Clients are the people or companies you’re actively working with, and OneSuite gives you two ways to add them. Once someone becomes a client, they appear in Clients and can access your client portal to view their projects, documents and invoices.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Convert an existing lead into a client
- Create a new client directly
- Invite a new client to your client portal
- Find what to do once the client exists
Which way should I add a client?
Convert a lead when you’ve tracked someone through your sales pipeline, and create a client directly when there was no sales process.
| Situation | Method |
|---|---|
| The person or company is already in your pipeline as a lead | Convert a lead to a client |
| You’ve been tracking them through your pipeline | Convert a lead to a client |
| They just signed a contract or agreed to work with you | Convert a lead to a client |
| You got a direct project without a sales process | Create a client directly |
| You’re migrating existing clients into OneSuite | Create a client directly |
| Someone referred a client who’s ready to start immediately | Create a client directly |
How to convert a lead to a client
Open the lead and click Convert Into Client. This is the typical process for most agencies: when you win the deal, you convert the lead to a client.
- Click Leads in the sidebar.
- Find the lead you want to convert in your pipeline, for example one who has already moved through every stage.
- Click the lead’s name to open their details page.
- Click Convert Into Client in the top right corner.
That’s it. The lead becomes a client, and all their information carries over.
How to create a client directly
Click Create Client on the Clients page and fill in the drawer that opens. Use this when a project comes in without going through the sales process, or when you’re adding an existing client to OneSuite.
- Click Clients in the sidebar.
- Click Create Client in the top right. A drawer opens on the right.
- Fill in the client information in the drawer.
- If you want to give them access to your client portal, check Invite to Client Portal.
- Click Save.
Your new client is created and appears in your clients list.
What can I do after creating a client?
Once you create a client, by either method, you can:
- Create projects for them. Set up new projects and assign tasks. See Laying the Groundwork: Project Creation in OneSuite.
- Send documents and proposals. Create proposals, contracts or NDAs for them to review and sign. See Overview in Contracts.
- Generate invoices. Bill your clients for completed work or set up recurring invoices. See Create One-time Invoices.
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FAQs
What’s the difference between a lead and a client in OneSuite?
Leads are potential customers you’re still trying to close. Clients are people or companies you’ve already signed and are actively working with. Clients have access to the portal and receive invoices.
Can one client have multiple projects?
Yes. Clients can have as many projects, documents and invoices as needed. Everything stays organized under their client profile.
Can I add a client back to the lead pipeline?
Yes. If you want to upsell a new service or run another conversion process with an existing client, you can add them to your lead pipeline. This is useful when you’re pitching additional services or a bigger package. The client record stays in your client list, so you keep their active client status and track the new opportunity separately.
Does converting a lead keep their details?
Yes. When you click Convert Into Client, the lead becomes a client and all their information carries over.
Can I just create every client directly instead of converting leads?
You can, and it’s the right choice for referrals, direct projects and clients you’re migrating. Converting a lead is better when you’ve tracked someone through your pipeline, because their information carries over.
What to do next
Open the portal to your client: Invite clients to see their projects, documents and invoices with Giving Your Client Portal Access.
Send a proposal: Create and send a proposal for signature with Sending Your First Proposal.
Bill for your work: Send your client their first invoice with Sending Your First Invoice.