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.
