Let’s not pretend Dubsado is the answer to every business problem. While it’s my go-to for high-touch, service-based businesses who need a tailored backend, it doesn’t play well with inventory, big teams, or marketing-heavy models.
If you took my Dubsado quiz and found yourself in the “Not a Good Fit” category, this isn’t a dead end. It’s your sign to stop forcing something that was never made for your business model. Here’s what I actually recommend instead, broken down by the kind of business you’re running and what you need from your CRM.
#1 If you’re product-based or need inventory management: You’re selling physical goods, managing SKUs, shipping, fulfillment, and possibly syncing with a POS.
Top Options:
- Shopify + Klaviyo (or a lightweight CRM plug-in): For eCommerce-first businesses who need robust checkout and customer data tracking, Shopify is still king. Add Klaviyo for advanced customer marketing workflows and segmentation.
- Zoho CRM: A less “pretty” option but super functional and affordable. It handles inventory, multi-channel sales, and client data with strong reporting.
- Square + Square CRM tools: If you’re brick & mortar and need POS + light CRM features, Square is a streamlined solution with built-in inventory and payment processing.
#2 If you want your CRM to also run your marketing: You want to build funnels, automate email campaigns, and track customer journeys inside one platform.
Top Options:
- GoHighLevel: The all-in-one platform marketers love to hate. It handles email marketing, funnels, SMS, appointment booking, and lead pipelines—and it’s surprisingly affordable.
- Flodesk + Zapier Combo: If you like visual and simple, Flodesk combined with a lightweight lead tracker (like Notion or Airtable) and a booking tool can work beautifully.
- HubSpot (Starter or Pro): Robust, data-driven, and scalable. HubSpot can run your marketing, sales, and client support, but the price jumps quickly if you want all the bells.
#3 If you have a larger team that needs internal communication or multi-user scheduling: You’re running an agency, studio, or group service model with multiple team members in the client experience.
Top Options:
- Acuity Scheduling (Team Plan) + ClickUp, Dubsado, or Notion: Let Acuity handle team-wide scheduling, while ClickUp/Notion become your client process and internal tasking hub.
- Studio Ninja or Sprout Studio (for photographers): If you’re in the creative space, these offer multi-user workflows and studio management built with teams in mind.
Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Let’s be real… most CRMs can’t do everything, and trying to find the one that does usually ends in a duct-taped backend that no one wants to manage.
That’s where I come in. If you want a second set of eyes on your client journey, a mapped-out process, and a tech stack that actually fits your business model, book a Workflow Intensive with me.
We’ll skip the tech hype and focus on what actually works.
Click here to get all the details and book a Workflow Intensive.
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