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Ultimate List of the Best Real Estate Photography Management Software

Published: 19/07/2023

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

In a world of increased online transactions, you must keep track of photography activities, plans, and expenses. Suppose you're looking for information on CRM platforms for real estate photographers. I'm listing my top choices for real estate photography management software and things to consider for selecting the right one for your business.

Top Picks for Real Estate Photography Management Software

My top choices for the best real estate photography management software include Full Frame Systems, View Shoot, FotoBiz, TourBuzz, and Iris Works. These programs have essential features like project management, automated messaging, online booking, and scheduling processes. They also have digital payment, bookkeeping, lead nurturing, and marketing in one place.

A real estate photography business covers a broad area of operations. Unlike a standard CRM tool, real estate photography-designed management software allows you to create galleries and virtual tours to highlight your interior, exterior, property, or neighborhood shots.

Our Top Five Best Studio Management Software for Real Estate Photographers

Running a business is challenging, as keeping track of everything can be overwhelming, particularly on top of photo sessions. Finding the best studio management software is crucial for a streamlined and efficient real estate photography business. With that said, these are the five best real estate-designed photography CRMs.

Computer screen on desk displaying a graph

Full Frame Systems

Full Frame Systems

is one of the best photography studio management software for real estate photographers. The good thing is that you can do these tasks under the website's project management system to streamline daily operations.

  • Unlike the others, this CRM includes customizable order packages. This allows you to configure add-ons or complementary services at the time of a client's orders. 
  • It can generate property websites automatically, giving you modern and mobile-ready presentations
  • You can also embed and stream virtual tours on property websites.

View Shoot

View Shoot is another automated studio management software for real estate photography because of its online scheduling. It also offers downloadable photo deliveries and several payment options, including credit cards. These are important things to consider when choosing View Shoot.

  • Like Full Frame Systems, View Shoot provides property data about the traffic, views, and engagement of virtuals and tours. 
  • While the website has a 1-month free trial, you must choose a paid plan afterward.
  • A subscription can give you client accounts, a custom access URL, and custom and free tour links.

FotoBiz

FotoBiz is a photo business management software for real estate photographers who want to spend more time taking pictures and less doing repetitive administrative tasks. These are among my favorite features of FotoBiz.

  • While the user-friendly layout is for stock photography, its contact management and sales tracking guides you in generating invoices and licensing quotes.
  • You can keep track of your marketing efforts to attract potential clients. 
  • You get these features without paying monthly or annual fees.

TourBuzz

While it's a virtual tour software like View Shoot and Full Frame Systems, TourBuzz stands out because of its high-definition photography and panoramas. You will also get the following benefits.

  • Each tour requires payment, so you need to consider this if you want to offer tour packages. 
  • This photography studio management software can track such transactions using the built-in invoicing and photo delivery features. 
  • It offers a 360-site stream and interactive floorplans.

Iris Works

Iris Works is a very easy-to-use studio management software that focuses on collaborations. This lets you create databases, share locations, and upload images for clients. These are some of the best things about using Iris Works for real estate photography business management.

  • Its unique feature is a weather widget that gives you an idea of the weather in your residential and property sites.
  • The website lacks automated invoices and pricing plans. However, Iris Works has a better customer support team than most CRMs, which you'll need as you grow your photography business. 
  • While the software has an annual fee, you can try all these features on a one-month free trial.

Other Studio Management Software for Photographers

The first five CRMs veer toward digital galleries and virtual tours. Meanwhile, these photography studio management software programs have better features for different job functions.

17hats

With digital workflow options, documents, and invoices, 17hats is the ideal photography business management software for those struggling with appointments, scheduling, and billing. Consider 17hats if you want to prioritize these benefits.

  • This photography CRM can synchronize with your automated emails. It tracks all messages and files them to the appropriate project associated with a particular client.
  • This photography CRM doesn't have specialty tours like Full Frame Systems and View Shoot. However, 17hats does beat them regarding access to multiple users, project management, time tracking, and capturing new leads.

Studio Ninja

Designed specifically for photographers, Studio Ninja has an intuitive and seamless interface perfect for real estate photographers who are first-time users of studio management software.

