The first step it setting up a client and a client project. Clients can have multiple projects, but all project names must be unique - I'd suggest a project naming protocol that includes the client name and perhaps a start date.
While setting up the project, users can enter a list of tasks and the time estimated for each task. If you don't already estimate project cost by breaking it down into tasks, this feature gives you good incentive to do so because at the end of the project you can seen exactly which tasks are over (and under) budgeted.
The interface is clean and easy to use - very intuitive. Timecards are very simple and entered time is displayed to the right as clickable links.
Once you start entering time spent on tasks, the project window displays graphically how much over/under budget you are for each task. Details of the hours spent include a by-person summary, down to a day by day summary.
I'd like to see the ability to pre-enter tasks for certain types of projects. For example, I build blogs for clients and the tasks/time estimated are the same each time. Instead of re-entering this for each client, it would be great to have the basic information already saved.
A printer-friendly version of the reports would be a plus.
While in beta, Tick is free. According to their site, they plan to launch at the end of this month with packages ranging from free to $79/mo.
