Submittable

Vorteile

Submittable is convenient. As a submitter, it provides efficient mechanisms for making submissions and efficient tracking of those submissions. As an editor, it provides me with notices and updates to allow me to process submissions quickly and efficiently. Submittable is practical. As a submitter, a single page allows me to keep track of active submissions to several publications. As an editor, the features for reaction and response to submitters makes my job much easier. Submittable is uncomplicated, easily used, and easy to understand. As a submitter, these qualities make submissions tracking manageable. Submittable is used widely enough to be familiar to virtually all writers and artists who submit work for publication.

Nachteile

Our current package allows only 5 of our team members to have access to submissions. I could wish for more relaxed limits in that regard.

Vorteile

Submittable is a very intuitive platform that allows every employee to use - no matter what their skill level with technology. Adjustments to forms or applications can take mere seconds.

Nachteile

I wish we were able to search applications by more than just names. And, I wish we were able to compare applications with previous applications for similarities or duplicates.

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Vorteile

Ease of creating applications/forms, ability to message with applicants directly in the portal, reviewer process is user friendly

Nachteile

Lack of automation, limited placeholder tags to be able to integrate DocuSign or other 3rd party integrations that would help with automation, delayed reporting, kind of messy once you get a lot of applications/projects set up, no intentional nonprofit relationship management capabilities, limited project/award management features.

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Warum Submittable gewählt wurde

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Vorteile

The software is user friendly and customization of apps is great.

Nachteile

It is difficult to identify a time and this causes missing submissions sometimes.

Vorteile

Submittable's application forms are very customizable and they allow for a multi-step application process and submitting grant reports.

We're able to create customized reports and export the data easily, although there is a bit of a learning curve to set up the reports.

Collaboration is built-in, allowing reviewers and admins to leave notes for each other and see reviews. We also liked that that collaboration can be locked down so that applicants can either see or not see that feedback.

The implementation team that worked with us was great and provided very valuable training as part of our implementation project.

Nachteile

We've found the email's generated by Submittable have formatting issues and are often blocked by anti-spam software, so there have been some deliverability issues and some problems with reading the system-generated emails. The development team is aware of the issue (for 2 years) but nothing seems to have been done about it.

Documentation is limited, and they charge for support after your initial setup period.

We end up having to pay for 10 extra user licenses for our grant reviewers beyond the 2 months those licenses are really used. This is because only 10 user licenses are available in our subscription tier, and you can only purchase extra licenses in block of 10 (not individually). So far, Submittable has worked with us on the pricing to be affordable but it would be nice to have the option of adding on temporary licenses for reviewers, or even not having to pay for that level of user since they are typically only needed for 1-2 months.

Vorteile

It's very easy to use. The drag and drop features when creating forms are great. It saves tons of time. There are so many features! But it's not overwhelming. There is little training involved in form creation, so delegating is a snap.

Nachteile

The features around managing internal users could be more robust. We are not able to customize what program managers can view - all grant programs can be seen by everyone, partitioning would be a nice feature. Additionally, if someone leaves a grant midstream, it is going to be difficult to get a replacement user as only one user can be the primary contact. This makes updating forms and team applications more difficult.

Vorteile

I love the clean design, ease of use, and functionality. The projects and forms are easy to create, highly customizable, and user-friendly for clientele. The ease to which project assignments can be made and tracked is another great feature. We started using Submittable to help us manage a sizable photography contest, and have since been finding ways to migrate other activities/contests (like public speaking, leadership applications, and videography to name a few) into this platform.

Nachteile

I would like to see some type of organizational structure within forms, projects, and the team to help keep different groups or activities separated. Currently, those lists are becoming quite long and clutter up the pages. A folder system would be ideal that might include activity groups as well as a means to archive forms and projects. Perhaps to help de-clutter, I would like for other teams admins to only see the projects, forms, and reports they created. Team member A doesn't need to see everything that team member B has created. Unless they are a level 5, they only need to see their own work.

Vorteile

The ease of use for students and the customizable review

Nachteile

The tech support and the difficulty filtering applications that are in-progress but closed for editting.

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Warum Submittable gewählt wurde

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Vorteile

I love the way that multiple people can view the submissions and be able to rate the proposals.

Nachteile

It seems like it is more for writers than arts organizations.

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Vorteile

Ease of use for applicants, volunteer reviewers, and administrators.

Nachteile

Not being able to talk live with support when needed. I really don't like that.

