As a business owner, I cannot recommend having the right CRM (client relationship management) for your business. To free up time while creating a wonderful client experience you need to streamline your processes and boost productivity. A CRM should help you manage leads, onboard clients, and be a place to store all of your client communications.
Two of the most popular options for service-based businesses are HoneyBook and Dubsado, each with its advantages. But which one is right for you? Let’s break it down.
Honeybook for Your Business
HoneyBook is ideal for creatives looking for a user-friendly, plug-and-play system. It’s easy to get started with and comes with built-in templates for contracts, proposals, and invoices, making it perfect for those who want to get set up quickly.
Key Strengths:
- Ease of Use: HoneyBook is known for its intuitive interface for business owners, making it easy to set up without much training or technical knowledge.
- Templates: It offers pre-made templates for contracts, emails, and proposals, which can save time.
- Creatives Focused: HoneyBook is popular in industries like photography, event planning, and floral design due to its simplicity.
- Automation – Honeybook offers simple workflows that we visually laid out.
However, HoneyBook has some limitations:
- No White-Labeled Emails: Emails are sent from HoneyBook’s system, which means they aren’t fully branded under your business. This can make your communications feel less professional. See below.
Email coming from Honeybook:
- Access Required for Clients: Clients need to log in to view proposals, contracts, or invoices. This adds an extra when they click links and buttons in your emails. If your contracts and invoices need to be shared with others, this is a real problem. If you are a photographer working with wedding planners, this can be difficult and time-consuming to share contracts and information.
Dubsado: Customization & Powerful Automation
If you’re looking for a CRM with more customization and advanced automation, Dubsado is the better choice. It’s designed to be customized for your client process and business needs. This gives you the power to create workflows, custom forms, and advanced automation.
Key Strengths:
- Advanced Customization: Dubsado allows you to design every aspect of your workflows, forms, and email templates.
- Automation: Dubsado excels in automating processes like lead follow-ups, onboarding, invoicing, and scheduling.
- White-Labeled Emails: Unlike HoneyBook, Dubsado lets you send fully branded emails from your domain, providing a more professional client experience.
- Easy Link Sharing: You can forward and send links for proposals, contracts, and invoices without requiring clients to log in—offering a much smoother client journey.
While Dubsado offers more flexibility, it also has a steeper learning curve. The initial setup can take longer because of its advanced features, but the long-term payoff in time savings and efficiency is significant.
Cost Comparison for Honeybook and Dubsado
Both HoneyBook and Dubsado are priced similarly. Honey is $32 per month for the essential plan and $40 per month for Dubsado. Both offer plans at lower price points for the starter plan. While Honeybook offers a 2-week free trial, Dubsado allows you to use the software for free for up to three clients. I like this because it gives you time to dive into the software without time restrictions.
Dubsado’s additional features and customization options might justify the higher cost for business owners needing more from their CRM. HoneyBook remains a great, affordable option for those who want simplicity and ease and need to get up and running quickly.
Who Should Use HoneyBook?
If you’re an entrepreneur who needs a simple, easy-to-use CRM with built-in templates, HoneyBook is a great option. It’s perfect for those who don’t need heavy customization or advanced workflows.
Who Should Use Dubsado?
For businesses that require customized workflows, automated systems, and more control over branding, Dubsado is the clear choice. It’s ideal for service-based business owners who want a CRM that scales with their needs.
Which is Right for You?
Both HoneyBook and Dubsado offer valuable tools to streamline your business, but your choice depends on your specific needs. If you want ease of use with minimal setup, HoneyBook is a solid pick. However, if you’re looking for full customization, advanced automation, and white-labeled communication, Dubsado is the winner for me!
Use my code kellymccrackenva for an additional 30% off your first month or year.
We should team up!
And if you still have questions about how to set up Dubsado…
Your expertise belongs in your craft more than your CRM. Bringing in a pro to do the strategic thinking and heavy lifting means that you’re never stuck Googling, experimenting, or muddling through something that only kind of works.
When you book a Dubsado setup for your business, we get to skip right over any implementation growing pains or learning just for learning’s sake. As a Certified Dubsado Specialist, I build exactly what you need, and then show you exactly what you need to do to keep the system running smoothly.
