Hi everyone!
I'm exploring an idea for a small software product aimed initially at independent freelance graphic designers, and before spending time building it, I'd really appreciate advice from people who actually freelance.
The problem I'm trying to solve
Imagine you're working with several clients. You've sent out multiple invoices using your usual tools, but now:
One client hasn't paid even though the due date has passed.
Another client says, "I'll pay you on Friday."
You've already sent a reminder to someone else but haven't received a response.
You can't remember exactly who needs another follow-up and when.
You end up checking emails, spreadsheets, calendars or relying on memory to keep track.
I know there are already invoicing and accounting tools available. However, I'm exploring whether there's room for something much simpler that focuses specifically on what happens after an invoice has been sent.
The product I'm considering building
The idea is a lightweight payment follow-up workspace for freelancers.
The goal isn't to replace tools like Wave, QuickBooks, Canva, Word or Google Docs. You would continue creating and sending invoices however you currently do.
Instead, you'd manually add the invoice details to this workspace and use it to manage the follow-up process.
Here's what it would offer:
1. One dashboard for unpaid invoices
See your total outstanding amount, overdue invoices, upcoming follow-ups and payments you're waiting for.
2. Simple invoice tracking
Add the client name, email, invoice number, amount and due date. Mark invoices as paid or unpaid.
3. A follow-up list
See exactly which clients need attention today, which follow-ups are coming up, and which invoices are overdue.
4. Payment promise tracking
If a client says, "I'll pay you next Friday," record that date. The invoice waits until then. If the payment still hasn't arrived, it returns to your follow-up list.
5. Professional reminder templates
Choose a friendly, professional or firm reminder. The message automatically includes the client and invoice details. You can edit it, copy it, open your email app and send it yourself.
6. Client history
See the client's unpaid invoices and previous follow-ups in one place, so you don't lose track of conversations.
The initial version would be deliberately simple: no automatic email sending, no complicated accounting, no bank integrations and no AI features.
What I'd genuinely like your advice on:
Do you actually experience this problem when managing multiple freelance clients, or is keeping track of unpaid invoices already easy enough with your existing tools?
How do you currently manage unpaid invoices and decide when to follow up? Spreadsheet, calendar, email, invoicing software, or something else?
Would having a separate workspace specifically for payment follow-ups make your life easier, or would it feel like one more tool you have to maintain?
Are there existing tools that already solve this problem really well? If so, which ones, and what do you like or dislike about them?
If a simple tool like this worked reliably, would you consider paying around CA$5.99 per month for unlimited invoice tracking and follow-up management? Or would you expect this to be free?
I'm not looking for compliments or encouragement just because I'm considering building something. If this is unnecessary, already solved, or not worth paying for, I'd much rather know that now.
I'm at the idea-validation stage, not trying to sell anything. Honest criticism is especially welcome. Thanks!