  • Using automation to eliminate paperwork, this photography studio management software gives you more time for shoots and editing.
  • Its integration with QuickBooks provides financial reports for checking if you have profitable marketing and sales plans. 

Studio Ninja improves efficiency in project management, booking, purchasing, and customer service. However, the photography CRM needs to improve with slow loading times when running multiple tasks.

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is an excellent option if you prefer an advanced yet clean interface to ensure responsiveness. Real estate photographers can improve business management workflow, especially by using these features through the dedicated mobile app.

  • With end-to-end project control, you can handle onboarding and projects while simplifying client communication.
  • This cloud-based photography business app makes data storage relatively easier, making the client experience seamless. 
  • You also get applications like Gmail, Google Calendar, Zoom, Zapier, Calendly, and QuickBooks. However, it needs better team collaboration features compared to 17hats.

Táve

Táve is another go-to photography studio management for creatives who want a one-stop-shop for marketing, gaining new leads, data tracking, and messaging. Consider Táve to enjoy these perks.

  • While it takes a long time to set up the system, you can eventually save time by letting the tools accomplish the day-to-day tasks of your photography business.
  • It has a customizable client interface and a 1-month free trial. This is enough to try the website in personalizing and sending emails, contracts, and invoices.
  • Although the customization is a bit more complex than HoneyBook, Táve does support WordPress data and operations.

Pixifi

If you're a photographer who uses iOS, Android, and OS, Pixifi is a photography studio management software for delegating tasks, tracking clients, and obtaining new leads. 

  • This web-based software works great, especially if you are a single shooter who needs to do all administrative tasks and shoots.
  • Its selling point is the fully automated booking system. It enables clients to select available dates, confirm bookings, sign contracts, and pay invoices without extra effort from your end.
  • Like Táve, setting up is a bit complicated, so dedicate time for your 1-month free trial.
Woman using a laptop while sitting on a sofa

Dubsado

Dubsado is a great studio management software for small business owners looking for automated lead capturing, several payment integrations, and real-time accounting.

  •  Its automation features let you monitor all your business appointments and projects in one place.
  • Unlike the previous CRM tools, Dubasado has limited workflow customization. This prevents you from monitoring multi-day photo sessions in one day.

Sprout Studio

Sprout Studio is another CRM software that makes it easy for small business owners to automate messages and adjust workflow.

  • Due to an excellent user interface design, managing contracts, billing, and galleries become seamless.
  • This software's unique feature is the addition of educational resources and podcasts, which other management programs lack. 
  • The tax management and financial health reports of Sprout Studio are beneficial for a photography business growing to have at least five shooters.

ShootQ

ShootQ is another cloud-based business studio management software that can help you get leads while organizing projects, appointments, and sales. 

  • It boasts a highly customizable interface. This lets you delegate assignments to other team members and effectively manage finances.
  • The automated workflow improves workforce efficiency for small businesses working on expanding operations over time. As a result, ShootQ can help you land clients and deliver outputs faster than the competition.

Bloom

Bloom is an excellent photography studio management software if you find creating assignments based on leads challenging. However, it does have its pros and cons.

  • The program automatically does the job for you. It would immediately add the tasks to your calendar and monitor what you still need to do.
  • The analytics and automation are less advanced than the other photography CRM tools.
  • Bloom offers a free trial for those who need a basic interface when juggling projects, handling payments, and delivering images.

StudioPlus

With a 1-month free trial, you can check the automated management tools of StudioPlus and improve your business workflow in just a month. Even with a limited trial, you can try out these features for managing your real estate photography business.

  • From image processing to everything in between, online transactions make it easy to get bookings and prepare for shoots.
  • This photography studio management software uses an e-commerce portal. This enables clients quickly fill out forms, sign contracts, and place orders. 
  • The automated lead capturing also tracks interactions that you can use for marketing and data backup.

ShootZilla

ShootZilla is the best studio management software to keep your business organized if you feel overwhelmed when remembering shoot details. It provides the following features to help you efficiently manage your real estate photography business.

