Investing in the right IT solutions for your business is something that can make a very positive difference in how your business performs. This is due to the importance of communication and collaboration in business amongst teams and the viable technology that is available to bridge gaps in organizations.
When considering which IT solutions are the most important, a company’s CRM software is one of the most important investments a business can make. To learn more about what to evaluate when choosing the right CRM software for your company, consider the information below:
What to consider when choosing the ideal CRM software for your business
Cost
CRM software has a great range when it comes to pricing. CRM software can range from $150 per month all the way up to thousands of dollars per month. The calculation is based on the size of your team and the needs that you have. It is really important that you research carefully which software is best for your business’ size and needs.
If you are buying a system that is too small, it will be a loss for you when your business grows. You need to maintain a healthy balance between capacity and potential future growth. These factors are going to impact the price substantially. Be sure to have multiple quotes so that you can compare a price vs. benefits ratio in order to have the best value for your money.
Business size
Business size is something that can impact how you integrate the entire IT sector of your company. If you have a smaller business, it is important to not purchase CRM Software that is not compatible with the size of your company. This will drive up your costs and cause you to spend too much capital on a system that your company is not ready for quite yet.
Companies such as Coca-Cola will have different needs than a fresh startup. Be aware of this and make sure you are consulting the proper IT experts to find the match that will allow your company to grow productively.
Features that encourage effective communication
The idea behind any form of IT is to solve problems rather than create them. For this reason, it is essential that you have CRM software that provides your company with the tools to communicate easily with customers.
Some customers need less communication and others need more to purchase your products or services. Finding CRM software that balances these factors will be an asset to your company’s sales. Effective communication will increase the potential sales leads that you have along with increase productivity within your company.
Ease of use
Something that is often forgotten is the need for your employees to be able to use the software you are investing in. Ask the CRM software company that you are speaking to about their success rates within the companies they have integrated previously or ask to speak to one of those companies.
You want to know that their software is easy to use and easy to learn how to use. Bringing in CRM software that is difficult to use will be a burden for your team. By investing in CRM software that is intuitive to use, your training hours will be more productive, the implementation process will go smoothly, and you will know that you are making the right financial decision for your yearly IT budget.
Collaboration features
CRM software that helps your team be better at collaborating will make your employee’s time spent better. If there are issues with a particular customer, then multiple departments will potentially be able to resolve the issue quickly rather than a lack of connectivity due to poor collaboration features. Solving customer issues quickly will make a positive impact on your company’s reputation. Make this a priority when you are searching for the right CRM software for your company.
Compatible with your existing programs
Remember, when you implement a new system, you are going to have to be sure it is worth the investment to install it. If you have existing systems in place, you should try to save as much of them as possible so that you have less loss on your IT budget.
For example, if there is one CRM software that is more compatible with what you already have, then you should absolutely use it since your staff will already be familiar with certain features of the software, which will save you from investing in training resources. Complete an audit before you decide on your final CRM software to see what features of your existing software can potentially make the transition as you integrate to the new system.
Future growth is available
Investing in CRM software that is the ideal fit for you at the present moment isn’t always wise. You always want to be predicting the future growth of your company. Try finding a CRM software option that is still within your budget that also anticipates/allows future growth. This will be a great asset to you because you will not have to start over when your firm does grow in the future.
Positive reputation in the industry
There are many companies that have CRM software available to serve businesses. It is wise to research which company you will be working with carefully. It is important to find a company that has a very positive reputation in the industry to ensure the best possible implementation that is compatible with your system and business model.
Contact SharpSpring.com to work with a company with an excellent reputation in the industry and see what current solutions they have available and whether they are the ideal fit for your particular business.
Understand what automation means
CRM software needs to be designed to allow for automation. Automation means generic responses so your team can focus on the customers that need more specific help. Make sure that your CRM software has an automation option so that your team can optimize their time on cultivating more difficult leads.
Make sure the CRM software is “SMART”
Many CRM software options are including tips for better management of leads to your team members. These are great tools for you to enhance productivity. Make sure that the CRM software you are investing in has options that are “SMART.” They will do great things for your lead generation and follow through.
Ask if your CRM software has partners
Many CRM software solutions have partners in Apps and other applications that can increase your productivity as well. Be sure to ask the CRM sales team about what they have to offer so that you can factor it into your decision about which CRM software company to invest in.
Take a careful look at the additional costs
When you are purchasing CRM software, companies will sometimes advertise lower monthly prices to catch your attention. Make sure you have the company create a full budget and projected cost for the total purchase and integration into your IT system. This way, you will have no unfortunate surprises when you have integrated the system and receive an inflated invoice that you didn’t expect.
Be sure to look at the fine print of the contract
CRM software companies will have you purchase their software for indefinite use or they may have a specific period where you can have access to the CRM software with their support.
Make sure you are aware of the particular terms of your contract so that you know what you are both paying and signing up for from the beginning. IT solutions are costly and need careful consideration before you sign any contracts or pay any funds.
Availability for troubleshooting
CRM software companies usually advertise the availability of their staff to help your staff resolve issues. Try to make sure that the CRM software company has availability in multiple time zones.
This is particularly true if you have offices in many parts of the world. Having regular availability for troubleshooting is something that will positively impact your team’s ability to use the CRM software to its full potential.
Final remarks
Investing in CRM software for your business is not a decision to take lightly. Managers make many mistakes when investing in IT solutions because they may not fully understand the integration and possibilities for their software themselves. It is wise to review carefully what the potential is for the software for increasing the productivity of your team.
It is also important to balance cost with a size that matches the size of your business. This should also include the possibility for future growth as your company grows. Consider the nature of Apps and how additional Apps or additional features can connect to your existing software.
This will allow you to get the most possible from your CRM software. If you consider all of these recommendations when you are selecting your CRM software, you will be able to find the best possible CRM software that will benefit your business in both the short and long term.
