Business

Top small business CRM tools with scheduling and invoicing

Published

5 months ago

June 27, 2025

It is not an easy task to be a small business owner and keep customers, check schedules, and pay bills. The correct CRM is not only the one that helps organize your contacts, but it is also a tool that eases the work and makes it more efficient, and contributes to the expansion of your business.

We have summarized the best small business CRM tools that have scheduling and invoicing capabilities.

1. vcita

In case you are looking to find a can-do-it-all tool, you should go with vcita. Though focused on the needs of small businesses, this all-in-one platform makes it to #1 for a reason. It combines client communication, scheduling, and invoicing in one intuitive interface, making it a true small business CRM essential.

Here’s why vcita stands out for entrepreneurs and small teams:

Convenient booking: Clients may book an appointment in an easy way using your web resource, social network, or even links sent via email. Automated reminders are also launched by the system to minimize the number of missed appointments.
Pretty invoicing: Vcita allows one to send professional-looking invoices in a few clicks and even connects with other payment services such as PayPal to carry out transactions easily.
Centralized client management: Store all your client details, payments, and chats in a single central place. It also supports segmentation, and hence, you will be able to adjust the services.
Branding potential: This is one of the biggest advantages of using custom branding on your CRM, so that the CRM imparts a professional identity to your business.

vcita is perfect for solopreneurs and small teams who need a full-featured small business CRM to stay organized and grow their business, even with limited resources.

2. Keap

Keap, formerly Infusionsoft, is an offering of CRM with the combination of marketing automation, scheduling, and invoicing, which is ideal for use by a small business that seeks to expand.

The things you will like about Keap:

Features of integrated marketing: An ability to set up email campaigns, track responses, and run nurturing campaigns.
Scheduling tools: Customers will be able to book a spot with special links, and the solution will synchronize with your calendar.
One-touch payment reminders: Keap invoicing also automatically sends a follow-up request to a client who is overdue on payment.

Keap works especially well for service-based businesses that want to automate as much as possible.

3. HoneyBook

HoneyBook is popular with small creative businesses, consultants, and freelancers because, its beautiful interface and customer-friendly features. Not only is it a CRM, but it is almost a virtual assistant, which is going to help you take care of the business part.

This is what HoneyBook can give you:

Workflow automation: Automate steps in working with a client; create a template for emails, contracts, proposals, and invoices.
Full scheduling: Customers can make bookings for consultation or sessions online easily, and it checks and matches with your calendar to prevent overlaps.
Simplified payments: Take payments directly through your invoices and see what is still waiting to be paid.

For small business owners who wear multiple hats, HoneyBook makes client management feel like a breeze, thanks to its intuitive design and all-in-one functionality.

4. Insightly

Insightly is a strong contender if you’re looking for CRM tools for small teams with automation. It has been developed as a useful tool that can be used by businesses with growing needs to coordinate projects and connections with the customers, so scheduling and invoicing features are ready and at hand.

Why choose Insightly?

Integrated project management: In addition to CRM, Insightly enables you to set tasks, delegate milestones, and monitor projects on behalf of your clients.
Automated email and workflow features: Streamline repetitive tasks like follow-ups or status updates to work more efficiently.
Tracking invoices and payments: It may not be as advanced as others, but its system of handling invoices works, and it works well when it comes to teams wishing to centralize their clients.

Insightly offers a great balance for teams that need a blend of CRM and project management, with automation features built to lighten the load.

5. Freshworks CRM

With its previous name of Freshsales, Freshworks CRM is a brilliant tool that can be used by businesses that are aiming to achieve simplicity and cost-effectiveness, but with core scheduling and invoicing features. Its interface is simple, so that you can operate it easily, even if you are an inexperienced user of CRMs.

Features to look for in Freshworks CRM include:

Appointment management: Set meetings with clients and have them filled with the reminders and calendar connections.
AI-driven insights: Single out customer trends and monitor sales activity with the assistance of the smart analytics features maintained by Freshworks.
Quotes and invoice creation: You can generate the proposals and invoices through CRM, therefore, avoiding wasting time.

Freshworks CRM is well-suited for small businesses or startups that want something user-friendly without tons of extra features they might not use.

Final Thoughts

Running a small business takes a lot of work, but the right CRM can make things so much easier. It’s a flexible tool that helps streamline your sales process and build better customer relationships. With an easy-to-use interface and powerful features, you can boost productivity, close more deals, and grow your business without the extra hassle.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

10 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

14 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

22 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.