  • The website integrates your workflow, clients, emails, and documents in one easy-to-use system for assigning projects.
  • Quite similar to Bloom, ShootZilla provides a clean and straightforward overview of all the finished projects and upcoming tasks. 
  • It includes preset workflow templates for marketing.

Light Blue

While Light Blue appears to be an old-school studio management software, this makes the website simple to understand. I typically recommend this software for older real estate photographers not used to advanced interfaces. 

  • It has easy-to-use features to keep your business organized and free time for shoots.
  • Light Blue is also best known for its analytics that improves marketing efforts. 
  • After a 1-month free trial, the website offers a payment plan for up to 15 devices.

PicSpotr

PicSpotr is a photography studio management software designed to simplify workflow, send contracts, invoice customers, and get payments quickly. The interface may look simple, yet the software has advanced features that streamline your business management processes.

  • This website suits real estate photographers who are just starting and finding easy ways to improve business processes.
  • It uses electronic email templates for creating contracts, as well as quotes and invoices.
  • With syncing capacities, PicSpotr can integrate Microsoft Outlook, Apple Calendar, or Google Calendar to set your appointments.

StudioCloud

StudioCloud is a photography studio management software with better cloud sync than the rest. In effect, it enables multiple people to work efficiently. 

  • You can manage clients, schedule shoots, and automatically send messages.
  • StudioCloud manages lead generation, marketing planning, and online payment. In this way, you can focus on photo sessions while the photography CRM or other team members do the work.

Key Features to Look For in a Photography Studio Management Software

The best photography studio management software is the one that can help you organize business needs and work processes in an easy yet effective way. For a more informed decision, let’s take a closer look by comparing the key features.

Person looking at phone while using laptop

Image Delivery

Image delivery that supports both galleries and virtual tours is the most vital studio management function for real estate photography. A client can sign up or simply get a unique link to access photos. In effect, you can offer an effortless viewing experience for buyers, sellers, and agents.

Project Workflows

A photography studio management must have a customizable workflow that covers steps to complete tasks and activities, especially if you have several shooters and processes. With task management, you would remember assignments and make sure to meet deadlines. As a result, you can prevent delays in image delivery or client turnover.

  • Calendar and scheduling: The real estate industry involves communicating with different kinds of people with varying schedules. An efficient scheduling system and calendar allows everyone, including clients, to check availability and schedule changes.

Client Communication

Fast and effective client communication is one of the most important parts of customer service. The goal of using photography studio management is that you get to avoid using a third-party application for messaging. Some websites include scheduled and automated messaging, while others offer live chat.

  • Automated booking process: When providing real estate photography services, you'll want the client booking process to be as seamless as possible without leaving the studio management software. This often includes digital quotations, online booking, and electronic contract signing.
  • Online payment integrations: A complex payment system is one thing that turns off potential customers. Digital payments save you time and energy, unlike meeting up for cash payments. Most studio management applications integrate electronic payments such as credit cards, mobile wallets, and international transfers.

Marketing Automation

Online marketing and sales campaigns maximize business efficiency and increase your business revenue. When you use automation to handle repetitive marketing tasks, you can reduce the workload to save time for photoshoots and editing tasks.

With photography CRM applications, you don't have to implement your marketing plans manually. In effect, the business workflow goes on schedule.

Lead Nurturing

Lead generation plays a crucial role in marketing campaigns. It's a process of using photography studio management software to nurture potential clients from the inquiry to the booking process to convince them about your photography services. Consequently, convince them about your photography services and convert them into paying customers.

These are among the lead nurturing systems that CRM tools provide.

  • E-newsletter and automated emails
  • Questionnaires
  • Chatbot conversations
  • White papers
  • Coupons and discounts
  • Referrals
  • Free trial
  • Social media integration

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a CRM?

CRM means customer relationship management, which involves interactions with current, old, and potential clients. It uses online technology to get sales opportunities, streamline processes, and boost profitability.

Why Should Real Estate Photographers Use Client Management Software?

A studio management program is crucial for every real estate photographer who needs a systematic platform for delivering photographs and virtual tours. It's also vital if you want an organized and easy solution for managing clients, schedules, communication, payments, marketing plans, and deadlines.

