Andrew MartinThis article provides an in-depth look at how customer relationship management (CRM) software can significantly improve your business operations. You’ll discover the benefits of CRM, its key role in enhancing customer experience and streamlining workflow, and explore eight top CRM platforms that could be ideal for your needs.
Key Takeaways:
- CRM software centralizes customer information, offers advanced analytics, boosts customer retention, automates repetitive tasks, and enhances customer segmentation.
- The CRM platforms discussed include Teamgate, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Nutshell, Hubspot, Monday Sales CRM, ClickUp, and Capsule CRM.
- The choice of CRM should reflect your company’s unique needs and requirements. It’s crucial to understand why you need a CRM, conduct thorough research, test customer support, and choose a solution that solves your specific business challenges.
- Teamgate is a versatile CRM solution that caters to businesses of all sizes. It is lauded for its advanced features, affordability, and a customer-centric approach.
Your business either has customer relationship software (CRM) or could benefit from implementing a program. Consumers today expect a frictionless experience when they purchase products and services. CRM allows businesses of any size to improve their customer service and streamline their workflows. It is also invaluable if your company has remote workers who need access to a central data hub.
The CRM market is expanding rapidly and is expected to grow by 14.27% between 2020 and 2027, which demonstrates customer demand for an enhanced service experience. To meet this demand, the industry has produced a number of superior CRM software programs.
The Benefits of Sales CRM Software
Sales CRMs provide numerous benefits for your business, including the following:
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Centralize Customer Information – CRM creates a central database containing vital customer information that is easily accessible to all stakeholders in your organization. Every department and geographical location can see the progress of a customer’s current transaction as well as their complete history.
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Advanced Analytics – You can gather endless data about your clients, but it means nothing if you do not have the capacity to learn what it all means. Most CRM software contains advanced analytics that can turn the data into actionable items and informative metrics, including bounce rates, click-through rates, and demographics.
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Increase Customer Retention – Keeping existing customers is much more cost-effective than recruiting new ones, so customer retention is key to your company’s success. The ease of data sharing with CRMs means your employees can identify and correct issues before they become big problems. CRMs also alert your staff when it’s time to reach out to clients in order to present new products or to close sales.
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Automation – A good CRM program allows your employees to avoid repetitious, error-prone tasks, such as sending out hundreds of sales emails or creating sales and service tickets. Instead, your staff can focus on more important jobs such as providing excellent service to customers.
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Better Customer Segmentation – CRM programs can divide your customers into demographic groups and interest groups, allowing you to customize your communication with them. The “one email fits all” model is not that effective. Consumers will react more positively to emails and calls that address their interests.
A CRM program gives you the freedom to concentrate on sales and service, pleasing more customers along the way. You will save time, reduce labor costs, and see more profits by using an advanced CRM.
Top CRM Platforms Detailed
#1. Teamgate
Teamgate is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform that specializes in sales and lead management for SaaS professionals. Teamgate streamlines sales processes and management through its efficiency, ease of use, and in-depth analytical insights.
Teamgate’s CRM allows you to manage your contacts conveniently and effectively. You are also able to manage email and live chat communication in one place as well as import your contact database from multiple sources. Teamgate also lets you personalize your CRM profile using custom fields and tags.
Pricing: Starter: $9 per user per month, Professional $26 per user per month, Enterprise $65 per user per month.
Critics rank Teamgate high for ease of use, customer service, and overall value; with frequent mention of their unrivaled out-of-the-box analytics and sales insights.
#2. Sales Force
Salesforce is one of the best-known CRM programs. It offers various CRM products that focus on sales and marketing efforts. Depending on which package you choose, you’ll be able to manage your accounts, contacts, and leads, integrate your email, and automate various tasks.
Pricing: Essential: $25 per user per month, Professional: $75 per user per month, Enterprise: $150 per user per month, Unlimited: $300 per user per month.
Salesforce offers a number of options, with the top tiers being somewhat pricy and complex to initially implement. Although once up and running, customers are often relatively satisfied.
#3. Pipedrive
Pricing: Essential: $19.90 per user per month, Advanced: $34.90 per user per month, Professional: $59.90 per user per month, Enterprise: $119.00 per user per month.
Pipedrive is an affordable and popular option within the sales CRM realm. Many existing customers rave about it’s ease of use, and affordability, although experiencing frequent down-time and a lack of customer support.
#4. Nutshell
Nutshell promises easy implementation with no IT department necessary. It offers powerful automation, unlimited data storage, no user caps, and no contract service. The company also emphasizes its customer service.
Pricing: Nutshell’s basic plan: $16 per month per user, Nutshell Pro, $42 per user per month.
Nutshell strengths include its affordability and ability to pay month to month with no contract. This strength plays well to start-ups and SMBs, however questions remain about scalability of the platform long-term.
#5. Hubspot
Hubspot is another popular entry in the CRM field, offering a number of important features, including data sync, programmable automation, data quality automation, SEO recommendations, and website themes.
Pricing: Starter: $45 per user per month, Professional: $890 per month, Enterprise: $3200 per month.
