Small Business Website Tips, Tools and Reviews

REVIEW: (Work) Life Changing Web App for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

January 11, 2010 by Kishau Rogers · Comments

Life changing? Dramatic. I know. However, stick with me.

The start of the year is a great time to review and adjust your business budget. If your 2009 budget included ongoing expenses for software that allows you to invoice, accept payments and manage your expenses, you may be interested in considering the following web based application for 2010.

Freshbooks

The website states that it’s the “fastest way to track time and send invoices.” Before signing up, I initially thought “Sure. That’s what they all claim.” After signing up for a free trial, I quickly began to believe the hype. The user interface is much more effective than the average desktop application with a third party web interface for invoicing. It is unbelievably simple. There are simple tabs for creating new clients, new projects, new invoices, and new estimates. The invoices look professional and include simple buttons that allow your client to quickly pay online. There’s automation included for payment reminders and alerts. It also allows you to create estimates and quotes and have the client review and accept them online. Also, the integration with third party and mobile applications seem to be endless. After using the tool for less than a week, I quickly realized how much time (and money) I’d saved compared to my previous invoicing and time tracking application. Freshbooks is certainly worth a review. Particularly if you are a service provider (www.freshbooks.com).

Share and Enjoy:

For website tips, resources and discussions, don't forget to join us on Facebook , Twitter or Subscribe to Our Blog .

Tagged: entrepreneur, recommendations, review, service, small business, web application, website resource

jlukasavige

I just looked in to Freshbooks but it doesn't manage inventory. I don't have a lot, but just having some means I need the option. Would love to take my books online. Anyone have any suggestions?

Kishau Rogers, Websmith Group

Thanks for commenting! You may want to look into Invoicera. I 'think' they offer the ability to manage inventory. Let me know what you find out! http://www.invoicera.com/tour.html

jlukasavige

Thanks for that. It doesn't look like it could completely replace QuickBooks however. I don't see how you can set up bank accounts, etc.

Kishau Rogers, Websmith Group

Sorry for the delayed reply (I was just notified of your comment). I agree that it's difficult to completely replace Quickbooks with one solution, at this time. That's why we currently use Freshbooks & Quickbooks ... for now. Until a comprehensive solution is available, we focused on replacing the elements of Quickbooks that did not work effectively for business (the invoicing/billing add-on). This article outlines 2 methods for using Freshbooks as an invoicing system & Quickbooks for accounting; this is similar to my existing setup. -> http://www.iacprofessionals.com/blog/2010/02/qu.... Best of luck on finding a solution that works for you. Let me know what you find!

Bill4Time

Hello there,

Might I also add another time tracking and invoicing app for your consideration - Bill4Time. It tracks your billable time, expenses, and payments. You can create invoices in both digital and traditional media. And it integrates with Quickbooks so you can transfer your invoice balances to your QB. :)

Kishau Rogers, Websmith Group

Hi Carlos,

My current setup is:
Freshbooks: for day-to-day invoicing (i.e. client & account receivable)
Quickbooks: for quarterly reconciliation w/ the accountant (i.e. accounts payable & taxes, asset liability)

A seamless integration with Freshbooks & Quickbooks would be ideal, but it currently doesn't exist. The pricing (relative to Quickbooks Billing) and Freshbooks invoicing and recurring invoicing features were of most benefit to me.

Also, you may be interested in the following services as well:
- Outright: Income & expense tracking for small businesses. This one does integrate well with Freshbooks (automatic importing of invoices etc).
- Shoeboxed: Organizes and manages receipts for tax & expense reporting. This one also integrates well w/ both Outright and Freshbooks.

Carlos Thomas

Do you, or will you, still use Quickbooks (or similar), for accounting purposes?

That's my dilemma. I really don't want to have to enter invoices in twice. I also don't want to pay for two financial packages.