Customer relationship management (or CRM) software is a great tool to help you stay organized and manage your business. In fact, it's become an essential tool for businesses around the world. If you're an entrepreneur and want to track customer information, leads, or manage sales processes, CRM can be a great way to reach your goals.
But with so many CRM tools on the market, how do you know which is right for you? And what should you look for when choosing a CRM system? Read on to learn more about the features and benefits of CRM software as well as how to choose one that's right for your business.
What Is CRM Software?
CRM is an essential tool for small businesses to manage their customer relationships, sales leads, and marketing. It lets businesses track, organize, and analyze their customers and prospects. That means you can better understand their needs. It can also help you create better marketing campaigns, increase sales, and improve customer service.
It's used in many industries, such as retail, healthcare, and business-to-business (B2B) sales. Many businesses use CRM to take care of their customers' contact information. They also use it to track their interactions with the business over time. This can include such activities as sending emails or making phone calls.
The number of customers you serve as a business can balloon beyond your control the more successful you become. Using quality CRM software can help you manage this growth by giving you the ability to keep track of your customers' contacts with your business. It can also help simplify repetitive tasks and save time by automating certain ones. An effective CRM solution lets you trace the history and patterns of your customers' behavior, so you can better predict their future behavior. For example, your business can:
- Create personalized customer experiences based on their interests.
- Track customer interactions, including meetings, phone calls, emails, and social media contacts.
- Automate repetitive tasks — like sending emails or creating reports based on customer retention.
Businesses using customer data to make smart decisions can develop an advantage over those that don’t. CRM software can help.
What To Look For in CRM Software
Choosing the right CRM software for your business is a big decision. Make sure you choose one that will keep your employees, customers, and operations running smoothly.
Features to look for when choosing CRM software include:
User Interface
You want an interface that makes it easy for your team to use the software. A good CRM should be easy enough for novices to learn and also strong enough for advanced users to customize its features according to their needs.
Security
The security features of a CRM system are important if you store personal data about your customers or employees in it. Look for systems that offer many levels of protection, including encryption and password controls. You only want those who are authorized to access confidential information about your customers or employees.
Cloud-based
Cloud-based systems are becoming more popular. They offer greater convenience and flexibility. You don't need to worry about upgrading or maintaining expensive hardware or purchasing new software each year. Simply log in from any location with an internet connection and start using the software immediately.
Types of CRM Software
There are many kinds of CRM software available on the market today. Each has its own unique features and functionality, so it's important to choose one that is best for your business needs.
Salesforce CRM
Salesforce is one of the leading cloud-based CRM solutions that you can find. It lets users track leads, manage contacts, and work with other team members through a central database. Salesforce also links with applications like Gmail and Outlook, letting your sales reps access all your data in one place.
Insightly CRM
Insightly is another popular cloud CRM solution. It's ideal for small businesses that want a less expensive option without sacrificing user experience. It offers collaboration tools that let you join forces with other team members easily.
Sage CRM
Sage is a cloud-based online CRM tool that comes with built-in marketing automation, analytics, and more. It offers a lot of customization options. You can also use it alongside other business apps, including accounting and eCommerce tools.
NetHunt CRM
NetHunt CRM is another well-known mobile CRM. It offers apps for iPhone and Android devices for customer convenience. It also has task management and email tracking tools to help you manage every detail of your client's journey with your organization.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a common choice for small businesses. It offers a wide variety of features and support at an affordable price. This analytical CRM software pairs well with other Microsoft products. You can install the software on-premises or in the cloud, which makes it flexible for businesses of all sizes.
Agile CRM
Agile is a scalable, cloud-based, and collaborative CRM solution. It allows you to manage all aspects of your business from one location. The software includes a wide range of features, such as:
- Contact management
- Lead generation
- Marketing automation
- Sales forecasting
- eCommerce integration
SAP CRM
SAP is a customer-focused strategic CRM solution. It helps you to manage relationships with customers, partners, and suppliers. It has a number of sales and automation tools to help you manage the customer lifecycle from start to finish.
Oracle CRM
Oracle CRM is a comprehensive solution that you can customize to fit your needs according to a wide range of functionalities. It works great for businesses of any size because it can be scaled up or down depending on how many leads you have in your sales pipeline.
Freshworks CRM
Freshworks CRM is an affordable, easy-to-use solution. It can help you manage your sales leads, customer relationships, and marketing automation from its dashboard. It also works well with other popular applications like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive.
Infor CRM
Infor CRM offers a complete solution for managing customer relationships. It works with various business apps, including popular email marketing platforms. It is ideal for small sales teams that need an easy-to-use solution with simple reporting capabilities.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot offers an operational CRM solution. It has tools for managing leads, contacts, accounts, and activities without sacrificing convenience. You can create custom dashboards to view all key metrics related to your leads. It also makes it easier to find new sales opportunities. This CRM platform comes with important features for:
- Customer support
- Email marketing campaigns
- Social media integration
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best CRM software for your business. Think carefully about your individual needs and weigh the options before deciding. If you’re just starting out and only need basic customer management features, a free platform might be the best choice. However, if you’re working with a large team, look for a paid CRM solution that has multiple user licenses available.
In the end, what CRM software does is make the relationship between your business and its customers easier to manage. Whether you're a single proprietor or a growing business, CRM enables you to create, maintain, and track relationships. You need those relationships to generate more revenue.
Choose a system that fits your company — then put it to work.
At Scorpion, we have experience working with a wide variety of CRM solutions, and we can help you find the right one for your business. If you're ready to take your customer relationships to the next level, contact us today.
