Choosing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, i.e. a kind of database for customers and potential customers, from a strictly statistical or data collection point of view, is part of the strategic decisions for any company. However, the options on the market are so numerous and varied that you can easily get lost and confused.
Free options and simple solutions
- WordPress ERP: a free plugin that offers basic functionality, but with limitations in automation. I generally do not recommend having the site and CRM (ERP in this case) on the same server, since the ERP would be installed inside the site.
- HubSpot Free plan: ideal for those looking for a basic CRM, but many advanced features are only available in the paid version.
- Excel and Google Sheets: minimalist solutions, suitable for starting, but limited in terms of scalability and automation. The first easily leads to abuse.
- Raw database with direct editing: a spartan choice for IT people, but complex to manage without a dedicated user interface.
Automations and workflows
Process management and task automation are often only included in paid CRM plans. If you are looking for a solution to create custom automations, tools like n8n can be a valid free, open but not open source alternative. Or on Google Sheets we can create App Scripts.
Advanced customizations
- Mautic owner rotator bundle: An example of how to expand the functionality of an open source CRM like Mautic. This specific bundle allows you to rotate the assignees of potential customers automatically.
Paid options
- ActiveCampaign
- Hubspot
- Salesforce
All these options have a single common problem: they are actually convenient for 10 employees and up, in small or micro companies it generally makes no sense to pay to have a tidy database for marketing communications and customer and potential customer data if a statistician has never evaluated that data before.
Conclusion
The choice of the right CRM depends on the specific needs of the company, the budget, the company’s human capital, the level of customization required and anticipating problems (the hardest part). Before making a decision, it is best to write down and evaluate the pros and cons of the available solutions, also getting help from AI, why not.
Nothing prevents you from starting with one and moving to another, it is certainly a less problematic transition than changing accountants. For example, one client started with Microsoft Access, then a custom CRM, then Hubspot, which I found excessive and expensive.
Do you want to understand how to choose? Let’s talk in a free first call.