Is anyone still using CRMs?

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I dont know if this thread should be in this subforum, I think so, because CRM are not necessarily an online marketing technique, in fact some may dispute it is not a marketing technique at all.

I have to choose a CRM (Client Relationship Management) for a project im currently working on, im currently looking for a good choice, and I have to say the CRM industry has really been left behind, most of the options I have saw only have the basic features, like sending emails, and stuff like that, I didnt find any good CRM with Social Media features, which kind of dissapointed me.

CRMs were a great breakthrough a few years ago, they helped companies to improve the way the handled their clients and their sales, and they allowed businessman to have a more detailed control on whats going on on their businesses, but now the gold age of CRMs seems to have vanished.

Social Media, or even big data analysis, would be awesome features for having on a system like that, imagine if you could extract big data analysis from your data bases, it would be amazing, im really surprised that no one has thought about this. I mean, I know big companies and multinationals have their own systems with all these features incorporated, but no one has designed a good sistem that could be used by small and medium compan|es.

And there is really a lot of potential here that we could be working on, just imagine it, if a company could have the precise information of what are the preferred products of each of his clients, the channels they used to communicate, their taste and moods, everything. The possibilities for driving sales and awareness are just infinite.

It would also be a great thing for marketing, using that information we would be able to create more detailed segmentations with personalized messages for each one of our customers, it is the dream comed true for the micro segmentations lovers.

I know CRMs are a marketing technique from the 90s, and that a lot has happened since then, but I trully think CRMs could be an amazing thing these times, we just need to improve them and bring them to the XXI century.

Anyway, I would love to know if any of you is using CRMs in their project or for their clients right now, and if you are, what are the systems you are using, and how.

If anyone has a good CRM with big data and social media features for recommend, I would really be grateful, as I said before, Ive been looking everywhere and I just cant find anything.

I will be looking forward to your opinions on this topic, as I said, I really think this a debate that we should be having.
#offline marketing #crms
  • What? Are you serious - CRM's rock.

    What other way do you effectively collate all your customer data and integrate it all efficiently and via the cloud.

    I didn't use CRM's in the 90's so I can't really vouch for that but they are so effective you'd be mad not to be using them.

    I use CRM's which talk to my accounting system, allow me to project manage, set tasks, keep track of important company and client info and also allows me to cc any communication so everything is collated in one handy spot. Plus they help me plan

    It is such a massive tool for my business and due to the fact that I am madly disorganised in nature I honestly can't think of a better system to keep me in line.

    If you're not using one I'd be checking them out.
  • I think you could check any CRM tool, that are cloud, web or open source technology. Because sources availability in real time is countless, so choice is yours which one is suitable to fulfill your necessity. Each tool features adapts to several business but not sure about it. My business client's are manage through cloud-based program, it helps to improves customer experience. I am using Apptivo CRM, my business needs are completely satisfy with this tool.
  • Anything that boost's your businesses ROI Should be utilized. CRM's are a great way to build and maintain any business. As long as you stay in the black, this should be a great way to boost business.

    This type of marketing can be fun too. Who wants to slave behind a PC all day with your eyes straining, falling asleep at the keyboard etc. Personal relationships are always a good way to go because you never know who you might meet. Many times, you can meet some great people face-to-face doing offline marketing. This person or group of people can really take your business to the next level, take your business to new heights that you never even thought of.
  • Thanks for your comments, im still struggling with this one, I understand the advantages a good CRM can have, but the last one I tried was really disappointing.

    I want to find a good CRM with social media features, im interesting in having some kind of review feature, that can allow me to ask me client to review the product or service they have bought, using SMS or Social Media, I didnt find anything that allowed me to do this, the only ones I found have a very basic form of this feature.

    I also want a CRM with great personalization features, I deal with unconventional products and services, so I need to have enough space to personalize everything inside the CRM, otherwise I have to work with a language that doesnt fit my industry.

    Any advice on this? I have been looking for a few months now and I still havent found what im looking for (U2 rocks!)
    • [2] replies
    • Im also looking for a CRM and know that Nimble has social features but never used it. I started a trial with Mix Max and is a great tool but would still need to use a CRM or sheets for a database. It would work well with social intergration as it has slideshows, social badges, web snippets, polls, surveys on top of email scheduling tracking etc. Its super easy to use as its a g extension. Not 100% clear on what you need but they offer a the cool tool set.
    • There are many CRMs that require some knowledge of coding to bring out their full potential.