Vorteile

I like the ease of use, as an award applicant. Every grant that you fill out, or begin filling out, can be seen from a main list. Once you click on a specific opportunity, everything about that grant is accessible and in one place. When answering questions, there is a feature that tells you how many characters you've used, so you don't go over what the granting agency wants.

Nachteile

This isn't so much a problem with Submittable as it is with the way agencies title their grants. It's not always easy to tell which grant is which based on the automatic name the grant is saved under.

Vorteile

I'm a pretty basic user of Submittable, and like how easily customizable the grant application and communication with applicants is. This allows me to create/edit grant applications as needed.

Nachteile

Sometimes the interface gets glitchy. Also, when I need help with specific questions, I've found their online Q&A helpful but kind of limited, and it has required me trying to get help from our client rep directly for what seems like simple questions.

Vorteile

to create forms and work flow managing funcionality

Nachteile

missing functionality: import picture and create data table online

Vorteile

I like that they function as a gatekeeper for our contests, add to our authenticity, and help us maintain a level playing field.

Nachteile

Sometimes I struggle with posting contests, but when I ask questions I've gotten help. I wish you could help us put the word out. Loved being listed in your newsletter.

Vorteile

Making the decision to shift our application process to online, I was concerned that it would meet the needs of the artists and writers applying and also ease transition for a middle to senior aged office team with varying degrees of electronic saavy. Needless to say we continue to remark on an almost daily basis how we LOVE Submittable. Ease of use was foremost and the Submittable staff are always right there with customer support. Any concerns or suggestions were addressed and often appeared as Submittable staff tweaked and updated the software. Likewise input from customers is often solicited. This open process continues to make the software better and better as new features are added and functionality is streamlined. Over the years Submittable continues to be software service and customer oriented. From staff and applicant feedback, I understand that Submittable greets anyone from neophyte to expert electronic guru users with the same degree of respect, patience, expertise and professional service. I especially appreciate the ease in navigating the software features. Ease in accessing and reviewing all areas of our applications, accessing correspondence with applicants and reviewers, sending out requests for character statements automatically, controlling access to all areas of the application and processes as needed have streamlined the time and task of handling actual materials. No more incomplete applications. Electronic deadlines hold fast.

Nachteile

Do I miss having USPS delivering stacks of applications for weeks on end around deadlines, when apps just pop up on the list in Submittable? Do I miss the file prep for each application as materials dribbled in little by little and were sometimes incomplete even after the deadline due to weather etc. when that is all tracked by the software? Do I miss handling over and over sections of the application and loosing track when interrupted in the process when a click of a mouse brings me right back? Do I miss being stuck at my desk surrounded by stacks of applications when I now access the applications anywhere there is wifi...even 12 time zones away which is what I did for the last batch of applications? Do I miss being burdened by attempts to streamline or simplify a labor intensive process only to discover all the benefits of using Submittable? Do I realize how staff are freed up to manage more productive tasks in the office than pushing files and paper? Do I realize that the staff team are excited to see applications appearing on their screens, versus groaning when the USPS truck drove into the parking lot? Do I realize how much more economical Submittable is versus staff time and energy factored in with hand processed applications? Do I realize how much more fun it is to problem solve around tailoring the software with Submittable staff to address a need? Do I wish our staff team had transitioned to Submittable sooner? Yes, no regrets we are HUGE Submittable fan

Vorteile

I like that it's a fairly easy platform to collect contest entries (which we have a lot of!). I like that I can set up an automated response (even though it's not always easy to figure out how to do that). I like that the personalized responses can add applicant's name.

Nachteile

I don't find Submittable to be very intuitive. I find myself having to google answers to my question- I'm usually able to successfully find the answer but it isn't user intuitive. Particularly, I think that setting up automated responses should be easier to find. Also, I often make the mistake where I click on a project and it takes me to the description of the form rather than what I'm looking for, the entries. I find myself scared to use the back button because it re-directs me to pages I'm not trying to go to. It's more of an issue on our end but people put so much weight on the "in progress" status etc which we just don't use so I wish there was a way to turn that off.

