The world of CRM software is one that many people can feel intimidated by. There are so many options! How do you know which is the right choice for your business? Here, we lay out what you should consider before selecting a CRM platform to help you make the best decision.
We’ll cover a few different categories to help you get started: what your needs are, how long will it take to implement and onboard your staff, whether or not it has integration with other systems in your company, how much does it cost, how often will updates be available, and more!
What are your needs for a CRM Software?
First and foremost, it's important to know what you're trying to achieve with a CRM platform. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the abundance of options available, but if you break things down into smaller groups, you'll find that choosing a CRM platform is a much easier process.
For example, if your needs are primarily focused on sales and marketing automation and customer support, an all-in-one solution like Salesforce may be the right choice for you. If your needs are more focused on customer support and product management, HubSpot could be a good option.
The limitations of each system can vary widely so it's important to identify what exactly you need out of your CRM software before making your decision.
When should you choose a right CRM?
One of the first questions to ask yourself when deciding on a CRM platform is what your needs are. Different businesses have different needs, so it's important to figure out what those are before making a decision.
If you're just starting out in business, you will likely need a simple CRM that doesn't require too much time or effort from you and your team to implement.
As your company grows, it might be time for you to consider investing in software that offers more sophisticated features that allow for more customization.
Different businesses require different things from their CRM system. So, there's no one-size-fits-all option! Don't feel like you must choose the most expensive option either - sometimes less expensive options can offer similar capabilities and save you money down the line.
How long will it take to implement and onboard your staff?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before switching to a new CRM platform. You'll want to know how long it will take for your team to be onboarded and how long the implementation process will likely take, which often depends on the size of your company. One thing you can be sure of is that if your new CRM software requires more time for onboarding, there are more features.
This is also something you'll want to consider before choosing a CRM software; not just because it takes time, but because you'll want your team members to be able to use the system efficiently and effectively. That's where having all of the necessary features comes in handy!
Another thing you should think about is how easy it will be for your staff to learn this new platform! Are they familiar with technology? What kind of computer experience have they had? This last point may not seem like an important factor, but it's essential when considering if a particular CRM software would suit your needs and those of your staff.
Which CRM software is right for your business?
CRM is typically used for two things: data management and customer management.
Data management:
CRM software can help you organize, manage and share your data across your entire business. It can help you stay organized by allowing you to store and access all of your data from a single platform. Your CRM platform should also be able to accommodate the needs of any size company.
Customer management:
A CRM platform is typically used to manage customer interactions, such as sales and service. You'll use it to better understand what your customers want or need, which can potentially lead to increased revenue for your company because you will know how to market yourself better.
There are many different types of CRM software on the market today with varying features, so it’s important that you do your research before deciding on the one that fits best with your needs!
How much does it cost?
This is a big one! If you're going to invest in a CRM system, you want to make sure it's worth the investment.
CRMs can range from several hundred dollars for a basic package to thousands of dollars for advanced packages that allow for more customization and integration with other software.
It's important to weigh your options and see if the features that matter to you are included in the package you're considering.
Additionally, there are often free trials available for many CRM systems which help you evaluate how it works before committing to buy it outright.
Is there an integration with other systems in your company?
CRM software is designed to help you manage your business. Many of them will have integration with other systems, such as accounting software and inventory management software that are used by your company.
There are many ways to integrate CRM software with other systems in your company. You can have it work in tandem with these tools to make the most out of each.
One important thing to consider is if the CRM has integration with another system in your company because it will be able to give you a more complete view of your business. For example, if you're managing a customer service team, you'll want to track things like phone calls and emails so that everyone on the team can see what's going well and what needs improvement.
How often do updates come out for the software?
One of the most important things to think about when choosing a CRM software is how often it releases updates. It's important for your CRM software to have frequent updates, as this helps make sure that customers are able to access the newest features and offers.
Your CRM software will also be more useful if it integrates with other systems in your company, such as accounting and marketing platforms. This helps streamline communications and makes it easier for your sales team to access the information they need.
It can be hard to implement a new system into your company's workflow, so make sure you've got someone on staff who has experience with CRMs before you go shopping!
The following is the list and brief details for the top 10 CRM software solutions in the market:
10 CRM Software Solutions That'll Make Your Life Easier
Salesforce
Salesforce is one of the most widely-used CRM software solutions in the world. It's used by a variety of companies, including Dell, Fidelity, and Nike.
With Salesforce, you can easily manage your marketing efforts on up to five different channels (social media, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, website analytics, and web automation). It's also intuitively designed for salespeople and has a built-in lead tracking system. Salesforce offers a robust platform with plenty of features.
