Small business owners are saddled with a lot of responsibilities ranging from manufacturing to sales, operations, management as well as customer relationship maintenance. It can be too exhausting for one or few persons to handle which is why it is important that small business owners embrace the idea of CRM softwares to help them manage their affairs.
What are CRM Softwares?
CRM is an acronym for Customer Relationship Management and it is the totality of application softwares that help business owners automate most of their business activities. These softwares ease the stress of data entry, pipeline operations, customer follow ups among others.
Importance of CRM Softwares
If you must opt for CRM softwares as a small business owner looking to automate your business activities, you need to keep in mind the relevance of running CRM softwares:
- Streamlining of Operations: CRM softwares help business owners simplify and ease their business activities. They ease processes such as customer data entry, sales report, finance management, etc.,.
- Cost Effective System: It is a cost effective system because CRM softwares can be obtained at relatively low prices, some even offer free trials and free packages for starters. It also saves small business owners the cost of hiring and paying professionals to run these processes for them.
- Ease of Use: Many CRM softwares have simple user interface making it a lot easier for business owners to operate them without having to undergo days of learning the ropes. This makes the automation system more beneficial to small business owners as they use them to run their businesses without stress.
- Organization and Consistency: CRM softwares are technological systems hence they operate in an orderly manner providing and entering data on command as well as arranging collated data in a way that they can be easily retrieved. They are also very consistent because unlike human beings, they do not get tired and can produce results for you at any time of the day.
Best CRM Softwares for Small Businesses in 2024
Salesforce
Salesforce is considered the powerhouse of the CRM industry because of the robust suites of tools it offers that are suitable for businesses of all sizes. It offers a scalable platform that allows small businesses to start with essential features and then expand their accessibility as they grow. According to Forbes Advisor, it is a comprehensive all-in-one CRM software. Containing features that help you manage your leads, contacts, opportunities and customers. It has also been ranked as the most comprehensive CRM platform by Forbes Advisor.
Salesforce has its own strengths and weaknesses and it is advisable to take cognizance of them before proceeding to opt for them. These are the PROs and CONs according to Forbes Advisor:
Pros
- The cloud-based platform is accessible anywhere
- Its base plan, Essentials, is good for up to ten users
- Offers add-ons for extended functionality of the CRM
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Monthly pricing is only available on its Essentials plan
- Setup takes a while
So after considering these strengths and weaknesses, you can make a decision as to whether or not this is the CRM software for your business. However, if it does not match your businesses needs and capabilities, consider the next software.
Hubspot CRM
Hubspot CRM is a software that is popularly known by small businesses worldwide due to its simple user interface and the wide range of features it offers its users in it's free version. This CRM software offers users tools for managing contacts, automating tasks, tracking deals as well as generating insightful reports for business owners. It has a seamless integration with other marketing and sales tools that hubspot offers which makes it a great choice for small businesses aiming for an all-in-one solution.
It is also a CRM software for businesses of all sizes providing plans from basic to advanced with more functionalities as you upgrade your plans. It is much preferred for its generosity to let noobie business owners start using some of its features without paying a dime not to forget its all-in-one provision that save business owners the stress of having to integrate multiple standalone applications to it.
Forbes Advisor ranks it as the best for scaling startups making it a go-to option for small businesses. Just like Salesforce, hubspot CRM has its ups and downs as examined by Forbes Advisor:
Pros
- Cost-effective scalability from free to advanced tiers
- Unified dashboard simplifies cross-functional activities
- Granular list segmentation for personalized marketing
Cons
- Email send limits can bottleneck high-volume campaigns
- Limited customization capabilities compared to specialized platforms
Considering these strengths and weaknesses will help you make a decision as to whether or not this software meets the demands of your business and if it does not, on to the next option.
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM offers a cost-effective CRM solution for small businesses as well as a wide array of features. It provides a modifiable interface for users to customize to suite their preferences. Not to mention its automation prowess, and Ai-powered analytics that makes it easy for businesses to streamline their sales processes, manage customer data and also improve customer engagement with businesses. What is more, Zoho's price flexibility allows business owners to select plans that work best for their specific needs.
