No matter what business you’re in, it’s all about your customers. The better you can predict your customers’ preferences, needs, and concerns, the more they’ll want to do business with you.

That’s why the main tool that your business needs is customer relationship management (CRM) software.

What is CRM software? It’s a management system that helps you track different types of customer data. Some of the data that CRM software can store for you are:

• Customers’ names, ages, addresses, and contact information.
• Past and current transactions.
• Buying preferences.
• Marketing campaigns.
• Surveys
• Opinions about a particular product or service.

CRM software can help every type of business boost their productivity, from a law firm to a publishing company. But just like with every other type of software, you want to choose the one that’s best for your business’s needs.

What You Need From CRM Software

To choose the best CRM software for your business, you need to know what you’re looking for.

You want CRM software that is

• Simple to set up.
• Compatible with different devices.
• Offers cloud computing abilities.
• Able to sync with other accounts.
• Has effective process tools.
• Offers free support.

With this general checklist, here are 5 of the top CRM software you should consider for your business.

Salesforce

One of the premier CRM software for small businesses is Salesforce. This software’s goal is to help businesses close deals as efficiently as possible.

Pros

• Better tracking performance. This software has tools that make it easier to track the customer’s buying journey.
• Streamlined processes. These tools can automatically perform administrative tasks, allowing more productive time for your business.
• Up-to-date insights. Reports and insights can keep team members up to date with sales and cause you to make better decisions.
• Smarter workflow. Reports and insights can also help you work smarter instead of harder.

Cons

• Lack of control with software updates. Sometimes the CRM software will automatically update without your permission. This can affect your business transactions if they happen at the wrong time.
• Cloud-based. This can be a disadvantage if the Internet connection is down.
• Not cost effective. It can become more expensive depending on the features you want to add.
• Complex learning curve. There’s a steep learning curve that comes with setting up this software.

To learn more about Salesforce CRM, click here: CRM Software from Salesforce.com – Customer Relationship Management – Salesforce.com.

Zoho CRM

Another top software is Zoho CRM. This CRM system is known for helping businesses build better customer relationships.

Pros

• Top-notch security. Zoho has advanced security features that can protect your information.
• Affordable. Zoho has no surprise costs that you have to worry about.
• Easy integration. Whether you’ve used a CRM system in the past or new to CRM software, Zoho’s migration system is simple.
• Compatible mobile apps. Zoho offers mobile apps for other members of your business to use.

Cons

• Limited features based on price point. Some specific features, like AI features, are only available for top tier options.
• No integrations for free plan. The easy integration option is not available if you choose a free plan.
• Unreliable support team. The customer support team is not always available or reliable.
• Outdated interface. Some portions of the software are not able to be customized.

You can learn more about Zoho CRM here: Zoho CRM | Top-rated Sales CRM Software by Customers.

HubSpot

If you’re a writer or content creator, you’ve probably heard of HubSpot. What you may not know is that HubSpot offers its own CRM software.

Pros

• Easy learning curve. HubSpot CRM provides easy access to learning resources.
• Lead behavior notifications. This CRM software can provide insights into a customer’s buying journey in real time, keeping you up to date.
• All-in-one platform. You can perform all of your marketing and sales tasks all in one place.
• Smooth integration. This CRM can integrate with 500+ apps, including Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

Cons

• Difficult customization. It can be hard to customize certain templates, especially if you’re not technologically savvy.
• Expensive. It can be costly to use this software, especially if you want to get better features.
• Difficult learning curve. You might need additional help if you don’t know how to maximize certain features.
• Lack of split testing. Split testing is one of those features that you may need to make the most of your marketing or sales needs. This feature is only available for high-tier plans.

If you want to learn more about HubSpot CRM and whether it’s good for your business, click here: Streamline Your Entire Business with a Free CRM | HubSpot.

Insightly

If you’re looking for a cloud-based CRM, Insightly is a great option. Because it’s cloud-based, you and your team could work from anywhere with Internet access.

Pros

• Automation ability on all plans. You can manage all of your customer data easily from all plans.
• Great customization options. You can customize your dashboard, regardless of what plan you choose.
• Excellent integration. You can integrate your information with third-party apps.
• Accessible on multiple devices. Because Insightly is cloud-based, you and your team members can access it from multiple devices.

Cons

• Higher quality features on top-tier plans. Workflow automation is only offered on high-tier plans.
• No customer support. You are not able to call someone if you need any advanced help.
• Limited features on the free plan. If you choose the free plan, your storage and recordkeeping features will be limited.
• Difficult learning curve. Because of the numerous features, the learning curve can be a little steep.

You can learn more about Insightly here: Insightly | The modern, scalable CRM teams love.

Less Annoying CRM

If there’s one CRM system that lives up to its name, it’s Less Annoying CRM.

This platform is a simple CRM that offers so much value to its users.

Pros

• Easy to use. The setup process is simple and painless.
• Affordable. This CRM platform is low-cost and provides advanced features in each of its plans.
• Easy integration. This software offers many support options and can integrate with more than a dozen third-party apps.
• Several customization options. Less Annoying CRM offers several color schemes and other design options to help businesses maximize their brand.

Cons

• Issues with lead generation. Some of the lead generation tasks are not automated.
• Integration issues. Some tasks are not integrated, such as syncing calendars with other third-party apps.
• Time-consuming. There are some tasks that you may still have to take time to do on your own, which could take up time.
• Lack of a mobile app. The CRM software does not have a mobile app that other members of your team could access.

If you want to learn more about Less Annoying CRM, click here: Less Annoying CRM | Simple Contact Management for Small Businesses.

Final Thoughts

The right CRM software can help take your business to the next level.

Make sure that you choose CRM software that caters to your business’s needs. If you want to be more productive and cut down on administrative tasks, give Salesforce a try.

If you want software that’s simple to set up with so many helpful features, look into Less Annoying CRM.

To learn more about CRM software, check out my blog post A Beginner’s Guide To Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Valeria Publications.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.