xciting but also overwhelming. You have to deal with customers, monitor sales and email and follow-up on leads. CRM software can come in here.
CRM is the abbreviation of Customer Relationship Management. A CRM system allows you to systematize the information about customers and enhance communication. In this paper, we shall examine the most appropriate CRM software to use by start-ups in plain English.
Why Startups Need a CRM
Considering that your business is small, you can handle contacts in a notebook or spreadsheet. This is not easy though with an increase in your business.
A CRM helps you:
Contact details of customers in the store.
Track sales conversations
Schedule follow-ups
Manage deals
Improve customer service
With a CRM, all the stuff is centralized.
- HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is among the most trending startups.
Why It’s Good:
Free basic plan
Easy to use
Email tracking
Sales pipeline management
It suits the small teams that desire a simple and effective tool and does not require the initial spending.
Best for:
New small budget startups.
- Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is cheap and has numerous functionalities.
Key Features:
Lead tracking
Sales automation
Email integration
Reports and analytics
Zoho is a flexible priced product, which is suitable to growing startups.
Best for:
Emerging businesses requiring superior functions at reduced prices.
- Freshsales (by Freshworks)
Freshsales is user-friendly and technologically advanced.
Why Startups Like It:
Built-in phone and email
AI-based lead scoring
Simple interface
Good customer support
It assists the sales forces to make deals quicker.
Best for:
Startups were geared towards sales expansion.
- Pipedrive
Pipedrive is built primarily towards sales teams.
Key Benefits:
Visual sales pipeline
Easy deal tracking
Automation tools
Affordable plans
It is easy and does not seem to be tricky.
Best for:
Small sales teams that desire to see clearly their deals.
- Salesforce (Starter Plan)
Salesforce is a famous CRM of large companies. But it also has plans of small business.
Pros:
Powerful features
Highly customizable
Scalable for growth
Cons:
Can be complex
Higher pricing than others
Best for:
Startups that intend on expansion and long term growth.
How to Choose the Right CRM
Prior to selecting a CRM, consider the following question:
How big is my team?
What is my monthly budget?
Am I in need of automation features?
Is the system easy to learn?
There are numerous CRM platforms that include a free trial. Test them out first and then make a final decision.
Final Thoughts
An effective CRM platform can make your startup grow at a quicker pace. It manages customer information, enhances communication and boosts sales.
Simple and inexpensive tools such as HubSpot, Zoho, or Pipedrive are the best place to start as an amateur.
Increasing your business, you can upgrade to more sophisticated tools.
CRM does not only mean software but rather a tool which assists in developing close relations with customers.
