What CRM system would you recommend?

[Jose Jimenez]

I want to recommend a CRM system to a client and need some suggestions. I need a very basic system and the key point here is that it needs to be EASY to use and update.

It's for a small company and probably going to be 2 to 3 users max at this stage. The main thinking behind using this system is to use it to build intelligence on current customers, record enquiries/quotes and for new business purposes.

I'm thinking Zoho CRM as its free so it could be a good starting point. Any general ideas, suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated. If you use Zoho or would like to recommend another CRM please let me know why I should opt for the system you are using. Thanks

 

[OneStopRhydian]

What industry are they in?

Also what systems do they already have in place, getting something simple is great when its effective. However many effective systems seem more complicated but with the right training can be more benfical over time.

They might want to integrate with slack or email systems etc. Some crm systems can be customised for ease of use removing unnecessary features.

 

[ffox]

Structured systems are outdated and expensive to run, even when they the basic software is free. Resource still needs to be allocated to the setup and development.
Office 365 SharePoint on line is becoming ever more powerful.
The introduction of Delve into the Office 365 system last month means that all you need is to store every communication in SharePoint on-line with simple index meta data, such as customer reference and matter number, in order to create a simple to use CRM and EDMS.
Development is code free and you can configure it in house. I don't sell O365, but I do advise on how to get best results for any business need. Let me know if you want to discover more.
O365, purchased from Microsoft costs from £60 per year/per user and storage capacity is 1TB per user.

 

[threenine]

We use X2CRM which for us works great for us. We have it hosted using our own hosting servers, but there they also do a cloud service.

We started using it a few years back, due in part that it was a free application as part of CPanel setup, but it quickly became a central asset to our business.

 

[webgeek]

Have you had a look at HubSpot's free CRM?

 

[Ashley_Price]

The main thinking behind using this system is to use it to build intelligence on current customers

A thought is what accounting package do you use - depending on this, you may already have most of the information you need.

So, I use Quickbooks Online. I can see all my customer details, every individual item they have ordered and how much they were charged, when they ordered, the order total, as well as the obvious accounting stuff, like when we sent an invoice, if there is any overdue, etc.

There are several reports that can be customised in lots of ways so that I can pretty much get any information I need about any of my customers at a few clicks of the mouse.

Admittedly, it doesn't show things like when I last called them or sent an email, and it doesn't cover things they enquired about but didn't order, etc. It also obviously doesn't have data on prospects, etc., but those I keep on a spreadsheet.

I guess if I spent the time to really get to know a CRM package and get it set up correctly, it would help, but so much of it would be duplicating data (especially with regard current customers) that it just seems a waste.

 

[Jose Jimenez]

Thanks for all the responses.

The industry is building materials. System wise, there isn't much in place. The idea is to start slowly and build some data while it not being a drain on resources. I understand a time commitment is required of course.

Thanks for suggestions re X2CRM and Hubspot the latter of which I know of although not as a user.

Good point re the accounting package. I have no idea what records are being kept so will find out.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Good point re the accounting package. I have no idea what records are being kept so will find out.

If, like me, you detail everything the customer has bought, on their invoice, then your accounting package should have all the products on it, to be able to do this (unless whoever does the invoices is entering the products manually each time), so you should have everything saved there.

 

[mouse01]

Evening, the crm would totally depend on what it is intended to be used for and what sector you are in?

 

[Alan]

I use Zoho.

The list as mentioned, depends on specific requirements

The top runners are
- Salesforce - great but expensive
- Zoho CRM - various plans from free upwards
- Pipe drive - great for visual representation of pipeline
- Capsule CRM - free to more
- Really Simple systems CRM - neat system from free to whatever

If you want to do a proper analysis - then you have to evaluate approx 20 systems against the business requirements, expensive exercise.

 

[mouse01]

You missed one of the top runners.

Call Pro.

 

[Alan]

Never heard of it. There are so many 'wanabee' CRMs and the last market evaluation I did was 12 months ago. It didn't 'hit the radar' then. If you would like to pay me to evaluate Call Pro DM me.

 

[mouse01]

It's a good CRM. Works well for pipeline etc

 

[aManHasNoName]

I would check out Salesforce if I was you.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I would check out Salesforce if I was you.

They say they need a very basic system and you're recommending they try out the industry leading CRM that is used by international companies?!

 

[patientlady]

We used Salesforce in our company. The guy who introduced it spent a number of hours downloading the information, and setting it up. Four of us embraced the system, and I think we had all abandoned it within, 6 weeks. Far too complex. I have checked out others as above, and the only one I found that may do a simple job is One Page CRM, but as I say they decided on Salesforce ( not the full version). I have gone back to Excel since being self employed. But would be interested to hear if anyone has used One page CRM
P/l

 

[Lloyd N8N]

I'm using Zoho after it was recommended weeks ago by someone on here (thanks for the recommendation!).

Simple to use, you can tailor it for what you need and it's free!

I'll upgrade to one of the paid versions if/when I need to.

 

[aManHasNoName]

They say they need a very basic system and you're recommending they try out the industry leading CRM that is used by international companies?!

Yea your'e right, should have read the original post better