Conclusion

The right studio management software can make your job as a real estate photographer convenient and more professional. Invest in a CRM tool to help manage work requirements, especially in virtual tours, online galleries, client communication, and finances.

25 comments on “Ultimate List of the Best Real Estate Photography Management Software”

  1. Robert - I don't use client management software. I needed to create my own as a commercial photographer (nothing worked well for the variety clients I help).

    Mine works better, takes less time and costs virtually nothing. Look into the power of your current software, website, ftp options, google analytics, etc.

    However, if you're used to using dedicated CRM, I believe Larry has provided a good list.

  2. I use Marketcircle's Billings Pro program for invoicing, client contacts (syncs with Address Book), expense & mileage & time-per-job tracking + project status. Marketcircle also have dedicated CRM software which can work alongside Billings Pro, called Daylite -- see: https://www.marketcircle.com/daylite/
    Note, its for Mac OS / iOS users only...

  3. I could never really find a site that I liked that didn't try to sell me all sorts of things that I didn't want or need. I use a free accounting app called Waveapp for my accounting. I send invoices, generate reports and generally do all the accounting for free. I can turn on or off the app to allow payment by credit card. As far as my picture storage and delivery, I struggled. I thought dropbox was easy but I got a lot of calls from non tech agents saying they could not figure it out. I built out my site not so much as a flashy site but more of a functional site. It is word press based and I added a free form builder in there where agents can place an order and it comes to me as an email. I added a photos gallery and then purchaed an extension that allows for downloads. Additionally, there is a function to make is to the galleries can be purchased but I have not turned that on yet. I want to load up the site with stock photos from communities, drone shots and drone videos and then re-sell them as low cost galleries that can be purchased and downloaded without my needing to be involved in the transaction. Often I hear people getting all bent about the re-use of their photos but rarely do I see anyone actively trying to profit again and again from the photos. This is still a work in progress but it's working ok at this time.

  4. I am looking for this too. I am also trying to find a good(inexpensive) way to have contracts signed online. Just starting out, all the x per month fees really start to add up...I have committed to Acuity for my appointment management. This is nice because they integrate with stripe which I use on my site with woocommerce for invoicing. Acuity allows me to collect down payments, as well as configure appointment block sizes. I am using it mostly for the portrait side of my business; so it may not be useful for the RE people; but its an option in your workflow.

    Like I said, my main hitch right now is trying to find an easy way to get my contracts signed online, then my clients shuttled to Acuity for DP and appointment scheduling. (still mostly on my portrait side, but will be a factor for RE too)

  5. @Scott Hargis you are living in yesteryear. My lined paper is spiral bound, with dates printed in the corners of each page. Totally cutting edge.

  6. I know several photographers and other businesses who are using Outlook as their CRM. There's quite a bit of information online that I just briefly looked at. There also appears to be some plug-ins for Outlook. The best part is that I already have Microsoft Office so I already have Outlook. Now I just have to motivate myself to set it up.

  7. I have been doing more research today. I found Apptivo which seems to be a full featured CRM with Invoicing, Contract Management, and more.... http://www.aptivo.com it also is relatively inexpensive for the next tier over the free version.

    Since I am trying to tie in electroning contract management and e-signing into my workflow, I also did some digging and found a contract management site that seems to be reasonable and well liked as well. That one is http://www.concordnow.com which also meets my requirements of inexpensive. I will be trialing both of them.

  8. I've been using Cradoc FotoBiz ever since it came onto the market, I think about 1999 or so. It's a great little billing program and easy to keep track of billing.

  9. FullFrame was my chosen solution.

    What I really needed was a way to manage clients, delivery and payment as efficiently as possible. I had reached the point where I desperately needed to be more efficient. Just raising prices isn't always the best solution. Sometimes refining your systems and making your business more efficient is needed.

    While there are many ways to skin this cat, for me, FullFrame offered the best all around solution in making my business more efficient.

    The system has been very easy to integrate with my workflow. While there was the need for a little adjustment in my systems, the truth is that, the changes I made to adjust to FullFrame were probably changes I needed to make anyway. The very few things I questioned "Why do they do it that way?" Quickly ended up with "...that makes more sense" in more cases than not.

