{"id":12083,"date":"2023-04-21T11:29:48","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T11:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getzendo.io\/?p=12083"},"modified":"2024-01-03T09:21:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T09:21:03","slug":"honeybook-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getzendo.io\/blog\/honeybook-alternative\/","title":{"rendered":"HoneyBook Alternative: Exploring Solutions For Business Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HoneyBook is a special cookie in our jar of project management tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It definitely stands out with its UI. Many other business management software lack a true designer’s touch \u2014 they look severely outdated and overly simplistic in the wrong way. While it\u2019s true that functionality triumphs over aesthetic, the best case scenario happens when the two marry each other. Thankfully, HoneyBook presents a pleasing to-the-eye front that makes using the tool a real joy and not a sad chore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, if you\u2019re a creative self-entrepreneur that pays attention to branding, you wouldn\u2019t like to use an accountant\u2019s look-a-like tool from the late 2000s. And that\u2019s what many of these tools resemble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy HoneyBook. For now, it\u2019s restricted only to US and Canada citizens, so everyone else is forced to consider a HoneyBook alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But even US and Canada citizens might have some reservations about this project management software. For example, it doesn\u2019t support teamwork, lacks integrations with PayPal<\/strong> and other popular payment gateways, and it heavily relies on email communication<\/strong> for building business relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is meant for all those people who are looking for solutions other than HoneyBook to tend to their business pains. And because we\u2019re aware that every business faces different challenges due to their models, we\u2019ve prepared a whole list of tools that should cover most common cases. Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Scale & Growth: Zendo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ideal business scenario assumes growth after a certain point. The number of clients grows so much that we can\u2019t handle them all and as a result, we\u2019re forced to start saying \u201cno\u201d to the new opportunities. While some might be ready to pop the champagne and enjoy the lucrative time, others will notice a chance for growth. To become a small business owner instead of a freelancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, that jump isn\u2019t easy, and it surely doesn\u2019t help when all your processes are built around a specific tool. Just the thought of learning the new software and migrating all your files might be overwhelming enough to stop you from making a decision. Maybe you can, after all, work as a team on your current platform? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s HoneyBook, we can assure you that it\u2019s impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HoneyBook simply isn\u2019t built for growth \u2014 it\u2019s a project management software built by freelancers for freelancers, aiming to help with paperwork and presenting a professional front with beautifully crafted templates and elevated customer experience<\/a>. But it doesn\u2019t have too many features that support teamwork, team management, and internal communication. That\u2019s why you\u2019d better consider a HoneyBook alternative that fills those gaps, like Zendo<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Screenshot<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Zendo helps freelancers, small businesses, and agencies sell services<\/a> in a fast and a highly efficient way that leaves nothing to be desired. This is achieved due to the platform\u2019s design that\u2019s centered around effortless transactions and communication,<\/strong> and not around graphs and multi-leveled clusters of tasks, Asana-style. Everything of importance happens in one place only \u2014 in a single tab, to tell the truth \u2014 and that\u2019s directly in chat. Sending quotes and payment reminders, issuing invoices, finalizing payments<\/strong>, and more, all takes place right there. You and your team can forget entirely about switching between tabs and apps to handle a single order. You can use Zendo to do it all for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And instead of drowning your client\u2019s email inbox in forms, proposals, contracts, and other documents \u2014 like HoneyBook does \u2014 you can keep the exchange of documents in one place only, with easy access to them any time (so you can forget about hunting down these lost files in your inbox).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how Zendo can become your single source of truth. <\/strong>You\u2019ll never find yourself wondering where specific data is or what\u2019s the status of the newest deal \u2014 you can easily find it out yourself. And that\u2019s how it\u2019ll work for your team, too; you can expect fewer questions and more independence from your employees, because transparent communication truly does wonders for efficient teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zendo is here for you, no matter the stage of your business. If you\u2019re a freelancer, you can take advantage of Zendo\u2019s free forever plan<\/strong> to access most features for as long as you live. If you\u2019re ready to jump on the small business train, you can switch to the Growth paid plan<\/strong>, where you can use every single functionality, including white-label and automations, for $19 a month per user. <\/strong>And once you find yourself in a place where you need way more customization than what Zendo currently offers, you can take a look at the Enterprise plan,<\/strong> which requires individual estimation.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, it\u2019s a perfect business management solution with a sleek looking Client Portal that\u2019s affordable enough for all who sell productized, custom, and subscription (coming soon) services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Consultants & Coaches: Paperbell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Certain industries don\u2019t require the number of features that a typical business management tool offers. There\u2019s no need for creating complex and winding pipelines, rich client management systems for long term partnerships, or trigger-happy automations. Sometimes you simply need Google Calendar integration, smart booking system, and the option to create packages on a minimalistic, modern platform. Paying for more features would be an overkill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One such platform is Paperbell, created with consultants<\/strong> and coaches <\/strong>in mind \u2014 although truthfully, anyone who bases their digital services on meetings and bookings can use it.  <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Screenshot<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Keeping track of appointments is a common issue for lucrative consultants and coaches. If you\u2019re juggling too many clients, double booking<\/strong> in particular could be a pretty huge issue on its own. After all, there\u2019s nothing more embarrassing than having to explain why you need to move someone\u2019s appointment due to a silly mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paperbell, which needs to be integrated with your Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal in order to work, offers a solution in the form of Availability,<\/strong> a feature which creates free slots that your clients can book. <\/strong>This simple feature actually opens many possibilities, with the option to create slots for specific packages, require upfront payment to book a slot <\/strong>(which is a great discouragement for clients who are on the forgetful side), and spice up your<\/strong> group sessions with 1:1 meetings for each participant. <\/strong>You also don\u2019t have to restrict yourself to single sessions \u2014 you can create multi-sessions<\/strong> and subscription-based sessions<\/strong> just as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, those clients that deserve some spoiling in the form of special treatment, can get private sessions,<\/strong> which aren\u2019t available for other customers on your page. You can also book a meeting in their name<\/strong> outside of your normal slots and offer discounts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, because you\u2019re synced with your calendar, Paperbell won\u2019t allow you to book a meeting at a time where you\u2019ve already scheduled something, be it a doctor\u2019s appointment or a fancy brunch. That\u2019s how well Paperbell looks out for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way you can process payments in Paperbell is very well-thought out, too. You can ask your clients to pay either through Stripe or PayPal,<\/strong> with Stripe being the recommended option \u2014 Paypal doesn\u2019t handle subscription payments. On the platform, you can make packages that include long term sessions with the form of payment that\u2019s convenient for your customers, be it upfront, split, or as an ongoing subscription<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, your clients won\u2019t have to provide credit card information every single time they make a purchase or make grand approvals. After the first payment, they\u2019ll be charged automatically for convenience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that and more you can get for $47 per month, billed yearly, <\/strong>and $57 per month, billed monthly. <\/strong>If you\u2019d like to get to know more about this subscription plan, see if there are any hidden fees and how much value you get, exactly, read our Paperbell Pricing<\/a> analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Photographers: Sprout Studio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides consultants and coaches, photographers can also expect a business processes & client management tool tailored to their specific needs. Introducing: Sprout Studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sprout Studio<\/a> is a true powerhouse that offers incredible possibilities for those who like shooting people. Possibly animals, too, and maybe even landscapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond easing administrative tasks we all despise with a vengeance, and streamlining internal processes, it also comes with professional looking galleries, design proof<\/strong> for client collaboration, and an online shop<\/strong>, where you can upsell & cross-sell<\/a> your prints while at it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that you can use Sprout Studio not only for project and client management, but also as a space for exhibiting the work you\u2019re proud of<\/strong> and selling items as well. This gives Sprout Studio a huge advantage over other similar platforms, who only stop on streamlining your processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the galleries, you can create as many of them as you want and decide whether they should be open to the public or private<\/strong>. You can also set up an expiry date<\/strong> and place watermarks<\/strong> all over your photos. Your audience can share the images on social media and favorite the works they like best, and they can also immediately buy prints<\/strong> and other items <\/strong>as long as you set up your online shop. The clients can customize their order without leaving the page, from choosing the color of the frame to cropping the image, and then they can add it to the cart and proceed to checkout. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Screenshot
source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The online shop itself may consist of physical products and items, whole packages, and services. Its layout can be freely customized <\/strong>thanks to an intuitive, easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor<\/strong> that at the same time, makes sure that you\u2019re presenting your work in the best possible light. This is crucial, because more often than not, it\u2019s very hard for people inexperienced in design to create a stunning layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you\u2019re a little unsure of how you should price your prints, you can use the Pricing Assistant<\/strong> to calculate your hourly rate and markup, which can be adjusted for different sizes. And by providing that information and including your average time spent on preparing one print, Sprout Studio can calculate all your prices<\/strong> that you need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least, we can build a Design Proof. <\/strong>It\u2019s a space for your soon-to-be printed materials, from posters to books and albums, where your clients can look over the designs as well as request any changes or leave feedback. <\/strong>They can also use a special feature for suggesting placement of images, and once they\u2019re done, they can either approve the whole album or ask for changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we\u2019ve managed to capture your attention, let\u2019s discuss costs. Sprout Studio offers four different subscription plans: <\/p>\n\n\n\n