Cliento (Beta)
Plateforme SaaS complète dédiée aux freelances pour gérer leurs projets, clients et paiements de manière fluide. Cliento centralise la collaboration, automatise les workflows et simplifie la validation client grâce à un portail accessible sans compte.
screens
Overview
Dashboard Page (Projects)
Clients Page
Quote Page
Invoices Page
Analytics Page
Profile Page
Landing Page
1
specifications
Specifications
Context & Overall Objective
The Cliento project was born from a real-world observation: freelance freelancers regularly encounter friction in managing their client projects, particularly during the validation, communication, and follow-up phases.
Between scattered exchanges (emails, messages, files), approval delays, and a lack of visibility on the client side, project management quickly becomes inefficient and time-consuming.
The main objective was therefore to design a modern SaaS platform that centralizes project management and streamlines client relationships, while eliminating any access barriers for clients.
The product had to offer a simple, fast, and professional experience, with a client portal accessible without account creation, in order to drastically reduce friction points.
Beyond project management, the ambition was also to transform Cliento into a true business tool for freelancers, capable of supporting the entire project lifecycle: monitoring, validation, communication, and monetization.
Key Objectives
- Reduce friction in freelance-client communication
- Eliminate the need for client account creation
- Structure projects clearly and professionally
- Accelerate approvals and minimize project roadblocks
- Automate follow-ups and notifications
- Improve the freelancer’s image with clients
- Centralize communication and deliverables in a single space
- Facilitate monetization through integrated payment options
Expected Functional Structure
Freelancer Workspace (Dashboard)
The main interface was designed to allow freelancers to manage all their projects centrally.
Project Management
- Project Creation and Management
- Assignment to a Client
- Project Statuses (Draft, In Progress, Pending, Completed)
- Overview of Progress
Internal Organization
- Creation of Milestones (Client Visible)
- Management of Internal Tasks (Client Not Visible)
- Project Stage Scheduling
Monitoring & Monitoring
- Visualization of Overall Progress
- Progress Indicators
- History of Actions and Interactions
Frictionless Customer Portal
The customer portal is the heart of the product and was designed to offer a seamless and intuitive experience, accessible via a single, secure link.
Simplified Access
- Access via a single link (secure token)
- No account creation required
Project Overview
- Overall progress bar
- Milestone timeline
- Clear and understandable status updates
Customer Interaction
- Acceptance or rejection of milestones
Adding comments
Viewing past discussions
User Experience
Clean and intuitive interface without explanations
Highlighting of next steps
Maximum reduction of friction points - Adding comments
- Viewing past discussions
User Experience
- Clean and intuitive interface without explanations
- Highlighting of next steps
- Maximum reduction of friction points
Validation & Payment System
The product was designed to go beyond simple tracking by integrating validation and monetization mechanisms.
Milestone Validation
- Milestones Pending Validation
- Direct Customer Action (Validate/Reject)
Integrated Payment
- Payment per Milestone
- Validation ↔ Payment Link
- Simplified Billing Process
Customer Relationship Automation
An automated system needed to be implemented to reduce the freelancer’s mental workload.
Automated Follow-Ups
- Detection of Pending Milestones
- Sending Automated Email Follow-Ups
Notifications
- Emails Upon Approval or Rejection
- Monitor Interaction Tracking
Generation of professional deliverables
The product was designed to showcase the work completed at the end of a project.
PDF export
- Generation of a summary document
- Clear presentation of milestones and exchanges
- Professional, shareable format
Customization & branding
To enhance the freelancer’s image, the platform was designed to offer customization options.
- Adding a logo
- Defining custom colors
- Personalized email signature
- Removing branding (advanced option)
- Option for a custom domain
Product Direction & User Experience
The product needed to embody a modern, minimalist, and efficiency-driven approach.
- Clear and streamlined interface
- Fast and intuitive navigation
- Maximum reduction of complexity
- Seamless experience for both freelancers and clients
- Design consistent with current SaaS standards
- Immediate accessibility without complex onboarding
Particular attention had to be paid to the client experience, ensuring they immediately understand the project status and expected actions.
Tone & Positioning
Cliento needed to be positioned as a simple, professional, and results-oriented tool for freelancers looking to structure their business without complexity.
The product should not be perceived as a mere task management tool, but rather as a lever for streamlining client relationships and improving the approval process.
The objective was to offer a modern, accessible, and efficient solution that allows freelancers to save time, enhance their professional image, and optimize their project management.
2
methodology
Overview of developments
Design of a Complete SaaS Platform
The Cliento project involved the design and development of a full-stack SaaS application dedicated to freelancers, covering the entire project management cycle: creation, tracking, client validation, and monetization.
The application was designed as a standalone, online tool with a modern architecture enabling rapid scalability and simplified maintenance.
Implementation of a Structured Freelance Dashboard
A dedicated space for freelancers was developed to centralize all projects and facilitate their management.
The dashboard enables:
- rapid project creation
- organization into internal milestones and tasks
- project status management
- a clear visualization of progress
The interface was designed to offer immediate access to key information, with a logical hierarchy of elements and smooth navigation.
Development of a client portal without authentication
One of the project’s major features is the creation of a client portal accessible via a single, secure link, without the need to create an account.
