Someone asked me for some hacks to easily switch your CRM from HoneyBook to Dubsado. I did an Instagram post about it and it was too good not to share on my blog. If you have thought about switching from Honey book to Dubsado you are going to want to read this. It will make your life a lot easier.
Notice, I didn’t say take all the work out of it. You are still going to have to set up Dubsado. However, with this and my Ultimate Dubsado Set-up Checklist, you should be well on your way to getting the most out of Dubsado.
Here’s What We’re Covering in this Article
Tips to make your switch easier, reduce stress, and overwhelm
Steps to set up your Dubsado and bring existing clients into Dubsado
Ways to take the stress out even more by outsourcing some (or all of the move.)
Before we get into my tips and the steps I recommend for transitioning your CRM to Dubsado, let’s talk about why you might want to go through all the hassle in the first place.
Why would you want to switch your CRM from HoneyBook to Dubsado?
Now, I’m not here to convert anyone to Dubsado. If you are happy with HoneyBook, you should definitely stick with it. HoneyBook is simple and easy to use. If you aren’t particularly tech-savvy or don’t want a ton of workflow features, HoneyBook is definitely for you. The invoicing is well done and a lot of people really like the interface.
However, if you are reading this, it’s likely that you’ve discovered that HoneyBook or your other CRM just doesn’t have the features that you want for your business. Here are some reasons that you might want to consider Dubsado as a CRM for your creative business.
- More automation options and ways to trigger automations. (This is the biggest reason in my opinion.)
- You can start a workflow with the scheduler which I love as an option. I did find a workaround for one of my clients, but it still wasn’t the way we wanted to build things.
- You can create custom-mapped smart fields to capture client information your way. (I miss this when setting up HoneyBook for clients.)
- I’ve personally had to pay invoices to contractors and I HATED having to log into HoneyBook’s client portal every time I had to pay an invoice. I can imagine it’s an inconvenient and weird process for most clients. Dubsado’s link directly to the invoice is a much smoother process.
- The Client Portal keeps everything in one place for your clients.
If you’ve decided you want to switch your CRM to Dubsado, here are my five tips to make it easier.
Tip #1 – Take Your Switch from HoneyBook to Dubsado One Step at a Time
To avoid getting overwhelmed, take it one step at a time when you are switching to Dubsado. Don’t try to do everything at once, you’re just gonna go crazy. Set up everything one step at a time. I find that it helps to have a checklist to make sure that you don’t forget anything as you set your Dubsado up. You can find my handy getting started checklist here. to help you make sure you don’t miss any steps.
Tip #2 – Don’t Stress About Canceling Your Current CRM Right Now
Don’t stress about canceling your current CRM right now. You don’t have to hit some imaginary deadline. You can downgrade to the free program that HoneyBook has and use it as long as you want. If you have another CRM, look into options to downgrade to take the pressure off of yourself. You can set up your new clients in your Dubsado account without having the whole system set up. This way you won’t feel pressured to hurry up and get it done. A rushed set-up is generally a very broken set-up in my opinion.
You’ll end up with lots of broken workflow steps and a poor client experience. Even worse, if you’re working with clients for a longer process (wedding service providers, this is definitely you.) You’re going to be stuck with copies of old broken workflows and bad forms for a long time as Dubsado makes a copy of workflows and forms when the workflow is applied to a project.
Tip #3 – Take Time to Plan Your Client Workflow Before You Start Building
Take time to plan your workflow BEFORE you start building your set-up. If you really want to get the most out of your Dubsado setup, book a 90-minute Systems Strategy Session with me. You’ll come out of that call with a clear process for delivering each service you offer, a list of every form, canned email, and template that you need to create BEFORE building your workflows.
Tip #4 – Test Everything Before You Start Using Your New System!
Don’t just implement your new systems without testing them. You’ll feel so much more confident in them if you’ve tried them out from the client’s perspective first. You’ll find all the glitches, weird client experience things, and stuff that isn’t working the way you thought it would. Plus, you’ll have the chance to fix it before real clients get involved and you have to explain that you’re onboarding a new system. Most people will understand, but trust me it’s MUCH easier to make fixes without having every fix multiplied a few times. (Every time a workflow is applied to a client, you have to fix it on each duplication to get the changes that you made AFTER the workflow was applied.
Now Let’s Get Into The Steps of Setting Up and Migrating Your Clients Over to Dubsado from HoneyBook (or Your Current CRM.)
These are the basics you’ll want to take care of before bringing clients into Dubsado. For the whole checklist, grab my Ultimate Dubsado Checklist below.
Step 1. Set up all of your Dubsado Settings
(Be sure to set up any custom-mapped fields for data you want to import from your existing clients later on in this process as you switch CRMs.)
