What is the best way to send files to a client?
It depends on the job. Attach small files the client needs to keep in their inbox, such as contracts and invoices. Use a shared folder for ongoing work you both add to. Use a transfer link for one-off files of several gigabytes. Use a link page when the client should see the work rather than just receive it: previews, proposals and final deliverables. The common mistake is using one method for everything.
The four methods compared
| Method | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Email attachment | Contracts, invoices, small PDFs | Gmail stops at 25 MB; versions pile up in long threads |
| Shared folder (Google Drive, Dropbox) | Retainers and ongoing work | "Request access" mix-ups; the client sees your folder mess |
| Transfer link (WeTransfer and similar) | One-off files of several gigabytes | Free links expire after a few days |
| Link page (Droply and similar) | Previews, proposals, final deliverables | Free plans are small; Droply's holds 10 MB |
Which one for which job
A proposal or quote
A PDF attachment is fine and expected. If you want to know whether it was read, send it as a link instead: your dashboard shows whether it was viewed, so you know when to follow up.
Work in progress, for feedback
Send something the client can open on a phone in one tap. A link to a PDF, an image set or a staging site beats a file they have to download first. On Droply's Starter plan you can turn on comments, so the client leaves notes next to the file instead of in a long email. For websites, see How to send a website to a client for review.
Final files
Use one link that stays up, with every file on one page, and a README. The full checklist is in How to hand off final files to a client.
Huge raw files
Video footage, RAW photos and big design source files are a job for a shared folder or a transfer service built for many gigabytes. Droply's Pro plan holds 15 GB and Max far more, but for a one-off 40 GB delivery, a transfer service is simpler.
Ongoing work
For a retainer where you and the client both add files every week, a shared folder in their Google Drive or Dropbox is hard to beat. Put it in their account, not yours, so they keep it when the work ends.
Small habits that make you look organized
- One link per project, updated in place. When a file changes, replace it rather than sending a new link. On Droply, Update keeps the same address.
- Readable names.
northwind-homepage-v2.pdftells the client what it is before they open it. - Say how long a link stays up, especially for final files.
- Do not make the client sign up for anything. Every extra step is a reason to put it off.