{"id":260,"date":"2022-02-11T13:50:51","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T13:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.marketingsimplify.com\/?p=260"},"modified":"2022-02-16T20:20:58","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T20:20:58","slug":"top-5-platforms-for-best-crm-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marketingsimplify.com\/blog\/top-5-platforms-for-best-crm-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hands-Down TOP 5 CRMs For A Small to Medium Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deciding on a CRM, and then the whole process of CRM integration can be a daunting task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many options out there, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re here to give you the 411 and help with this CRM integration process. In this article, we\u2019ll go over the top CRMs that are available today, especially gearing towards small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is CRM?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before we go into specifics, let\u2019s define what CRM is and what it can do for your business. CRM stands for Customer Relationship Manager<\/strong>. Put simply, CRM software helps keep track of all customer interactions with a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRM<\/a> 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\u2013and in an efficient way to save time and money. Utilize personalized campaigns and automated funnels, then track metrics and results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(CRM is different from ERP. Read about the difference here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how CRMs can help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top CRMS For Small Businesses In 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve decided to take the leap and start using CRM, let\u2019s look at the lineup of what\u2019s out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At #1<\/strong> pretty much across the board is <\/span>Hubspot<\/a>.<\/span>

\"hubspot\"<\/figure>

What stands out about Hubspot:<\/strong> it gets the highest user satisfaction rates (at a whopping 97%<\/a>), 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\u2019s free version. Once you jump to a paid version it\u2019s 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.<\/span>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.<\/p>

Zoho CRM<\/a> comes in <\/span>at #2.<\/strong><\/p>

What stands out with Zoho CRM:<\/strong> Zoho focuses more on the sales side of things, so if that\u2019s your focus too then Zoho could be perfect. <\/span><\/p>

\"zoho-crm\"<\/figure>

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.<\/p>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\u2019s also a very affordable option, at $12\/month for the basic plan. <\/span><\/p>

#3<\/strong> on our list is Pipedrive<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>

What stands out with Pipedrive:<\/strong> You can visually see and organize your sales pipeline! If you specifically want help visualizing your funnels and automations, Pipedrive is for you.<\/p>

\"pipedrive\"<\/figure>

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. <\/span>You can still track customer interactions and other normal CRM functions with Pipedrive, and it is high on the user-friendly list. Plus, it\u2019s also inexpensive, at $12.50\/month. This makes it another great option for small businesses. <\/span><\/p>
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Next up at #4<\/strong> is <\/span>Mailchimp<\/a>.<\/span>

What stands out with Mailchimp:<\/strong> 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. <\/span>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.<\/p>

\"Mailchimp\"<\/figure>

With audience behavior metrics and reports, you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll need to upgrade: the basic plan starts at $9.99\/month.<\/p>
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Rounding out our list at #5<\/strong> is <\/span>Salesflare<\/a>.<\/span>

What stands out about Salesflare:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>

\"Salesflare\"<\/figure>

With Salesflare you\u2019ll 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. <\/span>At $29\/month it\u2019s not the cheapest option, but is a great option for getting the job done. <\/span><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

There are some other fantastic options that are worth mentioning, even if they\u2019re not specifically geared towards small businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n