Clients rarely remember the slide that took you two days. They remember whether they could find it.
The problem
Where consulting engagements get messy
The analysis is usually the easy part. Keeping everyone on the client side looking at the same files is harder.
Nobody knows which version is final
Final_v3_REVISED.pptx sits in three inboxes. Someone forwards the wrong one to the board.
People join halfway through
The CFO joins in week six and asks for everything from the start. You spend an hour forwarding attachments.
Status questions come from everywhere
"Where are we on the diagnostic?" arrives by email, Slack and text, often from different people on the same team.
The handover never really ends
Six months after the project closes, the client asks for the model again. You go digging through old folders.
How it works
How an engagement looks in ClientDesk
Set the phases once. Move the client through them as the work moves. Each update replaces a status email.
Files you mark as hidden, like raw interview notes, never appear in the client's portal.
What you get
One portal for every client engagement
Branded Portal
Custom logo, colors, and a professional client-facing experience that matches your brand.
File Sharing
Upload deliverables up to 100 MB each. Clients download with one click, no signup.
Project Tracking
Show progress, phases, and status. Clients stay informed without chasing you.
In-Portal Messaging
Real-time messaging right inside the portal. No more scattered email threads.
Magic Link Access
Clients click a link and they're in. No passwords, no friction, no support tickets.
White-Label
Remove all ClientDesk branding. Your clients only see your name and logo.
What ClientDesk leaves to your other tools
ClientDesk is a portal. It doesn't send invoices, collect signatures, track time or book calls.
Most independent consultants already have that side covered: DocuSign or Dropbox Sign for the SOW, Stripe or QuickBooks for invoices, Calendly for the discovery call. What usually has no home is everything the client sees between kickoff and handover. That's the gap ClientDesk fills.
If you'd rather run all of it from one product, read client portal vs CRM before you choose.
FAQ
Questions consultants ask
Can several people at the client open the same portal?
Yes. The portal link works for anyone you share it with, so your sponsor, the operations lead and the CFO who joins in week six can all bookmark it. Add a password to the link when the material is sensitive.
How do I keep working files away from the client?
Every file has a visibility switch. Mark your working model or interview notes as hidden and the client never sees them. Flip it to visible when the cleaned-up version is ready.
Is it secure enough for confidential client material?
Each client only sees their own portal, files are delivered through signed links that expire, and any portal link can carry a password. If a client's security team has specific vendor requirements, check them before you upload sensitive material.
Does ClientDesk replace my CRM, invoicing or e-signature tool?
No. Keep DocuSign or Dropbox Sign for the SOW and Stripe, QuickBooks or FreshBooks for invoices. ClientDesk covers what the client sees between kickoff and handover.
What happens to the portal when the engagement ends?
Mark the project complete. It stays in the client's portal with every file you left visible, so when they ask for the model six months later, the answer is a link they already have.
Can I put my firm's name on it?
Yes. Pro ($12/mo) adds your logo and colors and removes ClientDesk branding. Business ($29/mo) adds a custom domain, so the portal can live at portal.yourfirm.com.
What does it cost for a solo consultant?
Free for 1 client with progress tracking and a portal link. Pro is $12/mo for up to 10 clients and adds file sharing and messaging. Business is $29/mo for unlimited clients and your own domain.