Step 2. Connect your email, calendar, and payment processor
Step 3. Write all of your canned emails (or copy and paste them from spreadsheets, word docs, your CRM, or wherever else they live.)
Step 4. Re-create your forms in Dubsado
(Want to take this off your list? I’ll re-create your forms for you. Send me an email at amy@amysgould with a list of the forms needed and I’ll create a quote for you.)
Step 5. Create your schedulers
Step 6. Set-up your workflows
Step 7. Test everything
Step 8. Import your client list using a CSV file.
Note: You can’t bulk upload your forms or start workflows. Also, you can only upload the following information…
- First Name
- Last Name
- Phone
- Company Name
- Address Line 1
- Address Line 2
- City
- State/Province
- Zip/Postal
- Country
- Custom Mapped Client Fields
Anything not mapped to these fields will be mapped to the notes section for each project. (You get to choose what you import into notes and what you leave out.) Be sure to take time to carefully consider the information you’d like to bring in as you switch your CRM. Also, take time to properly set up your data import. This Dubsado tutorial is helpful. Watch the video that walks you through setting up your CSV file.
Step 9. Create a project for each existing client that you’re bringing over as you switch your CRM
You’ll need to create a project and select the client that you uploaded into your address book. Then add a title for the project. I usually recommend something like Client name | Service or Address | Client Name (for home stagers.)
Step 10. Import the forms as PDFs for each client
Make a folder on your desktop. Download the forms for each client currently in your CRM with an active project as PDF files. Upload the files into the project that you created for this client when you uploaded your CSV file.
For Contracts: Go to the project, click the dropdown next to contract, and select upload as a PDF.
For Other Forms: Go to the forms tab on the project. Use the dropdown to scroll down and select Upload New PDF as the form. Select your file and click Add. Hover over the file and click Apply to Portal to mark it as already having been sent to the client.
Step 11. Create any outstanding invoices for each client
Manually apply any payments that have already been made. Then add the relevant payment plan for any invoices that have a remaining balance due.
I know that this all seems like a lot, but it’ll totally be worth it once you’ve got everything set up. You’re going to love what Dubsado can take off your to-do list when it comes to admin work, managing leads and clients. If you’re wondering if there’s an easier way, I’ve got you covered.
I Can Help You Build Everything OR Do It All For You (and Bring Your Current Clients Into Dubsado For You.
If you REALLY want me to help you build everything you have two options. The DIY version with a TON of support from me… This is the Done WITH YOU Dubsado Setup where we have the 90-minute Systems Strategy Call and you get a weekly checklist from me along with a course that walks you step-by-step through each part of your set-up.
You’ll have access to my canned email template library, one-click form templates, and other resources to cut your set-up time in half.
Plus, you’ll get four weekly calls with me to go over everything you’ve set up, get your questions answered AND make sure everything’s set up correctly. Want to import your existing clients from another CRM or data management tool? I have a whole training walking you through the steps to do that inside the Done WITH You Dubsado course.
I LOVE helping my clients through this service and seeing the confidence they gain as they learn to use their system with me.
Want Your Whole CRM Switch and Set-up Done FOR You?
You’ll want my Done For You Dubsado setup. With this option, we go through the 90-minute Systems Strategy Call together and then I build everything for you. This includes…
- Writing the 50+ emails required to set up most workflows
- Creating every beautiful branded form we identified in your Systems Strategy Session
- Setting up your Dubsado Schedulers
- Walking You Through Connecting Your Email, Calendar, Payment Processor, and other integrations, showing you how to embed your forms in your website and setting up the workflows.
- If you’re importing your clients into Dubsado from another CRM, Google Spreadsheets, or another type of data file, I’ll bring everything in for you including contracts and forms for current projects. Making the switch of your CRM to Dubsado pain-free.
When everything is set up, we’ll go over your whole set-up together AND you’ll get 30 days of follow-up support as well as access for life to my Client Training Library. (By the way, I’m constantly adding content to that library so it’s a great resource for you as you embark on your Dubsado journey.) That’s a Wrap!
Follow These Tips to Switch Your CRM from HoneyBook (or Another CRM) to Dubsado and it Will be as Quick and Painless as Possible
Those are my tips to switch CRMs from Honeybook to Dubsado. If you follow my tips and the steps I outlined, your transition will be as smooth and easy as possible. Remember to start with a checklist, don’t rush or stress about getting it all done fast. You’ll be well on your way to getting up and running in no time.
If you have any questions about this post, feel free to leave them in the comments. (If you’d prefer to have your Dubsado setup for you and really get the most out of it, take a look at my Done For You Dubsado Setup Service.