One of my clients recently reached out to me asking if there are any CRM addons or other features that he should be considering to go with their CRM installation. My first thought was I didn’t fully understand what they found lacking in their CRM, or what they were looking for. On second thought I realized it was actually a pretty good question.
I like to say I deal in CRM from A (Act!) to Z (Zoho). Both products include all of the basic CRM functionality:
- Create Lead, Contact and Account Records
- Record Notes and Deal opportunities
- Attach Records to Activities
Many CRM users are perfectly happy with the basic CRM functionality found in programs such as Act CRM and Zoho CRM. In fact, many CRM users tell me that they are only using “10 Percent” of their CRM’s capabilities. However, although I run a small business and my needs might be considered “basic,” there are a few CRM addons that I make use of on a daily basis.
- Accounting integration: I can invoice, see payment history and view outstanding balances right from my CRM. Act CRM users typically use QuickBooks and there is a great addon that connects Act to QuickBooks. Zoho CRM users are more likely to use Zoho Books which seamlessly integrates back to Zoho CRM.
- Telephony: I “click to dial”, record histories, and setup new contacts from incoming phone calls. I never use my smart phones keypad; why should I dial phone numbers at the office?
- E-marketing: Some CRM users love to spend time exporting records out of their CRM product and importing back into a product such as Mail Chimp or Constant Contact. I envy those users as they must have a lot of time on their hands. I don’t. Plus, I want to be able to see marketing results right in my CRM product. Act CRM users should be using Act Marketing Automation and Zoho CRM users should be using either Zoho CRM or Zoho Campaigns.
- Web Forms: I started using a CRM solution over 20 years ago to keep myself organized and to save myself time. I do not want to waste my time adding new contacts from my website to my CRM database when they can magically appear. Act users can use Act Marketing Automation to help with this; Zoho CRM users can use Zoho Webforms.
If you are looking for an Act consultants, or need some Zoho CRM consulting, please reach out to me and let me know what I can help you with!