In terms of pricing, Salesforce is among the more expensive CRM solutions on our list at $25/user/month. However, if you need a lot of features or are just starting out with your business on a budget, this may be worth it for you.
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a software solution that comes with many features and benefits. One of the biggest benefits of Microsoft Dynamics is that it's a cloud-based CRM software solution. This means that there's no installation required, which makes it quite easy to use. The downside to this is that it doesn't have the same control and customization capabilities as some other solutions.
If you're looking for a variety of ways to customize your CRM software, Microsoft Dynamics might not be right for you. It also lacks integration with other systems like Gmail or Outlook, so connecting those accounts to your CRM software might be difficult if you decide to go with this option.
If you're in need of a basic CRM software solution that offers some of the most important features and benefits, Microsoft Dynamics might be worth considering.
Oracle CRM
Oracle's CRM software is the most widely used CRM software in the world. It boasts a wide range of features that are designed to meet the needs of all types of companies, including small and medium-sized businesses and large corporations.
The system offers functionality such as marketing, sales, customer support, collaboration, analytics, and more.
Oracle also has a user-friendly interface that is easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate.
One of the best benefits of using Oracle's CRM software is integrated with other applications such as Salesforce. This makes it easier for companies with multiple divisions to keep tabs on their key customer information without having to enter it in multiple places.
SugarCRM
SugarCRM is an award-winning CRM software solution that can help you manage the inventory, marketing, and sales of your business. SugarCRM is available in a variety of different editions with varying features and functionality.
Adobe Connect
The Adobe Connect CRM software is a cloud-based solution that's easy to use and offers many benefits. It allows businesses to manage their sales and customer service from one central location, which is convenient for busy entrepreneurs.
Adobe Connect also provides users with access to a social media dashboard, or they can connect with customers via email or a phone call through the app. The software also features real-time video conferencing that allows teams to work together even when they're in different locations.
Another benefit of the Adobe Connect CRM software is that it's customizable, letting users create their own templates for items like invoices and quotes. Some other key features include digital signatures using Adobe Sign and integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and Salesforce.
If you're looking for a CRM software solution that has great flexibility and ease of use, consider the Adobe Connect CRM software.
NetSuite
NetSuite is another great CRM software tool for managing all your contacts and leads, but it has a steep learning curve and can be difficult to master at first glance. You can also control your leads and contacts from the NetSuite CRM system.
Marketo
Marketo is another great CRM software tool for managing all your contacts and leads, but it does not have as many features as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics. It also has a steep learning curve and can be difficult to master at first glance. You can also control your leads and contacts from the Marketo CRM system.
Pendo's Customer Hub
If you're looking for CRM software that's easy to use and gives you the tools you need to grow your business, Pendo is worth considering. The platform incorporates marketing tools that allow you to generate leads and track the growth of your company.
Pendo Customer Hub also allows users to share data with other members of their team, which helps make communication and collaboration with employees much easier than it would be otherwise. This feature is perfect for teams working remotely or independently in different locations.
One thing that might work against Pendo is its price tag. At $70 per user per month, it's not the most affordable CRM solution out there. But if your company has revenue of over $1 million, the cost may be worth it because you'll have access to a lot of marketing features that can help grow your business.
Zoho CRM
Zoho is one of the most popular CRM solutions for small businesses. Zoho is compatible with various platforms, including web browsers and mobile apps. Zoho comes with a variety of features, including email marketing and sales lead tracking.
It can be difficult to find the right CRM software that will suit your needs as an entrepreneur. There are so many options available and they vary in price and functionality. In this article, we'll help you determine which CRM software is best for you by outlining 10 different options to consider.
HubSpot
HubSpot is another great CRM software tool for managing all your contacts and leads, but it does not have as many features as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics. It also has a steep learning curve and can be difficult to master at first glance. You can also control your leads and contacts from the HubSpot CRM system.
FAQs: CRM Software
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. It’s a software system used to manage your customers and their contact information. It is used by businesses to keep track of customers, contacts, and leads from the different departments that interact with them.
CRM software works by collecting all the information about your customers, contacts, and leads from various departments of your business (with the help of your Salesforce lead).
Salesforce is a CRM software system that allows you to manage your customers, contacts, and leads from different departments of your business as well as manage your entire sales process.
Best CRM Software Training Courses
If you want to get training for the CRM software listed above or do you want to train your staff? Then you can consider the following CRM courses provided by Udemy:
Conclusion
“CRM software is different, and it’s not always easy to know which CRM software is right for your business.”
The first step to choosing the right CRM software is understanding what your needs are. It is important to remember that CRM software is not going to fit all your needs — it is meant to serve a particular purpose and not every business needs to use it. This guide covers the most important factors to consider when choosing the right CRM software for your business.
