New: Better client views, performance, more
We’ve trickled out a number of improvements to FreshBooks since our last release. Most address the feedback we received regarding our new invoicing pages, but we’ve also tweaked a couple other things, particularly:
New preview pages and client views
After you’ve created an invoice or estimate, you’re invited to preview your invoice from your client’s perspective. This is a pretty important view of your invoice, so we’ve classed it up. Now you’ll find a bright clean status ribbon on the top-left, which makes the current state of the invoice abundantly clear (i.e. paid). The invoice itself now sports a nice bordered shadow, and the action links above have been replaced with multi-action buttons.
But there’s more – you can now send invoices and estimates from the preview page as an administrator or staff user. This means you can review your document one final time before hitting the “Send” button.
Faster edit pages
Our new invoice and estimate pages, which we released mid-May, came at a cost. All those dynamic goodies – like the ability to re-order lines, and auto-expanding description boxes – required more processing power. Users with unusually large invoices were encountering slow-loading edit pages, sometimes having to wait 30+ seconds before they could make a single edit. Ouch. Well, we’ve been steadily releasing performance fixes since then (the first one came the very next day), and we’re proud to say that our invoice and estimate pages are now smoking fast.
To give you an idea, the graph above shows the approximate loading time of an abnormally-sized invoice (100+ lines) since we first released our re-designed edit pages. These benchmarks are from Firefox 3; Safari and Chrome load this example invoice in just one second.
Insert lines anywhere
Due to popular demand, you can now insert lines after any line on an invoice or estimate (again). Just hover over an invoice line, and a “plus” icon will appear on the left. Click the icon, and voila – a brand new line. Combined with line re-ordering, it doesn’t get much easier to draft up invoices/estimates.
Re-usable item creation makeover
Last, but not least, we’ve totally redesigned our inline item creation. Without leaving your current workflow, you can create a re-usable item directly on the invoice, complete with auto-expanding description box, configurable taxes, and so on. Plus it doesn’t look half bad either.
That’s it – short and sweet. Please take a look, and as always, your feedback is appreciated.
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10:43 am
I really like the new preview. Very clean and functional.
11:02 am
really enjoying freshbooks, and the updates.
wishing for multicurrency account one day
11:10 am
@dan: hearing you. thanks.
12:39 pm
Im getting a freshbooks tattoo. Where should I get it? Back of my shoulder?
2:23 pm
Looks good – is a to-do list in the works anywhere?
2:28 pm
Lovely! Thank you.
2:30 pm
Very slick indeed, you guys rock!
2:58 pm
all very nice but I still don’t understand why the most simple request are ignored
- Recent Activity, Add number of nofitication of overdue
- add field on estimate “Estimate title” and show this on the “List of Estimates”
- edit invoice design
- break estimate in parts for pre paid invoicing
etc etc etc
I really like the new features but I really miss you guys implenting features the users request. If your not intend to use the requested features you can close the community in my eyes
3:03 pm
@sander:
We hear this all the time form our clients. Why can’t you just add “x”. it’s simple you just …
Invariably, it’s far more complex and there are other priorities to keep in mind as a product developer.
Just because you need these things doesn’t mean everyone does.
3:07 pm
excellent enhancements. keep ‘em coming guy. nice work.
3:10 pm
FreshBooks is getting better every day. Your hard work is definitely appreciated.
4:43 pm
Just found FreshBooks today and must say it is awesome. I was using vTiger and really needed something with recurring invoicing and wow this has that and so much more to offer!
Love it…
4:51 pm
Lovely work, folks. I’ve only been using the system for a couple of months, but I’ve been surprised and very impressed with the number of improvements in that short period of time.
7:04 pm
This nearly brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful updates!
I just wish I could create more invoices now
7:39 pm
Awesome upgrades! One feature I’d like to see is the ability to turn on/off reminder emails on a per client basis. Keep up the great work guys!
