A Breakdown of 7 Software Solutions for Your Interior Design Business
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Navigating the business of interior design often feels like an ongoing journey of trial and error. Perhaps you've found yourself switching between various programs and platforms, seeking that elusive efficiency. The nagging feeling that there must be a resource out there to help you avoid redundant work and prevent important details from slipping through the cracks is all too familiar. Well, good news – I've done some of the homework for you. In this article, you'll find an overview of the most promising players in the realm of project management software. Let's dive in!
1. StyleRow
Who it's for: Interior designers and design professionals
What's great about it: StyleRow offers a seamless platform that combines project management with sourcing and procurement. Its powerful integrations with industry suppliers and manufacturers make it a one-stop solution for managing projects from conception to completion.
Considerations to note: The learning curve for fully utilizing all features can be steep for beginners.
Pricing: StyleRow offers a free version with limited features, and premium plans start at $49/month. Try their 14-day free trial.
2. Dubsado
Who it's for: Service-based businesses including interior designers
What's great about it: Dubsado is renowned for its customizable forms, contracts, and automation features. It enables designers to streamline client onboarding, track project progress, and manage payments, all in one platform.
Considerations to note: The user interface can be overwhelming initially, and some users might find the design customization options a bit limited.
Pricing: Dubsado offers a free trial with limited features, and plans start at $20/month or $200/year.
3. Monday
Who it's for: Teams of all types, including interior design teams
What's great about it: Monday is a highly visual and versatile platform that helps teams manage tasks, projects, and workflows. With customizable templates, it's easy for designers to tailor the platform to their specific needs.
Considerations to note: The pricing can be relatively high for smaller design firms, and the learning curve might be steeper for some users.
Pricing: Monday offers various pricing tiers, starting at $0 for 2 seats or $24/seat per month for unlimited seats. You can try most of their plans with a 14-day free trial.
4. Materlog
Who it's for: Interior designers and architects
What's great about it: Materlog is designed specifically for design professionals, offering procurement tracking and supplier communication services to take those tasks off your plate.
Considerations to note: Some users might miss more features such as visual presentations of selections by room.
Pricing: Materlog starts at $45 per month, and they currently have a waitlist. You can also contact them for a tailored pricing plan.
5. Alcove
Who it's for: Interior designers, builders, and purchasing agents
What's great about it: Alcove combines project management with visual collaboration. Designers can create mood boards, gather feedback, automate tracking, and manage orders and financials seamlessly, all in a visually appealing environment. It even offers Gmail integration.
Considerations to note: It’s a newer platform and, consequently, not as tried-and-true as some others.
Pricing: Plans start at $75/month. Try their 30-day free trial.
6. Gather
Who it's for: Mid- to large-size interior design teams
What's great about it: Gather is designed to streamline the procurement and tracking of FF&E. It helps designers manage specifications, documentation, orders, and tracking in a user-friendly way. Gather includes useful features like a clipper tool and messaging with team members and clients.
Considerations to note: It may be cost-prohibitive for smaller design firms.
Pricing: Gather’s plans start at $165/monthly (annual commitment) for 5 seats, and they also offer custom pricing for teams larger than 10. A free trial can be requested.
Who it's for: Interior designers and design firms
What's great about it: Gold Star Pro offers an all-in-one back-end business management solution for everything from social media content scheduling to Facebook and Google ads to email communication. Its interface makes it easy for designers to stay organized and keep clients informed. Basically, it takes care of the essential tasks that are furthest from actually designing.
Considerations to note: While this software effectively aids in managing various backend aspects of business operations and promotion, it doesn’t include many of the features that design project management programs often do include, such as product libraries or order tracking.
Pricing: Gold Star Pro offers a 14-day free trial, with plans starting at $97/month.
As you can see, a diverse array of programs is emerging, aimed at alleviating the operational demands of the business facet within the realm of interior design. Fortunately, you can take advantage of the free trials that these offer and find the program that is most aligned with your own firm. Discovering the perfect match has the potential to be transformative for your interior design business!
xx, Danae