Spot the Difference

When comparing CRMs, one of the most important factors to consider is whether the product will scale with your company. You might be a startup right now, but you'd be amazed how quickly a strong CRM can help you hit all of your goals. See what features are accessible across all plans, not just the one you're interested in now, to avoid having to switch tools in a year or two.

Most CRM systems can seem difficult when compared to alternatives like spreadsheets or pen and paper. The right CRM for you, on the other hand, will enable you to accomplish more in less time. Finding one that's both powerful and intuitive is the key. Tools with all the bells and whistles may appear excellent at first, but if it takes your team months to figure out how to use them, that's a lot of time and productivity wasted.

Tip: To find out more about CRM systems, read overviews here.

You can't afford to wait five business days for an email response if a software issue can cost you a lot of money. Look for a product with a good reputation that provides live chat or phone assistance during your business's operating hours.

Tip: Look for a CRM that provides help 24/7 to ensure that it covers your time zone and weekend shifts.

To fit your business and sales process, every CRM will require some customization. It's common to create custom fields and pipelines, but does your chosen CRM allow you to automate parts of your unique workflow? Look at pricing comparisons to learn how much different CRMs charge for the customizations you require.

Sales reports are essential for increasing sales and encouraging your team. If your company creates a lot of reports, look for a CRM that can generate reports automatically. Even better, look for a platform that includes live dashboards to help you stay on track. When reports are attractive and easy to create, you may find yourself using them more frequently.

There are three main types of CRM systems: collaborative, analytical, and operational.