WORKFLOW GUIDE
Client Onboarding Checklist for Small Digital Agencies
A stage-by-stage client onboarding checklist for small agencies, with owners, completion evidence, late-input rules and a copyable template.
Read the guideTHE AGENCY FIELD GUIDE
Better systems.
Better client work.
Independent software comparisons, practical workflows and ready-to-use templates for small digital agencies.
Independent editorial guidanceDocumentation-based research
START WITH THE WORK
Improve the workflows behind better client work.
Choose the part of client work you want to improve first.
EDITOR'S STARTING POINT
A good place to begin.
PRACTICAL WORKFLOWS
Practical workflows for small agencies
Repeatable processes for the work that happens between the pitch and the invoice.
WORKFLOW GUIDEAutomated Client Reporting: From Data to DeliveryAn eight-step automated client reporting workflow: decision, delivery record, three review gates, five failure tests and a timing review.10 min readRead the workflow WORKFLOW GUIDECreative Brief Template for Small Agency Client ProjectsA copyable creative brief template for small agencies, with outcome, audience, deliverables, owners, pass conditions and a filled fictional example.12 min readRead the workflow WORKFLOW GUIDEHow to Collect Client Feedback Without Endless RevisionsA practical client feedback process for small agencies: one consolidator, a version-specific decision, a copyable review request and rules that stop revision loops.10 min readRead the workflow
SOFTWARE GUIDES
Compare software with confidence
Understand costs, trade-offs and workflow fit before a new tool adds complexity.
SOFTWARE GUIDE
Best Client Portals for Small Digital Agencies
Compare three client portal approaches for small agencies, with verified 2026 prices, plan limits and a client-side test.
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SOFTWARE GUIDE
AgencyAnalytics Alternatives for Small Agencies
Four alternatives to AgencyAnalytics priced on different units - clients, dashboards, sources and accounts - with the same ten-client sample.
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SOFTWARE GUIDE
Zapier Alternatives for Small Agency Workflows
Compare practical Zapier alternatives for onboarding, reporting and content approval workflows at a small agency.
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TEMPLATE LIBRARY
Less blank page. More momentum.
Practical starting points your agency can adapt to move client work forward.
XLSXNo sign-up requiredClient onboarding checklistA reusable checklist with owners, dates and an illustrative example.Open template TXTNo sign-up requiredClient intake formA short, editable form for new agency enquiries.Open template TXTNo sign-up requiredClient onboarding questionnaireA project briefing questionnaire for goals, scope and approvals.Open template
A NOTE ON OUR WORK
Clear guidance.
Honest limits.
Good advice makes its assumptions visible. See how we evaluate tools and where a recommendation still needs your judgment.
Read our methodology- Documented claims
Vendor statements and published pricing are identified as documentation.
- Hands-on evidence
When we test a product, we explain what we did and what the results cover.
- Fit for small agencies
Recommendations explain workflow fit, practical constraints and trade-offs.