Highlights
Screenshot of Bloom Website
Bloom.io has positioned itself as a standout solution for freelancers and small businesses who want to streamline their invoicing and client management. If you’re tired of using multiple platforms to handle different aspects of your business, Bloom might be the unified solution you’re looking for. This bloom.io review explores how Bloom’s invoicing fits within its broader system, helping creative professionals spend more time on their craft and less on paperwork.
As someone running a freelance business or small company, you know administrative tasks take away from time with clients. Bloom CRM addresses this problem by bringing together invoicing, client management, project tracking, and other business functions into one clean, visually appealing platform. The system is built specifically for creative professionals, with an intuitive interface that works well for visual thinkers while providing powerful business management tools.
Bloom isn’t just another invoice tool; it’s a complete business management system where invoicing serves as one core component. The platform helps small businesses look more professional while saving considerable time on administrative tasks. Many freelancers find that Bloom CRM offers everything you need to run their business efficiently.
Bloom shines with user-friendly invoicing that connects smoothly with other business functions:
The payment process in Bloom is designed to simplify billing and invoicing for creative professionals. Many users appreciate how the workflow integrates seamlessly with other features. As one reviewer said: “I love the level of automation and that everything is central… It’s the first CMS that truly targets creatives and our admin needs.”
Creating an invoice in Bloom
Bloom’s client relationship tools work hand-in-hand with invoicing:
The customer relationship management features in Bloom help freelancers maintain strong client relationships and improve client communication without needing separate CRM tools.
Keeping track of projects from beginning to end works smoothly in Bloom:
Bloom’s project management tools allow you to automate repetitive tasks and keep projects and tasks organized in one place. The workflow features particularly stand out for users who manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Invoice template customizations in Bloom
Beyond invoicing and project tracking, Bloom offers:
This suite of tools makes Bloom.io a comprehensive business management tool rather than just an invoice solution. The ability to integrate contract signing, gallery delivery, and booking within one system greatly simplifies business operations.
Bloom pricing offers several options for businesses at different stages:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Ideal For | Main Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $18/month (50% off for 12 months) | Side jobs and occasional work | Basic invoicing, client management, project tracking |
| Standard | $44/month (50% off) | Full-time freelancers | All Starter features plus additional capabilities |
| Plus | $78/month (50% off) | Agencies and studios | Full suite with team management features |
| Free | $0 | Testing the platform | Limited to 6 total projects, basic features |
All paid plans include:
Bloom offers a free trial through its free plan, which gives you a sample of what Bloom.io provides but comes with significant limits, including a maximum of 6 lifetime projects (not 6 projects at once). This makes Bloom accessible for both free and paid users, though the free invoice generator functionality is quite limited compared to paid tiers.
Project management in Bloom
After reviewing user feedback and platform capabilities, here’s a balanced look at what works well and what doesn’t:
Bloom Dashboard
To give a balanced view, here’s feedback compiled from multiple sources in these Bloom reviews:
“Bloom saves me tons of time. It takes the entire client journey and makes me look bloody professional. I save at least 1hr every day. Worth every penny!”
“I highly recommend Bloom to any creative business owner. It gives you the freedom to focus on what matters and the organization to know what’s working and what isn’t.”
“When I found Bloom, I was amazed how powerful and easy it is to use. It’s absolutely for anyone looking to build a successful business.”
“Some of my favorite features Bloom offers include the ability to create and send questionnaires and forms, the ease of creating, customizing and sending invoices and contracts, and the layout of my project workflow. It is so satisfying!!”
“The automation features, clean layout and templates for tracking leads to delivering multi-faceted (or simple) projects for my digital media company as a solopreneur has given me confidence and peace of mind.”
“I find that the user interface is not dynamic enough.”
“At this point in my life, I do my photography on a volunteer basis. I was excited to see that Bloom offered free accounts, and was looking forward to being able to use Bloom to transfer photos to the organisation I volunteer for. What I found was definitely not clear was that there was a lifetime limit of 6 projects on a free account.”
“When I originally started with Bloom, I used the messages tab to communicate with clients. I found that many times my clients weren’t getting my messages, so I switched over to a gmail account.”
“The price is not cheap and unless you have an established business already, the cost of bloom can negatively impact the growth of your business.”
“It would be nice if it offered more brand customisation like fonts, primary and secondary colours etc. I also wish it had an option for clients to review their form responses or view them on one page as a final ‘edit’ before submitting.”
