Top Tools for Agency Management

Running an agency involves juggling multiple tasks, from managing client relationships and project deadlines to overseeing billing and team collaboration. To keep everything running smoothly, you need powerful tools that can handle these diverse and ever-changing demands. We’ve put together a list of the top tools specifically designed to help agencies thrive. Each platform on this list brings its own set of features aimed at streamlining operations, boosting client interactions, and driving overall productivity. Let’s take a look!

Learn the Anatomy of a FB Ad that got $3 Million Sales for the Client

Download Free Resources
The Agency Advocate
Harness Under the sleeve insights for Massive
agency growth.
Know Clientjoy under 20 mins

Clientjoy

Clientjoy is the personalized go-to hub for agencies and freelancers, integrating CRM, proposals, invoicing, and client communication into one intuitive platform.

Standout Features

Clientjoy's standout feature is its comprehensive client lifecycle management capability, which allows users to manage leads, proposals, invoicing, and ongoing client communications all within the same platform. This integration significantly streamlines client interactions and project management.

Features

  • Integrated CRM to manage leads and contacts
  • Proposal creation and management
  • Invoicing and payment tracking
  • Client communication portal
  • Performance and revenue analytics

Why Clientjoy Stands Out

Clientjoy is ideal for freelancers and small to medium-sized agencies that need an all-in-one solution to manage client relationships, project proposals, and financial transactions efficiently. 

Users Say

"Clientjoy has simplified our client management process, making it easier to track proposals, invoices, and communications all in one place."

Conclusion: Should I use Clientjoy?

Clientjoy is like your all-in-one partner, guiding you through the entire client journey from the first hello to getting paid, making it a must-have for agencies and freelancers who want to level up their game and wow their clients.

HoneyBook

HoneyBook has earned high praise for its excellent client management features, making it a go-to for freelancers and small businesses in the creative industry. It’s particularly loved for how it simplifies the entire client experience—from booking and contracts to handling payments—making these tasks much more manageable.

Standout Features

HoneyBook's standout feature is its all-in-one client communication platform that effortlessly combines invoicing, contract management, and payments, cutting down on tedious administrative tasks.

Features

  • Client bookings and scheduling
  • Customizable contracts and invoicing
  • Automated payment reminders
  • Client communication tools
  • Integration with other tools such as QuickBooks, Google Calendar, and Zapier

Why HoneyBook Stands Out

HoneyBook is ideal for freelancers and small businesses in the creative sector, such as photographers, designers, and event planners. 

Users Say

"HoneyBook has streamlined our client interactions and made the payment process incredibly simple and efficient."

Conclusion: Should I Use HoneyBook?

You will want to use this tool if you're a small business or freelancer wanting to make client management easier and improve client relations. HoneyBook has you covered with its intuitive platform that brings all your essential business processes together in one place.

Bonsai

Bonsai is more than just a management tool; it's a game-changer for freelancers and agencies. With its comprehensive set of features, Bonsai takes care of everything—from crafting compelling project proposals to seamlessly automating your taxes.

Standout Features

Bonsai's integrated workflow for contract creation, client proposals, time tracking, and invoicing makes it a one-stop-shop for freelancers and agencies. Its ability to handle multiple aspects of a project lifecycle is highly valued.

Features

  • Proposal and contract management
  • Time tracking and task management
  • Automated invoicing and payments
  • Tax calculation and expense tracking
  • CRM functionalities

Why Bonsai Stands Out 

Bonsai is best suited for freelancers and small to medium-sized agencies that need robust, integrated tools for managing multiple client projects efficiently. 

Users Say

"The integration of proposals, contracts, and invoicing in Bonsai has made managing my freelance business effortless."

Conclusion: Should I use Bonsai?

Bonsai offers a full range of tools tailored to meet the complete management needs of freelancers and agencies. It's an invaluable asset for anyone looking to streamline their business operations and boost efficiency.

