5 things to consider when choosing a CRM
As you may already be aware, I have a great resources section on my website, where I tell you which online tools I use and why. Each month I’ll dig a little deeper into one of these resources and hope that you find some useful information, and that I can help you find the right tool for the job.
So, let’s get started.
This month I’ll be taking a closer look at Capsule.
Choosing a CRM that’s right for your growing business is vital, and boy are there loads to choose from!
There are SO many things you need to take into consideration when making the decision on which CRM to opt for, but I’ve whittled it down to a simple 5 things to consider, to make life easier for you, no need to thank me. J
So, without further ado, here they are…
Does it do what you need it to do?
Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? You must be strong and ignore the bells and whistles and fabulous marketing of the major players and find out, does it do what your business needs it to do? We all run vastly different businesses and what’s right for someone else might not be right for you. Identify what exactly you need it to achieve before setting your sights on the fanciest CRM out there, because chances are, there’s something simpler and more effective that you could be using.
Is it user-friendly?
Will you and your team get to grips with it easily and quickly? CRMs should be designed with the user in mind and be logical as well as intuitive. It shouldn’t require much training to understand its basic uses. As with most software and tools nowadays, you should be able to jump right in without fear of ‘mucking it up’, and you should know what goes where and understand the features without too much head-scratching.
Is it simple to set up?
Think tutorials, guides, and customer support. Many CRMs offer ‘walk-throughs’ or integrated tutorials for each new user and these are great at helping you navigate your way around the system. You need to consider whether you can troubleshoot easily and without having to get on the phone or send back and forth emails, so you’ll need to investigate whether there are online guides and problem-solving documentation to help you if you need it. And of course, you need to ensure the company has speedy and responsive customer service just in case something does go awry, and you need it fixing asap.
Will it grow as your business does?
You need to think future-proof. It’s likely that you’ll need your CRM to perform more functions as your business grows, so you need to make sure those tools are there, ready and waiting. Be sure to check out the prices at this stage too as some CRMs offer ‘bolt-on’ functionality rather than a tiered system – you choose what’s right for you but keep your eye out for semi-hidden costs.
Does it integrate with all the other software you use?
Switching around on several platforms is not only a pain, but also time-sapping. A good CRM will integrate with the other tools you use to run your business, making your processes simpler and more streamlined. The whole point is to keep everything under one roof, and to make running your business easier. The less faff, the better!
With the above in mind, I’m going to let you in on my favourite CRM, Capsule. Capsule is a CRM system that’s simple to use and easy to integrate with over 50 industry standard tools and resources (such as G Suite, Xero, and Signable). It’s fabulous for small businesses or those just starting out too, with a free plan for up to 2 users storing up to 250 contacts. As your business evolves and you need to move onto a paid plan, Capsule is reasonably priced and includes features which streamline the day to day running of your business. As you would expect from a CRM geared towards growing businesses, features include Contact Management, Tasks and Calendar, Sales Pipeline, Sales Analytics, Automations, Security and Permissions and Customisation capabilities.
I have a ton of reasons for adoring Capsule, it’s the little touches that make life easier. Being organised is a priority for all of us in this industry, and Capsule includes some really intuitive features that keeps your virtual desk tidy.
- You are able to BCC Capsule on emails and it stores the emails against the existing contact or creates a new contact whilst recording the email history. Amazing!
- Cases – Capsules allows you to create a bespoke email address for each project so emails can be stored against the relevant project – a brilliant touch for maintaining organisation.
- The track system enables you to set up reminders and creates automated task lists – and anything that automates is a huge bonus.
My team are fans of Capsule too. I asked them what they love the most about this CRM, here’s what they had to say:
“Capsule is great if it’s the first time you’ve used a CRM. Easy to set up, easy to share, and easy to use.”
“I love that you can link your Capsule account to your G Suite or Gmail account to give instant access to past interactions with the sender of the current email.”
“Capsule has an app you can add to your mobile, which lets you track interactions on-the-go (including phone call logging). This is super useful for those of us who work remotely.”
So, there you have it.
We love Capsule and we’re confident you will too.
As you’ll see on the resources page, I earn a small commission when you sign up for any of these tools using the links provided, and I only work with tools and resources I trust and believe in.