    It has been surprisingly easy for my customers. This was one of my biggest fears. We all have those "Seasoned Agents" that are afraid of technology. The number of clients that I have had to hold their hand is much smaller than I anticipated. On the upside, the ones who are more adept, accepted the system willingly.

    Ordering Services: While my customers had been used to texting or emailing for scheduling, this was the biggest adjustment. Now, they go online and tell me their preferred time and date and we adjust from there. At first I thought this was a silly way to do it but then I realized, this is EXACTLY how most of them go about scheduling showings. Duh, I should have anticipated they would like this! Do some still want to call/text? Sure they do. They'll get used to the new system.

    Image delivery is easy. I had been using Pixieset with no real complaints at all. FullFrame works as easy for me and provides me more efficiency. Print and MLS downloads are easy, as they should be.

    Property Websites: something I wasn't previously providing and my clients love it. Branded and unbranded (for the MLS) versions are included. Certainly a value-added proposition.

    Photo (Virtual) Tours: I was using Lightroom to make slideshows, uploading to Vimeo or YouTube for clients. A system that worked well and was reasonably profitable. With FullFrame, they do the work and I make more for doing less. AND they automatically show up on the Property Website? Win-win. Third party like TourBuzz? No Thanks, to inefficient to go to another source. This is all included and integrated. One upload many products delivered.

    Flyer Maker. Seriously? I would have never put this on my list of things to offer...but my clients LOVE it!

    Payment is a non issue. Images uploaded to the FullFrame system are watermarked until payment has been received. Want to proof the images before payment? Sure, go right ahead. I opted for Stripe for my payment integration within FullFrame. As a loyal Square customer, this was hard for me to do. I loved Square. Unfortunately, there was no way to trigger image delivery to the client immediately upon payment without going to Stripe. They offer another service through FullFrame but this was the choice I made as it seemed more like Square. Ill live with Stripe and adjust accordingly. ESPECIALLY when I don't have to manually send links when payment is received, etc.. You get the point...

    Now, the best part...My average price per shoot is increasing. Why? The intuitive way that the projects are ordered, where they are taken to my optional services page as a part of the flow, has increased my add-ons significantly. I've only been fully "up" on the system a short time but my average sales are up just over $25 each. I expect as the season continues, this trend will increase.

    So, one piece of software is handling everything from ordering to delivery with more options for my clients? The price seems high only until you understand exactly what you are getting. It is making me more efficient, up-selling my clients, eliminating worries. I should have made the jump sooner.

    If you have any questions, please respond here or feel free to text/email me. I would be happy to share my experiences further.

    David@DaytonHomePhoto.com
    937-343-1034

  10. I've used both Tour Buzz and Full Frame. I've been using Full Frame for the last 7 months or so. I'll gladly write why they beat out TourBuzz.

    But First...

    I don't understand some of the comments on here. I feel that it's extremely disingenuous to make comments like "A yellow pad works for me". Does it really? Scott, you are a professional photographer and a worldwide photography teacher. I don't see anywhere on your Lynda.com lesson that you use a yellow pad. I just think it's irresponsible since we all listen to your advice. I say this out of respect since I've learned a few things from videos I've purchased of you.

    No, I will not be running my livelihood on a yellow pad. So here is why I chose Full Frame in the end.

    (I'm following David Kingston's lead and enumerating the reasons - No, I don't know him but I like his post.)

    1. Flexible Pricing: It's not a big deal anymore but when I was starting out I had a few months where agents weren't calling for photography. Full Frame kept changing my pricing each month so that I could pay less during the rough times. I was paying anywhere from $2.40 to $4.50 per listing, depending on how many shoots I had during that month. I like that they charge you after the fact as well. It let's me collect from my clients before I owe them.

    2. Flyer Creator: This is awesome for agents and easy to use. I charge a little extra and set it up for them if they would like.

    3. Add-ons: This is by far the biggest difference in my business between now and when I was not using FF. The way that agents chooses a photography package, and then are taken to an add-on screen, is key to me making more money. I used to include add-ons in my packages. Now I can price them out separately and let the agent choose what they want to pay for. I'm making more profit per listing.

