Starting a new business is always an exciting journey. One of the key components for managing customer relationships in the best way is choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. These are platforms that help streamline communications, improve customer service and ultimately drive growth.
Why do you need a CRM?
For any business, maintaining good relationships is critical. For beginners, this is challenging due to limited resources and time. A CRM system helps because it’s a centralised tool that manages all interactions with customers. This helps to foster better relationships by organising the contacts in one place, tracking communications, and improving sales processes. If you choose the right CRM and use it properly, even the smallest of businesses can deliver high-quality experiences that customers will never forget.
Key features for a beginner-friendly CRM
When selecting a CRM, especially as a beginner, there are a few features you’re going to want to prioritise.
- Ease of use: A CRM that is beginner friendly should be straightforward. The setup process shouldn’t take too long, be quite minimal and allow the opportunity for you to start managing customers as soon as possible.
- Affordability: A lot of beginner CRMs offer free or low-cost options, so it makes them ideal for start ups and small businesses that are on a budget.
- Essential tools: Look for basic support so that you can get help if you have any issues. Also, look for lead tracking and email integration.
- Scalability: Choose a CRM that can grow with your business so that if your needs ever evolve, you won’t have to switch to a new platform, as this will be inconvenient.
- Integration: Make sure that your CRM can easily connect with other software and platforms you might be using. For example email marketing tools or ecommerce platforms.
Top CRM platforms for beginners
There are so many CRM platforms on the market that small businesses are , spoilt for choice. This makes choosing the right one tricky. It’s essential you pick one that best suits your needs without being overly complicated, or too pricey. Here are a few of the best options for beginners:
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot is widely recommended for beginners because of its ease. The free plan has many valuable features. It offers basic tools for contact and lead management, email tracking, and it also integrates with other HubSpot products. The friendly user interface makes it a go-to for start ups in particular.
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is a popular choice for a lot of people. Especially because it strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, it offers a lot of customisation options, including contact management, sales tracking and AI-powered tools that can be used as your business continues to grow.
Freshsales
Freshsales (part of Freshworks) is ideal for small teams that need a CRM with minimal setup time. The platform is affordable and has a straightforward layout that guides users through step-by-step customer relationship processes.
Pipedrive
Known for its visually engaging sales pipeline, Pipedrive makes it easy for people to track customer interactions and manage leads. It also has a straightforward design which allows beginners to quickly organise contacts and streamline sales workflows.
All of these CRM options have beginner-friendly features which will help you keep your costs down while helping you manage customer data efficiently.
Why does choosing the right CRM matter?
Choosing the right CRM matters for long-term growth. You need to select a CRM that aligns with your business goals and sets a strong foundation for the future. A CRM designed to support growth will provide tools that enhance your business' productivity and improve organisation. As your business grows, a CRM will streamline your business workflows and provide a historical record of customer interactions, which will help you make data-driven decisions.
Considering an agency for CRM integration
As your business grows, you might find that it could be beneficial to integrate your CRM with your website platform, whether it’s Shopify, WordPress or an alternative platform. Connecting your CRM with your website will allow you to capture leads directly into the system, saving you time and improving data accuracy.