Why Freelancers Lose Disputes (And How to Fix It)
| ❌ The Old Way | ✅ With ClearTimeline |
|---|---|
| Email threads (editable, messy) | Immutable timeline (locked, clean) |
| "He said, she said" arguments | System-generated timestamps |
| No proof of when you delivered | Permanent record of every deliverable |
| Clients claim "I never saw it" | Client Progress Portal with view tracking |
Freelancers lose thousands every year to client disputes. The problem? Email and chat tools are conversational, editable, and easy to argue against. With ClearTimeline, every proof entry is locked with a system-generated timestamp the moment you log it. No edits. No deletes. Just permanent, credible proof of what you delivered and when.
How the Proof Timeline Works
Log a Proof Entry
Add a title, description, and optional file/link. Click "Log Entry" — system locks it with a timestamp that can never be changed.
Share the Client Progress Portal
Generate a secure link. Share it with your client from Day 1. They see a live, professional timeline of your work without needing an account.
Track Client Views
Every time your client visits the portal, it's logged. See when they last viewed (e.g., "Last viewed: 2 hours ago").
Export Proof (If Needed)
Client disputes? Export a clean PDF. Show the full timeline with timestamps and view history. Case closed.
Real-World Use Cases for the Proof Timeline
Solution: Show your timeline entry proving you delivered on time. System timestamp = credible proof. No more arguments.
Solution: Show your 3 logged revision entries with timestamps. Each one locked the moment you delivered it.
Solution: Share your Client Progress Portal link. They see live updates without you repeating yourself. Professional and efficient.
Proof Timeline Features
- • No edits after logging
- • No deletes ever
- • System-generated timestamps
- • Share a live, read-only link
- • Clients see updates in real-time
- • Track when they view it
- • Generate a clean timeline PDF
- • Include all entries and timestamps
- • Professional format for disputes
- • Link to GitHub, Figma, Google Docs
- • Upload screenshots or deliverables
- • Everything logged with timestamps
- • See when clients view your portal
- • Track visit frequency
- • Proof they saw your updates
- • Create a timeline in 60 seconds
- • No learning curve
- • Start logging immediately
Proof Timeline FAQ
Can I edit a proof entry after I log it?
No. All proof entries are permanently locked the moment you create them. This ensures your evidence is credible during disputes. You can add new entries, but you cannot edit or delete existing ones.
What's the difference between the timeline and the Client Progress Portal?
The timeline is your private workspace where you log entries. The Client Progress Portal is a secure, read-only link you share with clients so they can see your progress live. They're the same data, but one is for you (editable) and one is for clients (view-only).
Can clients see my timeline without signing up?
Yes. Clients only click a secure link — no account, no login required. They see a professional, read-only view of your project timeline.
How do I prove a client viewed my progress portal?
Every time a client visits the portal, the system logs a view event with a timestamp. You can see when they last viewed and how many times they've visited. This is all tracked server-side — it can't be faked.