Now I’m excited to announce these features are live in all accounts as of now!

Here are some of the changes we’ve made.

New Design

The most notable change you’ll see is a complete redesign of the application interface. Not only does the new design look much nicer, it’s also more intuitive and easier to use. We spent a lot of time getting emphasis and the flow of the application right, so that using Freelance Total becomes a more enjoyable experience.

Dashboard overhaul, frames and gadgets

You’ll notice some changes to the dashboard. The monthly statistics have been moved into a second column, and in their place there is a “frame”.

Frames are a massive part of the new Freelance Total, and they are situated all throughout the app.

Frames are blank slates that can have any number of “gadgets” place on it. At the moment our only gadgets are task lists and notes, but soon we’ll be adding files, photos, and down the line we’ll be adding many more gadgets like links, reports, feeds, statistics, forms, etc. Since a frame can be a part of any object in Freelance Total, everything has become much more flexible.

Project management improvements

Projects now have a client collaboration area (a frame), and a private frame. The collaboration area can be used to communicate with clients in a hosted environment. We will be improving the functionality further with file and image uploads, so that a Freelance Total project can house all materials and communications relating to a project.

We’ve also split up project management into three tabs. First you have the project details tab, which has basic details like price estimate and deadline. Then there is a workroom, which contains the public and private frame. Then there is a time tracking and billing tab, where you can track hours spent, or expenses incurred on the project.

Like before, projects can be converted into invoices based on the hours and expenses that have been tracked.

Lead management improvements

Leads is another area that has been dramatically improved. Now leads can be drag-n-dropped as they move through your pipeline, giving a complete picture of your sales funnel while still being able to quickly access specific details.

Like everything else, each lead has its own frame where gadgets can be used.

We’ve also added the ability to convert leads into projects, which completes the “from sale to getting paid” seamless integration in Freelance Total.

Settings improvements

Managing item types and taxes are now much easier, and can be done without the page needing to be refreshed each time.

All the settings have been moved into one settings page, with panels to make it easier to navigate.

Client area improvements

The client area has also seen some mainly aesthetic improvements. This was a big focus for us as we know how important it is to portray a professional image when you deal with your clients.

Quick jump box

We found people liked to jump between clients quite often, so we’ve implemented a quick jump box, where you can start typing the name of a client, select the client from an auto complete list, and quickly jump to it.

General workflow improvements

We’ve worked through every screen in the application to improve workflow. You can do more things from more screens, without unnecessary clutter.

We hope you enjoy these enhancements, and as always, we’d love to hear your feedback at our feedback forum.

Follow up invoices using the reminder system – A video tutorial

From project commencement to getting paid – A video tutorial

The first video is setting up a Freelance Total account.

Clients can now quickly see their account balance, payment instructions, current invoices and paid invoices.

Client facing area

Some tips on maximising the client facing area to get paid quicker:

• Let your clients know about their account area. It is sent automatically in emails with invoices and thank you emails, and you can also find it by going to “clients”->then clicking on a client.
• Use the in built reminder system religiously
• Set up payment instructions by going to “Settings” under the “Invoicing” section. Offer as many ways to pay as possible.

That’s why we’ve just added a thank you feature when you receive payments for invoices.

To use the feature, click “Mark as Paid” on an invoice.

Then you have the option to customise the note.

Click “Send”, your note will be sent, and the invoice will be marked as paid.

A quick and easy way to let clients know you appreciate them.

We’ve just added a new feature that allows recurring invoices to be created.

You can start setting up recurring invoices under the “Billing -> Recurring Invoices” header.

To setup a recurring invoice, you create the invoice and set the time it should start, the time it should end (or if it should run forever), and how often it should run. Then, the invoice will automatically be created at the specified times.

