Finding a smarter way to CRM starts with asking what you will still use after the free trial ends.
Does a smarter CRM exist that is actually useful after the FREE trial? One that you’d actually want to use?
by Kevin James Culp
Featured Photo by Alexander Sinn on Unsplash
Are you looking to implement a fresh CRM solution? 21 days ago, seeking an answer to this question we did a dive into the world of absolute free CRM’s. We also looked at CRM’s that you can start free but that do cost money if you want various levels of service after the trial. Then we compared services such as ease-of-use, intuitive UI and a few more data points that we had on our checklist that I hope each buyer before settling on any one tool, product or service.
We found right away that unless you need SalesForce.com type of tech and tech support you have a limited few that are really great at or near the free level. This is pretty standard with all good CRM’s on the market but which is best for your budding business? Truth? It depends on what you plan to use the CRM for and this is the place to start your journey to better data organization. Is easy-use or intuitive user-interfaces important or are you so tech savvy that you need more robust systems, modules and the ability to even customize your experience?
Start by asking yourself super-basic questions like: Are you a small business that has needs for 1-5 people or more? What separates the really big and expensive CRM’s like SalesForce.com is expansion and single-person vs team focus. If you ARE your team you need a more basic one or few user platform. A one-man-entrepreneur that needs to keep your data organized in the most optimized method possible at no cost to you? Not just for 21 days but forever if needed with basic functions?
We were looking for an alternative to some CRM’s we’ve used in the past that start free, are great in a few cases but then the price hammer hits with a renewal cost of about $60 to $75 per month if you want to have then functions that make that CRM really fly. This is especially true if you get a free trial for whatever their top-of-the-line package is. You get used to that package and once the trial is up you feel compelled or even required to continue on.
We need a smarter CRM system and one that allows you to change your plan before you start your trial so that you get used to the one you plan to use and in most cases that means-FREE. One that is free to try and you can continue free with basic function and features was the basic needs we had when we started out.
Why Use a CRM?
Using a CRM solution will help you:
1. Streamline and automate processes
2. Increase sales and productivity
3. Nurture leads and get a 360-degree view of all prospects
4. Customer retention and satisfaction
5. View Sales Analytics & forecasting
6. Sales performance management
7. Email Marketing Integration
Increase your teams’ productivity and improve your customer experience with these features in Freshsales:
- Capture leads automatically using Web Forms by connecting your existing website forms with your account. If you’d like to create a new form from scratch and place it on your website, Classic Forms help you accomplish that as well.
- Automate sales outreach with personalized campaigns. Be it sending emails, SMSes, or making phone calls, Sales Sequences help you stay on top of your tasks and keep your prospects engaged.
- Use Workflows to automate repetitive tasks, set up timely reminders for upcoming assignments and appointments, and update records to get things done faster
What We Found
So, what did we find? We found our new CRM for SmartBizOpps.com Welcome to the new way to CRM–Freshworks!
You will love this FREE CRM and yes, you can get a FREE 21 days free trial.
The sales force automation software for teams to scale their revenue and delight customers every step of the way. You can communicate across channels, manage your sales processes, automate tasks, accelerate sales cycle, and much more.
Try It Free for 21 Days
For the next 21 days, you can explore Freshworks for FREE. Here are a few steps to get you started: Import your data or migrate from another CRM 2-way email sync for a seamless communication. Track your opportunities in the sales pipeline (even create multiple pipelines!). Invite your team to start collaborating. Create a sales sequence to automate outreach.
Thanks for Reading and Carpe Diem My Friends!
SOURCE: Freshworks
Related Additional Reading Suggestion: The Brave browser basics: what it does, how it differs from rivals The web browser from Brave Software relies on an unusual business model: it strips out ads from websites, replaces them with its own ads, then allows users to send money to sites they like. By Gregg Keizer Senior Reporter, Computerworld
Special Note: We do not profit if you use their service in any way. We just like the CRM and thought you might too.
Sources and further reading
- Manage your business (U.S. Small Business Administration): SBA guidance on finances, hiring, taxes, marketing, and cybersecurity.
SmartBizOpps provides information only and does not guarantee income, leads, or results.
Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash
For more background: Google Search Central.
Keep reading
If this topic is useful to you, these related guides on SmartBizOpps are a good next step.
- Business Opportunity Sales and Marketing: A Complete Guide
- How to Price a Business Opportunity Fairly and Clearly
- Referral Partnerships: How to Build Them and Keep Them
What makes a smarter way to CRM
A good CRM fits the way you actually sell. Look for simple contact tracking, reminders for follow-up, and easy reporting, and avoid tools that bury you in features you will never use.
Test with real contacts before you commit, and check what happens to your data if you leave. A smarter way to CRM is the one your team will use every day.