Vorteile

What we like most about Submittable is that it allows us to manage submissions more efficiently. I'm not a fan of documents and tasks "living in email." Having a robust product like Submittable saves us time in reading and replying, as well as offering a way to capture and analyze submission data. I cannot imagine handling hundreds of submissions at a time via email, especially with a large reading panel. The built-in tools, such as sorting, labels, varying permission levels, templates, etc. allow us to customize it for our needs. I should add that any time we had a question, customer service responded right away, sometimes within minutes. Even over holidays. What did we do before Submittable? Seriously! What. Did. We. Do?

Nachteile

There aren't any major cons with Submittable. I'd love some more robust reporting and sorting features and maybe custom permission levels, as there are a few things I'd like to do, but cannot. For example, I'd love to see team member data by specific category, not just by a duration of time. But these are more feature ideas, nothing that I'd consider negative about the existing product. If I had to say one thing, since our reading panel (the ones who use the software) has a varying level of comfort with tech tools that maybe some of the icons could be more intuitive.

Vorteile

We can filter applications, see applicants in real time, and distribute reviews to separate team members to streamline efficiency of grant application reviews.

Nachteile

Pulling reports can be a chore, and labels shouldn't be accessible to all users doing reviews. Sometimes there are duplicate labels which creates confusion.

Vorteile

It's the standard and most familiar for writers, which was the initial reason I chose it. But what sold me was the truly outstanding customer support. From talking me through the set-up to dealing with submitters who get confused with all technology, with any aspect of using the software, they are prompt, polite, and efficient problem solvers. No other company I deal with in any aspect of my life has customer service this good.

Vorteile

Easy to use and customizable forms, flexible workflow, and all-in-one platform.

Nachteile

Annoying limitations and lack of sophisticated form logic.

Vorteile

It works VERY well for receiving, tracking, reviewing literary submissions. So organized. Helps our statewide editorial team stay connected for working and communicating. Tutorial and articles are helpful tools when setting this up.

Nachteile

"Up ad running in 15 minutes"? Not likely. Big down side, is that it is EXPENSIVE for non profits, despite the discount. Monthly plans ding you bigtime for signer and submission allotments. We use Premium plan, the next step up is a GIANT leap up in price but also benefits. But we cannot afford that. I would like to see a product for bonafide all-volunteer non-profits with small budgets. Arts organziations are struggling these days.

Vorteile

As a freelance writer, I use Submittable on a weekly (and sometimes daily) basis, and I am so grateful that it's become so common in publishing circles. Its ease of use sure beats licking stamps and endless trips to the printer, and I love that I can track all my submissions in one place.

Nachteile

The one caveat I have about Submittable is that, unlike some of its predecessors, it does not provide a place for applicants to enter an alternate name, as in a nom de plume. I use a pen name myself, and the absence of this feature has caused me some trouble. (I was once awarded a prize and the site listed my legal name instead of my nom de plume--which was fixable, but also avoidable.)

Vorteile

Easy to build custom submission pages and link them on main sites or landing pages. Assignment is also very simple, as is setting up new users.

Nachteile

I'd love it if there were the option to pay per added user over the minimum. We're on a grandfathered plan, which is AWESOME, and I very much appreciate the kindness offered to online literary magazines, but to get up to the 10 user plan we would more than double what we're paying.

Vorteile

As an editor, it keeps the entire process of submissions very organized. The ability to archive and track all the submissions that come through here, along with all the automatic data in graph form that Submittable contributes in regards to either our regular day to day submissions or our annual competition, is everything we want it to be. Not to mention that there are numerous places which one can tuck notes about this or that author whose work is on track to be published by us. In addition, allowing the person whose work we're considering to leave notes for us about their submission should parts of it be accepted elsewhere, is a huge bonus for any editor.

Vorteile

Submission list organization w/ labels and other organization (projects, forms, etc.) to manage multiple projects at once.

Nachteile

It seems difficult for applicants and reviewers to use at times.

Vorteile

1. Submittable is user-friendly.
2. Preparing to receive new documents for new projects is not time-consuming.
3. Submittable makes it easy to reach a broader audience by making projects searchable within the platform.
4. Readable for users.
5. Ability to generate reports.

Nachteile

1. Window to reply to submitters is too small.
2. Difficult to deactivate payment feature if a submitter has paid.

Vorteile

Great Customer Service - and ease of the system for both applicant and reviewer are fantastic

Nachteile

wish they had a more comprehensive CRM - which this is in the beta stage, it doesn't work for us because we do not require our applicants to have a UEI or be a non-profit.

