The Best CRM for Small Businesses

We get it – as a small business owner, you might think CRMs are just for big companies with deep pockets and tech teams. You might worry they’re too expensive, complicated, or simply not necessary for your needs. But trust us, the right CRM can make a world of difference for your small business.

At Shift ONE, our marketing technologists can even set up your CRM.

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best CRM for small businesses

What is a CRM?

A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, is a powerful tool that helps businesses manage their interactions with current and potential customers. It keeps track of all your customer info, from sales and preferences to past interactions, in one handy place. This means you can easily personalise your communications and offer top-notch service without the hassle.

What is the best CRM software for small businesses?

Hubspot, Zoho, Salesforce Essentials, and Pipedrive are some of the best CRMs for small businesses. Here’s why:

01

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a fantastic option for small businesses due to its user-friendly interface and robust free version. It offers contact management, email marketing integration, and sales pipeline tracking. The free version is packed with essential features that help small businesses get started without any upfront costs, and it scales as your business grows.

02

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is another excellent choice, offering a comprehensive set of features at an affordable price. It provides tools for sales automation, digital marketing campaigns, and customer support, making it a one-stop solution for small businesses. Zoho's flexibility allows you to customise it to fit your specific needs, and its integration with other Zoho products can enhance your overall business productivity.

03

Salesforce Essentials

Salesforce Essentials is a scaled-down version of the popular Salesforce platform designed specifically for small businesses. It offers powerful features like lead management, opportunity tracking, and email integration, all in a simplified package. Salesforce Essentials is great for small businesses that plan to scale up, providing a seamless upgrade path to more advanced Salesforce solutions.

04

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a CRM focused on sales pipeline management, making it ideal for small businesses that prioritise sales activities. Its visual pipeline-interface helps you track deals and manage your sales process efficiently. Pipedrive also offers easy integration with various third-party apps, ensuring you can create a tailored solution that fits your unique business needs.

What is the easiest CRM to use for small businesses?

Pipedrive is a fantastic choice for small businesses. Its visual pipeline is super easy to use - you just drag and drop deals through different stages. You can customise it to fit your specific sales process, and it automates repetitive tasks, saving you loads of time. Plus, it integrates with tools like Gmail and Outlook, so all your data stays in one place.

Did you know? Pipedrive users close an average of 28% more deals after their first year!

Less Annoying CRM is exactly what it sounds like - simple and straightforward. It’s perfect for small businesses that need to manage contacts and leads without getting bogged down by unnecessary features. Setup is a breeze, and it's affordable at $15 per user per month. Their customer support is also fantastic and always ready to help.

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Is there a free CRM for small businesses?

Yes, there are some great free CRM options out there for small businesses. Here are some of them:

EngageBay is perfect if you want everything in one place without spending a dime. You get email marketing, automation, and many other handy features all wrapped up in one package.

Zoho CRM is ideal if you’re thinking about scaling your business. The free version includes leads, contacts, accounts, and deals, making it a solid starting point.

HubSpot CRM’s free version offers contact management, email tracking, and more, making it a great choice if you rely on multiple apps.

Capsule CRM helps you track projects, manage contacts, and keep all your important details in one place. The free version is perfect for small teams looking to stay organised and on top of their tasks.

Zapier isn’t a traditional CRM, but it’s awesome for building your own simple CRM. By connecting different apps, you can create custom workflows that suit your specific needs.

How to choose the best CRM for your small business

Step 1: Identify your business needs

Begin by understanding what your business needs from a CRM. For example, if your primary goal is to manage customer inquiries efficiently, look for a CRM with strong customer support and ticketing features, like Zendesk Sell. Consider the following:

  • Primary Goals: Are you looking to enhance customer service, streamline sales, or manage leads more effectively?
  • Key Features: Do you need email marketing, sales automation, customer support ticketing, or social media integration?
  • User Requirements: Which team members will use the CRM, and what are their technical capabilities?

Step 2: Evaluate usability and user experience

For small businesses, ease of use is crucial. A CRM should be straightforward and not require extensive training. Assess the interface by considering the following:

  • Ease of Navigation: Is the layout intuitive?
  • Customisation: Can you tailor the dashboard and features to suit your workflow?
  • Training and Support: Does the vendor offer onboarding assistance, tutorials, and responsive customer support?

Step 3: Assess integration capabilities

Your CRM should work seamlessly with the tools you already use. Integration ensures smooth data flow and avoids duplicate work. Key integrations to consider include:

  • Email Platforms: Integration with email clients like Gmail or Outlook can help centralise communications.
  • Marketing Tools: Sync with platforms like Mailchimp to streamline marketing efforts.
  • E-commerce Systems: Connect with platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce to track customer purchases and behaviour.
  • Accounting Software: Link with QuickBooks or Xero to streamline your financial tracking.

Step 4: Consider scalability

As your business grows, your CRM should grow with you. Look for a solution to handle increasing data and users without a hitch. Important factors include:

  • Database Capacity: Ensure the CRM can handle more contacts and interactions as your business expands.
  • Flexible Pricing Plans: Choose a CRM with tiered pricing plans to accommodate your growth without a significant cost increase.
  • Advanced Features: Look for the availability of more sophisticated tools and features you might need as your business evolves.

The Benefits of a CRM for Small Businesses

01

Better Customer Relationships

A CRM keeps all your customer info in one place, making it easy to manage. You can track every interaction and understand what your customers like, so you can personalise your emails and offers. Automated reminders ensure you never forget to follow up, making your customers feel valued.

02

More Efficient Sales

With a CRM, you can see your sales pipeline clearly, knowing exactly where each deal stands. It handles routine tasks like data entry and follow-up emails, freeing you to focus on closing deals. It also helps you identify the hottest leads to prioritise your efforts where they count the most.

03

Smarter Marketing

CRMs let you segment your audience to send targeted messages that hit the mark. You can also track your marketing campaigns in real-time and tweak them as needed. Plus, they integrate with email and social media tools, helping you run smooth, cohesive campaigns.

04

Boosts Productivity

CRM task management allows you to easily assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, ensuring nothing gets missed. With shared information and updates, collaboration is a breeze. And with mobile access, you can manage everything from anywhere, keeping your business running smoothly even on the go.

05

Improves Customer Service

A CRM keeps all your customer info in one place, making it easy to manage. You can track every interaction and understand what your customers like, so you can personalise your emails and offers. Automated reminders ensure you never forget to follow up, making your customers feel valued.

06

Strengthens Decision-Making

CRMs provide detailed reports on your sales, marketing, and customer service efforts. This data helps you make smart decisions. You can understand customer behaviour better and refine your strategies. Forecasting tools also allow you to predict future trends, so you can plan ahead.

07

Saves Costs

CRMs streamline your processes, reducing the time and effort you spend on manual tasks, which saves you money. Better customer service and personalised interactions improve customer retention, reducing the cost of acquiring new customers. CRMs are scalable, so you can start small and add features as you grow, avoiding hefty upfront costs.

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Client testimonials

Happy clients = happy us

"I've worked with Dylan since she started Shift ONE digital and I must say that I can't imagine working with anyone else. She treats my business as if it were her own. She's knowledgeable, passionate, creative and innovative. I can highly recommend Shift ONE for all your above and below-the-line marketing requirements."

Karin Chisholm, CEO, Career Planet

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Have questions?

Let us know what’s on your mind! If your question isn’t answered here, get in touch with us today.

Yes, a CRM can help your small business organise customer information, improve communication, streamline sales processes, and improve customer service, ultimately leading to better customer relationships and business growth.

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