Running a small business can be tough, especially when you're trying to attract your first customers. Once you get a bunch of customers, it gets tricky to manage them and also bring in new ones. Some small businesses are so busy meeting deadlines and keeping clients happy that they don't even have organized ways to guide new customers.

This is where CRM comes in. They're helpful tools for small businesses to organize their sales process and grow their customer base.

In this article, we'll talk about why it's a good idea for every small business to use a CRM, what makes a CRM great, and which CRM software for small businesses might be the right fit for your business.

Best CRM software for small business  

1. HubSpot CRM

Rating: 4.5/5

Features:

HubSpot CRM consolidates all necessary contact information in one place and allows real-time tracking and analysis of sales activities. Integrated with HubSpot’s marketing suite, it enables running entire marketing campaigns, including email marketing, social media, ads, and creating custom landing pages.

Pros:

Holistic Sales Pipeline View: HubSpot CRM offers a comprehensive view of the sales pipeline, allowing businesses to track and manage their sales processes with a complete overview.

Integrated Marketing Operations: Users can seamlessly run marketing operations directly from the platform. This includes managing email marketing, social media, ads, and creating custom landing pages—all in one place.

Best for Businesses Seeking All-in-One CRM and Marketing: HubSpot CRM is an ideal choice for businesses that want an integrated solution, combining CRM functionalities with comprehensive marketing operations on a single platform.

Pricing: Free

2. SalesForce  

For businesses, encountering Salesforce is practically inevitable. While Salesforce is renowned for its expansive CRM, sales, and marketing clouds, it also caters to the needs of small businesses through a streamlined version.

Pros: 

Salesforce Essentials liberates small business owners from the confines of spreadsheets by providing a no-frills, out-of-the-box solution. It focuses on delivering essential features to effectively track and manage contacts while seamlessly connecting multiple support channels into a unified interface.

Price:

Priced at $125, Salesforce Essentials accommodates up to five users, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses seeking fundamental CRM functionalities.

3. Pipedrive

Rating: 4.5/5

Features:

Pipedrive stands out for its sleek and intuitive user experience. It helps organize daily correspondences and allows users to visualize the entire sales process, from deal initiation to closure.

Pros:

User-Friendly Interface: Pipedrive offers an easy-to-use interface, ensuring a straightforward and accessible experience for users.

Responsive Support: Enjoy 24/7 email and live chat support, assisting whenever needed.

Extensive App Ecosystem: With over 275 apps and integrations, Pipedrive enhances functionality and flexibility by connecting seamlessly with various tools.

Cons:

No Free Version: Pipedrive does not offer a free version; however, there is a 14-day trial available for users to explore its features.

Security Features Limited: Advanced security features are exclusive to the Enterprise plan, potentially limiting access to enhanced security measures for some users.

Best For:

Small Businesses with Essential Needs: Pipedrive is best suited for small businesses seeking a clean and simple CRM with essential features, backed by user-friendly design and responsive support.

Pricing: Essential plan starts at $12.50 per user per month

4. Zoho CRM

Rating: 4/5

Features:

Begin, Zoho CRM's little brother offers basic functionality for small teams at a price tailored for small businesses. It has a simple interface, quick setup, and seamless integration with Zoho ecosystem apps like Zoho Forms and Zoho Desk.

Pros:

User-Friendly Navigation: Zoho CRM provides a simple navigation system, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.

Seamless Integration: The CRM seamlessly integrates with Zoho ecosystem apps, enhancing overall functionality and connectivity within the Zoho suite.

Best For: Small Teams with Essential Needs: Zoho CRM is an ideal choice for small teams needing essential CRM features, offering simplicity in navigation and integration within the Zoho ecosystem.

Pricing: Free

5. FreshSales  

FreshSales is the optimal choice for small businesses prioritizing data-driven decision-making in their CRM strategy. This CRM software includes a suite of tools aimed at improving customer communication, as well as an artificial intelligence assistant named Fred.  Freddy assists businesses in gaining valuable insights by analyzing historical sales data, activities, and customer engagement.

Key Features:

Highlight cards for actionable insights on activities, calls, and meetings.

Custom chatbots to reduce chat drop-off and improve customer interactions.

Holiday routing feature for efficient management of voice calls during peak periods.

Pros:

A free forever plan available for businesses with budget constraints.

Integration with a built-in VOIP phone service for seamless communication.

Cons:

Customer support is limited to 24/5 availability on the free plan.

Some advanced features are reserved for more expensive plans.

Pricing:

FreshSales offers a free plan, making it accessible for businesses of varying sizes. 

The Importance of CRM for Small Businesses

Improving Customer Service and Retention: Consider CRM software if your small business aims to enhance customer service, retain clients, and boost overall customer satisfaction.

Increasing Sales: If the goal is to drive sales and monitor data related to sales, finances, and marketing efforts, implementing a CRM system can be beneficial.

Tracking Company Data: When faced with challenges in tracking and managing data across various spreadsheets and applications, a CRM can provide a centralized solution.

Enhancing Efficiency: CRM software becomes essential when struggling with communication gaps among employees and aiming to improve operational efficiency.

Organized Client Information: CRMs consolidate client contact details and track various forms of communication, such as calls, emails, text messages, meetings, and notes, in a unified platform.

Streamlined Business Processes: CRMs offer centralized dashboards that streamline business processes, providing a cohesive view of the entire customer lifecycle.

Greater Visibility: By collecting and analyzing data, CRMs reveal patterns in customer preferences and pain points, offering insights for product and service improvement, targeted marketing, and sales campaigns.

Choosing the ideal CRM for your small business hinges on the specific business and customer management features that align with your needs and preferences. To determine if a CRM is the right fit, it's advisable to opt for a free trial and evaluate its performance. The sign-up process is typically straightforward, usually involving your email address and basic company details. It's recommended not to register for multiple free trials simultaneously, as this approach may limit the time you and your team have to thoroughly explore and utilize each platform under consideration.