This is a guest post from Andy Boyd of Credit Card Compare.
Freelancers have the convenience of working at home and being their own boss. But the most challenging part of working as a freelancer is getting organised. Everything can become jumbled and messy without a time clock or a trusty accountant around.
Fortunately, there are a number of great tools available for freelancers who want to keep things organised.
1. BallPark
BallPark is an invoicing program that allows freelancers to send professional and timely invoices to their clients.
The application can send project estimates, quotes and bids to prospective customers. It helps users keep track of their existing project bids and monitor the ones they win or lose. There is also an option that allows teams to share and edit quotes or invoices. A freelancer can get BallPark for as low as $6 per month. A corporate plan is offered at $99 per month with unlimited features.
2. Mint
This smart application can replace an accountant. Mint is a financial management program that allows freelancers to link their bank accounts, track their earnings and see where their money goes. This easy to use software helps people budget their earnings and save more.
Mint is a free application.
3. DropBox
Many freelancers need access to online storage. DropBox allows users to bring their files virtually anywhere. Project files stored on home computers can be saved online automatically. This way, documents never have to be uploaded manually. This application also allows users to share projects and documents with other people.
DropBox offers a free 2GB basic storage space. Upgraded plans start from $9.99 per month.
4. ClickTime
ClickTime is a great application for team leaders who have a handful of freelancers working on one or more projects at the same time. It is a user-friendly timesheet management program that can accommodate between 5 and 500 users at a time. Data can be entered easily, and ClickTime is highly customisable. It can also be used for tracking expenses and monitoring reimbursements.
ClickTime comes with a 30 day free trial. Basic plans for small teams start at $10 per month.
5. Raveal
Raveal is an interesting web application that allows freelancers to create portfolio sites. Freelancers can use this to present themselves to clients in a more professional manner. People also have the option to integrate a resume into the website. This is a powerful way to sell oneself.
Raveal can be used for free, and a professional plan can be purchased for $9 per month.
6. iFreelancer
iFreelancer is a good app that allows freelancers to check on existing projects from popular freelancing websites like ODesk.com and Scriptlance.com. It also filters the jobs and sends alerts to cellphones.
The basic package is priced at $1.99 and a professional package is available for $4.99.
7. Awesome Note
Awesome Note is a nice application with a lively interface. It is a task manager application that replaces a freelancer’s to-do list. It can be customised according to anyone’s personality. There are a lot of colour ad font options, paper backgrounds and folder icons.
This fun app is priced at $3.99.
8. iFiles
iFiles is a mobile app that can store files from home computers. This allows users to bring their project files with them anywhere. It is a file manager, editor and viewer with a lot of useful features that can benefit freelance workers.
iFiles is priced at $2.99.
9. Paypal Official App
Many freelancers are paid via Paypal. The Paypal Official App is a highly secure application that allows users to send and receive money. The app also lets people view and manage their Paypal accounts.
This is a free application for mobile devices.
10. FolioBook
Freelancers can impress clients who use smartphones with FolioBook. It allows users to create an impressive portfolio that is viewable on iPhones and Android devices. It includes a customisable homepage that anyone can use.
Foliobook is priced at $14.99.
Andy Boyd is the co-founder of www.CreditCardCompare.com.au, an independent website that reviews credit cards for Australian-owned businesses.
Thanks to Andy for this informative post. Do you use any of the tools and apps mentioned above? Or others that aren’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments section!
Creative Commons photo courtesy of Jeffrey Beall