    4. 24/7/365 Access for Agents: I don't miss having to find a download link, usually a few months after the shoot, and sending it to the agent because they lost theirs. Agents can change their information and access their photos and video anytime they choose.

    5. It's not a Virtual Tour Creator: Honestly, I found Full Frame because I was looking for a way to make virtual tours. I was used to Tour Buzz and how creating a virtual tour was the main reason to upload to their system. I can order a tour, if needed, but I like that I don't pay for a tour if the agent does not want it. This is also another way I'm making more profit per listing. Don't make the same mistake I did and get hung up on the tours. I quickly realized that Full Frame was helping me organize and grow my business. I thought I was doing a good job until they pointed out how much time I was spending on the phone with agents. I've been able to take on more clients because I don't have as many customer service calls from agents.

    6. They Care: I know this seems like fluff but I had a bad experience with another software provider. In the end, that company simply told me there was nothing they could do to fix the issue I was having. Full Frame hasn't been like that at all. They are constantly updating me on their work and adding new features as needed. I've requested 2 features/fixes and they were able to help right away.

    I really hope this helps!

    David -

  11. I consider anything online as ephemeral and not worth placing to much work in. Most accounting programs such as AccountEdge, have lots of fields for keeping track of all sorts of customer data and even a free form notes area. I don't know Quickbooks, but it probably has the same thing. I am able to run a reports and look at all sorts of information on each client from how much business I have done with them to when they last booked a job. I can even make a note of when I last called them. If I've promised to call them in the future, I'll whip open my calendar program and jot it down so I don't forget.

    Scott's comment about a yellow pad is a little cheeky, but right on the mark about the time that's prudent to spend on CRM in this field of work. Scott's so old-fashioned (and we're probably around the same age) and I've gone high tech. I have a spreadsheet that I use for my marketing list. I collect agent's names, contact information and the office they work in or own in the case of a broker and when I last sent them some marketing materials or an email and also whether I have met them in real life (IRL) at an open house or other function.

    Agents come and go like cats. Just because you have customers doesn't automatically mean that you need a formal CRM to track them. In aerospace we called the syndrome "Analysis Paralysis" when engineers spend too much time collecting and analyzing data instead of getting dirty and building something tangible and testing it in the real world. If you are just getting started, keep it simple and see how much your accounting software is going to help you before adding another layer of work to do instead of going out and enjoying some free time doing something other than work. If you just must work, go out somewhere to meet potential customers in person and shake their hand while looking them right in the eyes all sincere like.

  12. Steven Schafer, I looked at it. It seemed like a good piece of software just not exactly what I wanted. Software is not (usually) one size fits all. I would suggest taking a look at all of them and decide what fits you best.

  13. I have not posted here on the forum before but I am an active reader and participate in the photo contest! I saw this post and wanted to make sure that I voiced my opinion about Full Frame and what is has to offer.

    I have been using Full Frame since I started my business and there is no doubt that it has helped my business have a professional and technologically advanced look to it! It is great for ordering, delivery of photos, and for the property websites! They are about to launch some new features that I think will make it even more top-notch and a great system to use. I know most people out there probably use a multitude of systems for the ordering process and that creates a poor user experience. If they have to call you to schedule, you have to email an invoice that maybe they can pay online, then receive photos via DropBox, and then send videos via YouTube or Vimeo links...what a horrible experience and so much work for the owner of the business. Full Frame handles all of this for you! I would certainly recommend this to anyone out there looking to better manage their business.

    Another great thing about Full Frame is their variable pricing. So many subscription services require that once you hit a higher tier, you can't go back down. Full Frame is different every month and that is great. If you have a business greatly affected by seasons or just busy and slow times, Full Frame is great for you!

  14. I used to be a database programmer, wrote a point of sale package for the firearms industry to deal with the BATF as well as a engineering revision database for one of those Processor manufactures Starts with (I). That said, I do it all on spreadsheets. Tracks where, when, mls number, when sold or if builder, re-modeler, stager etc (even FSBO's ). Speed sheet is 8 tabs as it covers other income sources and is laid to rest 01/01/---- with unfinished business carried over to the next years. Everything is visible and easily tracked. Any CRM platform just takes to long to input and you have to run reports. With spreadsheets you just do sorts and functions and the data is visible for everything all the time.

