Running a business can feel like you’re spinning plates. Between managing clients, juggling projects, and tackling endless admin, it’s easy to feel stretched. That’s where a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool comes in, keeping you organised and streamlining your workload so you can focus on what you love.
Investing in a robust Business Management tool or CRM can be a total gamechanger for your business.
But with so many CRMs out there, how do you know which one to choose? If you’ve been considering Dubsado or Studio Ninja, you’re already on the right track. Both are powerful tools with unique benefits, but which one fits your business best?
Whether you're seeking a backstage pass to photography business management or a versatile tool to suit your diverse small business needs, we've got you covered.
What Is a CRM?
If you’ve ever wondered if there's a magic tool to simplify your client management, a CRM might just be your new best friend.
A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management tool, is software designed to help you manage client relationships, track leads, organise workflows and often so much more. It's essentially your business’s command centre - a one-stop shop that keeps everything running smoothly while freeing you up to focus on what you love.
Unlike a simple contact list, CRMs like Dubsado and Studio Ninja take things to the next level. They help automate repetitive tasks, manage deadlines, and even handle client communications, offering small business owners a professional edge without the extra effort.
How a CRM Can Boost Your Business
Still wondering if a CRM is worth it? They're all about working smarter, not harder. Here are just a few ways it can transform your day-to-day:
- Stay Organised: Keep client details, emails, invoices, and schedules in one place so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Save Time: Automate those time-consuming admin tasks like sending follow-ups or tracking payments.
- Deliver a Polished Experience: Impress clients with seamless processes, from onboarding to project delivery.
- Increase Efficiency: Streamline your workflows so you can handle more clients without feeling overwhelmed.
What is Studio Ninja and Dubsado?
Studio Ninja and Dubsado are pretty powerful CRM/Business Management Systems designed to make your life easier, but they cater to different audiences. Studio Ninja is purpose-built for photographers, while Dubsado offers a broader approach that suits a variety of creative business types.
Studio Ninja Overview
Studio Ninja is like having a personal assistant in your back pocket, designed specifically for photographers. It simplifies and streamlines administrative tasks like managing leads, bookings, contracts, and payments.
Here’s why photographers love Studio Ninja:
- Workflow Automation: Say goodbye to repetitive admin tasks and hello to more time behind the camera.
- Customisable Templates: Create branded proposals, contracts, and emails effortlessly.
- Online Booking and Lead Management: Keep track of enquiries and bookings in one place.
- Payment Integration: Simplifies invoicing and payments by connecting with Stripe and PayPal.
- Pre-Built Templates and Mobile App: Manage your business on the go with ease.
Dubsado Overview
Dubsado, on the other hand, is a versatile CRM, CMS, and workflow system designed for creative businesses - when they say "A business management platform for everyone," they mean it! It simplifies client, project, finance management and more while also prioritising user-friendliness and automation.
Here’s why Dubsado stands out:
- Client and Project Management: Keep everything in one place, from enquiries to project completion.
- Customisation: Build personalised workflows, forms, and templates to fit your brand.
- Client Portal: Provide clients with a dedicated portal for transparency and easy access to project details.
- Automation: Automate processes like follow-ups and reminders to save time.
- Invoicing Made Simple: Create and send professional invoices effortlessly.
- Integration Capabilities: Dubsado seamlessly integrates with tools like Zapier and Make, allowing you to connect it to your existing processes and software effortlessly. This flexibility ensures it works harmoniously with your current systems, saving time and simplifying your workflow.
Both platforms aim to boost productivity and efficiency, but Studio Ninja caters specifically to photographers, while Dubsado offers a broader solution adaptable to various business needs.
You can find more about Studio Ninja and Dubsado in my dedicated articles:
- Studio Ninja - Your Backstage Pass to Streamlined Photography Business Management
- Dubsado - A Business Management Tool Built With You In Mind
At A Glance – Dubsado vs Studio Ninja
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Studio Ninja Pricing
In the UK, Studio Ninja offers three plans:
- Starter Plan (£13/month): Ideal for solopreneurs with features like 1 user, 1 contact form, and 5 active jobs.
- Pro Plan (£20/month): Perfect for small teams with 3 users, unlimited jobs, and workflow automation.
- Master Plan (£29/month): Great for larger teams offering unlimited users, brands, and forms.
With only 5 active jobs included in the starter plan you'll likely outgrow it quickly. It's best to budget for the Pro Plan at a minimum. Not only will you have more capacity, but you'll also get all the automation goodness that comes with it!
Dubsado Pricing
Dubsado offers two plans:
- Starter Plan ($20/month): Includes unlimited projects, clients, invoicing, and templates.
