CRM Tools in 2019

Top 5 CRM Tools in 2019

Using the top 5 CRM tools to help manage a business is a good strategy for 2019.  Customer relationship management software has come a long way since the Rolodex from the 80s.  Using the best CRM tools, software providers are now producing robust systems.  These systems are providing many CRM solutions for managers and business owners.

When a business is growing, the notepad by the phone where messages are kept becomes inefficient.  The more a business grows the more likely it is that the managers will need extra help keeping track of employees, inventory and sales.  Hiring and training staff is too costly for many business owners, which makes an automated CRM solution ideal for growth.

The best CRM systems take advantage of the innovative technology available.  Easy integrations and web based CRM tools are the most effective way to streamline processes. Customizable features and reporting that are accessible anywhere keeps business owners informed and employees working in the most efficient manner.

Top 5 CRM Tools in 2019

Are CRM solutions worth the cost?

One of the biggest concerns many business owners have with implementing a CRM solution is the cost. Comprehensive CRM systems are worth the cost if they integrate easily into the way you already work and if they have the best CRM tools for how your business operates. Not all customer relationship management software works well for every type of company and every work flow.  The best CRM systems have customizable features that enable managers from several different industries to streamline how they work.

CRM cost is less important than how the CRM system works with your business.  The value of the time saved by the best CRM tools is more than worth the added expense. Calculating the CRM cost should be a small part of the decision to implement an online customer relationship management software. Far more important is the improved customer service and decreased time spent tracking down employees or inventory.

CRM Runner - CRM Tools

The best CRM tools are cloud based

In 2019, having an online CRM platform makes the most sense.  Software that works with CRM applications and update in real time will keep businesses ahead of their competitors.  Cloud based applications keep managers and employees on the same page with integration of communications channels.  Managers can see where field staff are and when the last communication with a customer took place all by just logging on.

The best CRM systems on the market integrate features that allow managers to oversee all parts of their business in one place.  Inventory, scheduling and reporting is all housed in one program with an all inclusive CRM solution.  With a web-based system, managers can access everything about their business from anywhere that has internet.

Top 5 CRM tools

When business owners begin the search for an online CRM platform, it can be overwhelming. With so many companies and programs to choose from, the research gets put on the backburner.  Keeping up with trends and customer expectations in 2019 may require the use of the top 5 CRM tools available.

 Integrated Invoicing

Most CRM systems track customer information but few are able to produce an estimate, an invoice and take payment with just a few clicks.  One of the most effective CRM solutions for improving customer service, invoicing and payment capabilities also helps managers keep better track of revenue. The best CRM systems include seamless integration with other popular software programs like QuickBooks to further decrease the time owners spent on administrative tasks.

GPS Tracking

One of the best CRM tools in use for 2019 is GPS tracking.  A large percentage of businesses rely on field staff and mobile sales teams to help them grow and many of them report being unable to tell if those team members are actually working.  With GPS tracking employees can be located by using the CRM application on their device.  Managers report that the use of GPS tracking increases their ability to hold employees accountable and evaluate their performance.

 Inventory Notifications

CRM solutions in 2019 should include inventory tracking.  Business owners are often forced to use different programs to manage inventory and work orders.  The best CRM systems have inventory tracking built in.  Taking it a step further, leading software providers are also including inventory notifications as one of the top 5 CRM tools.  Anyone with inventory permissions can receive notifications on their screen when supplies run low with the use of an effective customer management software.

 Customizable reporting

A must have feature in the best CRM systems is customizable reporting.  Many programs include reporting features but few allow the manager to curate a report that mimics what they currently use.  With reports that are similar to what they are accustomed to using, managers report less pushback from employees using the new process. The best CRM tools are easy to use and give managers the flexibility to only find out the information they need.

 Timekeeping

CRM systems that include timekeeping for employees are remarkably more helpful than those without the feature.  Employees can clock in and out on their CRM application.  Integrated with GPS tracking, the best CRM systems all managers to know where employees are when they are punching the clock.  Built in timecard features also make payroll and budgeting staff hours as simple as clicking a mouse.

CRM solutions for businesses in 2019 include a large variety of features and customizable options.  Online systems provide a more streamlined approach to managing a business that ultimately results in more satisfied customers.  The best programs include the top 5 CRM tools and provide a web-based solution for tracking day to day operations.  For more information on a CRM system with the top tools and features of 2019, click here.

