Software consulting business, also known as software services business, is a type of a service business that can be built in many different ways. It includes building custom software solutions for paying clients and helping them implement these solutions in their businesses.
It’s time to take the plunge and start your own software consulting business. You know it’s what you want. You want to work when you want, where you want. And let me guess, there is only one thing holding you back: Fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure or perhaps fear that your idea is just plain stupid. We all have that little voice in the back of our head that tells us “Hey this isn’t for you” when we actually really want something (i.e when we fall in love with someone) but are too afraid to make the move because it involves some risks or there are totally unknowns in front of us (like how do I get this person to like
Project management software
Asana
Asana lets you manage projects, delegate tasks, and track timelines with ease. You can create simple to-dos, assign them to yourself or other collaborators, and set due dates. But there’s a lot more under the hood.
For starters, you can create a kanban board. This lets you organize and arrange projects by progress stage—providing a visual way to track projects. You can also plot these projects to a calendar or Gantt chart timeline view.
Throw in the ability to create subtasks, set up automation actions, and even link boards together. No matter the job to be done, Asana gives you the flexibility to tackle it your way.
Mavenlink
Whereas Asana caters to most companies, Mavenlink is geared toward consultants. Pitched as an all-in-one consulting platform, Mavenlink guides you through the engagement process. This includes:
- Managing your client pipeline
- Monitoring project capacity
- Setting timelines
- Collaborating with team members
- Overseeing financials
- Analyzing performance data
Mavenlink offers unique tools in each of these areas. You can set tasks, plan your calendar, share files, and message collaborators. You can also log time, generate data reports, and track your profit margins on projects.
The one exception is when it comes to selling, as Mavenlink doesn’t offer its own CRM tool. Thankfully, you can easily integrate an existing platform to keep everything in one place.
CRM software
Salesforce
When it comes to customer relationship management tools, Salesforce is a popular choice. The company provides scalable sales solutions to over 150,000 customers. T-Mobile, Adidas, and Spotify are just a few businesses that use the cloud-based platform.
While Salesforce is often associated with mid- and large-size enterprises, the platform offers tailored solutions and pricing for smaller firms as well. Whether you want to track leads, manage sales opportunities, or store customer data, Salesforce provides the capabilities.
Pipedrive
Pipedrive offers a cleaner, visually friendly alternative to client tracking. The platform takes a cue from project management tools, allowing users to drag and drop deals across progress columns. As with Salesforce, Pipedrive also offers a version for small businesses.
Marketing software
Hootsuite
Hootsuite lets you take control of your social media presence. The tool integrates with over 35 platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Use a collaborative calendar to create content, schedule posts, and share like-minded content.
Hootsuite also provides real-time reporting of social media performance. Track metrics such as likes, followers, and engagement by channel. You can also generate reports to share with your colleagues or clients.
Buffer
Buffer also lets you create, schedule, and track social media content. However, Buffer focuses on just five integrations: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
Buffer also differs in terms of pricing. Whereas Hootsuite bases its tiers on business size, Buffer provides separate plans for its “Publish” and “Analyze” tools. So if you just want to automate posts with Publish, you can skip the Analyze tool altogether, and vice versa.
Canva
For other marketing needs, Canva is a great option. The tool makes graphic design simple and intuitive. Do everything from updating your business cards to redesigning your firm’s logo. Once you’ve designed something you like, you can save it as a template to repurpose later.
Figma
Figma takes the accessibility of Canva and adds team collaboration to the mix. With Figma, you can design materials with other team members in real time. Any work you do in Figma is saved to a cloud. So you can add comments, make edits, or restore prior versions without hassle.
Proposal Software
Proposal software aims to make the overall proposal process simpler for you and your clients through features like proposal templates and increased visibility. The most important features to consider in a proposal software include:
- Speed – the best proposal software options allow you to create and send out new proposals with speed. This often comes in the form of pre-made templates that only require you to fill out certain fields rather than create a whole new document from scratch.
- Automation – automation is king in today’s tech industry, and proposal software should be able to automate your proposal process so all you need to do is click the send button when you’re ready. The best proposal software does the rest for you so you don’t have to rely on several different tools.
- Visibility – when you send a proposal, you want to know when it has been viewed and signed. The best proposal software allows you to see when a client has completed their portion of the proposal and gives you greater visibility over the life of the proposal.
Here are the top proposal software choices for consultants to use:
1. Practice Ignition
Practice Ignition is a software that helps you create comprehensive proposals and send them directly to your clients so you can more easily earn the money you deserve for your services. It creates a much more efficient proposal process that keeps you moving forward.
Practice Ignition features:
- Simple proposal creation with a library of customizable templates
- Ability to collect one-off and recurring payments right on your proposals
- Comprehensive business dashboard so you can easily monitor cash flow, sales and revenue
- e-Signature capabilities so your customers can sign your proposals with greater convenience
- In-depth commenting system allows your clients to add feedback or objections directly to the proposal
- Integration with third-party accounting software like QBO and Xero, along with workflow software like Zapier and XPM
2. Proposify
Proposify’s aim is to streamline the entire proposal process, from start to finish. This is an affordable software that helps you add an extra level of visual design to your proposals, following the idea that this will impress your clients more.
Proposify features:
- Fully customizable proposal templates allow you to add video and other visual elements
- Mobile access allows your clients to review proposals on the go
- Team collaboration for better communication between teams and tracking of important deadlines
- Interactive tables so your client can choose from a list of the different services you provide
- Public API for integration with your CRM and invoicing software tools
3. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a software made for sales teams, marketing teams and company leadership teams. Geared toward fast-moving companies that are looking to quickly gain more customers, this proposal software focuses on efficiency and analytics.