8:49 pm
Lovelovelove Freshbooks and really like the new upgrades!
Ditto on the turning reminder emails off per client/invoice. I have deadlines for my regular invoices, but not for deposit invoices. I’m regularly having to send out apologies for “reminder” emails going out to potential clients. I know it’s affecting my professional image. =(
I’m not saying that I think it’s as easy as writing a line or two of code, but I do feel it’s a relatively basic feature.
Thanks so much! Again, love this service. =)
9:27 pm
Love the updates, but agree with other that there are some very necessary features that are being overlooked that should not be complex to include.
1. Invoice Title – ability to add and display in data grids
Our clients are huge corporations and need this information for entering into their accounting software.
2. Ability to add a “item” to a Basecamp gathered entry
Currently it overwrites the entire line including description and the time entry. All of our projects are managed and tracked through Basecamp and this is causing us a lot of “TABBING” to enter 100+ lines of time entry. 6 tabs per line to get to the Unit Cost field.
Anyway, love the upgrades, but would like to see some more needed items get attention over the updated graphic design pieces.
3:17 am
These are great changes. Thanks!
I’d also like to ditto the request for titles on Estimates, or at least some better way of distinguishing them on the list. Maybe a reference that’s only visible to me and not the client?
7:57 am
Awesome improvements as usual…
Re: ESTIMATES!
Maybe the number of comments here re: estimates will move development up in the queue!
My request:
An Estimates Report!
I have a VERY small business (1 person plus contractors), so I need to pare down the different apps I use!
BTW: Most of the apps I DO use I learned about from and link to FRESHBOOKS!
I thought of using estimates to gauge prospective gigs…great idea in my opinion…
But there is no way for me to run a report on them!
A report that could then go into Excel–that would be enough for me!
I LOVE the reports on invoices…a similar one on estimates would make me SO VERY HAPPY!
Thanks!
9:41 am
Design (not just function) matters, and you guys are really upping the ante — brilliant. Thanks lots.
9:51 am
Great changes, thanks for giving us our speed back as well.
Cheers!
Tina
10:06 am
Thanks for the positive feedback guys. It means a lot.
@sander: Overdue noticies on the recent activity page sound helpful to me. I’ll look into it.
@micah, @sander, @Richard: I’m obliged to agree with you on invoice/estimate titles. Strangely enough, not too many people have asked about this – are you three in cahoots?
@micah: The Basecamp/item importing issue is a personal pet peeve of mine. I’ll bring it up with the team again.
- Ben
11:44 am
perfect!
12:01 pm
I’ve been using Freshbooks for a few years now, and I’ve always been impressed with the updates and new features. This one is no exception. Good work guys.
1:47 pm
Hi,
Love the new updates, the buttons make the client’s view a lot more pro.
A couple of suggestions I have:
a) Please could you include the (currency symbol) in the title rows on the Clean invoice template as you have done with the Classic template?
You have changed the more appropriately named ‘Cost ($)’ column (in Classic) for ‘Line Total’ – it would be helpful if you can remind a client that ‘Line Total’ is referring to the cost once they’re on the third or fourth page.
b) Also, on the invoices could you have a drop down menu that would let you select ‘Hourly Rate’ instead of ‘Unit Cost’.
c) When a user changes the above column, could you also make it change the next column to read ‘HOURS’ instead of ‘Quantity’.
d) An optional ‘Date’ column would be nice on invoices, to save me putting it at the beginning of the description.
If you made these changes it would mean I could stop using the ugly but efficient Classic template that looks like it was designed in MS Word.
1:59 pm
Still looking for next recurring invoice date next to last sent column ?
2:29 pm
Great update, thanks!
So for your next update, how about budgeted hours and/or dollars on the project list and project summary pages?
3:39 pm
As always, great updates! I would still love to see a “New Invoice” button placed on the default home page (maybe right next to the RSS link).