Features of the recurring billing

• Set start date, end date of recurring invoices
• Set frequency using any combination of days, months or years
• Set invoice to run forever
• Manage recurring invoices
• Great for hosting and domain bills

We hope you enjoy using these new features, and as always, we welcome feedback. ]]> http://www.freelancetotal.com/2009/07/new-feature-recurring-invoices/feed/ 0 http://www.freelancetotal.com/2009/07/new-feature-recurring-invoices/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreelanceTotal/~3/0hH7e-mREhc/ http://www.freelancetotal.com/2009/07/new-features-better-emailing-and-invoice-follow-up-system/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:12:31 +0000 Luke http://www.freelancetotal.com//?p=133

Based on our users feedback, we’ve just added some new features to make sending and following up invoices easier. Here’s a list of features we’ve just added.

• Mail is now handled in Freelance Total rather than using your email client. Emails can still be customised before sending
• Freelance Total now checks if an invoice has been sent and marks it accordingly automatically
• A new reminder system has been created
  • After 7 days, you are prompted to send an invoice reminder email
  • After 14 days, you are prompted to send a second invoice reminder email, with slightly more stern wording
  • After 21 days, you are prompted to send a third invoice reminder email, with stern wording
  • After 22 days, you are given a reminder to call to chase up payment
  • The dates of when you sent an invoice, and when you send reminders are tracked for your records
• You can now customise the title of your invoices

Give your feedback here. ]]> http://www.freelancetotal.com/2009/07/new-features-better-emailing-and-invoice-follow-up-system/feed/ 0 http://www.freelancetotal.com/2009/07/new-features-better-emailing-and-invoice-follow-up-system/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreelanceTotal/~3/pMRq7pq_alU/ http://www.freelancetotal.com/2009/07/invoicing-just-got-waaay-quicker/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:11:29 +0000 Luke http://www.freelancetotal.com//?p=131

Freelance Total just made invoicing a whole lot easier for freelancers.

The most common thing we hear from freelancers is that invoicing is a pain. First is the task of figuring out exactly what the project cost. How much time went into it, what extras are meant to be included, etc. Then the invoice has to be sent out, and followed up if payment isn’t made straight away.

We’ve just rolled out a number of features that make invoicing a hell of a lot quicker.

Time Tracking

As you’re working on a project, keeping track of time you spend is essential. There are a few reasons you want to keep track of time. 1) So that you’re not shortcharging yourself or overcharging your client 2) For your own purposes to help your quoting and estimates be more accurate, 3) so you have a timesheet for your clients (some won’t ask for it but clients will always appreciate it) and 5) It’s a lot easier to track as you’re going than at the end of the project!

Expense Tracking

In my own business, VDP Websites, I know I have sent invoices and forgotten about some items that should have been on there. It’s pretty easy to do. That’s why it’s important to track expenses as you’re going along.

Convert projects to invoices

We’re still working on features to make the project environment more collaborative with the client. One huge feature to look forward to here is going to be Google wave integration in projects. We’re also going to be creating milestones, and a projects tab in the client’s area, so that clients can monitor progress. Once these features are ready, the project management in Freelance Total is going to be the best anywhere for solo freelancers.

While these features are being built though, projects still have good functionality from a business management point of view.

All time and expenses that are tracked in a project use items that you configure as standard throughout your account. You might have an item for your standard hourly services, or an item for web hosting.

Because time, expenses/items use standard item types, projects can be converted into invoices very quickly.

In fact, in Freelance Total, it’s one click.

Once you’ve exported a project to an invoice, you can then send out your invoice ready to get paid.

I’ve been using these set of features and I can say that it’s cut my invoicing time down a huge amount. In fact, I had a person dedicated to creating invoices and doing my accounts receivables, that I simply no longer need.

Cheers,

Luke

When invoices are emailed to the client, they are automatically directed to the area.

Alternatively, each client’s URL is displayed in their client detail page.

This feature sets the groundwork for more effective client collaboration, and new features will be added to it shortly including a collaborative project management area.

Client view to see all invoices

Show invoice view from client’s perspective