Deciding on a CRM, and then the whole process of CRM integration can be a daunting task.
With so many options out there, it’s hard to know which one will make the most sense for you and your business, which one will most seamlessly fit in. While many have similar capabilities, there are key differences to be aware of across platforms.
We’re here to give you the 411 and help with this CRM integration process. In this article, we’ll go over the top CRMs that are available today, especially gearing towards small businesses.
Before we go into specifics, let’s define what CRM is and what it can do for your business. CRM stands for Customer Relationship Manager. Put simply, CRM software helps keep track of all customer interactions with a business.
CRM is a system used to automate and organize processes for marketing, sales, and customer service. CRMs contain everything you need to nurture leads and prompt them towards purchasing–and in an efficient way to save time and money. Utilize personalized campaigns and automated funnels, then track metrics and results.
(CRM is different from ERP. Read about the difference here.)
We know that the more that companies are connected with their customers, and the better their relationships are, the more business they will get. So, by using a CRM to foster those relationships in a slew of different ways, you will see an increase in sales.
This is how CRMs can help you.
Once you’ve decided to take the leap and start using CRM, let’s look at the lineup of what’s out there.
At #1 pretty much across the board is Hubspot.
What stands out about Hubspot: it gets the highest user satisfaction rates (at a whopping 97%), and even boasts a well-equipped free version. This makes it highly recommended for smaller businesses, as it probably does more in its free version than any other platform’s free version. Once you jump to a paid version it’s a little pricier starting at $40/month. But we say: worth it. With Hubspot, you can track your entire sales funnel, track every interaction with every lead, manage reports, schedule emails, and more, in a clear, easy-to-understand interface. This will make your CRM integration as seamless as possible.Hubspot also has robust options for customizing funnels and automations. If you can think it, Hubspot can help you do it. All things considered, this is why we believe Hubspot to be the best bang for your buck.
Zoho CRM comes in at #2.
What stands out with Zoho CRM: Zoho focuses more on the sales side of things, so if that’s your focus too then Zoho could be perfect.
To power this sales focus, Zoho provides AI for smart selling, real-time analytics and reports, and sales automations. Zoho is all about helping you sell smarter and more efficiently.
Since it has very powerful and robust features, you can feel like you’re doing a lot of what big companies are doing for less.It’s also a very affordable option, at $12/month for the basic plan.
#3 on our list is Pipedrive.
What stands out with Pipedrive: You can visually see and organize your sales pipeline! If you specifically want help visualizing your funnels and automations, Pipedrive is for you.
Pipedrive is also good for tracking metrics. It provides options for real-time reports, and manages your performance as you go so that you can make changes as soon as needed. You can still track customer interactions and other normal CRM functions with Pipedrive, and it is high on the user-friendly list. Plus, it’s also inexpensive, at $12.50/month. This makes it another great option for small businesses.
Next up at #4 is Mailchimp.
What stands out with Mailchimp: Mailchimp is designed specifically for small businesses. While being somewhat limited in the CRM features that it has overall, for marketing automation it is top-notch. Mailchimp allows you to organize and segment your audience however you want and then set up email funnels to properly nurture your audience towards purchasing.
With audience behavior metrics and reports, you’ll have the ability to customize interactions and make things personal for your audience. Mailchimp has a free version that includes enough features to viably function as you get going. Starting out with a free version that you can get used to first is a great way to ease the process of CRM integration. To access features like advanced reporting and A/B testing though, you’ll need to upgrade: the basic plan starts at $9.99/month.
Rounding out our list at #5 is Salesflare.
What stands out about Salesflare: Salesflare is geared more towards B2B marketing. Salesflare is great for saving time since it gathers information and automatically logs actions for you. You can also track digital engagement and insights, and personalize email campaigns. Salesflare is simple but robust, making it ideal for B2B marketing for small businesses.
With Salesflare you’ll have centralized, easily accessible information for all your team members, including a timeline view for tracking leads all the way through, that everyone can access. At $29/month it’s not the cheapest option, but is a great option for getting the job done.
There are some other fantastic options that are worth mentioning, even if they’re not specifically geared towards small businesses.
#1: KeapKeap is a classically great CRM tool that can do everything you’ll need. Organize leads, automate funnels, set up referral follow-ups, and more.Keap starts more expensive at $100/month, but if you have a lot of leads or are planning to grow, Keap is a great option for helping you organize everything.
#2: Microsoft Dynamics 365You may want Microsoft Dynamics 365 if you have a more complex system. Built to handle larger businesses, Microsoft’s robust CRM has all the features you’ll need to automate your sales process. Also take advantage of sales forecasting, AI that finds customers in specific demographics, and more. You can also add ERP, and enjoy all your SaaS in one place.Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a very affordable option, starting at $20/month. Of course, the more features you want, the more you’ll have to upgrade.
#3: SalesforceWhat stands out with Salesforce is the option you have to choose from 14 specialized options depending on your industry. From healthcare to non-profits, you can choose a solution fit for your industry specifically. Salesforce starts at $25/month.
At the end of the day, implementing any one of these CRMs can save you time and money. They are all designed to do the hard work of organizing your leads and keeping track of important insights and information– that will help you sell more.
As you weigh the options, make sure that the option you choose has the specific tools that will benefit your business the most. List out your must-haves, and use this to help you decide which one fits your needs.
Then get automating! Get ready to breathe a sigh of relief when the CRM is doing the work you used to have to do manually.
And if you need help with your CRM integration, we can help! It may seem daunting to make the transition and know how to utilize a CRM tool to the height of its ability, but our team is here to help. Contact us today at 1 385-257-9909 to get started.
