11 Things to Consider Before Going for that New CRM System.
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM system) from a company such as VinSolutions is a highly useful tool to improve customer service and save business time & resources. In fact, it is the best approach to maintaining relationships with customers, helping you identify the potential needs of customers and developing stronger bonds.
1. Integration
The best CRMs for small businesses should be properly integrated with your existing system in order to derive best benefits and , create a streamlined approach. It may help to spend time exploring integrations so you can get the best benefits out of the CRM. Take a look at your existing systems and consider whether the CRM software can integrate with these applications.
It must integrate with your accounting or sales systems or at the very least be able to do some data import/export in order to sync data with your legacy systems.
2. Focus on R
The key is to focus on “R” in CRM, which stands for relationship. Teach your team the difference between real relationships and database entries. Focus on maintaining and nurturing customer relationships.
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3. Understand Trade-Offs
What are the most important features that you cannot do without? Identify the trade-offs and what needs to be transferred. Imagine how the home screen will appear. This will help you choose the right solution.
4. Create a list of the requirements
There is an array of providers, so you may get overwhelmed for choice and get lost in features that may or may not cater to your business. Create your list of requirements and choose the system based on your specific requirements.
5. Identify problems
What are the solutions you are looking for? Does the CRM system promise to solve those problems for you? How can it make an impact on your business? Can the CRM offer answers for achieving strategic objectives. The best CRM product should offer solutions to most of your problems.
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6. Gauge Potential ROI
When you implement a new solution, are you aware of the potential return on investment (ROI)? Every system involves either an upfront or recurring cost to maintain. It would help to gauge the potential ROI and to what extent the new CRM system would positively impact retention rates. Try to determine if it will require further investment to achieve the targeted returns.
7. Have patience
The returns will not happen overnight. Getting the best out of a new CRM will take time. Make sure the processes are clearly laid out to implement the new system. Remember, user adoption to the system is a tough job. Do not overwhelm your team with a system with a flood of features; rather, release them one by one over a period of time, so the guys get used to it.
8. Determine if it serves customers
When it comes to implementing a new CRM system, you may want to make sure that it serves the customers in the best possible way. You do not want to invest in a system that makes it tough for customers to do business with you. Nurture the relationships between your people and clients.
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9. Think long-term cost
When you are investing in a customer relationship management, consider its long-term costs. Make sure they have the best capabilities to meet your goals. Do not hesitate to test the system before finalizing the choice. Ask for demos or trial. One system that works well for one business might not be the right fit for everyone alike.
10. Consider short-term, long-term
Another important consideration is to determine how the new system will align with your short and long term strategy. Is it capable of meeting your needs when you scale your business? Of course, it would be strategically wrong to put all your customer relationship efforts into one system that does not promise to cater to your growing needs.
11. What about Electronic Payments?
One very important aspect that must not be overlooked is the integration of electronic payments. If your business accepts electronic payments, or ACH payments, then it is extremely important to make sure that your new CRM is capable of integrating with your merchant account gateway. That way, all of your sales and customer information will be in one integrated system. You will then not be shuttling back and forth between your merchant gateway account and your CRM system.
Bottom Line
Are you able to totally commit yourself and your “ways” to the new system? All systems are different. Finding the best one requires research. When you actually find the right system, commit to it. It would be a real pain to manage your leads if you fall into old habits, with half of the leads coming to your inbox and the rest in your CRM system. It is best to automate the process to make the most of the system.
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