It offers businesses the opportunity of a free basic plan that allows up to three users which is good for startups. The free plan also offers management features like leads assessment, contact management among others. Zoho CRM is ranked by Forbes Advisor as the best CRM software for startups which gives it more than enough credibility for business owners to sign up on.
Like the other CRM softwares mentioned before, it offers an all-in-one suite saving you the stress of procuring standalone applications to integrate into its system. Not to mention the privilege of building an app for your business which its dedicated system, Zoho creator, offers businesses.
It has its strengths and weaknesses which is advisable that you take cognizance of before signing up for it as examined by Forbes Advisor namely:
Pros
- Offers a free plan
- No contracts
- Streamlined user interface
Cons
- Free plan doesn’t include third-party integrations, just Zoho apps
- Must pay for Premium and Enterprise support
A careful consideration of these will better inform your decision on whether or not to opt for this software and if it does not comply with your business' needs and capabilities, on to the next recommendation.
Pipedrive
Pipedrive is an intuitive CRM software that is popular for its simplicity. It offers small business owners a clean interface that they can easily navigate without the hassles of operating a robust system typical of CRM softwares. It offers a visual pipeline management system that helps businesses track deals, while its automation features reduce the workload of repetitive tasks.
Pipedrive offers a 14 (fourteen) day free trial for users after which you can opt for a basic plan and then upgrade your plans as your business grows. The advanced plan comes with a lot of helpful features like customizable email templates and signatures, video call scheduling, click tracking to mention a few.
It is ranked by Forbes Advisor as the best CRM software in terms of simplicity thanks to its easy-to-use interface tailored specifically for total noobs who are mostly clueless on how to handle such applications. Just like every other softwares, it has its own strengths and weaknesses which must be considered before signing up. These are its pros and cons according to Forbes Advisor:
Pros
- Cost-effective scalability from free to advanced tiers
- Unified dashboard simplifies cross-functional activities
- Granular list segmentation for personalized marketing
Cons
- Email send limits can bottleneck high-volume campaigns
- Limited customization capabilities compared to specialized platforms
Considering its strengths and weaknesses will help you make better informed decisions as to whether or not it suites your business, budget or capabilities.
Monday.com
Named after the second day of the week, monday.com is a CRM software that is popular for the flexibility it offers business owners. It also offers small businesses the liberty of customizing its features to suit their preferences.
It is cloud-based and also for teams seeking to collaborate on tasks and projects. It allows you to monitor the progress of your projects, add due dates and comments to them. Monday.com offers a 14 day free trial plan for business owners after which they can opt for basic plans or advanced ones as their businesses grow. It offers a free forever plan, which means that you can use its most basic plan for free for as long as you wish as long as it meets your business' needs. A big plus!
It is ranked by Forbes Advisor as the best CRM software for simplicity and also considered best for teams hoping to collaborate on projects and like most applications, it has its own strengths and weaknesses as examined by Forbes Advisor namely:
Pros
- Free forever plan
- Low-cost paid plans starting at $8 per user per month
- Very flexible CRM
- Forecast sales with Pro CRM plan
- iOS and Android apps
Cons
- Paid plans have a three-user minimum
- Involves a learning curve
- Can only score leads with Enterprise CRM
A careful consideration of its strengths and weaknesses will inform your choices when choosing the application for your business.
Insightly
For small businesses that require both the functionalities of a CRM software and project management tools, insightly is the best option. It combines a wide range of project management features together with traditional CRM capabilities.
This enables teams to manage their contacts, track leads and monitor project timelines all on the same platform. Its focus on collaboration among teams as well as integration makes it an excellent choice for businesses with complex needs.
While I was unable to find data or ranking for this CRM software by Forbes Advisor, it proves to be a promising application for small businesses and you can consider reading reviews about it before making a decision to opt for it.
Freshsales
Freshsales is a product of the Freshwork suite of business softwares and it offers an intuitive CRM solution tailored specifically for small businesses. Finally a CRM software that is tailored specially for small businesses hence it is a great option for business owners to roll with.
It has a built-in tool that helps businesses gather and retrieve information from ideal customers on the internet. It offers a 21 days free trial plan as well as forever free plans and paid plans that you can opt for as your business progresses overtime.
Its advanced plans include features such as: multi-currency support, advanced reporting, etc. It is ranked by Forbes Advisor as the best for leads management due to its effectiveness in managing leads for businesses as well as automating pipeline process for them.
