My small business clients often ask about customer relationship management software to manage client lists, track prospects, manage follow-ups and segment customer lists. Thus I have pulled together a quick CRM software comparison of 7 online and two products for this market.
Here’s general advice about how to decide:
- Choose software designed for small businesses, not big ones. Several clients of mine started out with Salesforce, and even its basic version turned out to be too complex to manage, with too many unneeded functions for a 2-3 person business.
- Look at the annual cost against your marketing budgets. Many online software programs charge monthly.
- Check whether the software has social media interfaces to increase connections with customers
- Consider whether or not it interfaces automatically with your current email software. Some will keep client lists in third-party email software like Constant Contact, IContact, Mailchimp, or AWeber in sync automatically.
- Consider accounting software (like Quickbooks) integration to coordinate tracking as proposals become contracts and later contract renewals.
What programs have I missed in the CRM software comparison? Which one to you like and use? Please leave me a comment.
