Which CRM to choose for a small business

CRM for small businesses is just as important as for large or medium-sized ones. However, there is no universal software that would be equally suitable for all companies. After all, they differ not only in business processes, but also in the number of employees, clients, and budget. Therefore, software for small organizations is very different from others. As a rule, it has a minimal set of functions and is inexpensive. How to choose the right CRM system and avoid common mistakes - read only on the Venta blog.

Why Excel won't replace a CRM system

Many novice businessmen do not consider it necessary to implement CPM systems for small businesses. This is due to ignorance of the capabilities of modern software, and even unwillingness to allocate a budget for them.

Why simple Excel is not enough, and what problems does CRM solve:

- Team control. Even with 5-6 employees, it is quite difficult to control each of them. CRM systems record tasks, remind about tasks, report delays, record telephone conversations. So that the manager can track the implementation of his instructions, compliance with deadlines, timely processing of applications and call backs to clients.

- Transfer of responsibilities. Dismissal of employees is an inevitable phenomenon in any company. However, without a smart system, it is difficult to introduce a new team member to the course of affairs. The CPM system for small businesses automatically assigns a responsible person, and also redirects clients and tasks to a new manager. Thanks to this person who has just got a job, it is easier to get involved in the work.

- Reports and analytics. The artificial intelligence module creates reports from any parameters. So that the manager can track the number of deals, their distribution within the sales funnel, analyze the sales stages in which deals are most often broken, the number of leads and their sources.

- Data accounting. Imagine that you have 5 managers, and each of them writes down data about customers, who is where - on a sticker, notepad, notebook, Excel, etc. With this approach, it is impossible to track the history of interaction and quickly process the application. - Thanks to the use of CRM systems for small businesses, a single customer database is created with access for each manager, which stores the history of requests and all data about a specific client.

- Automation. CRMs automate business processes, collect applications from various sources, including mail, social networks, messengers, the website and set tasks for them. Thus, the business will not lose customers, and the manager will make a profit.

Despite the skeptical attitude of small business representatives to CRM systems and the reluctance to spend the company's budget, these costs are fully repaid. The world's largest software manufacturer, IBM, conducted a study that found significant profit growth in organizations that implemented CRM.

After implementing CRM, sales increased by an average of 65%.

Illustration

Basic requirements for choosing a CRM system

Regardless of the scale of the business, a smart system is convenient, functional, and easily customizable.

As research by specialists from the Ziff Davis publishing company has shown, most users are guided by convenience when choosing software.

Illustration

However, specialists who are engaged in the implementation of CRM for small businesses for free insist on taking into account other criteria.

Namely:

- Functionality. The program must have the functionality necessary for the work of a particular enterprise: setting tasks for employees, managing customers, monitoring task execution, reminders about calls, etc.

- Usability. The interface must be intuitive, without unnecessary buttons and fields.

- Flexibility of settings. A big advantage is the ability to independently disable and enable additional functions.

- Availability of integration. Integration with telephony, social networks, messengers, and the website allows for better interaction with customers.

- Reports and analytics. A CRM system for small businesses for free should provide reports on all parameters that help analyze sales.

- Scalability. As the business develops, the program should expand its capabilities and functionality.

- Data security. Being a repository of confidential data, the CRM must have reliable protection from third parties.

- Availability of technical support. It can be 24/7, provided via online chat, by phone, etc. Choose the option that is most convenient for you.

The main mistakes when choosing a CRM system

Small business representatives make two of the most common mistakes:

1. Using simple software. Deciding to save money, businessmen often buy the simplest and cheapest program. As a result, they have to connect additional systems or look for a new one. The famous proverb is confirmed here - the miser pays twice.

2. Using large software. The abundance of various functions significantly complicates the work in the program. As a result, employees get lost and have to spend a lot of time on performing the simplest tasks.

Before choosing a CRM, decide which processes you want to optimize.

Basic needs for small businesses

Like any other, small business has its own characteristics, based on which it is necessary to choose the appropriate software. They mainly concern a limited budget, a small number of employees and a simple company structure (manager, accountant, managers).

Therefore, a free CRM for small businesses should satisfy the following needs:

1. Minimum functionality. Different CRMs have a different set of functions. The more of them there are, the more expensive the software is. Therefore, we recommend choosing a simple program, but with the ability to expand the functionality as the business scales.

2. Orientation to working with customers. For small companies, programs that are tailored to the sales process are best suited. They allow you to keep track of customers, applications and deals. At the initial stage, this is quite enough.

3. Clear interface. A free CRM system for small businesses should be easy to learn for each employee. Software that you get used to in 1-2 working days is considered suitable. In order not to spend the budget on system training of personnel, as well as not to create stressful situations for employees, you should choose the simplest programs possible.

4. Flexible settings. Cloud-based CRMs are considered the most flexible. They have their own technical support and regularly release updates.

5. Affordable cost. Access to cloud CRMs costs from 180 to 10,000 hryvnias per month per employee. By making a subscription, you can save significantly.

Choose systems in which you can change the settings yourself so that you do not have to hire an additional system administrator.

CRM systems by industry

A smart decision would be to implement a CRM tailored to a specific industry.

The best in a specific area are:

- Quick Resto - restaurant business;

- DaCRM - real estate;

- RetailCRM - online stores.

Before making a choice, we recommend conducting a comparative analysis of several of the most interesting programs. Compare functionality, usability, flexibility of settings, expandability, speed of technical support and other parameters to make a balanced decision.

Standard software cannot always meet the needs of a business.

If none of the studied free CRM systems for small businesses impress with their functionality, you can order individual software development for your company's business processes. Such a solution is more expensive, but has many advantages.

Contacts

Contact us with any inquiries:

Address

49000, Dnipro, O. Polya Ave., 107 G

Schedule

Monday - Friday:9:00 - 18:00

Дякуємо!

Ми обов’язково зв’яжемося з Вами.

Can't send form

Please try again later.