The CRM software you use shouldn’t make your life more difficult. It shouldn’t add more layers to your routine. Instead, finding the right solution for managing your relationships with your customers should allow you to substitute more robust solutions in favor of a lightweight, easy-to-use program that keeps you in touch with all of your customers.

For many, that means turning to Simple CRM. But what exactly is a CRM, and how might you go about using a lighter solution that naturally manages your contacts? Here’s what you’ll need to know:

What is CRM?

Customer management relationship software is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a program you use to handle your contacts, emails, and ongoing projects in one streamlined way. Properly set up, you’ll be able to follow up with leads and customers without letting anyone fall through the cracks. At least that’s the idea.

But knowing which CRM system to choose for your particular sales pipeline is a bit tricky. Should you focus on something that’s oriented to email marketing and Gmail? Your sales process? Customer support? Google leads? LinkedIn? Marketing automation? Project management?

That all depends on your business structure. But allow us to introduce an alternative: if you have simple needs, you might go for something a little less robust.

What is simple CRM?

Simple customer relationship management, or simple CRM, is contact management built more for small businesses.

Solutions like Zoho CRM and Hubspot CRM offer light versions of their CRM that are more sensible for small businesses without a lot of contacts to manage. You still may be able to access other common CRM tools like data entry, customer support, social media, and data entry—but one of the chief functions of a Simple CRM is keeping tabs on those customers you recently talked with and understanding their current place in your sales funnel.

What are the best Simple CRM solutions for small businesses?

With that in mind, which CRM solution should inspire you to bring out the credit card? Here are some of the key differences that set the major CRM solutions apart:

• Zoho CRM: Zoho CRM is considered on the low end of the pricing tier, making it great for small and growing businesses with ever-expanding business processes. It includes a free trial and a mobile app, which is a boost for entrepreneurs and frequent travelers.
• Hubspot: You might be familiar with Hubspot’s lead generation and marketing tools. Like Zoho CRM, Hubspot’s CRM solution is aimed at small businesses. It’s especially targeted at people who need to manage a sales pipeline, which makes it good for small businesses with sales teams who need to keep tabs on their progress.
• Mailchimp: If you recognize Mailchimp, it’s likely because of their email marketing software. But their small business CRM capabilities also integrate with their email marketing tools so you can monitor leads and customers who come to you via email capture.
• Pipedrive: You might consider Pipedrive an effective all-in-one solution, given that it works for growing and small businesses as well as for large sales teams at businesses like real estate agencies.
• Salesforce: Salesforce is a top name in sales CRM, though its solutions don’t end there—you might consider trying their Starter Suite which is tailored towards small businesses.
• Agile CRM: As its name would suggest, Agile CRM aims to be versatile, but it’s especially focused on marketing automation and customer service—two features that are especially important for companies with a fast-accelerating customer base.
• Less Annoying CRM: The Less Annoying CRM is a simpler contact management solution for small businesses and even individual entrepreneurs, and only costs $10/user/month, which makes it highly affordable for sole proprietorships.
• Nimble: Nimble focuses on the interactions you have with businesses and customers, especially via email, which makes its Google apps, Office 365, G Suite add-ons all the more relevant.

Is there a right or wrong answer here? Not really. No matter what your marketing to-do list might look like, you’ll find options here.

Key Features to Look for in a Simple CRM

Choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is all about finding features that match your business. But there are three common must-have functionalities that any CRM tool should have:

Contact Management

At the heart of any effective CRM platform is robust contact management. This feature allows you to organize and track all your customer interactions in one place. Look for a system that enables easy access to customer information, including contact details, communication history, and notes from previous conversations. A user-friendly interface that allows for quick updates and searches can significantly enhance your team's efficiency, ensuring that no lead falls through the cracks.

Sales Automation

Sales automation is another vital feature that streamlines your sales processes. A good CRM should automate repetitive tasks such as follow-up emails, lead scoring, and pipeline management. This not only saves time but also helps your sales team focus on closing deals rather than getting bogged down in administrative work. Look for tools that provide customizable sales workflows, automated reminders, and integration with other sales tools to create a seamless experience.

Marketing Automation

Integrating marketing automation within your CRM can elevate your customer engagement strategy. This feature allows you to manage campaigns, segment audiences, and track the effectiveness of your marketing efforts all from one platform. A CRM with strong marketing automation capabilities will enable you to send targeted emails, nurture leads through automated workflows, and analyze campaign performance. This holistic approach ensures that your marketing efforts are aligned with your sales strategies, driving better results for your business.

Implementation and Best Practices

Implementing a Simple Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system could be a game-changer for your business, but you have to do it right. Here are three tips you can implement when selecting and integrating a CRM system into your business to ensure you reap the full benefits of the solution.

Steps to Implement a CRM

Getting started with your CRM implementation involves a few key steps. First, define your goals and requirements to ensure the system aligns with your business needs. Next, research and choose the right CRM solution that fits your budget and offers the features you need.

Once you’ve selected a CRM, customize and configure it to match your business processes, making sure to integrate it with any existing tools. After that, it’s time to migrate your data—cleaning and importing customer information to ensure a smooth transition. Finally, conduct thorough testing before launching the system to your team, providing support as they adapt to the new platform.

Training Your Team

Training is essential for successful CRM adoption. Start by offering comprehensive training sessions that cover everything from data entry to generating reports. Make sure your team feels comfortable navigating the system and understands how to leverage its features.

Consider appointing CRM champions—enthusiastic team members who can provide ongoing support and encourage their peers. Additionally, set up a support system to address any questions or challenges that arise, ensuring everyone has the resources they need to succeed.

Best Practices for Using a CRM Effectively

To get the most out of your CRM, follow these best practices. First, maintain data integrity by ensuring consistent data entry practices across your team. Regularly review and clean your data to keep it accurate and up-to-date.

Take advantage of automation features to streamline repetitive tasks, such as follow-up emails and lead assignments. This not only saves time but also enhances consistency in your processes.

Utilize the CRM’s reporting capabilities to track key metrics and gain insights into your sales and marketing efforts. This data-driven approach will help you make informed decisions and optimize your strategies.

Finally, foster a culture of CRM adoption by encouraging your team to use the system consistently. Celebrate successes and gather feedback to continuously improve the way you use the CRM, ensuring it evolves with your business needs.

Modern CRMs will all give you plenty to work with—the trick is in finding the best small business CRM for your specific needs without going vastly over budget. Whether you browse feature lists or watch webinars, try to find the free version of CRM if you can to give them a try. Or, alternatively, we have another suggestion.

Choosing the best customer relationship solution for you

The size of your business and the types of customers you have will help determine which CRM tool is best for you. More robust CRMs tends to focus on gathering large swaths of data into presentable packages—and their pricing plans are designed for companies with big sales budgets.

Simpler CRMs tools for small businesses are easier to handle for those with smaller business needs. Their ease of use is much more appropriate for smaller sales teams and even solo entrepreneurs.

Interested in more solutions to help grow your small business? Learn more about the Grasshopper virtual phone system.