CRM SOFTWARE

[richofwombwell]

I need a crm suite for my business as it involves direct marketing setting appointments etc, I have used telemagic (DOS BASED) in a previous roll and it was so simple. I just need to set appointments and keep notes and be able export contacts for mailshots.

Ive looked at salesforce, zoho and all the other cloud based CRM systems but they do not fit the bill, they are over complicated for what I need as I am also using sage to process orders.

Can anyone recommend a simple CRM software solution ? I'd even buy the old dos telemagic on floppy if i could get a hold of it !

Cheers

Rich

 

[JordanC26]

Hey Rich,

I've literally just started building a custom (but simple) CRM system for a recruitment agency. For the same reason you mentioned, the others are far too feature rich and over-complicated.

I'm sure once complete it's something which could be modified to suit your needs etc, so if this may be of interest, feel free to contact me.

Jordan

 

[Amy Willis]

At the moment Hubspot is offering a free CRM through a landing page (I can't post links right now as I'm new to the forum but if you scroll down their Facebook page their landing page link was posted on 10 March), how long the link will last I don't know as it's a promotional offer as it's a newish CRM. We use their CRM and really happy with it. Allows you to add custom fields ie. text, dropdown, checkboxes, date picker, etc.

 

[RakeMark]

I like Zoho, but if that's not you're cup of tea you might want to try JitBit CRM (simply as an alternative to look at) https://www.jitbit.com/hosted-crm/
I haven't tried their CRM but I have used their other software and it was good.

However, if you're just setting appointments in a calendar and maybe setting tasks would Outlook do what you need? Maybe with a couple of spreadsheets?

 

[Bruceflea]

Thanks Amy Willis; I just created a Hubspot account and seems fairly good for a free CRM. We are currently looking at a CRM and went to Salesforce as I'd experience of using it in the past and it does tick all the boxes but can be expensive enough particularly when they are always trying to upsell you the higher packages (84.00 per user per month for example).
I'll have a play about on Hubspot and see if it does what we need. Only thing I can see so far that may be an issue is you cant change the currency from dollar.

 

[PeterJSmall]

Apologies for the shameless plug but SalesSeek is a new CRM / Marketing tool based in Chiswick, West London. We a design-led tool to guide the sales process with a visual pipeline combined with email marketing and automation functionality. We include task management & calendar integration, multiple currencies, custom fields and would be happy to help migrate your data from any existing system

You can check out our website on salesseek.net for a free trial or let me know as I'd be happy to guide you though an orientation and configuration session.

 

[richofwombwell]

No dont worry about it, i just want something simple that can remind me when to call customers/prospects and have diffetent databases for prospects and customers really

 

[ExplorerBDM]

I implemented Sage Act! at a company I used to work for and although very good, spent most of the time encouraging my management to let me switch off most of the features.
So I agree with you, that off-the-shelf packages are over-complex (as they need to cater for the masses) and I wrote a blog on this recently (google: "Your Business is Special: So why buy business software, designed for everyone else").
Explorer have built two or three streamlined CRM systems that follow very similar requirements to yours, so I'd be keen to discuss this with you.
Please don't hesitate to give me a call on 01132 899 470 (ask for Neil in Oracle Account Management) to give you another interesting option to consider.

 

[richofwombwell]

I would but im currently working 9-5 do you have videos or links to the software ?

 

[Amy Willis]

Hi @Bruceflea - Hubspot CRM does allow to change the currency, if you go to Settings > Display Options you can set the currency type

 

[ExplorerBDM]

Hi richofwombwell,

If you Google: apex citizen crm gems, we have some case studies there and we can also provide a web demonstration of these (and other systems) for you.

We can do one after 5pm if you require.


Regards,

Neil

 

[ExplorerBDM]

..by the way, the case studies are for fairly complex systems.

Our approach would be to create the simplified system you require, with the minimum of fuss (and minimum cost) exactly as you require.

Let me know what you think.


Neil

 

[richofwombwell]

Thanks ill look when I get home tonigh, looking forward to it.

 

[kevinof]

Rich,
Check out Apptimi.com - You can schedule meetings with contacts, add reminders for you or your other staff. It also links to our Database app which lets you build a custom form and database and connect anything in the database back to your contact.

-kevin

 

[Laurentb]

I am using OpenERP (now called Odoo). It's free if there's only 1 user, and works great so far for building a contact list and keeping track of communications.

 

[davidjohnfarmer]

I like salesforce Though the company I work for had me build a mini crm to simply log leads / call data (as the telesales team were spending too long form-filling than actually generating leads).

 

[Cameron Ziafat]

Search for Base CRM - it's probably the best piece of CRM software I've ever used.

