Let’s be real: managing leads, clients, contracts, and payments all in one place can feel like juggling flaming chainsaws. But thankfully, there’s software out there that makes life easier, or at least, less of a headache. Enter HoneyBook—one of those systems that isn’t perfect (spoiler alert: nothing is), but can still be a massive time-saver if you use it right. So, let’s break down whether this tool could be the golden goose or just another goose in your tech farm.

Managing Leads Without Losing Your Mind

Tracking potential clients through endless email chains and remembering who you owe a follow-up can make you question your career choices. HoneyBook can help here. It works as a lead management system before a potential client even thinks of signing on the dotted line. Rather than juggling separate apps to manage this process, HoneyBook keeps it all in one place, offering the equivalent of a digital whiteboard for client communications.

HoneyBook allows you to set up a lead form on your website, automatically opening a project for every new inquiry. That means every email, every meeting, every, “Did you still want to book me?” happens in one space. No more scrolling through your inbox to find out where that one conversation went. This feature is simple, but effective—like finally finding a charger that actually works.

For those who want to take it a step further, HoneyBook also automates certain actions, like moving leads to the “Contract Sent” stage once a contract goes out. It’s not totally “set it and forget it” (you’ll still need to push a few buttons), but it does eliminate a lot of busywork.

The Neurodivergent-Friendly Business Sidekick

Let’s talk about how software either helps your brain…or fries it. As a neurodivergent business owner, you need tools that work the way you do, whether that means flashy visuals or a clean, black-and-white layout with minimal distractions. HoneyBook lets you tailor a lot of this to your needs, making it easier to see the big picture—or just today’s to-do list, depending on how your brain works.

One standout feature: you can create different stages for each client, and set up workflows that trigger specific tasks or reminders. If something is sent, HoneyBook can automatically update the project’s status. Automagical? Maybe. But no matter how enchanted that process may feel, it’s ultimately about helping you stay focused on serving your clients instead of getting buried under details.

And let’s not ignore the satisfaction of seeing everything neatly organized. Tasks, emails, and reminders are all in one spot, meaning fewer sticky notes all over your desk or frantic text messages to yourself. Plus, it feels like the platform was designed by people who know that life gets chaotic, so why should your software add to the mess?

Contracts Without the Back-and-Forth Circus

If you’ve ever had to generate a contract, then email it, then wait for a signature, then nag (and nag some more)—you know the drill. Before HoneyBook, contracts felt like a bureaucratic death march: Word document > Save as PDF > Upload to a signature app > Email > Cross fingers. With HoneyBook, it’s all templates and clicks. Adjust what you need, hit send, and—voilà!—off it goes.

The contract system alone could be worth its weight in gold, especially if you’re tired of dealing with multiple apps for one simple task. Not only can you create and send contracts from within the platform, but HoneyBook will also send friendly reminders when clients haven’t signed (because, you know, humans forget things). Even better? You can have the software auto-populate info from a client’s project, so you’re not manually typing in names and dates every. Single. Time.

It’s honestly a beautiful thing. And no, HoneyBook doesn’t quite offer multiple currencies yet, which might be a bummer if you work internationally, but for one-currency businesses, it’s smooth sailing from proposal to payday.

Payments: Easy… Unless You Work With Multiple Currencies

Payments are another feature that HoneyBook offers, and while it’s handy for those working in a single currency, anyone dealing in multiple currencies might find themselves frustrated. Currently, HoneyBook only supports one currency at a time, which is a bit like showing up to a buffet and realizing they only serve one dish.

For small businesses or freelancers who work locally, the payment feature can be a dream. You can send invoices and receive payments directly through HoneyBook, saving you from having to chase down clients with reminders or piece together payment info across systems. It’s like having a built-in accountant—without the hourly rate. However, for anyone working internationally or who needs to handle payments in different currencies, you’ll probably want to stick with your current payment processor.

That said, the system is still very user-friendly. And for those just starting out or who don’t need to juggle international clients, this could simplify your life considerably.

Streamlining Tasks (If You’re Not Already Obsessed with ClickUp)

Okay, so HoneyBook has a project management feature, but let’s be real—it’s not ClickUp. If you’re a long-time ClickUp user, HoneyBook’s task management might feel like trying to switch from a luxury sedan to a bicycle. You can assign tasks and track progress, but if you’re already managing projects in another system, HoneyBook’s version won’t blow your mind.

That said, if you’re not already using a robust project management tool (or don’t want to juggle multiple platforms), HoneyBook might do just fine. It lets you assign tasks, keep track of deadlines, and move projects through various stages, which is enough for some people. However, if you need the bells and whistles of a more comprehensive system, you’ll probably end up using HoneyBook for lead management and contracts—and then hopping over to another tool for the day-to-day nitty-gritty.

For those of us married to ClickUp, we’ll stick with HoneyBook up until the client signs the contract and then move everything over to ClickUp. It’s the best of both worlds: a seamless lead management process, followed by powerful project management when the work begins.

 

Here’s the takeaway: if you’re looking for an all-in-one lead management, contract creation, and payment system—especially if you work in one currency—HoneyBook might just be your new best friend. It’s not the perfect solution for everyone (especially if you’re already deeply committed to other platforms), but it’s definitely worth a look.

At the very least, it’ll save you a few headaches, streamline your processes, and let you get back to doing what you do best—without drowning in admin tasks. You can thank me later.