Month: November 2022

CRM systems are incredibly powerful and they can take your business to new heights — as long as they are implemented properly. 

The reality is that nearly 70% of CRM implementations fail, and that’s mainly because business executives don’t execute them properly, or they don’t want to spend the additional time and money to hire an expert that would help them out.

Even if you understand how these systems work and what they need to do, integrating them with your other business systems is an entirely different challenge. If you get the implementation wrong, you won’t only be left disappointed and frustrated, but you’ll also have wasted precious time and money during the process. 

So, what happens when you implement a CRM incorrectly? Let’s find out.

Going Over Budget

Staying within your budget is always important, but when it comes to implementing a CRM system it’s even more important. Unfortunately, though, it’s never easy to plan ahead when it comes to CRM implementation projects.

While there are clear costs on the month-to-month prices of a CRM, there’s no clear indication as to how much it would cost to get the system up and running. 

One of the best ways to get an idea of how much you need to spend is to work with an agency that is experienced in CRM implementation projects. Their knowledge and experience will give you an idea of how much you need to budget.

If your CRM is not implemented incorrectly, you will have to spend additional time and money to get the issues fixed, and perhaps even start the implementation process over again.

Extended Timelines

If your CRM implementation fails, you will need more time to fix the problems that it has caused, or you will need to start the process all over again. If you had a timeframe in mind for when your CRM system was meant to go online, then you’re going to need to adjust your plans.

Delaying the implementation of the CRM will only cause frustration for you and your team members. Your team will likely need to work between two systems while juggling new data and information coming in as your CRM implementation continues.

Missing Data

The process of migrating data from your business systems to a CRM system is crucial. It’s not an easy process to complete, even if you have done it before. It’s important to understand that data migration to a new CRM system is extremely complex and time-consuming, and if you’re not feeling confident you should consult with an expert.

There is a methodical process that needs to be followed if you’re migrating data to your new CRM. If it’s not done properly, you’ll have data missing from your system, and as all know, data is key to any modern business.

Whether it’s customer data or information about your products, you want to ensure that all of your data and information is carefully carried across to your new system. Your CRM is meant to be the unified, central system that carries all of your data in one place, so this is one stage of the implementation process that needs to be done properly.

Technical Glitches and Issues

If your CRM is not implemented properly you’ll likely run into frequent problems while using it. You might experience some features not working as they should or data not being pulled from the places you need it to. All of these will impact how you use the system, and its ability to benefit your business.

This will also impact your system’s ability to update with new features in the future. One of the most essential elements of a CRM is to always have unique features that help you to market better and sell more — but if your CRM was never implemented correctly in the first place, you may never get those new features.

Unusable System

If your CRM system is not implemented correctly you will be making it more difficult for your team to learn how to use the system. Even the most user-friendly CRM systems can be a challenge for your team to get to grips with. But, you’ll only make it more difficult if the system is not working as it should be.

This would only cause widespread frustration amongst your team which leads to lower adoption rates within your business. If your team is not benefiting from the CRM system and ends up not using it, then the entire process has been a waste of precious resources.

Final Thoughts

The only thing that’s more important than choosing the right CRM is implementing it correctly. The process of implementing a CRM is tricky and if it goes wrong it can cost you time, effort, and money. If you need guidance on implementing a CRM, get in touch with a GoCRM expert.

When it comes to choosing a CRM for a business, ease of use is one element that is far too often overlooked by business executives. It’s a crucial factor to consider too, especially when it’s one of the most important elements that will decide whether the CRM you choose for your business is a success or not.

Within the South African business landscape, having a CRM that is easy to use and easy to learn is critical. If your team members are struggling to understand how the system works, they’re going to be left frustrated with it. The last thing you want is for your business to put in all the time, money and effort into finding the perfect CRM and implementing it, only for it to be unusable by your team.

So, how do you find a CRM that is easy to use? There are several factors that you can consider when looking at different CRMs. At the end of the day, you need to look beyond just the everyday reviews and user comments. That’s because every business is unique, and what might be working for one business, might not work for another. Keep reading to see what you need to look out for if you want to find a CRM that’s easy to use.

How CRM Features Affect Ease of Use

CRM systems are often divided into two different categories. The first is the “Enterprise” division, which is for larger businesses that have bigger budgets. These are CRMs that are usually rich in features, but that also makes them more complex and difficult to use. Enterprise CRMs are designed to be more powerful, so they come with tons of benefits, but for the average small to medium business (SMB), it’s not worth taking on one of these CRMs.

The second CRM category is SMB CRM. These are ideal for smaller businesses that might not need as many features, and they need a CRM that is not as complex as an Enterprise CRM. SMB CRMs have a significantly easier learning curve compared to their Enterprise counterparts, so it’s a better CRM to adopt if you have a team that needs to get to grips with the system quickly.

In reality, you don’t need a CRM with all the bells and whistles in order for it to be successful. You need to make sure that the CRM is implemented correctly, and that your team is using it effectively if you want it to be a success.

The Best SMB CRMs

There are hundreds of CRMs on the market, and choosing one for your business can be tough. Here are three of the best CRMs for small to medium-sized businesses:

• HubSpot
• Pipedrive
• Insightly

There are other CRMs for SMBs on the market, but these are the most popular systems that are widely adopted in South Africa. If you’re looking for enterprise-level CRMs, you can look further into Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics. However, these are not only more complex CRM systems but also more expensive.