- Premier Plan ($40/month): Offers advanced features like automated workflows, scheduling, and Zapier integration.
Get 15% off your first month or year with Dubsado by using the code ‘ashwoodva’ at checkout.
Dubsado also offers a free trial for up to 3 clients with no time limit. That means you can play around and even book a couple of clients before diving into a paid plan. When you're ready to take the plunge, I recommend the Pro Plan. Trust me, those automation features are not to be missed, they'll save you a ton of time!
Setting Up
Getting started with Studio Ninja or Dubsado opens the door to a more streamlined way of working. Both platforms offer unique approaches to setting up, tailored to their audiences.
Setting up Studio Ninja
Designed to help photographers hit the ground running, Studio Ninja offers a user-friendly onboarding experience, allowing you to quickly input your preferred payment methods, sync your Google Account for Email and Calendar options, create contact forms, and set up packages.
The simplicity of Studio Ninja's setup is appealing, particularly for those new to CRM systems. Here’s what you’ll love:
- Quick Payment Integration: Set up Stripe or PayPal in minutes, so invoicing clients is seamless.
- Google Account Sync: Connect your calendar and email to keep everything in one place.
- Effortless Form Creation: Build branded contact forms to embed on your website, making it easier to capture leads.
- Service Packages: Define your packages upfront, so quoting and booking clients is a breeze.
The platform’s user-friendly design means you can start managing your business with minimal fuss, even if you’re new to CRMs.
Setting up Dubsado
Dubsado is a much more comprehensive platform that has a bit of a learning curve for newcomers due to its wealth of features. However, it compensates for this with exceptional support and guidance, including live chat, bookable demos, and scheduled calls, ensuring you get started efficiently.
Here’s why Dubsado's set up process stands out:
- Comprehensive Onboarding: Schedule personalised demos or calls to tailor the platform to your business.
- Live Chat Support: Got questions? Their support team is just a click away, ready to guide you through setting up workflows and templates.
- Custom Templates: Start with pre-designed templates for contracts, proposals, and emails, then tweak them to fit your brand.
- Advanced Automation: Build workflows that handle everything from follow-ups to task assignments, saving you hours every week.
While Dubsado’s setup requires a bit more time and effort, the payoff is a system that’s tailored to your exact needs. If you value customisation and don’t mind a learning curve, Dubsado’s setup process is well worth it.
Customisable Branding
When it comes to branding and personalisation, both Studio Ninja and Dubsado offer options to align the platform with your branding… But one is notably more restrictive.
Studio Ninja allows you to upload logos, amend colour palettes, and match fonts to create a cohesive and professional look. While Studio Ninja provides some branding flexibility, Dubsado takes it a step further.
With Dubsado, you can fully customise form templates, automated responses, and client-facing documents, ensuring that every interaction aligns seamlessly with your brand. This high level of customisation can help you create a more consistent and memorable client experience.
Integrations
When it comes to integrations, both Studio Ninja and Dubsado offer options to streamline your workflow, but there's a noticeable difference in their approach.
Studio Ninja provides a range of integrations designed to enhance your business operations, seamlessly connecting with Gmail and Google Calendar, accounting software such as Xero and Intuit Quickbooks, along with payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. These integrations work together cohesively, allowing you to sync invoices, payments, emails, events, and galleries just the way you've always done.
Dubsado takes integration to the next level with a wide array of compatible third-party applications. It plays well with Zapier, Make, Xero, and popular email marketing services, offering extensive flexibility in creating customised workflows tailored to your unique business needs.
Dubsado's dedication to integration versatility makes it a standout choice for freelancers and small business owners who are already set up on other apps and platforms, but looking to bring everything together for ease.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the real winner of Dubsado vs Studio Ninja is: you.
Choosing the right CRM for your business is a game-changer, giving you more time to focus on what truly matters while helping you maintain a level of sanity that manual management simply can’t contend with.
Studio Ninja is ideal if you’re a photographer looking for a simple, no-fuss system that’s packed with features tailored to your industry. Meanwhile, Dubsado’s versatility makes it perfect for businesses that need more customisation and advanced automation.
Think about what your business truly needs: Is it simplicity and speed, or a platform that’s ready to grow and adapt with you? Whichever one you choose, you’re setting yourself up for a more organised, stress-free workflow.
Once you’ve got the right CRM in place, you’ll be wondering how you ever managed without it. Trust us, your future self will thank you.
“Streamlining Your Workflows” Still Sound Like Jargon?
If you're still unsure, or simply don't have the time to get your system set up, get in touch. We can review your current tools and processes and help you decide which system is right for your business. We'll even be on hand if you need us to set it up for you.
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