CRM features in Bloom
Setting up Bloom for invoicing is straightforward:
The ease of use when you first use Bloom is one of its standout qualities. Many business owners find that the platform is designed to help them get up and running quickly with minimal setup time.
To maximize Bloom’s invoicing capabilities:
Bloom allows you to manage your billing and invoicing needs with flexibility. The ability to send invoices and track payments in one place is a significant advantage for freelancers who need to simplify their financial workflows.
Bloom works best when connecting different parts of your business:
Bloom integrates seamlessly across its features, making it a choice for freelancers who want to streamline client interactions and business management processes. The CRM platform aspects of Bloom shine when these connections are utilized fully.
How does Bloom’s invoicing compare to dedicated invoicing software?
While specialized invoicing tools might offer more specific features, Bloom’s strength is how it connects with client management, project tracking, and other business functions. For most freelancers and small businesses, having everything in one place is more valuable than using a standalone invoicing solution like Invoice Home.
Can I customize invoice templates in Bloom?
Yes, Bloom lets you customize invoices with your logo, brand colors, and layout options. However, some users mention that customization isn’t as extensive as it could be, particularly for website and branding elements. Bloom makes it possible to create custom designs that reflect your brand identity.
What payment methods does Bloom support?
Bloom works with Stripe and Square for credit card processing and ACH transfers. It also supports alternatives like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App, giving your clients several ways to pay. This range of features in the payment process helps businesses accommodate client preferences.
Is Bloom good for international clients and currencies?
While Bloom can be used with international clients, the information available doesn’t specifically address multi-currency support. If you work with clients in different countries, you might want to check currency handling before committing. Bloom.io provides basic support for international business needs.
How does Bloom handle recurring invoices?
Bloom offers features for setting up recurring invoices and payment schedules, making it suitable for retainer-based services. The platform can automatically send invoices at scheduled times, though some users note limitations in the auto-charge function for variable monthly amounts.
Is there a mobile app for managing invoices?
Yes, Bloom provides a mobile app that allows you to “Create, edit, send invoices, and communicate with clients when you’re not at your computer.” This makes managing a project and sending invoices possible even when you’re away from your desk.
Can Bloom generate financial reports for accounting?
While Bloom offers reporting features, some users mention that its analytics aren’t as robust as specialized tools. You might need to export data to accounting software for more detailed financial analysis. The management system provides basic reporting functionality.
How secure is payment processing through Bloom?
Bloom works with established payment processors like Stripe and Square, which provide industry-standard security for transactions. However, specific details about Bloom’s own security measures aren’t extensively covered in the available information.
Can I track time and include billable hours in invoices?
The available information doesn’t specifically mention time tracking features. If detailed time tracking is important for your business, you should check this functionality before subscribing. Bloom’s focus is more on project-based billing than hourly tracking.
How does Bloom handle taxes on invoices?
According to user reviews, adding tax on invoices is optional in Bloom and must be manually selected for each invoice. This has been noted as a potential risk, as users might forget to enable tax calculation. Using the CRM tools properly requires attention to these details.
After analyzing Bloom features, pricing, user feedback, and usability, here’s our assessment:
Bloom stands out as an all-in-one business management solution for creative professionals and visually-oriented entrepreneurs. Its connected approach to invoicing, client management, project tracking, and other business functions creates a streamlined workflow that can significantly cut down administrative time while making your business look more professional.
The Bloom product is particularly well-suited to:
The Bloom CRM solution, with its invoicing functionality, benefits greatly from being connected with other business processes. Being able to move smoothly from project management to invoicing to payment collection within a single system is a major advantage for busy entrepreneurs. This all-in-one CRM approach is what makes Bloom.io a compelling tool for creative professionals.
However, Bloom may not be ideal for:
For most freelancers and small creative businesses, Bloom delivers great value through time savings and professional presentation. While it has some limitations, its thoughtful design, comprehensive features, and focus on user experience make it stand out in a crowded market of business tools.
Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Bloom offers an impressive mix of functionality, ease of use, and integration that makes it a top choice for freelancers and small businesses wanting to streamline their invoicing and overall business operations. While there’s room for improvement in areas like customization and analytics, the platform’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses for most users in the target audience.
If you’re ready to transform your invoicing process and client experience, Bloom could be the unified solution you’ve been looking for. The platform’s free tier, despite its limitations, gives you a no-risk way to try its capabilities before committing to a paid plan. As a growing business, investing in the right CRM platform like Bloom can pay dividends in saved time and improved client satisfaction.
