[Dusteh]

I need software (cheap) to get me up and running as a sole trader.

So far QuickBooks SimpleStart 2008 look like its the bollocks for invoicing and general book keeping duties. Anyone using it? Can anyone recommend anything equally as cheap that could be better?

But it hasn't got time keeping in it, a quick search of the forum shows someone clearly advertising their own software, but nevertheless it looks pretty nifty: Fanurio - Time tracking software for freelancers - only $40. (i'll just ignore its invoicing ability). Its aimed at freelancers which seems perfect (flat rate vs hourly etc.)

Again, anyone any experience with it? Can anyone recommend anything better? Simplicity is the key for me, if something gets too complicated I probably won't use it.

[Dusteh]

Helps if I'd found this article earlier... scratch the time keeping request:

6 Cool Tools to Track Your Time - FreelanceSwitch - The Freelance Blog

[Hunch]

I use freshbooks.com. It's free for the basic version. Never had a problem with it.

[Dusteh]

That one looks rather interesting. What level of service do you use?

One hang up I have about most of these is the fact its all online. I think I'm rather old fashioned, I want something installed on my computer for some reason. I can't even quantify it, I just prefer my accounts to be local.

[datahound]

I would concur.

[rustybones]

I use Free online web based time tracking tool, employee timesheet and reporting. - Paymo.biz which has been pretty damn good so far

[rustybones]

Though I've just checked out Freshbooks... damn thats everything I need in one package... I'm switching, use Freshbooks

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by Dusteh

That one looks rather interesting. What level of service do you use?

I use the free service because I happen to have 3 key clients who account for about 90% of my ongoing work. They give me work practically every couple of weeks, and they like to be billed monthly regardless of where I am on a particular project. Freshbooks allows me to record my time for each client and generate the invoices. They can also track a running total of the work done so far on each project, so they get an idea of what to expect for each months fees.

One of the often repeated comments I've seen on this site is that people undervalue designers/developers (particularly web design) and don't appreciate why we charge what we do. I've found since I started using Freshbooks, that the time-tracking has really made a difference to their perception of how long a job takes and helped them to understand why things cost what they do. They also seem more aware that they are paying for a professional service, because it presents a good image of how you manage your accounts. I know I sound a bit like a walking advert for the service, but I've had a very positive experience with it so far. No complaints.

[Dusteh]

Thanks for the feedback, I have to say you make a convincing case Hunch.

[Limbo]

{OT}

has really made a difference to their perception of how long a job takes and helped them to understand why things cost what they do. They also seem more aware that they are paying for a professional service, because it presents a good image of how you manage your accounts

Good point - same reason we use basecamp - shows them why and when.

[rustybones]

Hey Hunch, with Freshbooks is there a program I can run on my computer for the time tracking that you know of? I can only see the web based one...

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by rustybones

Hey Hunch, with Freshbooks is there a program I can run on my computer for the time tracking that you know of? I can only see the web based one...

Not that I'm aware of. I just use the web interface because it's dead easy and takes about 2 minutes a day to keep track of my projects. After a few days of use it becomes like Gmail - you barely think about it being online. But, they do have an API for developers so if you're a decent coder, you could put together your own front end client.

Maybe have a look around their developer forums. I had a quick look and found a few discussions about creating Mac OS X dashboard widgets for time tracking that would plug into their system, and other such stuff.

[flatcat]

There's also: Estimate, Invoice, and Time Tracking Software for your business : Cashboard

The thing that I've been really liking about Cashboard so far is their templating language. You can actually design yourself completely custom templates to integrate with the rest of your marketing materials, exports to .pdf, and they have a number of reporting and development stuff on the way. They also have a Dashboard Widget that you can use to track your time.

The thing that has kept me off of Freshbooks is that their invoices are soooo ugly and there's no customization.

If you do your research (FreelanceSwitch just had an article about a bunch of them), there's a lot of possible options out there. I've been grinding through tons of free trials to try and figure out what I was going to switch over to. Turns out that Freshbooks and Cashboard were the best options for me, and I've decided to go with Cashboard because of the ability to customize invoicing and they seem to have a really strong production cycle. The Cashboard guys are really active on their forums and help out a lot too.

[lightboxmedia]

i am also using freshbooks, i love it and so do my clients =)

i'm not sure when you looked at the custom invoicing but i have been able to customize it quite a lot and i thought the design was exceptional. also, their snail mail invoicing looks great.

[CharmingMan]

I use a program called studiometery

Its not webbased app, it sits on the desktop.

It has file management, time tracking, automated invoicing.

A invoice template system that supports heavy customisation and outputs as a pdf.

You can also manage projects with, commenting and stuff.

[herkalees]

I use slimtimer.com for my time/task tracking and QuickBooks Pro for my client invoicing.

[sensison]

GnuCash for accounts recievable and payable.. easily customizable.. open source.

And ..BAMBOO INVOICE!!!