A client portal is like a digital meeting place where clients can access all the information regarding their service experience.
Having a high-quality client portal is essential to the success of your business because it serves as the gateway to communicating with your clients. This article looks at five of the best client portal software for 2023 and breaks down what features to look for and factors to consider when looking for the best client portal software.
When you find a program that addresses your needs as a small business, you will enjoy smoother customer communications, and your clients will enjoy a more streamlined experience.
Features to Look for in a Client Portal Software
Several factors may impact your choice of the best client portal software. Before selecting software, understand what features will help you manage contacts and provide the best customer experience.
Some important features to consider include the following:
- Easy navigation
- Simple login process
- Intuitive design
- File sharing
- Ability to integrate with other tools
- End-to-end encryption
- Robust authentication methods
- Compliance with data protection requirements
- Self service
- Minimal downtime
- 24/7 support and maintenance
- User-friendly Interface
- Customizability and Flexibility
- Security
- Performance and Reliability
5 Best Client Portal Software Available on the Market
- Practice
Practice offers a centralized place to build client relationships with easy access to shared documents, files, invoices, and forms. With the ability to send voice memos and chats from the platform, you can consolidate your communications in one convenient place, eliminating the need to communicate across multiple platforms.
Coaches, tutors, and virtual assistants can leverage the wide array of tools and features to nurture their client relationships, whether they are at the launch and start phase of business or ready to grow and scale.
Key features of Practice:
- Unlimited file sharing
- Session outcomes
- Package tracking
- Simple login process
- Chat and voice memo capability
- Shared session notes
- Client dashboard
- Shared to-do lists
- Accessible through the web, iOS, or Android
- Online invoicing
Pros
- Ease of use
- Personalized support
- The convenience of many tools and features
Cons
- The software is still new and minor bugs a remedied quickly.
Pricing
- Free trial
- Paid plan starts at $5/month.
- Accelo
Accelo is a 24/7 cloud-based client portal where customers can access all shared content, projects, and billing. The self-serve portal allows around-the-clock access for clients to make their own service requests and track progress on projects. Collaboration and transparency with clients make this a good platform for many businesses, including consulting, engineering, and architecture firms.
Key features of Accelo:
- Issue requests
- Track projects in real-time
- Review documents
- Sign-off module
- Fine-grained permissions
- Share files and attachments
- Customization features
- Workflow management
Pros
- Customizable
- User-friendly
- Time-management features
Cons
- Managing multiple projects can be tricky.
Pricing
- Free trial
- Paid plan starts at $30/month.
- LiveAgent
LiveAgent is a digital help desk program for small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses. This platform is great for companies that want to offer live chat support to their clients and is one of the more affordable options.
Streamlined customer communication channels and social media integration are additional perks.
Key features of LiveAgent
- Access controls
- Call monitoring and recording
- Auto-responders
- Chat/messaging
- Call back schedule
- File sharing
- Email management
Pros
- Quick easy set-up
- SPAM filters
- Accessible with iPhone and Android
Cons
- Call center plan is more expensive
- No integrations with the free plan
Pricing
- Free option
- Free trial
- Paid plan starts at $9.00/month
- MangoApps
MangoApps provides a digital meeting ground for communication and collaboration. This app's enterprise-level security means even the most sensitive documents are secure. With a customizable client portal dashboard, businesses can stay consistent with their branding.
MangoApps serves mid-market companies ranging from retail to non-profits.
Key features of MangoApps
- Course management
- Customizable branding
- Collaboration tools
- Interactive forms
- Employee directory
- Cost-to-completion tracking
- Chat/messaging
- Built-in course offering
- Workflow management
Pros
- Wide range of features and tools
- Easy to share resources and updates
- Ability to add guest users
Cons
- Doesn’t allow video calls
- Some features can be clunky and hard to navigate
Pricing
- Free trial
- Contact sales for paid plans
- Zendesk
Zendesk is a cloud-based customer service app that allows you to customize your front-end portal and integrates with other platforms, such as Google Analytics. Zendesk works well for small to large companies, ranging from media to government.
Their online client portal allows you to check on the status of issue tickets. Customers may also review their previous tickets and raise their tickets that still need to be addressed. Companies can choose from five different options depending on their needs, making it a diverse platform.
Key features of Zendesk
- Help centers for each brand
- Customization
- Single sign-on option
- Ticketing system
- Automated suggestions and answers via AI-powered bots
Pros
- Ease of use
- Variety of services
- Robust API
Cons
- Customization restrictions
- Price
Pricing
- Free trial
- Paid plan starts at $49/month
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Client Portal Software
Each of the five client portal software we discussed offers both pros and cons. Consider the following factors to decide which program best suits your business’s needs.
- Budget - Establish your budget beforehand and stick to a program that fits a price range you’re comfortable with. There is a wide range of pricing options out there, and you need to know what you’re willing to pay and do a little research. Give yourself a range knowing the cheapest option may not have all the features you require. Therefore, spending a little more to get the client portal software you need might be a wiser choice.
- Specific Needs and Requirements - Once you have a budget in mind, make a list of your particular needs and requirements. Use this list to help you identify the product features that will benefit you the most and those you can live without.
- Integration with Existing Systems - If you already have systems in place that you don’t want to change, you need to find software that can easily integrate with your existing systems.
- Availability of Support and Maintenance - Unless you are tech-savvy, you want to check out the kind of customer support a software company offers. Knowing there are individuals you can get ahold of when you need help will provide peace of mind and allow you to focus more energy on providing your clients with a good experience.
- Scalability and Growth Potential - The last thing you want to do is invest in software you will outgrow and need to replace in the future. Depending on where you envision your business going, find a software program that will meet your needs for a long time to come.
Conclusion
Now that you know the factors influencing your choice of client portal software, you can apply your knowledge and find the best fit for your business. Considering factors like price, key features, and support available will help you find a match that suits your business’s needs well into the future.
In addition to our client portal, Practice gives you an all-in-one option to streamline all your business operations, from scheduling and invoicing to communicating and sharing documents with clients.
Try us for free; we’ll guide you through a few essential steps to get started.