I’m just sayin’… most of the time I log in to create a new invoice. One click would be better than two. But, then again, I am quite lazy.
4:00 pm
Love the newest updates, and my clients love the usability of this system so far. New clients are very impressed with the way it looks and feels, and the ability to track projects and invoice history. I’m still hoping that you will be able to one day figure out a way to design, on the backend, a way to track individual contract rates and deadlines on a client folder specific basis rather than an all-or nothing, since many of my clients have many different contracts depending on their needs, and amount of work load requested of our office.
Thanks again for ALL you do!
4:57 pm
just gets better and better
7:49 pm
Very sexy! I just have one issue and that’s when I try to quick print an invoice, The print only shows the logo and business and customer address area and nothing else. I am downloading to pdf and printing as a work around. Is this just me?
8:18 pm
Loving the new updates, very functional. Freshbooks does everything we need it to do. Well I thought it did till you added these enhancements now it makes my work even easier, again.
10:06 pm
My business partner and I have been using Freshbooks for over six months now. We bill our clients, set up recurring invoices and bill each other for our time, since we are technically separate companies. Freshbooks has really stepped up to the plate for us. We are still working out the finer details and will provide specific feedback and requests but given the steady implementation of new features, I feel very comfortable that all my issues will be addressed. Thank you for a superb product.
11:02 pm
I really love your services. The new upgrades are great too.
The only thing I would really love is that if you would add an area above the line items for Project Name/Title. That would be a BIG HELP.
You guys are the best!
Julie =)
11:56 pm
I love my Freshbooks! You make my small business come across as a Big Business!
Double and Triple Dittos on the turning reminder emails off per client/invoice.
Greg
1:55 am
Love it! Love it! Love it!!
7:43 am
Loving the new features lately, guys. You make me look more and more professional as time goes on. I enjoy the trickles, you seem to be growing as I do.
10:02 am
I also would like what Ray requests, as I have a professional business which charges hourly:
>on the invoices could you have a drop down menu that would let you select ‘Hourly Rate’ instead of ‘Unit Cost’.
> When a user changes the above column, could you also make it change the next column to read ‘HOURS’ instead of ‘Quantity’.
Two more things:
> When emailing estimates and invoices, I’d like my logo to appear in color, not b/w
> I use the Timer 100% of the time, but the problem is I can’t see the rest of the description of my tasks, as it does not expand or have little popup windows that follow the cursor. Also, I’d like to see the $ for each task in the Timer window.
Great job overall. Thank you!
12:02 pm
Thanks Chaz, hopefully others will agree as billing hourly is particularly appropriate when providing consultancy services on a part time bases.
At the moment I’m having to provide a key-guide with my invoices explaining that my invoicing software won’t let me enter ‘hourly rate’ and ‘hours’ so explain what ‘unit cost’ mean etc.
If I’ve been providing services for 2 hours and 30 mins I put it in as 2.5 or for 2 hours and 45 mins I put is as 2.75.
You could have ‘Time’ instead of ‘Hours’ up to you, but it would be handy if you have the time system (based on 60 mins) instead of the decimal system in that column – like say OfficeTime invoicing application does, and many others.
Ray
12:07 pm
Yes I’d also like what Chaz suggests about the logo in colour for prints as well as email.
It doesn’t look very ‘corporate’ when you can’t even email your invoice with a colour logo!
It does however look corporate having info on the invoice to view and pay the invoice online through a 256-bit SSL, which you supply, and which I would rather have though – so I’ll let you off
8:06 pm
Looks really fresh!
11:15 pm
Thanks guys! There is no bill that I ENJOY paying except for the Freshbooks charge! I see 2ndsite and smile cause I know my billing has been taken care of.
A suggestion about stamps — maybe adding a feature that would allow Freshbooks to order stamps if I needed them as to not delay the delivery of recurring invoices… just a thought! Great job guys! Couldn’t be happier!
7:20 am
Good work guys..