PandaDoc features:
- Web-based functionality allows you to create proposals anywhere and on any device, as long as you’re connected to the internet
- Advanced analytics that track proposal views, time spent viewing proposals and more
- Customizable proposal design with a library of ready-to-edit and ready-to-use templates to fit a variety of different situations
- e-Signature functionality for faster signing
- Team collaboration features that give your employees the option to work on proposals together and give your clients a voice during the proposal process
4. BidSketch
BidSketch is a proposal software that is dedicated to saving you more time to focus on the needs of your clients. It can help you remember exactly what needs to go into your proposals, and it also includes a variety of other tools that you can use to increase revenue and overall success.
BidSketch features:
- A library full of proposal templates that you can easily fill out with personalized information for the client
- Unique upselling features allow you to easily add optional fees and services for your clients to consider
- Automation for the steps following the proposal signing so your clients aren’t just waiting for more information
- In-depth notification system that keeps you up to date with all the actions your client is taking with the proposal Integration with other consulting software like SalesForce, Zapier and more
5. Qwilr
Qwilr is a proposal software that focuses on intuitive and simple design features that make it easier for you to make visual and personalized proposals. With other features that help you measure proposal success, this software is a handy tool for any consultancy firm.
Qwilr features:
- Design features focused on consistency help keep your brand visible across all proposal templates
- Increased security functionality that includes password protection, view limits and time limits
- Reporting features allow you to see how long clients are viewing your proposals and what areas they spend the most time on
- Integration with third-party software to keep your business streaming without any hiccups
- Comprehensive team collaboration functionality streamlines the editing and approval process
Billing and Invoicing Software
Collecting payment is one of the most important parts of being a consultant. If you don’t have an easy and efficient way of collecting payment from your clients, it can quickly become a headache for both you and them. Billing and invoice software helps you keep your accounting on track. The best options in this category should offer the following features:
- Payment flexibility – the best billing and invoicing software gives you flexibility in the types of payments you can accept. With the emergence of different payment avenues such as PayPal and Venmo, the invoicing software you choose should give you the option to accept a variety of different payment types.
- Templates – to make things quicker and more efficient for you, it’s important for your invoicing software to feature pre-made invoice templates. The software should also allow you to create your own or edit the existing templates for greater flexibility.
- International currency – if you service international clients, your billing and invoicing software should give you the ability to convert fees into international currencies. This way, you can prevent your international clients from going through the trouble of doing all the conversion themselves.
1. Practice Ignition
Practice Ignition does a lot more than just proposals. You can accept payments via credit card or bank transfer right on your proposals. That means that you’re accepting payments up front, not waiting for invoices to clear. Practice Ignition is pretty much the perfect software for business consultants.
Practice Ignition features:
- Allows you to collect one-off or recurring payments right on your proposals
- Seamless integrations with Xero and QBO to automate your invoicing and reconciliation
- Service library makes it easy to provide accurate quotes
- Built in dashboard makes it easy to monitor cash flow and project payments
2. Xero
Xero is an in-depth accounting software company that also provides a comprehensive invoicing solution for consultancy businesses. With greater security and a large library of pre-made templates, this invoicing software is a good choice for small to large consulting businesses.
Xero features:
- Automated reminder system notifies your customers of payments due at customizable intervals
- Two-step authentication prevents unauthorized users from accessing the invoices you send to your clients
- Send bulk invoices to increase your overall efficiency and payment rate
- Create recurring invoices for greater convenience
- Send invoices on the go with your mobile devices
3. QuickBooks Online
Quickbooks is another big name in the accounting software industry, and its billing and invoicing offering reflects that reliability. Quickbooks is made by Intuit, the same company that created TurboTax and Mint, so there’s already a high level of trust built in to the product.
Quickbooks features:
- Generate encrypted links to your invoices for greater security, which you can then send via text message and email
- Various payment types accepted, including ApplePay and free bank transfers
- Fully customizable invoices that you can create from scratch or from a template
- Add deposits, discounts and other special circumstances to your invoices
- Real-time notifications alert you whenever a client has viewed or paid an invoice
4. Wave Accounting
Wave Accounting offers a host of different accounting software, including a helpful billing and invoicing option. This software is easy to use and features a simple interface that is easy to understand.
Wave Accounting features:
- Recurring invoice functionality keeps you on track and helps you get paid on time with each of your clients
- Helpful notification system reminds your clients when their payments are due
- Includes free accounting software that integrates seamlessly with your invoices
- Create invoices on the go through the iOS and Android apps
- Easily view invoice status and customer statements in one place
5. Freshbooks
FreshBooks is a big name in the accounting software industry, and it’s easy to see why. This company’s invoicing software is comprehensive, visually pleasing and incredibly easy to use. With automation and convenience features, you’ll be up and running in no time with this invoice software.
FreshBooks features:
- In-depth invoice creation templates give you more options to create beautiful invoices that will impress your clients
- Accept payments with credit cards and Apple Pay
- Automate reminders and follow ups with your clients to save you more time in the long run
- Include deposits on your invoices so you can more easily get started on your projects Track time you worked and expenses you incurred for the project and include them on the invoice
Conclusion
A software consulting business can be an exhilarating experience for an IT professional. As a consultant, you will be doing something that you enjoy. There is no need to go through boring training sessions, although there will always be training if you want it so that you can stay current with the latest trends, products and technology.