Vorteile

I wish I found Submittable earlier. I used to look for writing competitions through google and other search engines. The problem is they are sometimes outdated, inaccurate and very limited search result. I also have tons of bookmarks to help me remember which competitions I sent them too. When I submit a lot, I lost count and all I did was just wait for emails that inform me about the results.

I found Submittable when some of the contests required me to use Submittable. It became a delight because the interface is very use friendly and I started to explore more, and I was in for pleasant surprises.

I like the way it organizes my contests, I no longer forget which and where I submit them to, and the great thing is I'm also able to track the feedbacks for those contests instead of rummaging through my emails about forgotten or non-existent results.

But the best thing is I can find way more contests through Submittable, and filter them the way I want to, from entry fees to genres. It saves a lot of time and effort and there are tons of contests.

Nachteile

None so far.
I haven't had chance to explore other functions like creating my forms, but from what I use Submittable for, everything is satisfactory. It's an apps that does what it promises and more.

Vorteile

Easy to manage, specially submissions and reviews

Nachteile

Costumer service is not that fast and effective

Vorteile

I like the way Submittable allows for use of multiple programs.

Nachteile

The restriction on the number of reviewers we can have as 'active' at one time is a royal pain! I would prefer to use 3 reviewers per applicant on one project, but I cannot because the time overlaps with another project and we have separate reviewers for each.

Vorteile

Our team loves the ability to make each form and application its own. This platform has allowed us to expand greatly the number of applications we can process and it has made the review process much smoother.

Nachteile

Despite it being a great platform, we find it difficult to keep up with the expense. For what it provides and the way in which we use it, it's a very costly platform.

Vorteile

It is easy to keep track of many submissions, and see what phase they are each in, and update that info easily. It also automates tedious form-filling processes very well.

Nachteile

Sometimes the interface is clunky, and there could be more robust ways to customize form templates

Vorteile

Easy to use software, lots of functions to choose from.

Nachteile

The price is high compared to other call for speakers' software.

Vorteile

Implementing this product was simple. It makes it seamless to use on the administrative end, and rarely do applicants have questions when applying. Having all data and messaging in one place is especially important so that multiple admins can access this easily.

Nachteile

Changing information on forms can be improved. It would help to have a 'Hide Question' option so we can take out a question yet retain the data from past applicants without deleting the question and answer entirely.

Vorteile

Submittable makes the grant process incredibly easy for applicants and for our reviewers. We have improved our efficiencies greatly since implementing this product.

Nachteile

I wish some of the features had greater customization.

Vorteile

Very easy to use. Would recommend to other used

Nachteile

Nothing negative to say that I dislike.

Vorteile

The flexibility. I've used Submittable for so many different types of projects from manuscript submissions to personnel data to event applications, and so much more. You can create any kind of form you want and track the data.

Nachteile

There is a learning curve, but Submittable offers great help.

Vorteile

I like that you can use this platform for any different reasons and you can create many different forms so that you can really customize them for the right purpose.

Nachteile

At the moment there is not anything I dislike.

Vorteile

We were nervous about starting this grant program because of the intensity of the management process. Submittable makes gathering, reviewing, and managing applicants and grantees easy!

Nachteile

I do wish there was a way to organize all of the information in Submittable (as is, I have many spreadsheets going simultaneously).

Vorteile

Easy for clients to access. Can handle our complex application. Able to use the same forms over all projects.

Nachteile

I had hoped we would be able to correct/add information to the client's application. Our application is quite complex and when we need to make changes, it takes forever for the form to load and to make those changes because it is so "big". Forms do not print very well.

Vorteile

I love that I can use the software both to receive applications and experience reviews!

Nachteile

My boss finds it difficult to use causing unneeded issues

Vorteile

Customer engagement and support is phenomenal. Feedback is solicited and when useful, incorporated into a new release. Platform is inherently easy to use and manage.

Nachteile

Ability to add co-entrants at any point in the process and have multiple people receive platform communications.

Vorteile

It is easy to use and implement. User friendly for the applicant and for the administration.

Nachteile

There is no way to edit an email address for a recommender if the applicant put it in wrong, unless you open the whole application for editing. We don't run into this issue often, but it can create problems. But, the benefits outweigh the cons.

In Betracht gezogene Alternativen

Warum Submittable gewählt wurde

Zuvor genutzte Software

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Vorteile

I am very used to having to learn new software, through out my positions in the last several years. The reason I love Submittable, not because it's easy for me, BUT BECAUSE it's easy for submitters and judges to use. If I had to review the how-to's prior to every season to a new set of judges, it would take so much time and energy. That only is worth the fees we pay!

