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February 23, 2011

Mavenlink – Bringing Business to the Forefront

Mavenlink is a web-app that brings together all the tools that entrepreneurs need when running small to medium sized businesses. Managers who use Mavenlink can share files with colleagues, send invoices to clients, set budgets for annual expenses, and even read up on business advice that runs the gamut from tips on managing health insurance plans all the way to community building and employee training. Small business users can even tie Mavenlink in with their Google Apps accounts.

If your company pays to use separate project management, invoicing, and collaboration applications, then it might be worth giving Mavenlink a whirl with a free trial. The way in which you use the app will depend on what type of company you run. For companies that need collaboration tools to function on a day-to-day basis, Mavenlink offers all the features a small business could need. When you use Mavenlink, you can share files, send private messages, schedule meetings, and search through the archives for previous project histories and details. Mavenlink makes it easy to manage tasks, set milestones, and even sends automated emails that let everyone know when specific items are complete. All of these features are available from a centralized Mavenlink dashboard, which managers and employees can access from any computer at any time.

In addition to its collaboration tools, Mavenlink also offers a bevy of budgeting, time tracking, and invoicing features that make collecting on payments a breeze. Perhaps the most unique aspect of Mavenlink – as far as most business web-apps are concerned – is its “Community” section, where users can read articles and listen to insights from some of today’s top business leaders. Mavenlink also offers web tutorials, guest blogs, and the type of bare bones career development advice that can help any business grow. When entrepreneurs use Mavenlink to manage their companies, there’s a good chance they won’t need anything else.

Practical Uses:

  • Collaborate with clients about the projects you’re working on
  • Share sensitive information with colleagues in a secure environment
  • Send invoices and track payments online
  • Set annual budgets and revenue forecasts for the year ahead

Insider Tips:

  • Mavenlink offers full integration with Google Apps
  • Custom branding options allow users to add logos and change headers, colors, and buttons
  • Users can create network profile pages that will be indexed on search engines
  • Add passwords and control settings to make any collaboration space private

What we liked:

  • Businesses can make professional-looking pages for their clients to visit
  • Collaboration pages can be public or private
  • Invoicing and time tracking features are streamlined and seamless
  • Private messaging system is a more secure alternative to company email

What we didn’t like:

  • Free trials only last 30 days, and solo accounts might be too pricey for freelancers and small business owners on a tight budget

Alternatives:

Company Info:

  • Launched: April 2009
  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: Irvine, California and San Francisco, California
  • Founded by: Ray Grainger, Sean Crafts, and Roger Neel
  • Web site: http://mavenlink.com

Costs:

  • Expert plan is $39/month
  • Guru plan is $79/month
  • Maven plan is $249/month

Comments

  1. Stephanie,

    Thanks for the glowing review! We’re really proud of what we’re doing at Mavenlink and are so happy you enjoyed (are enjoying) using it. You hit it on the head with this:

    “If your company pays to use separate project management, invoicing, and collaboration applications, then it might be worth giving Mavenlink a whirl…”

    That’s exactly what we’re trying to bring to small and mid-sized businesses. We’ve got some great capabilities being rolled out in the coming months, so stay tuned!

    Roger
    Founder, VP Products & Platform @Mavenlink

  2. I agree with Roger. Great review and succinct breakdown.

  3. Now we know who the senslbie one is here. Great post!

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