Here are the pros and cons of Freshsales according to Forbes Advisor:
Pros
- Free forever plan
- Low-cost paid plans starting at $15 per user per month
- No minimum user requirement
- Deal management
- Contact management
- Contact lifecycle stages
- One of the longest free trials available
Cons
- File storage limits
- Call masking not available on Free plan
- Warm transfers not available on Free or Growth plans
Considering its strengths and weaknesses will help you determine whether or not to opt for it depending on its compliance with the needs of your business and your budget.
How to Choose the Right CRM for your Small Business
- Business Objectives: You need to consider what your business intends to achieve with a CRM software before choosing one. Whether it is to have a better control of sales records, effectively track leads, ensure quality customer service, etc. When you have the aims of your business for using a CRM software clearly stated, you would be able to choose which application corresponds with the specific needs of your business.
- Scalability: While getting a CRM software to reduce the workload of running your business as a small business owner, it is also important that you consider the scalability of the software. This refers to its ability to handle large amounts of data as your business grows in scale. You need to be sure that the application you choose are capable of being scaled up to accommodate larger datas either through subscription for an advanced plan or customization of a current plan.
- Cost-effectiveness: This is a very important factor to consider when choosing a CRM software which cannot be overemphasized. You need to consider your capability as an entrepreneur to pay for a CRM software and continue doing so over a period of time. If the pricing of a software appears to be over the budget that your business is capable of paying, it is better to go for a lesser priced one that meets your business' needs.
- Ease of Use: A CRM software with a user-friendly interface is ideal for small businesses. This is because entrepreneurs may not have the liberty of time to go through extended learning processes to come to terms with how to use an application. So an easy to use interface is the best option for small businesses looking to make the most out of it without having to go through a complicated learning curve.
- Integration: The capabilities of a CRM software to be integrated with other marketing tools that a business might have been using prior to its subscription is important to ease operational processes. This is because operating the tools will be much quicker when they can easily be integrated with one another thus leading to entrepreneurs getting more work done in less time.
- Customizability and Flexibility: The extent to which a CRM software is customizable is a good factor to consider when choosing a CRM software. This is because it makes it easier for small businesses to align the features of the application with their business processes thus making it easier to manage and control. Also, it provides them with the liberty of flexibility as customizable softwares will make it more easier for entrepreneurs to carry out their duties seamlessly.
- Mobile Friendliness: A CRM software that has a mobile application is ideal for small businesses. This is because it affords entrepreneurs the flexibility of working at anywhere and anytime due to the mobility of handheld devices. It also makes for consistency and dedication to operating the systems that would lead to the success of a business.
- Customer Support and Training: A CRM software that offers strong customer support is ideal. Also, it is important that the customer support system of a software be quick and responsive, it is also important that they offer easy to follow tutorials on how to use their softwares. When tutorials for using the softwares are well documented or presented in video formats, learning them becomes much easier and users can quickly come to terms with their usage.
- Analytics: A good CRM software should be able to provide you with information on sales performance, customers behaiviours and overall business trends. The statistics it provides must also be accurate to prevent business owners from making ill-informded decisions regarding their businesses due to the inaccuracy of statistical reports provided by the application.
- Security and Compliance: The CRM software you intend to incorporate into your business must be certified as safe to use and not pose any issues with the governmental bodies of one's country. Also, it has to be in compliance with the standards of your industry before you can opt for it.
- Reviews: When it comes to getting softwares or applications, reading reviews of such products is a crucial procedure you cannot afford to leave out. This is because learning the experiences of users with the softwares will help you in deciding whether or not to opt for them. Reading reviews helps you get to know things about CRM softwares that may not have been explicitly stated in their manuals or product pages.
Getting a CRM software for your small business takes a huge load off your shoulders as an entrepreneur. However, you need to ensure that you pick the software that is just right for your business and meets the specific needs of your business. You need to consider a number of factors before choosing a CRM software for your business such as business objectives, cost effectiveness, scalability among other factors. CRM softwares are crucial for small businesses but it is more important that you pick the right one for your business.
Check out Forbes Advisor's Compilation and analysis of: Best CRM Software For Small Business Of January 2024
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