Project.co Review – Project Management Software [AppSumo]

Introduction

Project management tools are essential for businesses of all sizes to streamline their workflows and improve collaboration. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at Project.co, a project management software that recently launched on AppSumo with a lifetime deal. We’ll explore its features, functionality, and overall value to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your business needs. From creating projects and managing tasks to invoicing clients and tracking time, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Project.co. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger team, this review will provide valuable insights into how Project.co can potentially enhance your project management processes.

Intro [00:00]

Project.co is a project management tool designed to facilitate communication between clients and co-workers. This software aims to make project management more efficient and user-friendly. In this section, we’ll dive into the basics of Project.co and what it offers to users.

Key Features of Project.co

• Client and co-worker communication platform
• Project management functionality
• Available as a lifetime deal on AppSumo
• Customizable project statuses
• Time tracking capabilities
• Client invoicing integration

AppSumo Deal Overview

• Price: $49 per code
• Stack up to 10 codes
• Mapped to Project.co’s small plan
• 10 additional users per code
• 25 additional gigabytes of file storage per code
• Unlimited projects, tasks, and external users

Important Considerations

• Custom domain name feature (to be discussed later)
• Custom branding options
• Potential for future feature limitations on the AppSumo plan
• Comparison with other project management tools

Create Groups [04:07]

Creating groups is an essential feature in Project.co that allows users to categorize team members and streamline project management. This section will explore the process of setting up groups and their benefits.

Setting Up Groups in Project.co

• Access the workspace setup wizard
• Navigate to the “Create Groups” section
• Add relevant group names (e.g., copywriting, design, support, sales)
• Customize groups based on your business structure

Benefits of Using Groups

• Improved organization of team members
• Easy filtering of tasks, people, and time by groups
• Enhanced project management efficiency
• Better delegation of responsibilities

Group Management Tips

• Create groups that reflect your company’s departments or specialties
• Consider creating groups for different client types or project categories
• Regularly review and update groups as your business evolves
• Use groups to assign tasks and track progress more effectively

Practical Applications of Groups

• Assigning tasks to specific departments or teams
• Generating reports based on group performance
• Streamlining communication within specialized teams
• Facilitating resource allocation across different project types

Project Status [04:48]

Project statuses are crucial for tracking the progress of your projects in Project.co. This feature allows you to customize stages that mirror your project workflow, providing a clear overview of where each project stands.

Creating Custom Project Statuses

• Access the project status settings
• Add new statuses that reflect your workflow (e.g., brief, copyright, design, internal review)
• Assign background and text colors to each status for easy identification
• Arrange statuses in the desired order using drag-and-drop functionality

Benefits of Custom Project Statuses

• Clear visualization of project progress
• Improved team communication about project stages
• Easy identification of bottlenecks or delays
• Customizable workflow to match your business processes

Best Practices for Project Statuses

• Keep status names clear and concise
• Use consistent color coding for easy recognition
• Limit the number of statuses to avoid overcomplexity
• Regularly review and update statuses to ensure they reflect your current workflow

Limitations and Considerations

• Project statuses are set globally and not per project type
• The “Open” and “Close” statuses cannot be removed or edited
• Consider how project statuses differ from task statuses within the system

Payment Settings [06:09]

Project.co offers integrated payment functionality, allowing users to handle invoicing and payments directly within the platform. This section will explore the payment settings and how to set them up.

Setting Up Payment Integration

• Navigate to the workspace settings
• Access the payments section
• Enable payments for your workspace
• Connect your Stripe or SagePay account

Benefits of Integrated Payments

• Streamlined invoicing process
• Direct payment collection through the platform
• Improved cash flow management
• Professional appearance with branded invoices

Configuring Invoice Information

• Add your company details for invoice headers
• Set up custom tax rates if applicable
• Create payment terms and conditions
• Customize invoice templates to match your branding

Considerations for Payment Integration

• Evaluate whether you want to combine project management and billing
• Consider the privacy implications of exposing financial information to team members
• Assess the transaction fees associated with payment processing
• Determine if the integrated payment system meets your specific business needs

Your Workspace Settings [06:34]

The workspace settings in Project.co allow you to customize various aspects of your account, from branding to user permissions. This section will delve into the different options available and how to optimize your workspace.