Each project automatically generates a public URL allowing the client to:
- track project progress
- view milestones
- approve or reject a step
- exchange feedback
This technical and UX choice significantly reduces friction and improves the client interaction rate.
Implementation of a Milestone Validation System
The milestone system forms the core functionality of the application.
Each milestone can be:
- prepared by the freelancer
- submitted for client validation
- approved or rejected with feedback
This mechanism structures the project into clear steps and promotes controlled progress, while actively involving the client in the process.
Integration of Payments via Stripe
A milestone payment system has been integrated to simplify project monetization.
The client can make a payment directly from the portal, linked to the validation of a milestone.
This feature allows:
- secure payments
- streamline the invoicing process
- reduce payment times
The integration also includes subscription management (Solo and Pro plans).
Automated Follow-Ups and Notifications
An automated follow-up system has been implemented to minimize delays related to waiting for client approval.
The system:
- detects milestones that have been pending for several days
- automatically sends follow-up emails
- records these emails in the database
Notifications are also triggered for important actions (approval, rejection), allowing freelancers to stay informed in real time.
Dynamic PDF Document Generation
A PDF export feature has been developed to enable the generation of professional deliverables at the end of a project.
The generated document contains:
- project information
- progress status
- milestones and their statuses
- associated communications
This feature provides added value in terms of reporting and professionalization.
Freelance Profile Customization System
A customization module has been implemented to allow freelancers to personalize the interface to reflect their brand.
Options include:
- adding a logo
- defining custom colors
- a personalized email signature
- removing branding (depending on the plan)
These elements enhance visual consistency and credibility with clients.
Subscription System Development
A plan management system has been implemented to structure access to features.
Three tiers have been defined:
- a limited free version
- a Solo plan with advanced features
- a Pro plan with extensive customization options
Business logic allows for dynamic restriction of certain features based on the user’s active plan.
Implementation of an analytics module
An analytics module was developed to provide freelancers with a comprehensive view of their business.
The data allows them to track:
- project progress
- client interactions
- overall performance
This feature contributes to transforming the tool into a true management solution.
UX Optimization
Particular attention was paid to the user experience, for both freelancers and clients.
Optimizations include:
- a clean and modern interface
- fast and intuitive interactions
- a reduction of unnecessary steps
- overall consistency of user journeys
The goal was to offer an application that is immediately understandable, without a complex learning curve.
3
technical
Technical details
CMS:
Application SaaS full-stack (Next.js / TypeScript / PostgreSQL)
Technologies:
Results
A comprehensive SaaS platform that transforms freelance project management into a seamless, structured, and results-oriented experience:
Product Experience & Innovation
A new approach to the freelance-client relationship, focused on simplicity and eliminating friction:
- Client portal accessible without account creation, via a single secure link
- User experience designed for immediate understanding, without onboarding
- Milestone system structuring the project into clear and achievable steps
- Simplified client interaction: approval, rejection, and feedback in just a few actions
- Centralized communication and progress tracking in a single interface
This approach significantly reduces project roadblocks and improves the efficiency of the approval process.
Structuring your freelance workflow
Cliento goes beyond task management, offering a truly structured work environment:
- Project organization with visible milestones and internal tasks
- Project status tracking with clear business logic
- Real-time visualization of overall progress
- History of client interactions and decisions
Freelancers thus benefit from a coherent work environment, facilitating project management and decision-making.
Business integration & monetization
The product directly integrates the freelancer’s financial needs:
- Milestone payments directly from the client portal
- Approval ↔ payment link to secure revenue
- Subscription system with access management by plan
- Reduced invoicing times and manual follow-ups
Cliento thus becomes an operational tool that directly impacts project profitability.
Automation & Productivity Increase
An automated system has been implemented to reduce mental workload and repetitive tasks:
- Automatic reminders based on milestone status
- Real-time notifications for customer actions
- Interaction logs for precise tracking
- Reduced manual intervention in customer follow-up
These mechanisms result in significant time savings and improved continuity in project management.
Technical Performance & Architecture
A modern and scalable architecture has been implemented to guarantee performance and scalability:
- Full TypeScript stack with Next.js App Router
- Structured and decoupled API (auth, projects, client, payments, cron)
- Optimized relational database via Prisma
- Server-side dynamic PDF generation
- Stripe integration with subscription and webhook management
This combination ensures fast response times and a solid foundation for future development.
User Experience & Accessibility
Particular attention has been paid to the product’s ergonomics and accessibility:
- Clean and modern interface based on Tailwind
- Intuitive navigation with no learning curve
- Smooth experience on desktop and mobile
- Customer portal usable without technical knowledge
The product is designed to be immediately operational, both for freelancers and their clients.
Scalability & scalability
The platform was designed from the outset to support growth:
- Modular architecture facilitating the addition of new features
- Extensible plan system (dynamically activated features)
- Decoupled external integrations (email, payment, upload)
- Foundation ready for future developments (multi-user, mobile, integrations)
- Overall project impact
Cliento is a comprehensive solution that enables:
- professionalizing client relationships
- structuring projects clearly and efficiently
- reducing friction and accelerating approvals
- directly integrating the financial dimension into the workflow
- centralizing all interactions in a single tool
A modern SaaS solution that goes beyond a simple management tool to become a true driver of efficiency and performance for freelancers, while offering a robust and scalable technical foundation.
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