Dubsado

Dubsado is packed with tools designed to manage every step of your client relationships. By focusing on automation, it makes the entire customer journey smoother—from the first hello to the final invoice.

Standout Features

Dubsado is particularly strong in workflow automation, allowing users to create custom workflows that automate emails, scheduling, and task creation based on specific triggers and client interactions.

Features

  • Automated workflow capabilities
  • Custom forms and scheduling
  • Integrated CRM system
  • Invoicing and billing
  • Client portals for project collaboration and updates

Why Dubsado Stands Out

Dubsado is ideal for small to medium-sized agencies that need robust automation tools to manage client interactions, project workflows, and communications efficiently. 

Users Say

“The automated workflows in Dubsado have transformed our client management, saving us countless hours in administrative work."

Conclusion: Should I use Dubsado?

Dubsado shines at simplifying complex tasks, making it a favorite for agencies looking to boost efficiency and connect better with clients. With its streamlined workflows and robust client management tools, it helps you stay organized and focused on what really matters.

Monday.com

Monday.com stands out for its adaptable and visually appealing project management tools, which can be customized to fit the unique workflows of diverse industries such as marketing, software development, and creative content production.

Standout Features 

Monday.com's standout feature is its highly customizable workflows that can be adjusted to meet specific team needs, coupled with an intuitive interface that simplifies complex project tracking.

Features

  • Customizable dashboards and workflows
  • Time tracking and deadline reminders
  • Automation of routine tasks
  • Integration with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, and more
  • Visual project planning tools

Why Monday.com Stands Out 

Monday.com is ideal for medium to large agencies that require robust, flexible project management solutions capable of adapting to diverse project types and complex workflows.

Users Say

"Monday.com has revolutionized the way we handle projects across teams, providing transparency and enhancing collaboration."

Conclusion: Should I use Monday.com?

Thanks to its intuitive and flexible design, Monday.com is a game-changer for agencies aiming to boost productivity and teamwork. It enhances project visibility and streamlines management, making collaboration a breeze.

Asana

Asana is a favorite among teams for its ability to seamlessly organize everything from daily tasks to big-picture projects. It keeps everyone on the same page and helps you hit your goals without the usual hassle.

Standout Features 

Asana's ability to simplify task management and enhance team collaboration with features like task assignments, deadlines, and progress tracking stands out. Its timeline view for visualizing project progress is particularly effective.

Features

  • Task and project tracking
  • Customizable templates
  • Workflow automation
  • Integration with a variety of apps like Microsoft Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Salesforce
  • Reporting tools

Why Asana Stands Out 

Asana is best suited for agencies and teams of all sizes that need a straightforward, scalable solution for managing tasks and monitoring ongoing projects. 

Users Say

"Asana has been instrumental in keeping our team organized and on track, especially for complex projects involving multiple stakeholders."

Conclusion: Should I use Asana?

Asana provides an all-in-one, user-friendly platform for managing tasks and projects, making it perfect for agencies that want to stay highly productive and well-organized.

Trello

Trello is loved for its card-based system, where you use boards, lists, and cards to organize projects and track progress. Its visual and easy-to-use approach makes it popular for both personal and professional tasks.

Standout Features

Trello's simplicity and visual approach to project management make it unique. It allows for quick setup and easy collaboration, and its flexibility makes it adaptable to various types of projects and workflows.

Features

  • Drag-and-drop editing
  • Customizable boards and cards
  • Built-in automation with Butler
  • Power-Ups to integrate third-party apps like Slack and Evernote
  • Mobile app availability for on-the-go management

Why Trello Stands Out

Trello is ideal for small to medium-sized agencies or teams that need a simple, visual way to manage projects and collaborate effectively. 

Users Says

"Trello’s intuitive setup and flexibility have made it indispensable for managing our diverse project needs."

Conclusion: Should I use Trello?

