Running a small business requires streamlined processes, but the learning curve to new software is often a deterrent for creative business owners. We’ve spoken with experts throughout the interior design industry – and demoed many ourselves – to narrow down the best software options that will save you countless hours, replace the need for additional staffing, and elevate your business.
Design: Anderson Wier Studio | Photography: Margaret Austin
These software tools made the list because of their ability to be customized to the individual needs of different businesses, their relative ease of use, and their customer service. It’s also worth noting that most of these are not dedicated exclusively to interior designers. Whether you’re a graphic designer, web developer, or copywriter, we know they will serve your unique needs. In fact, we use many of them ourselves!
Dubsado
We have been using Dubsado at IDCO for many years now and can't sing its praises enough. For all creative businesses, Dubsado will work be your operations work horse. From the moment a client inquires with you to the final deliverables, Dubsado will manage each step of the process – most with complete automation.
But what makes Dubsado stand out in a sea of client management software is the unparalleled customer service. No question goes unanswered for more than a few hours (usually less than 10 minutes!) and their commitment to your success is awe inspiring. And, the software is so incredibly robust, you can customize it to act as a full-time operations manager.
Use it for:
Inquiry Questionnaire
Appointment Scheduling
Consultation Booking
Design Questionnaires
Project Homework
Client Communications
Design Proofs
Contracts
Time Tracking
Design Estimate
Payments + Accounting
Stand-out features:
Every time your clients interacts with you through Dubsado, it is completely branded to your interior design business. From colors to fonts and URLs, your clients will never know they’re using tools from a 3rd party, making your business appear polished, high-tech, and seamless.
On boarding assistance – not only do you receive a one-on-one coaching session with the Dubsado team, you can hire them to set the entire software up for you. From your inquiry forms to your contracts and workflows, they’ll transfer all your projects from a previous CRM, or start fresh for you.
Templates – they’ve provided templates for contracts, proposals, questionnaires, and design proofs, created by working professionals in different industries.
Community – Dubsado has a cult following. There is no other way to describe it. Their private Facebook community shares tips and ideas and helps troubleshoot all things business.
Completely free, no limits trial.
Design: Anderson Wier Studio | Photography: Margaret Austin
Studio Designer
This designer-specific accounting software program is a great invoicing tool that also helps handle digital project management and product sourcing.
Use it for:
Product Catalog
Clipping Tool from Websites
Building Proposals for Clients
Ordering
FFE Schedule
Direct to Reps
Invoicing and Time Billing
Tearsheets
Line Item for Approval
Stand-out features:
Extremely detailed accounting means that your reports are as accurate as possible, and that you know the margins for each project exactly, making it simple to allocate revenue into any category.
The software is based on items instead of documents such as proposals, invoices, etc., so it's easier to manipulate items without messing with a document.
Design: Anderson Wier Studio | Photography: Margaret Austin
More Software for Interior Designers
Slack
Team communication
Trello or Asana
Project management
To-Do lists
Check lists
Dropbox or Google Drive
Client File Storing
Project Photos
Google Sheets
Spreadsheets
FFE Schedules
Sent Digitally and Stored for One Year in Dropbox
Bench
Accounting + Taxes
Canva
Social Graphics + Presentations
Design Presentations
Duke Renders
Outsourcing Renderings
Design Software
Sketchup
CAD
Keynote
Photoshop