How User Experience Affects the Ease of Use

When you think about the systems that you use on a daily basis, you always feel more inclined to use the one that makes you feel comfortable and that you understand. Take Apple and Android for example. Apple has a far more streamlined and simplistic system when it comes to the user’s experience, and that is what makes them an incredibly popular choice compared to Android devices. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to both systems, but what we’re referring to here is the sheer simplicity and ease of use of the system.

The same goes for a CRM system. The system will be more widely accepted by your team if it’s easy to use. The simpler and easier the system is to use, the more it will enhance your team’s productivity. Ultimately, this will ensure that your team continues to use the system because at the end of the day, it needs to add value to their daily lives.

Ensure There is Support From the CRM

Another factor to keep in mind is that you need to have support for the CRM. Whether it’s local or international support, you want to be sure that if you and your team get stuck with the CRM, you can get in touch with an expert that can help you at any time.

Some CRMs such as Hubspot, have academies and online learning resources that take you through all the basics of using their CRM. Having these resources available is excellent for onboarding team members and even learning how to utilise the CRM to its maximum potential.

Conclusion

One of the most often overlooked aspects of a CRM is its ease of use. Many CRM systems are complex and have a steep learning curve, which makes it more difficult for your team to adopt the system. Ultimately, your team needs to be comfortable using the CRM, and they need to be able to get to grips with it quickly. If you’re struggling to find a CRM that is easy to use, make sure to get in touch with a GoCRM expert for more detail.

CRM systems have become an essential element of the modern business environment. These powerful systems can be used to unify your business and streamline your workforce, allowing for increased productivity, connectivity, and efficiency.

CRM systems have been attracting the attention of many business executives over the past few years, but they are expensive. Some of the best CRMs on the market can cost your business thousands of dollars each month.

You might be wondering if there are any free CRM systems worth considering in South Africa. Options are slim because there are a few essential factors to keep in mind. However, you may be pleasantly surprised by our top recommended free CRM in South Africa.

What’s the value of free CRMs?

Cutting costs wherever possible is always a good idea. However, when it comes to CRM systems, it’s difficult to take shortcuts. These are the systems that you need to trust with your data and business operations. So, is it worth using free CRM systems?

The majority of free CRMs could be better. You will have several limitations that make them impossible for your business to use. The main goal of a free CRM is to lure you into buying a paid package. In other words, their goal is to frustrate you into giving them money — that’s why it’s often not worth considering free CRMs.

There are a few common limitations that you would find with a free CRM. The first is that they would restrict the number of users. Oftentimes free CRMs will limit the number of users to 20 or fewer. While this is fine for most businesses that have smaller teams, there are some CRMs that limit the number of users to just two. This is something to be mindful of when choosing your CRM system.

Another limitation that you may find with free CRMs is that you will be given a time trial offer. Many CRMs will let you use their system for free just for 14 days or 30 days. This is great if you want to give it a try and get a better idea of how the system works, but that’s not a truly free CRM.

Why Hubspot is Your Best Free CRM Option 

If you’re looking for a free CRM, your best bet is HubSpot. Unlike other “free” CRMs, HubSpot offers unlimited users without time limits. This means that your business can use this fully functional CRM without worrying about the size of your team or the amount of time you have with the system in place.

HubSpot is also incredibly flexible when it comes to your budget. The CRM is split into three different branches: Sales Hub, Marketing Hub, and Service Hub. Each of these branches can be upgraded without having to take on the additional features of the other Hubs. For example, if you need to unlock additional premium sales features, you can upgrade your Sales Hub while keeping your other Hubs on their free versions. HubSpot has been praised for this feature as it allows you to grow the CRM alongside your business.

Oftentimes CRMs are offered as complete packages, which means that you will be given all of the features, whether you use them or not. If you’re not using features, or you’re not using the CRM to its full potential, then you’re wasting money.

In addition, HubSpot has an easier learning curve than most other CRMs, which is especially helpful to many businesses. Hubspot even has an online academy that will give your team video tutorials and lessons on how to get the most out of their system.

Choosing Your Perfect CRM Software

With hundreds of different CRMs on the market, you will need to make a decision on which one your business is going to use. It’s a tough decision, made even more difficult by the fact that it’s difficult to move from one CRM system to another due to the complex implementation process.

The first, and most important factor to keep in mind is the budget that your business has. You need to make sure that you can comfortably afford the monthly costs of the CRM. Keep in mind that many CRMs have additional costs when it comes to implementation and maintenance, so it’s always a good idea to over-budget for your CRM system.

You also need to make sure that the features offered by the CRM match your business’ needs and goals. Every CRM is unique and some may have more features than others. Make sure that the features you need are offered by the CRM of your choice.

Finally, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you have support for the CRM system when you need it. Whether that’s in the form of an agency or the CRM’s support team. Even the most user-friendly systems can sometimes be complex and you may run into problems every now and then, so make sure you have a reliable support system you can contact.

Conclusion

Choosing a free CRM software is not an easy task. There are several different CRMs on the market that claim to be free, but there’s always a catch. The closest you will get to a truly free CRM is HubSpot. As always though, make sure that the system aligns with your business requirements. Feel free to get in touch with a GoCRM expert if you need any assistance with CRM systems in South Africa.