For freelancers and small-business owners, the biggest challenge is standing out from the competition. To be competitive in today’s ultra-connected world, you need a way to deliver amazing customer experiences.

More than just helping you manage your operations more effectively, client portal software gives your business a competitive edge by improving the customer experience.

Client portals are web-based applications that allow clients to log in and interact with your business through an online dashboard. As a freelancer, you need to find a service like Hectic™ that allows you to create a client portal you can tailor to meet your specific needs among other services including custom branding, different permissions, and third-party integrations.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how you can take your client experience to the next level with client portal software.

Allows You to Personalize Customer Service

It’s easy to focus most of your attention on the work you’re doing. But if your customers don’t have a good experience with you or your company, they’ll look elsewhere. With modern customer portal software, you can provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions and improve the level of service you provide them.

You can use modern web-based software to create a customized look and feel for your customer portal. You can customize it with the way an existing website looks and functions, but also by how each customer interacts with it — for example, by allowing users to choose their own username.

Customized customer portals let you make sure every customer gets exactly what he or she wants and needs.

Easier Service

Client portal software makes it easy for clients to connect with you and find the information they need. They can access project updates, approve proofs, sign contracts, and even pay invoices online—without having to pick up the phone.

Better, Faster Communication

With client portal software, all of your communications with a client are in one place. If a client has a question about a project, they don’t have to dig through emails or check their voicemail; instead they can leave comments within the project itself. And since everything’s connected, those comments can be seen and responded to immediately.

More Transparency

Client portal software gives clients 24/7 access to their information, so they can always stay on top of their projects—and feel up-to-date on where things stand. They can also see how much time is being spent on their project.

Allows You to Set Proactive Client Prompts

Clients can be an unpredictable bunch. Some are clear and communicative, while others are often not sure what they want and can be difficult to please. And some clients just don’t care about the details.

You may find yourself repeating the same instructions over and over with different clients. Setting up a client portal is a great way to make your processes more efficient and consistent. A client portal allows you to set proactive prompts for your clients, so you can focus on getting work done instead of chasing down feedback or approval.

The Final Word

One of the biggest pitfalls for freelancers is maintaining a consistent customer experience. The customer portal can be your best tool to overcome this obstacle. With the client portal, you can reduce the need for communication, free up time to focus on getting work done, and create a more engaging and personalized experience for your customers.