Published on August 20, 2026
Sharing deliverables with a client without an account
The deliverable is ready. All that is left is getting it to the client. And that is where things stall: a WeTransfer link that expires in seven days, a shared Drive folder you will need to find again in six months, or a 40 MB attachment blocked by their mailbox. None of these options was built for a client relationship that spans several weeks with multiple rounds of file exchange.
To share deliverables with a client without creating an account for them, the most reliable approach is a magic link tied to their project: they click, access files and exchange history, with no password or sign-up. The link stays valid for months, and the agency can resend it in one click if it expires or the client loses it — unlike a WeTransfer link that dies after a few days with no way to extend it.
Why WeTransfer and Drive fall short for agencies
WeTransfer was designed for one-off sends, not a relationship spread over six or eight weeks with multiple mockup versions. The link expires, the client loses it, they email you asking for a new one, and you spend five minutes digging through your inbox. A shared Drive folder fixes expiration but creates another problem: after ten projects, the agency manages ten different folder trees, checking access rights one by one. Neither option keeps a clear record of who received what, or when.
Does a client need an account to receive a deliverable?
No — and asking for one is counterproductive. Requiring a client to create an account to download three files adds friction they did not ask for: another password to remember, a confirmation email to click, sometimes a full sign-up form for someone who may never return to the platform after the project ends. The right instinct is the opposite: grant access to exactly what is needed (this project, these files) without demanding a permanent digital identity. That is the magic link principle — already common in invoicing or appointment booking — applied here to deliverables.
How to send a deliverable without the client creating an account
In practice, the agency keeps an account (with a password, like any work tool), and each client receives a unique link valid for their project only. When they click, they land directly on their files, pending approvals, and the comment thread for that deliverable — never seeing other agency projects or other clients' folders. That is exactly what Briefetch provides: direct upload to secure storage, link sent by email, zero password on the client side. Our article on structuring client onboarding explains how to organize collection from the first exchange — before the first deliverable is even sent.
Where to store files, and for how long
Client files are not meant to stay online forever. A clear retention policy (for example, automatic deletion 90 days after project closure) protects both client and agency, and meets GDPR obligations without extra complexity. On this point, a general-purpose service like Drive or Dropbox does nothing by default: you clean up manually, project by project — which nobody actually does in practice. A tool built for agencies bakes deletion into its workflow rather than leaving it to good intentions.
FAQ
What is the best WeTransfer alternative for an agency?
A client portal per project, with a magic link and file history, avoids WeTransfer expiration while keeping a record of every send and every approval.
Can a client lose their access link to deliverables?
The link stays valid for months. If they lose it or it expires, resend one from the agency account — no forgotten-password flow required.
How long should you keep client files after a project?
90 days after closure is common in agencies, provided you state it in your terms. Beyond that, automatic deletion limits GDPR risk.
Can a client see files from another agency project?
No, if access is properly scoped per project. Each magic link grants access only to the project it was generated for — never other clients or other agency folders.
Sources
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