly or browser based ones. I demo'ed all of the apps/programs I could find. My favorite was On the Job. Billings came in second place. OTJ does everything billings does but in a more streamlined way...
- JG_LB0
interesting. i download OTJ. I'll keep using the free freshbooks for now until i need to switch.
- oey0
I just signed in for a free Paymo as I don't have that much work to manage.
I was divided between Paymo and Curdbee.
I wanted one that had time tracking, invoice and bookkeeping.
Curdbee seemed more interesting but I can personalize my invoice better in Paymo and the time tracking seems better as well.Freshbooks was not a choice because I had to sign up to check the pricing. Didn't had the patience.
I read about Wave and others too, like Billings, but didn't found it that interesting.
I wanted a free service and simple to use.
- ideaist0
iBiz Server & iBiz Client, although it's lacking in the "cutting edge" department...
- sublocked0
Cashboard. Less than $5/mo for a single freelancer.
Best value with multiple users too. Does everything you need.
- d_rek0
Snail App for time tracking + Pages for invoicing and expense tracking, both for Mac.
My freelance load is pretty minimal, but Snail is a fairly basic time-tracking app, which is perfect for me. I have an invoice template made up in pages that has a table that has basic formula applied to it to calculate rate * time and also totals out the amount for me.
Again, pretty basic stuff but works great if your workload is on the lower end.
Snail - $5
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/…Pages - $20
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/…
- oey0
After three days of research, comparing, trying, logins and pain...
Biggest conclusion:
I really don't need more than a free plan.Still, after comparing FreshBooks with Invoicera, I prefer FreshBooks time-tracking but Invoicera's free plan seems more interesting for my needs.
It would be practical to have the time tracking info in a document for the client.So, my all-free setup for my small freelancing needs:
For my three regular clients and because I live in the Netherlands and it's practical to use with my bank and bookkeeper:
http://factuursturen.nl/Other needs:
http://invoiceable.co/Time-tracking:
https://www.toggl.com/My biggest annoyance is the template design possibilities...
And that's why my research lasted so long.
I have a template in InDesign that I've used so far.I also came to the conclusion that, together with a good customize template option, a service that costs around 5€/month or a one-fee-only service is more suitable for my needs if I were to make an upgrade.
The apps I've bookmarked for the future investment are:
http://cashboardapp.com/pricing
http://www.invoice2go.com/Pricin…If you know another one in this last group type please let me know.
There's also:
http://www.kedisoft.com/totals/But I can not really say anything.
I've also tried the following:
http://www.nutcache.com/web/
I actually enjoyed to play around.http://www.paymo.biz/
The time tracking is interesting. But only allows one invoice per month in the free account.http://curdbee.com/
Interesting plan but not appealing.
Does anyone recommend?https://www.waveapps.com/
Lots of potential but totally not for the Dutch accounting system.http://invoicemachine.com/
Seems also a good option as the free plan allows three clients and three invoices per month.
- oey0
And to customize the templates, best options in your opinion?