5 of Our Favorite Lesser-Known Dubsado Features
If you know anything at all about us over here at Boss Project, you know that we’re long-time Dubsado fans. Before we transitioned to digital courses years ago and were still offering services, Dubsado was our go-to. Now, we’ve kept up with the software updates and new features, and it’s the #1 CRM we recommend to service providers looking to organize and streamline their business.
While we’re positive it would win you over at the major, more well-known features (think workflows, forms, the client portal), it’s the smaller features that will have you shouting from the rooftops about Dubsado. That’s why we want to talk about 5 of our favorite lesser-known Dubsado features and how to use them!
1) Use Custom Mapped Fields to Collect Custom Info
While we do already have a post dedicated just to custom mapped fields, it most definitely deserves more time in the spotlight. A custom mapped field is a place on a client profile or project to store information in the form of a short answer or a date select question. You’re able to add fields that are relevant to your business, so you can always have it at a glance, or you can even use the Zapier integration to add this info to other platforms.
There are client-specific and project-specific mapped fields, and which category you use depends on the info you want to collect and store. For example, a family photographer could create a project-specific mapped field for “How many people will be present for the shoot?” The client would then type their answer. If you’re a service provider who likes to send birthday gifts, a client-specific mapped field could be “When’s your birthday?”, which the client would enter their birthday in a date-select question.
You can then add question fields to your forms and map them to your custom mapped fields. When a client submits the form, their answers to your custom mapped fields will display on their profile. In the image below, you can see two client mapped field responses (accepts marketing and their birthday), as well as the project fields.
Check out this post for more in-depth information about how to create custom mapped fields and how to add them to your Dubsado forms.
2) Email Read Receipts Allow You to See When an Email is Viewed
You might already know that Dubsado allows you to connect your email provider and send and receive emails directly through Dubsado, but did you know that they also include read receipts? This allows you to see when an email is delivered and when a client has viewed it and how long ago.
When we don’t hear from a client, we’re wondering if the email bounced, if they’ve even read it yet, and if we should send a follow-up just to make sure. Read receipts eliminate that issue!
3) Enable Tipping with the Gratuity Feature
Dubsado allows you to enable a gratuity feature on your invoices, so you can collect tips from clients. It’s a super simple feature and clients are able to choose to or not to add a tip before paying their invoice. While you may not use gratuity for your business, there may come a time when a client wants to reward you simply for being awesome! Instead of having the potentially-awkward conversation of how much extra you should apply to their invoice, they can simply enter the amount and pay on their own.
4) Add Links and PDFs to the Client Portal
One of the many functionalities of the client portal is the ability to add Dubsado forms for clients to view, complete, and keep. But did you know that you can also add third-party links and PDF forms? This is useful if there are certain links you need your clients to access or PDFs that weren’t built in Dubsado.
They can access these links or PDFs any time by simply logging into their portal, and they never expire, so they’re always available. We have a post all about the Client Portal right here.
5) Apply Time Tracked to an Invoice
Dubsado has a native time tracking tool which is awesome for service providers who work hourly for clients, or if you just want to see where all your time is actually going during your work day. Compared to a website like Toggl, where you can download PDF reports and attach them to your invoice email, Dubsado’s time tracking system allows you to track time specific to a project, and they’ll automatically calculate the invoice based on the hourly rate you specify.
Once you’ve stopped tracking, Dubsado will display a button on the item for you to apply it to the project’s invoice. If you forget to do this, they’ll also display a badge notification when you’re creating a new invoice letting you know that there’s tracked time you can apply.
That wraps up our top 5 favorite lesser-known Dubsado features! These features are often overlooked, but they can really take your Dubsado experience to the next level when you utilize them.
Do these features have you eager to take Dubsado for a spin? To get your first 3 clients free with no limit and save 30% when it’s time to upgrade, just head here.