It would be really useful if the item is searchable (AJAX auto filler). especially when there are more than a few hundred items.
12:42 pm
Wow I love freshbooks always cool updates. The best for a business
12:47 pm
Brilliant update. Well everyone’s asking for various things. Some reasonable, some not. Global service businesses are absolutely desperate for multi-currency. It’s a tough ask as that sounds like you’ll need to give us each a multi-tenant system where we can address all our clients globally across currencies. But once done, wow! All the invoice formatting issues people complain about pale into insignificance. Whatever you choose to do, thanks!
3:56 pm
Great updates! I’ll throw my vote into the ring for the overdue notices and invoice/estimate titles. Those are two things I’d really like to see.
7:15 pm
Here here – multicurrency is needed VERY SOON.
7:23 pm
In Australia – by LAW we have to quote prices INCLUDING GST TAX (10%).
It would be very desirable to have Refreshbooks item pricing to have an option that the includes TAX not just add the tax to the item price!
Most, if not all, other accounting software has this feature, why not FreshBooks?
9:36 pm
Once again an awesome update and a great business partnership with a group that are always coming out with great new enhancements, functions, all keeping the SMB in mind. You guys rock, plain and simple, and don’t let anyone tell you different.
9:55 am
Great! All the best for the new stuff.
1:04 pm
@Ray: You’re not the first person to ask for this (cost vs. line total column). We’re still tweaking our new template, so maybe it’ll be changed.
@Ray, chaz: We’re keenly aware that many people want hourly rate instead of unit cost for line items. We’ve been playing around with a couple solutions, but nothing is planned just yet.
@Brad: I’ll do some investigation into this tax issue.
- Ben
1:19 pm
Love the improvements – totally love the entire site! Looking forward to continually growing my business with the assistance of outstanding time/invoicing/and costs.
Thanks so much!
1:26 pm
I also love the improvements as well.
Like others, I would also love to see:
1. Hourly rate or unit cost choice
2. Estimate Titles – would be fantastic! Been getting around this by making the first line of my description the estimate title.
Thanks and big kudos to the team for a wonderful product.
1:22 pm
Now that’s some very nice designs! Very clean and functional! Love it!
2:33 pm
Looks awesome! Logging in now to play around.
2:46 pm
I too love the new updates! Great work! I’m happy how things are now.
The only two “bonus” items that would be useful for me would be a dropdown selection for the “Hourly Rate” and “Hours” instead of what’s there now (unit cost etc.), but I see no need to make it into the decimal system. 2.75 hours is fine for me if it’s 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Estimate and invoice Titles as an optional field would be useful too, as I have many different projects under the same client and currently I am writing the project name inside the first line item (or all of them), which doesn’t make as much sense.
3:52 pm
Slick and functional – I wish all our service providers kept improving their products like you guys… Thanks.
3:59 pm
Oh ya… Might as well grab the mic too….
Access Control would really help us out. We want all users at Client X to have access to the Support system but only a few that can access Invoices, etc.
2:10 pm
Any plans for making mass invoicing easier? Namely to generate invoices for everyone (or everyone in a subset of some sort, either) all at one time instead of stepping thruogh and generating one project at a time? (Maybe this is here and I’ve just not found how b/t my trial and boards?)
2:16 pm
Invoice titles, please! This is the biggest area where my freshbooks invoices really fall down compared to my homemade ones that I used to do. I have no relation to the others asking for the same–I just have clients who get confused!
9:21 pm
Good stuff Mike.
Lance Brown
http://www.getpayfast.com
Business Services
9:25 pm
Very nice Mike,
Freshbooks and http://www.getpayfast.com, the 1-2 punch !
Best regards,
Rebecca Strickland
http://www.getpayfast.com
6:48 am
why do we have $ only in expense? Please leave this open because sometime you have to pay in Euro or other methods
8:00 am
Really loving freshbooks…has made my life about 1000X easier