Around 65% of companies adopt CRM technology within the first five years of launching. A customer relationship management (CRM) system proactively aids sales and marketing departments in automating and managing the consumer lifecycle.
CRM software unifies customer data into a central database, allowing users to better handle relationships, automate routine tasks, and track work performance. The global CRM market value is estimated to grow by over 245% by 2028.
Types of CRM Features
Core Features
There are various key features in CRM software. For a management system to be included under the CRM category, it must be determined by its core functionality, which should be common in every CRM software program. The three basic characteristics of a credible CRM solution are:
Contact Management
A small business or company’s searchable database stores contact information, including names, numbers, and social media accounts. It is important to consider that although most CRM software has contact management capabilities, you should seek a design and functionality that you can understand. What is the layout of the fields? Is it user-friendly and well-organized?
Lead Management
By discovering, scoring, and transferring lead generation through the selling process, you can handle the method of transforming prospective customers into leads. The objective here, as with the contact management tool, is to make sure that the lead generation procedure in the chosen CRM system works coherently for your company and team. Request that a member of the sales team goes over this function with you.
Tracking Communication
You can log any communication with your contacts, add comments and monitor interaction history through a CRM system. Consider how often a client will interact as they progress through the sales pipeline when comparing shortlisted alternatives. You want a CRM interface that enables the relevant parties to work together.
Common Features
After analyzing the core features, you must consider some common features that most CRM systems should have. Common features in a CRM tool suggest a more complex CRM system and indicate real variability among software products. Here are two common CRM elements to consider for your company’s objectives.
Workflow Automation
This feature allows you to create workflows that push certain activities or provide follow-up alerts for the next steps to automate repetitive operations. Automated workflow is usually an upgradeable CRM software feature. Consider how many automating repetitive processes within the selling process would leave team members with spare time to carry out more complex duties when choosing software.
Email Integration
Integration with the likes of Gmail and Outlook can lead you to effectively manage and separate contact lists and provide a unified hub for internal collaboration. Consider how your staff usually communicates. If they aren’t used to working together via an app, a CRM system with an email integration function could be a wise option.
At AltheaSuite, we offer various CRM features with our software. From contact management systems to credit memos, we have it covered. We also offer inventory management and order fulfillment software, among other things. To learn more about the company and our products and services, contact us.