      I regularly use a dinosaur originally called premium web cart... now cloudnet360.

      They have a plenty of customiizations you can do and some serious sales path building, you can do including action steps that use "if this then do that" type scenarios.

      I won't say you can elicit reviews to social media because I use something else for that but I can't see why you couldn't.

      You may need to understand some basic coding to get what you think you need and then code a few aspects yourself or have it done for you.

      Requesting a review and getting the review posted on FB is not rocket science.

      Best regards,

      Ozi
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  • CRMs is a must if you're working with leads, they provide an easy way to manage and prioritize your contacts and tasks.

    Currently we use Salesforce and have loved it, would definitely recommend.
    • [1] reply
    • only because it has one of the better SMS modules LOL I think this is the first time I have not seen you respond to anything that didn't include the idea the SMS would be a good solution... So I justhad to throw thatin for you! LOL
  • I use SugarCRM and love it!
  • I use hubspot CRM. it's free for small busiensses/individuals and its pretty good.

    Zoho also has a free CRM out there. They are taking business away from Salesforce.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • pefer account system for this CRM
  • Uhhhh CRM is pretty much a standard issue item for any business that wishes to scale its sales efforts. The point of a CRM is to capture the entire communication history between a company and its customers. This allows the business to scale by adding new sales account managers, etc... If a sales person leaves the organization, the history of the client interaction is retained.

    There are actually real reasons (business problems) behind the use of tools. We don't just use tools for the tool's sake because it's a kitschy buzz word.

    If you're looking for a CRM with social features, that's pretty do-able. Salesforce is sort of the gold standard in CRM, and there are many social options by 3rd party Salesforce marketplace partners.

    There are, of course, significantly less expensive options all the way down to open source (v-tiger, etc...)
  • I agree with what most people said here. If you're doing ANY form of sales activity you will need a way to track it. What is an alternative to a CRM?

    If you're not doing sales prospecting and your sales just come in via let's say SEO from your website then you don't necessarily need a CRM, but you still need a customer database of some sort.
  • This would be awesome (or creepy depending on your perspective), but according to a friend of mine in the industry, Facebook scrubs any individually identifiable information before they release data to third parties. There would be huge privacy implications if they didn't.
  • anyone know of a good CRM that integrates well with quickbooks? (desktop version enterprise if that matters).

    also, project management application that integrates with quickbooks?

    thanks!
  • CRMs have slowed down a bit when it comes to innovation in these past few years but it definitely has revolutionized the way businesses handle customers and contacts. Your phone system partnered with your preferred CRM can be your secret weapon but this partnership might lack some features and that's where CTI solutions come in.

    A CTI solution like Tenfold can complement your CRM and phone system as it provides you with the ability to accomplish tasks like:

    Social profile integration. Tenfold searches for your customer's social media account/s based on information available on record and offers one-click access to matching social profiles via the floating UI.

    Text messaging and e-mailing capabilities. Send out anything from follow-up messages, surveys, reviews, updates, etc.

    Detailed caller information screen pops. This is available for both inbound and outbound calls.

    Automatic call logging and recording. Includes calls that are manually dialed, click to dialed, as well as those that come direct to the rep or come through a shared line.

    Tenfold's solution is used in industries like HR, Healthcare, Banking, Automotive, Travel & Hospitality, Entertainment, Finance, Real Estate, and a lot more. It not only fits a single purpose, it can be personalized based on what industry you're in.

    This is just some of Tenfold's key features and how it can help your CRM and phone system reach their full potential.
  • I guarantee you'll have a CRM before you have 'big data'
  • How can you effectively develop sales without CRM.
    Tracking the results of work without the CRM system is extremely difficult.
    • [1] reply
    • It's true. When you're in sales, no matter how small your business is, CRMs come in pretty handy.
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    Is anyone still using CRMs?

    I dont know if this thread should be in this subforum, I think so, because CRM are not necessarily an online marketing technique, in fact some may dispute it is not a marketing technique at all. I have to choose a CRM (Client Relationship Management) for a project im currently working on, im currently looking for a good choice, and I have to say the CRM industry has really been left behind, most of the options I have saw only have the basic features, like sending emails, and stuff like that, I didnt find any good CRM with Social Media features, which kind of dissapointed me.