How to Build Your Own 17hats
Replace 17hats with a custom build. CRM + Small Business Management Software Solution
Build Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Estimated Timeline
Based on 64 features at Few Days difficulty, expect about 3-5 days with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Type-safe ORM for complex relational data models
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 64 features
Documents(9 features)
Combine Quote, Contract, and Invoice into one professional-looking document for faster creation, delivery, and completion
Electronically send and sign contracts with e-signature capability to ease the process and reduce paperwork
Automatically thank clients and send them an electronic copy when they complete a document
Automatically remind clients about past due documents with personalized emails
Stop reinventing the wheel with reusable templates for emails, quotes, contracts, invoices, and questionnaires
+4 more in this category
Organization(9 features)
Keep track of unlimited clients and their projects with key information at your fingertips
Create your own custom data fields for contacts and projects to store specific business information
Actionable dashboard that automatically populates important dates, tasks, and activities that need your attention
Manage two brands in your business with everything under the same roof, keeping brands completely separate with no overlap
Add team members to your brand to seamlessly manage your business
+4 more in this category
Online Scheduling(8 features)
Automatically sync with connected calendars to prevent double bookings and ensure accurate availability
Book multiple people per one time slot for group services and events
Automate the booking of consults, services, and product pick-up to prevent double bookings and save time
Advanced scheduling features including pay upon booking, Zoom link creation, and more
Allow clients to choose a service, date, and time for booking with automated confirmation
+3 more in this category
Email(7 features)
Send emails via your email account and auto-import lead and client emails into 17hats
Know when clients have read emails sent through 17hats with status labels for email tracking
Create templates to send consistent, professional-looking emails with tokens for personalization
Sync your regular and 17hats email to track all client correspondence stored directly in their project
Send emails quickly from inside a contact's project page with emails coming from your email address
+2 more in this category
Money(7 features)
Easily categorize transactions and find specific business transactions fast
Integrate with Stripe and Square to allow clients to pay invoices online with credit cards and ACH transfers
Add custom payment schedules to invoices allowing clients to space out payments over time
Automatically charge a client's credit card on a recurring schedule for recurring services
Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule (weekly, monthly, or custom) for recurring services
+2 more in this category
Time Management(7 features)
Create step-by-step processes that are applied to each project, automating document and email sends
Share your calendar and sync with Google Calendar and link with Apple Calendar to manage all events in one place
Create a secure place for clients to access important documents, event details, and complete forms
Download the free app to run your business from the palm of your hand on the go
Track billable and non-billable time and adjust hourly rates by project
+2 more in this category
Lead Management(6 features)
Automatically respond to lead capture form submissions with personalized messages using tokens, even when you're asleep
Embed or link lead capture forms on your website and social media to automatically respond to submissions
Stay on top of leads and never let communication slip through the cracks to avoid missing great prospects
Track and analyze where leads originate from (social media, referrals, events) to optimize marketing efforts
Special attention for wedding business leads originating from The Knot or WeddingWire platforms
+1 more in this category
Reporting(6 features)
Quickly see how much money you are owed that is considered past due
Automatically generated report showing the total amount each client has paid for a specified period
Automatically generated report to keep informed on the popularity of each product or service sold
Get a snapshot of how well your business is doing by seeing money coming in and going out
Automatically know exactly how much you need to pay based on your total sales
+1 more in this category
Cost Calculator
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Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 64 features at easy complexity.