Accessing Workspace Settings

• Click on your profile icon
• Select “Workspace Settings” from the dropdown menu
• Navigate through the various setting categories

Customizing Your Workspace

• Upload your company logo and favicon
• Set up custom branding colors
• Configure internal project images
• Add a custom domain name (CNAME setup)

User Management and Permissions

• Add new users to your workspace
• Assign roles (account owner, manager, team member)
• Set up user groups and permissions
• Manage contractor and client access levels

Additional Workspace Configurations

• Configure task types and statuses
• Set up project statuses
• Manage file sharing options
• Customize time tracking settings

Pricing [31:47]

Understanding the pricing structure of Project.co, especially in comparison to other project management tools, is crucial for making an informed decision. This section will break down the pricing details and compare them to alternatives.

AppSumo Lifetime Deal

• $49 per code
• Stack up to 10 codes ($490 for maximum benefits)
• Mapped to Project.co’s small plan
• 10 users and 25GB storage per code

Comparison with Other Tools

• Asana: Free for up to 15 members, $10-$20 per user/month for premium features
• ClickUp: Unlimited users on free plan, restrictions on advanced features

Value Proposition

• One-time fee vs. recurring monthly costs
• Potential savings for growing teams
• Access to premium features at a lower cost

Considerations Before Purchasing

• Current feature set vs. future development
• Possibility of additional costs for advanced features
• Comparison with free alternatives for small teams

Key Takeaways

Project.co offers an interesting proposition for businesses looking for a straightforward project management solution. The AppSumo lifetime deal provides significant value, especially for growing teams that want to avoid recurring subscription costs. However, there are several factors to consider before making a purchase:

1. Feature Set: While Project.co covers the basics of project management, it lacks some advanced features found in more established platforms. The absence of project templates and recurring tasks may be a dealbreaker for some users.
2. User Interface: The platform offers a clean and simple interface, which can be both an advantage and a limitation. It’s easy to navigate but may not provide the depth of customization that some power users require.
3. Integration: The built-in invoicing and time tracking features are convenient, but they may not be robust enough for businesses with complex billing needs.
4. Customization: The ability to set up custom project statuses and branding is a plus, but the lack of project-specific customization options could be limiting for diverse project types.
5. Scalability: While the AppSumo deal allows for stacking codes to increase user limits and storage, it’s unclear how the platform will handle larger teams and more complex project structures.
6. Future Development: The potential for future features to be added to higher-tier plans could limit the long-term value of the lifetime deal.
7. Bugs and Stability: The review highlighted some bugs and errors, which may indicate that the platform is still in its early stages and requires further refinement.
8. Comparison with Alternatives: Free versions of established tools like Asana and ClickUp offer robust features that may be sufficient for many users, making the investment in Project.co less compelling for some businesses.

In conclusion, Project.co shows promise as a simple, cost-effective project management solution, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses or freelancers. The lifetime deal on AppSumo provides good value, especially if you anticipate needing multiple user licenses in the future. However, the platform’s current limitations and the uncertainty surrounding future development make it a calculated risk.

For those willing to invest in a developing platform and who prioritize straightforward project management over advanced features, Project.co could be a worthwhile purchase. However, businesses with complex project management needs or those requiring a more mature, feature-rich platform may want to explore other options or wait for Project.co to further develop its offerings.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in Project.co should be based on a careful assessment of your specific business needs, growth projections, and tolerance for potential platform limitations. As with any software investment, it’s recommended to thoroughly test the platform during the AppSumo refund period to ensure it meets your requirements before fully committing.

For more information and updates on project management tools and software deals, follow Dave Swift on Twitter or join the discussion in his Facebook group. You can also visit ClientAmp for additional resources and insights on managing client relationships and projects effectively.