You're Not Alone — This Happens Constantly
Payment disputes are the most common problem freelancers face.
of freelancers have experienced late or non-payment from clients
average amount lost per freelancer to payment disputes per year
average time spent chasing payments and resolving disputes
The Real Cost of Payment Disputes
Financial Impact
- •Lost project payment (often £1,000 - £5,000+)
- •Hours spent arguing and following up (unpaid time)
- •Potential legal fees if you pursue payment
- •Cash flow problems from delayed payments
Emotional Impact
- •Stress and anxiety about getting paid
- •Feeling taken advantage of after doing good work
- •Loss of confidence in freelancing
- •Damaged professional reputation
How Payment Disputes Usually Happen
You completed work on time, but the client delayed approval for 2 weeks. Now they claim YOU caused the delay and refuse to pay the final invoice. You have no proof of when you sent the deliverable or when they viewed it.
Without timestamps and view tracking, you can't prove anything.
The client asked for 3 scope changes during the project. Now they claim the original agreement included all this work. You have email threads, but nothing clearly documented. They refuse to pay for the extra work.
Without clear scope tracking, it's he-said-she-said.
You sent the final deliverables via email 2 weeks ago. Client now claims they "never got it" and refuses to pay because "you're late." You can't prove they received or viewed the files.
Email delivery receipts aren't enough — you need view proof.
Why Email and Slack Don't Protect You
| Issue | Email/Slack | ClearTimeline |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of delivery time | "I sent it" - no proof | System timestamp |
| Client viewed it? | Unknown | Tracked with timestamps |
| Can be edited? | Yes | No - immutable |
| Professional during disputes? | Looks informal | Clean, neutral PDF |
How ClearTimeline Protects You
Document everything from Day 1. If a payment dispute happens, you have proof they can't argue with.
Log Your Original Scope and Agreement
When you start a project, log what the client agreed to. System locks it with a timestamp. This becomes your baseline — what they said yes to before any changes.
Example: "5-page website with contact form, agreed Feb 1, 2026"
System timestamp: 2026-02-01 10:23:45 GMT
Share a Professional Client Progress Portal
Send your client a live link to view project progress. They see every update in real-time. System tracks every time they view the portal with timestamps. If they later claim they "never saw" something, you have proof.
Tracked views:
- • Client viewed portal: Feb 5, 2026 at 14:30
- • Client viewed portal: Feb 12, 2026 at 09:15
- • Client viewed portal: Feb 20, 2026 at 16:45
Log Deliverables as You Complete Them
Every time you finish a milestone or send a deliverable, log it. System generates a permanent timestamp. No edits, no deletes. If the client claims you were late, you have exact proof of when you delivered.
Logged entry: "Homepage design mockups completed and shared"
Logged: 2026-02-15 11:30:00 GMT (2 days before deadline)
Export Proof When Disputes Happen
Client disputes payment? Export a clean PDF timeline. Show exactly what was agreed, what you delivered, when you delivered it, and when they viewed it. Most disputes end immediately.
Most clients pay within 24-48 hours when shown clear evidence.
Real Example: How One Freelancer Recovered £2,000
"A client disputed a £2,000 final invoice, claiming I delivered the website 3 weeks late. I opened ClearTimeline and showed them:"
- • Original deadline: March 15 (logged Feb 1 when project started)
- • Website completed and shared: March 12 at 14:30 (3 days early)
- • Client viewed progress portal: March 13 at 09:15
- • Approval request sent: March 12 at 14:35, viewed by client March 18
- • Client took 11 days to approve, then blamed me for the delay
"I sent them the PDF export. They paid the full invoice within 24 hours. No argument."
Common Questions
What if a client still refuses to pay even with proof?
ClearTimeline gives you strong evidence to pursue payment through legal channels, small claims court, or payment protection services. Most clients pay when shown clear proof. For the few who don't, you have professional documentation that significantly strengthens your case.
Do clients need to sign up or create an account?
No. Clients only click a secure link to view your progress portal or approval requests. No login required. This makes it easy and professional for clients — they can't claim they 'couldn't access it.'
Can I use this for ongoing client relationships?
Absolutely. Share the progress portal from Day 1 of every project. It becomes your professional way of keeping clients updated. If a dispute ever happens, the documentation is already there.
What if I forget to log something?
You can log entries anytime. The system timestamp shows when the entry was created. You can add context like 'Completed March 5, logged March 10.' The key is having the record, even if it's logged a few days later.
Is my client data secure?
Yes. All data is encrypted using bank-level security. Only you and clients you explicitly share links with can view your project information. We never sell or share your data.