A CRM that can handle your needs and can grow with your business. All in your control.
I recently stumbled across a really amazing D.I.Y. CRM on Code Canyon called Perfex. After hours of research and looking over various web services that would invoice, manage clients, and provide me with content delivery such as Pixieset, Dubsado, and Honeybook, I settled on Perfex and here is why:
Contracts
Perfex CRM allows you to create your own contracts, email them, and request a digital signature. Once signed it stores the contract on the clients account for both you and the client to access at any time.
Cost
Perfex CRM cost $59.00 to purchase on Code Canyon and that is basically it. Basically. There are additional add-ons you can purchase, many under $60 that further expands the functionality of the CRM. While the CRM itself is inexpensive, you still need to host the CRM. This is where the true cost comes in. If you are willing to do some additional work you could theoretically host the CRM on your own computer but can be a headache to setup if you are not familiar with the process of setting up a mySQL server, or setting up open source server software. Your best bet is to go with a hosting provider, like the provider I use Dreamhost. I would personally recommend the VPS service they offer as it starts only at $10.00 a month ($120.00 per year). Compared to the $50-$100 a month ($600.00 – $1,200.00 per year) for other services like Honeybook.
The downside is that you will need to integrate it with a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress in order to properly deliver your final product and to proof any photos before hand. Add Woocommerce or another Digital Product Sale add-on and even a booking add-on to the CMS and you have got yourself a system that manages clients, invoices clients, proof photos, manages projects, have an amazing and customizable front end, and the ability to sell photos. It will easily rivals even that of the best photography/videography system.
Client Portal
The client portal capabilities was definitely a selling point. Not only did it provide a place for my clients to login and pay their invoice. Perfex CRM allows your clients to be informed with up to date project information. They can request estimates, request help, or send you a message on a particular topic/question they may have.
Conclusion
Yes, it takes work and time to setup but if you are just getting started and want an affordable or even a professional that has been in the market a long time and need a more robust system that won’t break the bank this could be the solution for you. Keep in mind that it is not meant specifically for photographers/videographers but meant to be used as a CRM that can be used to manage your clients and their projects. It really is for the D.I.Y. but the payoff can be huge! You can checkout Perfex on Code Canyon below:
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Perfex CRM
Powerful. Customizable. Affordable.
A CRM that can handle your needs and can grow with your business. All in your control.
I recently stumbled across a really amazing D.I.Y. CRM on Code Canyon called Perfex. After hours of research and looking over various web services that would invoice, manage clients, and provide me with content delivery such as Pixieset, Dubsado, and Honeybook, I settled on Perfex and here is why:
Contracts
Perfex CRM allows you to create your own contracts, email them, and request a digital signature. Once signed it stores the contract on the clients account for both you and the client to access at any time.
Cost
Perfex CRM cost $59.00 to purchase on Code Canyon and that is basically it. Basically. There are additional add-ons you can purchase, many under $60 that further expands the functionality of the CRM. While the CRM itself is inexpensive, you still need to host the CRM. This is where the true cost comes in. If you are willing to do some additional work you could theoretically host the CRM on your own computer but can be a headache to setup if you are not familiar with the process of setting up a mySQL server, or setting up open source server software. Your best bet is to go with a hosting provider, like the provider I use Dreamhost. I would personally recommend the VPS service they offer as it starts only at $10.00 a month ($120.00 per year). Compared to the $50-$100 a month ($600.00 – $1,200.00 per year) for other services like Honeybook.
The downside is that you will need to integrate it with a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress in order to properly deliver your final product and to proof any photos before hand. Add Woocommerce or another Digital Product Sale add-on and even a booking add-on to the CMS and you have got yourself a system that manages clients, invoices clients, proof photos, manages projects, have an amazing and customizable front end, and the ability to sell photos. It will easily rivals even that of the best photography/videography system.
Client Portal
The client portal capabilities was definitely a selling point. Not only did it provide a place for my clients to login and pay their invoice. Perfex CRM allows your clients to be informed with up to date project information. They can request estimates, request help, or send you a message on a particular topic/question they may have.
Conclusion
Yes, it takes work and time to setup but if you are just getting started and want an affordable or even a professional that has been in the market a long time and need a more robust system that won’t break the bank this could be the solution for you. Keep in mind that it is not meant specifically for photographers/videographers but meant to be used as a CRM that can be used to manage your clients and their projects. It really is for the D.I.Y. but the payoff can be huge! You can checkout Perfex on Code Canyon below:
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