PayMo: Excellent Time Tracking Tool for Small Businesses

As a small business, We are always looking for tips and tools to better business operations. A few months ago IsrylDesigns came across the site paymo.biz and now we have an efficient way to manage projects and invoice clients.

PayMo's user-friendly interface allows us to easily navigate through all of its useful tools.


Dashboard
The dashboard shows a quick view of upcoming milestones and tasks, a color coded bar graph of the hours worked on each project, and a snapshot of the total hours worked by day, week, and month.


Milestones/Tasks
Keeping track of deadlines has never been easier. A great feature of the milestone tab is the email alert. When you add a milestone you can set a time to have an email reminder sent. Tasks are lists related to the milestone. Once a milestone or task is complete simply click on the box and it will delete itself from the list. All of your changes will be stored on your dashboard so that you can keep track of all of the company activity. 


Timer
The timer allows the user to track time by pushing one button (start) or (stop). The timer runs in the background while the user is working in another program. Should the user forget to stop or start the timer there is a way to manually enter the time.


Clients/Projects
Add all of your client details including uploading a logo or picture and contact information. This information is then populated in the invoice section streamlining the invoicing process. Once your client(s) are added, you can then add the projects, milestones, and tasks related to them.


Users
PayMo has a variety of options depending on the needs of your business. The free version of PayMo allows up to 2 users and 3 invoices per month. The upgrade version only $9.99 allows for unlimited invoicing. You can track your freelancers/employees time and include that in project billing. To upgrade your account, just click on the upgrade button on the right side of the page under Invoicing. Note: You can cancel the upgrade at anytime but you do have to click on the downgrade button to do so.


Invoicing
One of our favorite features of the site is the invoicing tool. Create a simple and effective invoice by uploading your logo. Click on the client you want to bill and their information will automatically populate. An invoice number is generated and you can click the paypal box to allow your client to pay online using their credit/debit card. The invoice will create a link that you can email to your client. Save trees and time! Note: You need to set up your paypal account before generating a paypal invoice.


Reports
Keep up with your company's hours, and finances using the reports tab. Paymo will generate reports based on hours worked by project, hours worked by user, and financial statistics. Now you can keep track of your companies productivity and financial growth all in one tool, PayMo!


IsrylDesigns is always looking for ways to make our business more successful. If you know of any tech tools, design opportunities or just want to connect email us at info@isryldesigns.com.


Thanks for letting us turn your design dreams into reality!

Setting Your Rates and Sticking to them!

"You will, at some point, get the pricing on a project completely wrong." 

-Mark Boulton in the article Be_the_boss/Deciding How Much To Charge. Practical WebDesign September 2009 Issue

Whether getting a car fixed, buying a new home, or buying apparel everyone is looking for the best rates in town and clients are no different. They too want the best rate possible, especially in this economy. But what does this mean for you as a small business or freelancer.


Since small business rates are usually set based on overhead, the amount of money you want to make, and the time it takes to complete a job there is not much wiggle room for small biz/freelancers to negotiate with clients. But should you choose to lower your rates for clients you must consider the side effects. With services, especially design you get what you pay for and while you try to be sensitive to a clients budget you do have a duty to your startup/small biz to be compensated adequately.


IsrylDesigns recently had a client that we renegotiated rates in the middle of a project. Big no, no! It is great for firms to have business in this economy, however, you should not let a client pigeonholed you into keeping a job by lowering your rates. After reading Mark Boulton's article in Practical WebDesign, IsrylDesigns is more enlightened on rates and what they mean for the branding and well-being of a company.


Tips to better rate setting for small biz:

• Provide a thorough quote that outlines the amount of time a project will take. Stick to the price in the quote.
• Avoid renegotiating in the middle of a project.
• Be ware of Discount Debbie or her friend Discount Dan – they are always looking for a discount but never want to cut back on the scope of the project.
• Ask your clients budget upfront.
• Get familiar with Good vs. Bad clients. What type of client do you want to provide services for.
• Be okay with passing up a project if necessary. A better one will come along. But not if your business keeps devaluing its work by giving discount after discount.

Have another tip for us? Email it to isryl@isryldesigns.com!

Identity Crisis

Welcome to the new blog for IsrylDesigns. Here you will find all the happenings, work, and events by IsrylDesigns while we are updating our identity. As many designers know branding yourself is one of the hardest things to do. :) Check back frequently.

Here is one of the logos for our latest client, Young Leaders Society United Way of Central Alabama.