CRM
What is the Best CRM?

When you’re looking for the best CRM, it’s important to understand that there are many options out there. From industry-specific software to fully customisable CRMs, modern businesses have a lot of choices when selecting a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

CRMs are an extremely valuable tool for businesses, offering streamlined processes, automation, greater accuracy, improved customer service and much more. But which one is right for you? Setting up a CRM is an investment, and companies can ill-afford to purchase the wrong software. Whatever your business needs, there’s an ideal solution out there…you just need to find it. Don’t worry, this article aims to make your decision easier.

 

What does a CRM do for modern businesses?

Maybe it’s better to ask what a CRM can’t do for your business. The best CRMs on the market have so many functions, and they’re improving every day. While we won’t highlight every feature a CRM might have, here are some key ones that you’ll want to know about.

 

    • Improved customer service and support: CRMs keep accurate customer records, allowing all operators to access the information they need when providing support.

    • Streamlined processes: If your staff are sick of mundane, repetitive tasks, streamline them with customisable CRM workflows and automation.

    • Collaboration: CRMs allow team members to communicate effectively and collaborate on projects.

    • Enhanced reporting: Gain valuable insights and make smarter business decisions with comprehensive data and reporting.

    • Sales boost: Better customer management means fewer leads fall through the cracks and you convert more sales.

 

We’ll be honest, CRMs do a whole lot more than the above. But we’d be here all day if we detailed them all, and we’d rather start helping you choose the right CRM for your business.

 

How to choose the best CRM

“What is the best CRM?” is a common question we get asked, but the reality is, most of them are pretty darn good. Choosing the right one for you comes down to your main business priorities. That’s why we consult so thoroughly with our clients, because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to CRMs. Below, we’ll show you the main things you should be thinking about when selecting business software.

 

Understand your needs

As we already mentioned, CRMs must meet your business objectives. If they don’t, you’ll never realise the full benefits. So, it’s crucial to understand what you need. Really, it’s no different than buying anything else. You wouldn’t buy a small hatchback vehicle if you’ve got a family of 6, and CRMs also have to be fit for purpose.

Take some time to consider your main goals. Do you want to save time by automating processes? Or is it more important to give your teams a sales boost? Businesses of varying sizes may also have different needs. Like anything else, some CRMs excel in certain areas, while others are suited to different tasks.

Don’t stress, when you work with Otto Digital, you’ll always get expert advice and guidance when choosing a solution.

 

Cost considerations

Unless you’re one of the lucky companies that have an endless stream of money available, it’s likely you’ll be working to a budget. Needless to say, this is going to be a major factor in your decision-making. But it’s important to remember that CRMs are an investment, and as such, they should offer a strong return on investment (ROI).

When you choose the best CRM, it essentially pays for itself. From increasing sales to reducing overheads through automation, you can save a lot of time, money and resources with a CRM. So, don’t just look for the cheapest. Look for the CRM that’s going to deliver the greatest long-term benefits.

 

Customisation options

One of the best things about CRMs is the fact that you can customise them to suit your business. From customised workflows to reporting, a good CRM should make life easier for your staff. You can usually customise all reporting features, as well as much more.

CRMs such as Zoho, Salesforce, and Hubspot are all customisable, but of course. They’re all different, too. Always work with a professional CRM consultant to determine which one can be tweaked to feel like your very own operating system.

 

CRMs for different industries

There’s some industry jargon here that we just have to use. Typically, CRMs come in vertical or horizontal forms. Bear with us.

Vertical CRMs are designed for a specific industry, and while their names aren’t as well known as the larger brands, they’re out there and may just be the perfect fit for you.

Horizontal CRMs are suited to a wide range of industries, and that’s why they’re the most commonly used.

Horizontal, or more generalised CRMs, are usually better if you need a lot of tweaking because a lot of the customisation has already been done with an industry-specific CRM.

 

Integration with existing systems

The ability to integrate a CRM with existing software is crucial for many businesses. It’s a bit of a juggling act for many companies because, in theory, a quality CRM should remove the need for certain other software programs. But some are just too hard to replace without causing significant disruptions.

When choosing the best CRM, ensure that it is compatible with all of your necessary software, such as accounting tools. Most CRMs, such as Zoho, can integrate with countless third-party programs through API technology, so you shouldn’t have too many issues.

 

CRM Comparison table

CRM Best for… Suited To… But…
Salesforce Sales Enterprise Can be pricey
Hubspot Marketing Mid Size to Enterprise Can be pricey
Zoho Sales SMB to Enterprise Not as well known
Monday.com Customer Support SMB Limited functionality

 

Looking for the best CRM for your business?

Otto Digital specialises in bringing together the best of technology and human endeavours to transform the way you do business. Whether you need to fix broken business processes, manage customer relationships more effectively or streamline your marketing efforts, there’s a CRM solution that’s perfect for you. Best of all, we customise CRM systems to suit your specific business needs and offer comprehensive training to support your team members.

There are a lot of great CRMs and business software tools out there. Let us help you find the right fit and give your operations a major boost today. Contact our friendly team for a chat.