3 Steps to Pick the Perfect CRM

November 04 2015

CRM. part2 1024x536 In our last blog post, we discussed not only why you needed a CRM to manage your database, but also some important features to look for. This time around, we're going to narrow down the CRM search, outlining the important questions to ask before making your final decision. We'll also list a few CRMs that have all of the features we recommend at the end of the post. Let's take a look!

1. Find What You Need

We've outlined CRM features in our last post; ones that can help you expand your reach, as well as simplify processes you already have in place. Now is the time to ask the most important question...

What is it that I really need?

All the cutting-edge features in the world mean nothing if your CRM can't execute what you need it to do – easy enough, right? Not always. CRMs have so many features and offer so many benefits, that it's easy to confuse yourself with all the choices. For instance, if you're rarely out of the office, then a mobile app or cloud-based system may offer little benefit. Perhaps you already handle email follow-up through another service such as Happy Grasshopper, so why pay extra for a feature you already have covered?

The point is, with so many features out there, you have the ability to truly search out the ones you'll make the best use of – and you should.

2. Find Your CRM Niche

To help you procrastinate even more is the fact that CRMs are often niche-based, designed for specific industries. Financial CRMs, for instance, often have features built in with regulatory concerns in mind. There are also retail, and restaurant-centric systems, as well as real estate CRMs. Needless to say, the market is flooded with choices.

The key here is to pick the one that best suits you and your niche. While it's important to note that most CRMs are ambiguous, allowing any industry to adapt to its software, industry-centric options will have you in mind when adding new features and upgrades. Simply put, they understand what your role requires and tailor their product to you.

3. Find the Right Reviews

A business is going to show you their very best reviews – we're all guilty of it. That means finding the right reviews to make your decision is going to require some work on your part. The first step is to ask the prospect CRM for reviews specific to you and your business. If you're in real estate, ask for agent reviews to gain a better understanding of how the system works for your industry.

Social media is another resource for finding quality reviews. How many times have you purchased a faulty product or service, only to find that their social media sites were full of complaining customers? You may have lost out that time, but a CRM is a time-consuming investment not to be taken lightly. Take some time and search out reviews that not only pertain to you, but that also can be trusted.

CRM Options

All this information doesn't mean much if we don't give you some actual CRMs to choose from. While we don't recommend any one system, we have put together some options that have all the features we find important, leaving options for you to find the perfect fit. Things like integration with email marketing services, lead nurturing, and online lead management are all integral tools to make the most of your software.

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