Trello provides a straightforward and visually appealing platform for managing tasks and projects, perfect for teams that value simplicity and immediate productivity.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting tool that's a hit with small businesses and freelancers. Its straightforward approach makes invoicing, expense tracking, and time management a breeze.

Standout Features 

FreshBooks stands out for its intuitive design and focus on simplifying accounting tasks, which makes financial management accessible even for those without accounting expertise. Its robust invoicing capabilities are particularly noted for their ease of use.

Features

  • Easy-to-use invoicing and billing
  • Expense tracking and receipt scanning
  • Time tracking and project management
  • Payment processing
  • Financial reports and insights

Why Freshbooks Stands Out 

FreshBooks is ideal for freelancers, consultants, and small agencies that require a straightforward tool for managing their finances without the complexity of traditional accounting software. 

Users Say

"FreshBooks allows me to handle all my billing and accounting painlessly, freeing up more time to focus on my clients."

Conclusion: Should I use FreshBooks?

FreshBooks is like having your own personal finance guru, simplifying your accounting tasks with a super-friendly interface. It's the go-to for anyone wanting to breeze through their financial management without the headache.

Wrike

Wrike is the ultimate project management wingman, perfect for businesses big and small. It's renowned for turbocharging teamwork and making project planning a breeze with its toolkit that covers all the bases.

Standout Features

Wrike excels in offering detailed project visualization through Gantt charts, allowing for precise planning and resource management. Its real-time updates and customizable workflows also facilitate better communication and project tracking.

Features

  • Customizable dashboards and workflows
  • Real-time collaboration and communication tools
  • Integration with popular tools like Google Apps, Microsoft, and Adobe
  • Time tracking and resource management
  • Advanced reporting and analytics

Why Wrike Stands Out 

Wrike is best suited for medium to large agencies that manage multiple complex projects and require a robust tool to facilitate detailed planning, collaboration, and execution. 

Users Say

"Wrike has transformed how our team collaborates on large projects, ensuring we stay on track and deliver on time."

Conclusion: Should I use Wrike?

Wrike is like a magic wand for agencies wanting to supercharge their project game. It's packed with tools to make project management a breeze, and you can customize it to fit your team like a glove.

ClickUp

ClickUp is a productivity tool that aims to replace all other project management tools with its comprehensive feature set that includes tasks, docs, goals, and sprints integrated into one app.

Standout Features

ClickUp stands out for its high customizability and all-in-one platform approach, which allows teams to tailor the tool extensively to their specific needs. Its ability to centralize different aspects of work management in a single platform enhances productivity and reduces tool fragmentation.

Features

  • Task management with multiple views (List, Board, Calendar)
  • Docs, spreadsheets, and email integration
  • Customizable dashboards and automation
  • Goal tracking and progress reporting
  • Extensive integrations with other tools

Why ClickUp Stands Out 

ClickUp is ideal for any team or agency looking for a versatile and customizable tool that can adapt to a wide range of project management and operational needs. 

Users Say

"ClickUp is a game-changer for managing our projects and internal workflows, offering customization that no other tool does."

Conclusion: Should I use ClickUp?

ClickUp provides a unique blend of versatility and customization, making it a powerful tool for agencies that need a comprehensive solution to manage their diverse project and task requirements effectively.

Deciding Between the Top Tools for Agency Management

Running an agency involves a whirlwind of tasks—keeping clients happy, managing projects, handling finances, and fostering teamwork. The tools we've covered here aren't just tech jargon; they're like having a team of experts by your side, tailored to simplify your agency's unique challenges. Whether you're drawn to all-in-one solutions like Clientjoy or prefer specialized champs like Wrike for projects and FreshBooks for finances, there's a match for you. Choosing the right tool is like finding the perfect teammate; it depends on your agency's size, project complexity, and budget. By tapping into these tools, you'll slash admin headaches, boost client smiles, and fuel your agency's growth. Each tool brings its own flavor, so you're sure to find the perfect recipe to fine-tune your operations and wow your clients.