Nachteile

I do wish the forms had a little more ability to make them a bit prettier to look at. The size of the fonts is either super small, or HUGE. It would be nice to make the page look a bit prettier and closer in line with our branding.

Vorteile

The product is easy for applicants to use, with simple forms and clear application guidelines. Generally, we have had many applicants have no issues while applying, which is definitely a positive about the platform.

Nachteile

For administrative staff who work grant programs on the back-end, features such as advanced reporting are sorely lacking. It's difficult to build these reports and pull through the data you need. Additionally, there are many small issues that Submittable merely provides "work-arounds" for, rather than solving problems. For example - tables that are put directly into an application form export as a separate file, and then would need to be merged in order to package applications. While the platform might make the process of applying smooth for applicants, there seem to always be headaches for our staff when processing applications afterwards.

Vorteile

Submittable is easy to use and intuitive. With drag-and-drop options, creating an application takes minutes. Logic branching also helps when you want to gather more info based on an applicant's response. The file upload features are also very helpful.

Once your application is live, you can track and label applications as they come in. This is helpful since a quick perusal of an application can determine eligibility. One quick label and you can filter it out during the full review process.

The reviewer portal is equally intuitive. With side-by-side views, your reviewers can read and answer questions or rate the application without having to switch screens. You can also set certain application fields (such as name, gender, etc.) to blind so that there is no bias based on these questions.

Overall, Submittable is a great application portal and get your money's worth.

Nachteile

Recommendation letter request emails don't get sent out until AFTER the applicant submit their application. This is fine in most cases but you do have to offer a small grace period to recommenders. It would be great if applicants can enter a recommender and hit a button "Request Letter."

The forms can also become rather long if you have a lot of questions. It could affect completion rates.

Finally, just as you are able to remind reference letter writers through the portal, it would be great to be able to remind those with incomplete application about the upcoming deadline. Right now, you can request a list of incomplete applications but you only get name and email addresses. It would be good to see some of the data that the applicants have completed so far.

Vorteile

The robust workflow and ease of creating and editing/adjusting the application form are the best feature from our perspective. Little to no need for in-house IT support.

Nachteile

Reporting (exporting applicant/form data) is not intuitive but fudgeable. I've grdaully learned to make it work... kind of.We also have several separate Submittable contracts across our org, but we have not been bundled to provide greater cost savings across our groups as would seem more than fair considering the amount of business we give this platform. Also, I've heard from other colleagues that the account manger tends to change frequently, sometime with no notice or handoff.

Vorteile

As an administer of grant funding to artists, this software works great for tracking, reporting and collecting data from artists who apply to our programs.

Nachteile

A lot of the times I'm unable to edit the content if needed when an application is live already. Which is understandable however. I have to duplicate and make additional forms which takes longer. It's also hard to assign team members or jurors and help them use the software when I can only see it from an admin's point of view so it's hard to let them know how to navigate the software.

Vorteile

It really allows me to collect and manage information and input from so many of our members and stakeholders for many different purposes. My members and applicants find it very easy to use.

Nachteile

We always seem to bump up against one or two little issues that make any form less than perfect. For example, applicants attaching new files with their submission, or exporting notes from an application.

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Gründe für den Wechsel zu Submittable

Vorteile

I am able to manage my submissions quite easily with Submittable. It has many sorting options, and several tools to make reading a large amount of work manageable. Working collaboratively with other editors is possible and efficient because of the filtering functions (such as the use of labels, storing submissions, ordering them by date, alphabetically, etc.) and team management tools (such as the assigning of certain tasks to certain individuals, easy messaging, dissemination of work, etc.) I like the basic look/visuals of Submittable, as it is relatively intuitive to use. Furthermore, when I encountered troubles or had questions, I was given friendly and quick help over the telephone, as well as through their chatlines. Editing our site is also very easy.

Nachteile

I don't like that some services are offered to certain levels of subscriptions and not to others. I'd rather have a good, fair price for the use of Submittable's full functions. It's not always clear to me what I have in my subscription, even though not too hard to check, I suppose. Also, to "test" how forms will look to submitters seems a little complicated, but not too bad once going through it. I feel a little "blind" when sending out ACCEPT/DECLINE. Not sure what the solution is, however, and really does not present any real trouble for me.