A Guide for CRM for Small Businesses

Existing customers are an invaluable asset to a small business because it costs less to generate more revenue from them than to acquire new customers. A Customer Relationship Management program synchronizes your business activities in a way that allows you to cultivate existing customers. CRM software, specifically CRM software for small businesses, is an economical way to implement a CRM program that can be fine-tuned as your business grows.

This snapshot of the benefits, functions, and features of small business CRM software will help you decide with product is right for your company.

The Benefits of CRM Systems for Small Businesses

A list of every single benefit of CRM software for small businesses would be long, so we’ll focus on the fact that CRM systems give you a 360-degree view of customers by consolidating data. The primary benefits of are, 1) the detailed existing customer intelligence, and 2) broader insight about your company’s most valuable prospects. Knowing an existing customer’s purchase and service history gives your sales and customer support teams an advantage with follow-up sales; a personalized pitch can make all the difference.

Once you’ve gone after the low-hanging fruit in your existing customer base, use a CRM system to target potential new customers. The analytics capabilities of CRM software uncover patterns of customer behavior based on data acquired from a variety of touch points.

One more way CRM software can benefit your small business: customer care and service. The best CRM for small businesses enables your customer service and call-center teams to quickly access a customer’s history – products purchased, purchase dates, satisfaction issues – and resolve call in a more efficient fashion.

CRM System Features for Small Businesses

Your business will have unique needs based on the goods and services you offer, sales volume, and geography. The majority of CRM software solutions include a basic feature set that covers the most common CRM functions that a small business has. The ones you’ll want to have are:

· Call and sales force automation

· Multiple-user access

· Data backup (both on- and off-site) and encryption

· Shared documents, calendars, lead contacts and communication history

· Email marketing and campaign reports

· Task and support tracking

· Reporting capabilities for segmentation

· Ample storage space (10MB minimum)

· Data import capabilities with other contact programs (Outlook, Act!, etc.)

Small Business CRM System Functionality

Look for programs that can be easily integrated with any other software you use, and are compatible with the operating platform you use. The best small business CRM options offer web-hosted solutions and mobile access in addition to on-site (non-internet) capabilities. Web-hosted solutions allow you to access the software via the internet while the manufacturer handles maintenance and updates. Mobile access lets users tap into the details of a customer contact database from cell phones, tablets, and other mobile devices.