  15. What I don't like about the solutions Larry mentioned is that I have to work my business around them so I use Square. It handles my appointments, credit card processing, invoicing, capital, payroll and my email marketing. It's not the be all end all, but it works for me and if I had to create everything myself, it would cost me a small fortune.

  16. Hello,
    I have been shooting real estate photography for last 4 years off and on. I am ready to make the jump to full time. I had been doing contract work for the two major real estate marketing companies in my area. I found i was getting screwed. Im confused on what i Need. I want to provide my customers with a seamless experience from what they are use to. But providing them with a more personal experience. If they call for a shoot they get me every time and not some random or new photographer they have never worked with before. My guess is business website like "smug mug or zenfolio". That would provide cloud storage UNLIMITED. A CRM program which lead me to this page. Im thinking Full Frame or View shoot would provide the seamless headache free transition. Then Intuit quick books for book keeping. Right now I'm a one man show, but would like to expand later down the road. Im just really confused on buying a bunch of services that all do the same and wasting money on things i don't need. Please let me know.

  17. @ Kevin M --
    You need a pad of lined, yellow paper, and a good pencil. When someone calls or emails you to book a shoot, you write down the address, the time, and the date. That's pretty much all the "CRM" you need. If you were selling thousands of widgets from multiple warehouses scattered across three time zones, then sure, you'd need software. Our business, especially when you get away from the CirclePix/Obeo model that you've left, is much simpler.

    And yeah, you need a website. Current post on this blog will get you started with that, and again --- don't overthink it. All it needs to do is display photos, and your phone number.

  18. Scotts advice works great. Paper doesn't need to be plugged in to work and we learned how to work with it from preschool so there's no mystery there. I've taken it one step further and created a form that I use for jobs and it's all filled out by hand. I needed something that I could walk down while I'm talking with a customer to remind me of things I might need to know for a job. Time and location obviously, but you may want to know if the home is vacant, owner occupied or if you might be working around a tenant that may not too happy. For a vacant home, you may want to know if the power is on. Phone numbers for everybody if there are issues. Lock box combo. Trash day/street sweeper day. Gate code. Direction the house faces along with best and worst times for sun position. On and on. I have a nice big spot for free form notes that I call the back. I keep blanks in a folder next to my desk. It only takes a couple of minutes to fill the form out since some things are going to not be applicable so they can be skipped. I take the form with me to the job and I'll add a printout of an email booking the job from the agent for vacant properties to show police or security that I'm supposed to be there. I've never had police show up and quiz me on a job, but I don't want to be sitting on the sidewalk in cuffs while they try to get the agent to answer the phone.

    For CRM, I use some functionality in my accounting program (AccountEdge) and I have a text file in the customer folder on my computer. I keep track if a customer wants images sequenced a certain way. What they want me to do if I show up to a job and the home is a mess. Their kids/spouse's name. Birthdays if I'm told. Their religion if I might need to know what holidays they might observe. Working hours/days. If they drink so I'm not giving them a nice bottle of wine as a gift when they don't. Pretty much anything else that can help me not do something they find rude and what the default settings are when I am doing work for them. Honestly, I don't have to refer to my notes very often so buying and paying maintenance on some software to do that for me is a waste.

    Website! Big priority.

  19. Does anyone use UrbanImmersive.com? How is the the User Interface / User Experience, is it a good platform for someone new to the business?

  20. The pencil and paper idea is fine for low volume businesses. I am looking to improve the efficiency of my business and help keep my clients organized and on time so we can stay on time. We shoot around 1500 listings a year. We spend A LOT of time repeating ourselves, a few minutes saved at each listing adds up fast. I am looking for a way to load a schedule with the necessary details and send automated things based on scope to help keep people prepared. Not finding anything so far. 17hats can handle the automated dissemination of information, but it doesn't even let you invite someone to a calendar event you create within the tool.

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