What is our primary use case?
I use Notion for both personal and business purposes as an operations consultant. My role involves constructing the backend infrastructure for B2B enterprises and facilitating team communications, file management, reporting, SOPs, and content resource management. Additionally, I use the solution for CRMs and pipelines, and I leverage integrations to connect and communicate between various data sources seamlessly.
What is most valuable?
I like the high level of customization in Notion. Unlike a few competitors, it allows me to arrange information according to my preferences, offering flexibility in displaying data. This feature has proven valuable, especially in managing overwhelming amounts of data. Tailoring the view to showcase key information simplifies the platform for users post-training, making it more user-friendly.
What needs improvement?
One area for improvement in the solution is the absence of integrated charts. I'm anticipating that update, which would significantly enhance company use cases. Currently, the workaround involves using third-party tools, which isn't ideal. Additionally, occasional loading issues, particularly with extensive databases, lead to some drawbacks. These aspects are my main pain points, and I'm hopeful these improvements will create a better experience.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable. I rate it an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. Notion caters to companies ranging from five figures to seven figures. Companies larger than seven figures may find it more suitable to build their own tailored solutions.I rate it an eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
I usually find solutions within the Notion community. The solution boasts a robust community compared to other software. A quick search or inquiry within their groups often provides the needed answers, so I've never had to reach out for support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of the solution can be perceived as overwhelming by some users, although I find it interesting. It’s because the platform provides numerous templates, and you can find numerous templates online, as well. However, training is not always provided. In my experience, I started with basic tasks like note-taking and gradually learned to navigate and utilize more advanced features over time. Continuous learning is key, and despite the ongoing exploration of new formulas and techniques, I find myself quite comfortable building databases. It typically takes me under an hour, sometimes just a few hours, to accomplish complex tasks.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Notion offers a free plan that covers most functionalities. Clients are only prompted to upgrade if they require AI capabilities, priced at $10 for unlimited usage, or if they need to add team members, typically around $10 per member. Additional features exist, but their use is limited. The need for team members or guests arises for better permission control over viewing specific pages, making management more straightforward. Comparatively, other tools often have less generous free plans with data or database access limitations.
What other advice do I have?
Before choosing a solution, I recommend outlining every database you want to build without delving too deeply into the technical aspects. Consider your needs from a high-level perspective, such as client communication, client portals, efficient file management beyond Google Drive, and financial management. Create a table and list tools, then personally evaluate each one based on your specific requirements. This personalized comparison will help you identify the solution that best meets your needs. Overall, I rate Notion a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.