Tips To Choose The Right CRM Software For Your Small Business
Editor’s Note: This is part 2 of an ongoing series on digital integration, cutting-edge technology from Commercient. Our goal is to help modernize your business and improve sales.
Today’s business landscape has become data-driven and more competitive than ever before. Your small business will not achieve success or sustainable growth if it relies on rudimentary tools like manual spreadsheets to capture, store and analyze data. Using CRM software (Customer Relationship Management) can help your small business manage large volumes of data much more efficiently.
The ability to tailor your engagement process to suit each unique customer is an advantage that will help your small business stand out. With technology constantly evolving, modern CRM software now has more to offer small businesses than ever before.
Your sales team will be able to easily track and analyze every interaction with a customer or prospect. This will, in turn, increase customer engagement and help your sales team close more deals and win more business.
What is CRM Software?
CRM software is a system used by businesses to manage interactions with current and potential customers, as well as storing and analyzing historical data. Using a CRM system means you no longer need to maintain multiple spreadsheets of all your customer and sales information.
A good CRM solution will help your small business manage customer relationships better, improve customer retention and help drive sales growth. It will give you and your team with business intelligence to understand your customers better, and provide them with exceptional customer service.
Popular CRM Software for Small Businesses
The following CRM software was designed with small businesses in mind:
- Salesforce Essentials
- Zoho CRM
- SugarCRM
- Hubspot CRM
- Freshsales CRM
- Pipedrive CRM
- And more
How CRM Software Can Help Your Small Business Achieve its Sales Goals
- Automates daily tasks
- Improves data accuracy
- Increases productivity and efficiency
- Increases cross-selling abilities which drives sales growth
- Enables your sales team to target the right customers
- Enhances customer relationships
- Improves customer satisfaction, and helps you retain customers
- Helps your sales team to find new opportunities and prospects
- Increases team collaboration and communication
- Improves the decision-making process
- And much more
Must-Have Features of CRM Software for Small Businesses
There are plenty of CRM software options available to choose from, and they all offer many of the same basic features. However, when considering your options, make sure that your CRM solution comes with the following must-have features:
- Contact Management
- Leads Management
- Opportunity Management
- Campaign Management
- Pipeline Management
- Forecasting and Reporting
- Workflow Automation
- Third-Party Integration
- Social Media Management
- Reports and Dashboards
- Mobile Application
- Third-Party Integration
Some Factors To Consider When Choosing CRM Software
Choosing CRM software for your small business requires a comprehensive evaluation of your current business operations. Identifying your goals and objectives will help you decide what features and functions you need.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing CRM software for your small business.
- Deployment Method (Cloud-Based or On-Premise): Does it offer deployment method options?
- Free Trials: Does it come with a free trial version?
- Flexibility and Scalability: Your needs and objectives will change and evolve as time goes on. Is it scalable and flexible?
- Third-Party Integrations: Does it support third-party integrations?
- Mobile Support: Can it support a mobile sales team?
- Easy to Use: Will your team be able to easily use it? Read our tips on how to fast-track your CRM implementation.
Get The Most Out of Your CRM with Data Integration
CRM is a powerful tool that can solve many of your business problems. However, many small businesses are not getting the full benefits out of their sales systems. One way to maximize the benefits of CRM is by integrating it with other business systems.
How Can Commercient Help?
It’s more than likely that you’re already using other software systems in other departments of your small business. Commercient SYNC, the #1 data integration platform can help you integrate your existing systems, such as your ERP and CRM solutions. A systems integration will make the right information is available to your team.
Your sales team will have access to ERP data directly in CRM, such as customer information, sales history, invoicing, serial numbers invoiced, inventory, multi-ship to addresses, and much more. With a two-way SYNC, new accounts and orders are integrated from CRM to ERP. This gives you a 360-degree view of sales and marketing.
Don’t Lose Business to Your Competition
A CRM solution is a long-term investment that is necessary for the growth and success of your small business. Evaluate your business requirements and identify the CRM features and functions your small business needs. This will enable you to make the best possible choice.
Edgeware, a partner of Commercient, can implement CRM software to help ensure a positive return on your investment.
Contact Commercient today to find out how your small business can reap all the benefits of CRM and reach its full potential!