CRM Solutions for Business Problems

A List of CRM Solutions for Common Business Problems

Many people are aware of common problems that prevent businesses from growing, but few are privy to the list of CRM solutions that are available.  Online CRM systems are designed to help businesses streamline processes and improve customer service.  The use of a cloud based customer relationship management software can help managers and business owners easily solve some common problems that businesses face.

Growth is a goal for all businesses.  As the all too familiar phrase “growing pains,” indicates businesses start to encounter new problems as growth happens.  These common business problems can be automatically tended to with the use of a CRM system.  Advantages of implementing a customer relationship management software are apparent almost immediately to many managers.  How quick information is shared is at the top of the list of CRM solutions for business owners.

Most businesses encounter similar problems during a period of growth.  An effective online CRM system will aide managers in resolving continued issues.  Successful businesses choose to use CRM tools to accomplish this by tracking and organizing communications and progress in one place.

 

CRM Solutions for Business Problems

Below is a list of CRM solutions for common problems that businesses encounter:

An Easy way to update customers

One of the most common things customers say is the reason they lose confidence in a company is lack of communication.  Some of the best CRM tools make it easy for any employee to communicate with customers.  Customers get frustrated when things are running behind or not going according to plan, but with a CRM solution, employees can easily identify delays and notify the customer at the click of a button.

Communicating with customers can happen via chat, text, email or phone call.  With an online CRM system, all of these types of communication are available and automatically tracked.  CRM tools work together to keep all needed information in one central location.

Tracking employees with GPS

Many businesses have at least one employee in the field that is hard to hold accountable.  Some businesses are comprised solely of field technicians moving from job to job.  Others have one or two sales people that are never in the office but always too busy to take calls. The best CRM tools of 2019 help pinpoint where those employees are with GPS tracking.

Integrated GPS tracking works with CRM applications.  The employee downloads the application to their phone.  Using the GPS technology available the CRM system reports the location of that employee.  Managers have easy access to where the employee is and how long they have been there.

Check in with multiple sites from anywhere

For several types of businesses, growth means additional job sites, technicians, vans or locations.  It can be hard on a manager to keep tabs on job sites spread across town and even more difficult to manage multiple service technicians carrying inventory.  A comprehensive customer relationship management software will provide a long list of CRM solutions for this problem.

The best CRM tools include multiple ways for managers to streamline their day.  When job sites and employees are spread out all over town, staying in the know about where each project stands is nearly an impossible task.  Customized reporting is an ideal CRM solution for managers that need an update from multiple job sites at the end of the day.

A central location for customer information

A common complaint customers file is having to repeat the same information over to multiple employees of the same business.  It’s frustrating to customers when they have to explain what they need several times on the phone and then again to the technician that shows up at their door.  Customers say that it makes the company look incompetent and makes them feel like they are just a number.

Using CRM tools built to keep all information in one place and easily accessible is the best way to keep customers feeling valued.  With a customer relationship management software, every communication received from and sent to a client is housed in one place.  Cloud based CRM systems update in real time, keeping everyone that has access up-to-date on customer expectations.  Keeping all of these communications with customers in one place nearly eliminates the risk of a customer repeating themselves and thereby providing an effective CRM solution for a common problem businesses have.

Inventory tracking with multiple locations

Inventory tracking is an invaluable feature for managing a business across multiple locations.  Using a CRM solution to tracking products on the shelf and in the field can help business owners accurately identify when a product is a working and which technician is equipped for a specific service call.  Unused inventory is often a huge and hidden source of where profits are being lost.

Timekeeping for field staff

Keeping track of when field staff arrive and leave from their job site is difficult for managers that have more to do than check in at different locations.  Many managers couldn’t tell you if they are paying for hours that haven’t been worked or not.  Typically seen as one of the biggest ways a company loses money, finding a CRM tool that allows field staff to clock in and out at a job site is essential to cutting those hidden losses.

CRM solutions like timekeeping and timestamped reporting can help managers hold employees accountable for the time they spend on the job.  Using CRM applications and the best CRM tools of 2019, customer relationship management software that allows field staff to punch the clock in the morning and clock out after completing their report is essential to keeping track of employees.

CRM solutions make businesses run more efficiently.

The list of CRM solutions provided is just a small sample of how an online customer relationship management software can help a business increase profits and improve customer service.  A full service system uses the best of CRM tools to streamline processes and workflow.  As the needs of businesses continue to change, the most effective CRM solutions also evolve.  To learn more about what a comprehensive online CRM system can do for your business click here.

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