If you're tired of endless email threads, confusing file shares, and not knowing where anything lives with your clients, you're not alone. A collaborative workspace can actually make life easier—for you and them. This guide is for anyone who wants to set up a client workspace in Dock that’s actually useful, not just another place for things to get lost.
Why bother with a client workspace?
Let’s be honest: most “client portals” are either too basic or so complicated nobody uses them. Dock hits a nice middle ground if you set it up right. You can keep conversations, files, tasks, and updates in one place—and, crucially, you don’t need an IT degree to get started.
What you’ll need before you start
- A Dock account (the free trial is enough to get going)
- The email address of your client (or at least a point of contact)
- Any files, links, or docs you want to share
- A rough idea of what you want your client experience to look like
That’s it. Don’t overthink it.
Step 1: Create a new workspace
Once you’re logged into Dock, hit the “+ New Workspace” button. Dock tries to make this obvious, but it’s easy to miss in a cluttered dashboard.
- Name your workspace: Use the client’s name or project name—whatever makes sense and will be easy to find later.
- Pick a template (or not): Dock offers templates for sales, onboarding, etc. They’re fine, but don’t be afraid to start from scratch if none of them fit. Templates can save you time, but they can also add clutter you don’t need.
Pro tip: Don’t spend forever here. You can always tweak things later.
Step 2: Set up your workspace layout
Now you’re inside your new workspace. Dock likes to show off with lots of widgets and options, but focus on the basics first:
- Sections: Think of these like chapters in a book. Common ones are:
- Welcome / Overview
- Files & Documents
- Tasks or Next Steps
- Meeting Notes
- Links & Resources
You can always add more, but don’t overwhelm your client with tabs and widgets they’ll never use.
What works well:
Dock’s drag-and-drop section editor makes it easy to rearrange or rename sections if you change your mind.
What doesn’t:
Don’t add every widget just because you can. Stick with what you’ll actually update.
Step 3: Add content your client actually needs
Here’s where most workspaces go off the rails—too much filler, not enough practical info. Focus on what your client will look for first.
- Welcome or Overview:
- Short intro (“Here’s where we’ll keep everything for Project X.”)
- Who to contact for what
- Files & Documents:
- Upload only the files your client needs right now. No need to dump your entire Google Drive.
- Dock lets you link files from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive if you’d rather not upload.
- Tasks / Next Steps:
- Create a simple checklist or list of deliverables.
- Assign tasks if you want, but don’t turn this into a project management warzone.
- Meeting Notes:
- Create a section where you’ll paste notes or recap emails after each meeting. Saves everyone the “can you send me that again?” routine.
- Links & Resources:
- Drop in any links to key tools, dashboards, or reference materials.
Ignore:
Features like “custom branding” or “theme colors” are nice, but don’t matter if the info isn’t clear.
Step 4: Set permissions and invite your client
This is the part where you risk making things either annoyingly locked down or wide open. Dock tries to keep permissions simple, but double-check before you hit “invite.”
- Decide who sees what:
- By default, your client will see all sections unless you specifically hide them.
-
You can invite teammates with different permissions if you want to keep internal notes private.
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Send the invite:
- Enter your client’s email.
- Add a quick note (“Hi, here’s our project workspace. Let me know if you have trouble logging in.”)
- Dock sends an email with a link—your client doesn’t need a Dock account to view stuff, but they will need one to comment or upload.
What works:
Clients usually appreciate how little friction there is—no surprise logins or 2FA nonsense (unless you want it).
What to watch out for:
If your client is paranoid about security, make sure you’re not sharing sensitive stuff by accident. Dock’s permissions are decent, but double-check.
Step 5: Make it collaborative (but not chaotic)
A workspace only works if people actually use it. Here’s how to keep things moving:
- Encourage comments:
- Dock lets clients comment directly on docs, tasks, or sections. This is way better than emails that get lost.
- Use @mentions:
- Tag your client or teammates to nudge them, but don’t go overboard—you don’t want to be “that person.”
- Keep it tidy:
- Archive old files, mark tasks as done, and prune sections you no longer need.
- Set expectations:
- Tell your client how you’ll use the workspace (e.g., “I’ll upload weekly updates here, and you can drop questions or files anytime.”)
Pro tip:
Don’t try to force all communication into Dock. Some clients will always prefer email or Slack—just use Dock as the home base for stuff that matters.
Step 6: Iterate as you go
Your first version won’t be perfect. That’s normal.
- Ask for feedback:
- After a week or two, check in: “Is this working for you? Anything missing or confusing?”
- Adjust sections:
- Add or remove sections based on what your client actually uses.
- Automate what you can:
- Dock integrates with tools like Zapier, but most people won’t need this right away. Don’t get lost in automation rabbit holes unless there’s a real payoff.
- Don’t obsess over bells and whistles:
- Fancy dashboards rarely impress clients as much as clear, up-to-date info.
What to skip (for now)
Dock offers a lot, but here’s what you can safely ignore at first:
- Custom domains and deep integrations:
- These are only worth setting up if you’re rolling this out to dozens of clients.
- Heavy customization:
- A basic workspace with good info beats a flashy one nobody uses.
- Analytics:
- Tracking client logins is interesting, but don’t let it distract you from the real work.
Keep it simple, keep it moving
Don’t overcomplicate this. The best client workspaces are the ones people actually use. Start with the basics, iterate as you go, and remember: your client cares about clarity, not cleverness. If Dock helps you do that, great—if not, don’t be afraid to prune features until it’s just what you need.
You can always add more later, but nobody ever complained about a workspace being too easy to use.