Freelance developers: stop client chaos with one simple portal

If you ship projects for clients, you’ve probably felt this: requirements in email, assets in a shared drive, feedback in Slack/WhatsApp, and “latest file?” in every thread. It works—until it doesn’t. Threads get long, approvals get fuzzy, and you lose time hunting context.

Clortal fixes this by giving you and your client a single portal link for each project: deliverables, approved files, messages, and updates—no extra logins for your client.

The usual stack—and what breaks

Email threads: decisions scattered across long chains; hard to find the final “yes”.
Chat (Slack/WhatsApp): fast but ephemeral; approvals disappear in scrollback.
Docs (Notion/Google Docs): great for specs, but clients aren’t sure where to look for the latest.
Drive/Dropbox links: folders sprawl; clients open the wrong version.
Task boards (Jira/Trello): you need them; clients don’t. Too much detail, not enough clarity.

Symptoms: status pings, duplicate feedback, version confusion, and slow sign-off.

What your client actually needs (and will use)

A checklist of deliverables with clear statuses.
A place to see only approved files (screens, PDFs, links) without wandering.
A simple way to reply or comment in context.
A single, secure link they can bookmark and share internally.

That’s the portal.

How Clortal maps to a freelance dev workflow

Deliverables & milestones

Turn scope items into deliverables (“Auth flow”, “Pricing page”, “Performance pass”). Mark progress; clients see status at a glance.
Approved files only

Upload images/PDFs or add links (staging URL, Loom demo, Figma, Storybook). Toggle Approved to expose to the client—everything else stays internal.
Messages & file comments (Starter+)

Keep feedback where it belongs—on the project or the file—so decisions aren’t lost in chat.
Activity log & notifications (Starter+)

Automatic feed of updates; optional email pings for key events.
Timeline/Calendar view

Show due dates and ranges for upcoming work alongside the simple list.
One shareable portal link

Clients don’t need accounts. Revoke or expire the link anytime.

10-minute setup blueprint

Create your organization and upload your logo (branding shows on the portal).
Add the client (name + email).
Create the project (e.g., “SaaS onboarding v1”).
Add deliverables from your scope:
- Auth flow (email + OAuth)
- Pricing page
- Billing integration
- Lighthouse performance pass
- Handoff docs
Upload artifacts or link them:
- Staging URL, Loom walkthrough, Figma frames, Storybook link, PDF spec.
Approve the items ready for client eyes.
Share the portal link. Optional: enable messages/comments (Starter+).
Use the Timeline/Calendar view when you add dates.

Tip: Use the project Messages tab for weekly summaries—clients love a single recap.

Keep your internal tools—just add a client layer

Internal layer (for your team)

Use it for: tickets, branches, CI/CD, technical notes
Typical tools: Jira/Trello, GitHub/GitLab, Notion

Client-facing layer (Clortal)

Use it for: deliverables & statuses, approved files, high-level updates, sign-off
Tool: Clortal portal

You’re not replacing Jira; you’re replacing the chaotic client surface.

Example template for a small web app engagement

Sprint 0: Project setup & architecture note (file: PDF, internal)
Auth flow (due: Oct 18) — link staging + Loom demo → Approve when stable
Billing integration (range: Oct 20–23) — Stripe test receipts PDF → Approve
Performance pass (due: Oct 25) — Lighthouse report → Approve
Handoff (due: Oct 28) — README, env notes, and runbook → Approve

Clients see the checklist, approved artifacts, and dates—no wandering drives.

FAQs

Can clients upload files or comment?

Yes on Starter+: they can reply on the project and comment on files.

What about sensitive links (staging, admin)?

Use Approved toggles wisely. Revoke the portal link if a URL leaks and issue a new one.

Does this replace my PM tool?

No. Keep your internal board. Clortal is the clean client layer.

Try it on your next project

Create your first client portal, share the link, and watch the “status?” pings fade.

Start free → clortal.com