Hubspot is a sophisticated program that earns high marks from users. Whilst offering a free CRM platform, buyers are to be aware that pricey add-ons are a necessity to gain true CRM functionality.
#6. Monday Sales CRM
Monday Sales CRM offers a centralized client data hub and is customizable to your sales cycles. It also offers automation and instant overviews of transactions and sales histories.
Pricing: Free: Free services for up to two seats, Basic: $10 per user per month, Standard: $14 per user per month, Pro: $24 per user per month, and Enterprise – negotiated with sales team
Monday Sales CRM works well for small businesses who want the effectiveness of a CRM with only a modest cost.
#7. ClickUp
ClickUp is another well-reviewed option for your CRM needs at a very basic level. Clickups primary focus is on assisting teams to collaborate on projects and tasks, however these tools can be re-purposed to provide a basic CRM functionality.
Pricing: Free Forever Option, Unlimited: $5 per user per month, Business: $12 per user per month, Business Plus: $19 per user per month, Enterprise: Negotiated by the sales team
ClickUp offers truly affordable options for small to mid-size businesses who require very basic CRM functionality.
#8. Capsule CRM
Capsule is an online CRM that contains the most important CRM features but does away with those that are less essential. They provide a streamlined service that promises 24/7 access to the sales pipeline dashboard, as well as calendar and task management.
Pricing: Professional: $18 per user per month, Teams: $34 per user per month, Enterprise: $54 per user per month.
Capsule allows you online access to many of the key features you want in a CRM with limitations on customization, automation and analytics.
How to Find the Right CRM
Your choice of CRM should reflect your company’s unique needs and requirements to operate efficienctly. Whilst many CRMs offer unique and sometimes over-the-top features, you should only pay for solutions relevant to your business problems. Whilst pricing is a key factor, of course, you still do not have to pay outrageous rates to get an effective CRM program. The following are some important and recommended stages in finding the right CRM for your business needs:
Understand Your ‘Why’
First understand your current sales process and why you need a CRM. Is there factors you need to improve? Is there processes that needs to change? Can you even answer those questions without an effective CRM?
Secondly, will the CRM you are considering assist with your why? If the solution does not fix the problem, continue to look elsewhere.
Do Your Research
Research the CRMs on the market. Whether its reading blog articles, customer reviews or testing the CRM with a free trial, ensure you have all of the information before making your decision.
Test the Customer Support
If you are able to start a free trial – reach out to customer support and ask for help. Do you get help straight away? Do you speak with a human? Are they responsive? How willing are they to help? These are all factors which should impact your decision-making criteria.
The Teamgate Advantage
FAQs: Best Sales CRM
Q: Which CRM is best to use in analyzing sales?
A: Teamgate has won multiple awards in part for its intuitive tracking and analysis of your sales team’s productivity. Salesforce and Pipedrive are also given good marks in this category.
Q: What is sales analysis software?
A: Sales analysis software determines sales patterns, individual performance, geographic and demographic influences, and other factors that impact your company’s success.
Q: How are analytics used in sales?
A: Analytics should inform all of your sales decisions, including which products to produce, sell, discount, and retire. It also gives you clear insight into the productivity level of your sales team and individual members. Analytics takes the guesswork out of your sales program.
Q: What is the best tool for data analytics?
A: A CRM with inlcuded analytics is definitely the best tool for businesses of all sizes to strengthen and streamline their sales process. Due to it being co-located with your sales information and data, users are able to access in analytics in real time.
Q: What is the best sales CRM for small businesses?
A: Several CRM platforms cater to small businesses. Teamgate and Monday Sales CRM are known for their modest cost and effectiveness, while ClickUp offers basic CRM functionality at affordable pricing. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Q: What should I look for in the best sales CRM?
A: The best sales CRM should offer centralized customer information, advanced analytics, customer retention strategies, automation, and effective customer segmentation. It should also have excellent customer service and be user-friendly.
Q: Are there any free options for the best sales CRM?
A: Yes, some CRM platforms offer free versions with basic features, such as HubSpot and ClickUp. However, these may lack some functionalities compared to paid versions, and add-ons may be necessary for complete CRM capabilities.
Q: What is the best sales CRM with advanced analytics?
A: Most CRM platforms come with advanced analytics. Teamgate is highly rated for its in-depth analytical insights, making it a strong contender for the best sales CRM in terms of data analysis.
Q: How does automation factor into the best sales CRM?
A: Automation is a significant feature of the best sales CRM as it allows staff to avoid repetitive tasks, focus on customer service, and streamline workflows. Platforms like Nutshell and Teamgate excel in providing powerful automation features.
Q: Which is the best sales CRM for ease of use and customer service?
A: Teamgate ranks high in terms of ease of use and customer service. It also provides out-of-the-box analytics and sales insights. However, the best CRM will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Q: How does the best sales CRM aid in customer retention?
A: The best sales CRM aids in customer retention by making data sharing easy, which enables your team to identify and rectify issues before they escalate. CRM platforms like Salesforce and Teamgate have features designed to enhance customer retention.
