What are the best CRM platforms for clients with small databases?
I have clients with really small client lists that are looking to start the CRM process. What CRM platforms are able to grow with small databases as their needs change?
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Feb 26, 2015
If you call into Salesforce, they actually offer smaller packages for small businesses with smaller budgets. It's just not advertised.
Feb 25, 2015
Hello Jim,
Typically, businesses with small client lists also have small budgets to invest in resources to grow. That is why one of my favorite CRM resources for new, or smaller businesses is Less Annoying CRM. Go to www.lessannoyingcrm.com.
The cost is only $10 per month. The tutorials are fantastic, especially if your clients are not yet familiar with using a CRM. There is also a one-month free trial, so your clients can learn and get used to using the platform before they commit to monthly payments. They can also cancel the service anytime with no penalty.
There are many useful features, including the ones you would expect from a CRM - task scheduler and reminders, integration with multiple calendars, segregation by groups, etc..
As your clients' businesses grow, this CRM can grow too, but if they get to a point where they feel the features of Less Annoying CRM are no longer sufficient, the data can easily be exported into different CRM platforms.
By the way, importing data is easy too, so if your client's "small database" is currently nothing more than a list in an Excel file, they can convert their list to CSV (comma separated value) format, and upload it right into Less Annoying CRM.
Funny, the most "annoying" thing about it is typing out the long name of this resource! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Sharon Hibbard
"Release your Expertise...Build your Best Business"
Feb 24, 2015
Hi Jim - I would use ACT as it is really versatile and incorporates emarketing and survey design and send. However there are some useful online ones too such a PODIO (free to start) Try it out.
Feb 24, 2015
I have relied on a combination of Gmail and Insightly in recent years, although I found Outlook user friendly years back. For nonprofits, I recommend and offer Frontstream, formerly GiftWorks.
Feb 24, 2015
Constant contact has been great with us at Score both Nationally and on local Chapter scale
Feb 23, 2015
Interesting responses to this - even from some long-tenured vets. I do not recommend directing any small business to do a Google search for their CRM. There seem to be thousands of competent CRMs, literally, and a Google search will likely give you the ones with the best SEO strategies - and some bloggers who have the same. I scour the net daily for these sorts of things and I'd offer 3 or 4 secret weapons...Sorry for the teaser, but follow me on Twitter (@stephenalan) and DM me and I'm happy to share. I promise not to disappoint. No strings, catches, or money involved. Just trying to grow my network.
The invite is open to all, btw. :)
Cheers!
Feb 23, 2015
I've come to favor Insightly which is noteworthy for being free for up to 3 users. If you outgrow the free account; Insigntly is $7 monthly, per user. I consider this affordable.
But I'd opt for Insightly's paid account. With it you get tight integration with Google Apps through their popular Insightly gadget, seamless sync with Google Calendar and Google Contacts, and easy access to Google Drive. You also get QuickBooks Online integration. Users can view any customer payment status and history within Insightly. Dual data entry is eliminated. Also, you have a single view operational and financial view of your customers and their account status, invoices and payments.
My favorite Insightly feature is its social media integration. I simply put in a contact’s email address and it finds virtually every social media profile related to the email address. I see Twitter content and my contact’s public LinkedIn profile. Also, I can explore my contact’s public profile on Facebook, Google+, FourSquare, etc. Awesome! Try it for yourself.
- The Pragmatic Web Designer
Feb 23, 2015
no "best" but most "appropriate".
One good approach is to do a search in Google and select those reputable cloud platforms. Yes, reputable is what I am looking at.
Try those reputable free or trial or low cost version until you find the ONE you find suitable for you.
These applications must give you sufficient flexibility to make your adjustment.
Feb 23, 2015
I strongly recommend aceofsales.com, if you con't need such sophisticated things as autoresponder and pay online. Last I knew, you could try it for 30 days free and then it was only $20 per month up to 1000 clients.
It not only has a database, but you can schedule tasks and follow-ups, send branded emails and newsletters, postcards, etc. It's really quite good. I used it for a long time until I needed some of the more sophisticated features I mentioned above.
Feb 23, 2015
I've used Zoho's suite of products, including Zoho CRM, for many years. Definitely recommend Zoho CRM.
Feb 23, 2015
I specialize in CRM for small businesses. the key question is how the CRM is going to be used. In today's world the probability is that there will be a need for some sort of automated marketing...even to a small audience. The best solution I've found for the "little guy" that wants a "traditional" CRM is Big Contacts. It is simple, direct and has sufficient flexibility for a one-person office up to an organization with a multi-tier and multi--location sales force. BUT what really makes it useful is the linkage with an automated marketing product called Active Campaign which has the simplest interface for this complex activity which I've seen in 25 years of looking.
JLF
Feb 23, 2015
Thank you Joan. I am going to test drive it and will share it with my clients.
Feb 23, 2015
We are now starting with Zoho CRM and it is really flexible and easy (crm.zoho.com). It's the first CRM for us, so not migrating from other platforms
Thanks Adrian. I will check it out.