 

[Deleted member 140422]

I use SoulCRM software. It is simple and web based CRM software. It is connect your business across marketing, sales, invoice, customer support and accounting. SoulCRM manage vandor, appointment, purchase, customer, document etc.

Sounds good, but how do you sign up?. Filled in form and nothing happens

 

[Squantrill]

Basic CRM on a mac can be done using busycontacts/busycal I have used sugarcrm in the past but for what I need busycontacts/busycal is perfect

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

Insightly may be worth a look, I've used a few over the last few years and it's definitely the one that I've found the most flexible and it can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Free as well for up to 3 users I think.

 

[TechSalesDaily]

Hey Rich, CRM is always a big decision (and big discussion point!). Once selecting is almost stared at as much as your appointed email account so well worth making the correct decision.

We've trialled a number of CRM's from Zoho, to Salesforce, Sugar CRM, Google docs spreadsheets and are currently utilising a combination of the below for our set up. The primary reasons for this are that our biggest efficiencies are in our outbound activities and specifically finding and marketing to key decision makers via email. The below CRM/set up means that you can operate your customer management from within your email account.

See below exert:

1. Found.ly - each sales rep has their own account to find and build their on targeted list of leads. The tool also searches for the email addresses and social records so that our team can prospect out.

2. Streak CRM. each sales rep has their own professional gmail account with Streak CRM built in (it's really smart as the CRM is built into your inbox).

3. Rapportive. another incredible tool that provides insights into the prospect to improve engagement rates.

We've trialled various combinations of tools and this is delivering significant and predictable growth for our outbound activity.

 

[Insured2Lead]

I created I custom CRM for a call centre I used to work in, and for me custom was the only way to go everything else we trial didn't quite fit our needs. It either had way to many features and was difficult to use or missed out some features.

 

[Jeff Nev]

Try Raven! Brilliant system although quite link based - Or BuzzStream

 

[abellina]

You should try Sugar CRM. As far as I know my experience with this CRM solution is good and I am satisfied.

 

[Major_Grooves]

I did not know there was a free Hubspot CRM. I'll have to check that out. Of course with Hubspot they are presumably hoping you will move on to their very expensive marketing platform afterwards.

We use Pipedrive, but it's also worth checking out Streak (in-built to Gmail), and Highrise (super-simple). Pipedrive has the advantage that it integrates with quite a few 3rd parties (but doesn't cost like Salesforce).

 

[pudbwmsc]

Have you checked out CapsuleCRM?

 

[Clive.Hornsby]

The mastermind group I am in favour Insight.ly and Pipedrive. Many CRMs are expensive and have too many features which results in long learning curve.
.

 

[Clive.Hornsby]

Insightly may be worth a look, I've used a few over the last few years and it's definitely the one that I've found the most flexible and it can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Free as well for up to 3 users I think.

I would agree having just recommended Insightly before I saw your post

 

[Gael]

I am working in the CRM space as well and I would be interested which industry is your business in?
I am looking at focusing on a specific niche market and I am always very interested to see what sort of challenges businesses and people face.

Many thanks in advance for your kind feedbacks!
Have a nice evening all!
Gaël

 

[Clive.Hornsby]

I specialise in building and marketing company reputations.
The main advantage for me is the ability to create in Insightly, the complex relationships between people and organisations that occur in real life.
Easy tagging, integration with other applications with flexibility to add fields, build opportunities and pipelines and more make it easily customisable for any niche.

Clive

 

[Gael]

It is very smart to see what they have done with the integration of existing products!

Interesting to see your perspective on the relationships between people and organizations! What do you have in mind? Like if the same person works for 2 different companies.
Could you elaborate a little bit more?

I get that the sales part is key as well!

And have you managed to configure it yourself or are you relying on another company to take this task off your hands?

Thanks!
Gaël

 

[Clive.Hornsby]

I have configured Insightly myself and mapped my business processes into Insightly, as I know what I want to achieve. It does take a while to set up and it helps to have the processes documented beforehand.

I have people who are directors in multiple companies and I can see them easily and navigate between them. I have companies with multiple branches, companies who are subsidiaries of a parent, companies who are suppliers or customers of other companies and all these are linked. There are 11 different linking options and most can be reversed so it allows me to track personal relationships, referrals and customer supplier relationships as well.

It helps me view all my business relationships and the interrelationships of people and companies, so I am always two steps ahead.

Hope this helps
Clive

 

[Guy Earnshaw]

We work a lot with affordable cloud CRMs that have some really positive add-on and integration options that used to cost tens of thousands for us to build bespoke now cost closer to £20pm!!

It really is a great time for SMB to improve their operational systems. If you have any questions call 08006696457

 

[Abe Choi]

We use pipedrive and its visually simple, reminds you of your daily actions and at a very reasonable price. They actually won best B2B startup this year if that means anything.