CRM tools are capable of much more than just managing contacts and serving as a virtual rolodex. By monitoring customers, from nurturing leads to closing the deal and preserving client loyalty, CRM software can also help you increase sales. Through automation of the sales force, you can also save a tonne of time and money.

1. Automation of workflow

CRM software can streamline your operations and improve your quality of life. Look for software that helps you build up unique rules and comes with sales force automation to assist you and your team be more productive.

You may programme your CRM software to take the following actions automatically based on certain triggers or events by utilising rules:

• The CRM software automatically sends a message to the appropriate sales representative or department when a potential customer fills out a contact form on your website.
• The CRM software automatically delivers a pre-written response to acknowledge messages when a sales agent gets them.
• After a predetermined period of time, such as 48 hours or two business days, if a lead, prospect, or opportunity doesn’t reply to your message or proposal, the CRM software automatically sends a follow-up message.
• The CRM software automatically tracks hours and keeps track of all communications when a sales professional calls or texts a contact.
• The CRM software automatically sends tasks that salespeople complete to managers and top management for performance reviews.

Workflow automation capabilities can also take the time and legwork out of repetitive sales duties, such as order processing, order tracking and inventory control. [ Searching for a CRM answer? Visit our page on the top CRM programmes.

2. Personalization

The greatest CRM software can meet your company’s specific demands because no two firms are alike. Other CRM solutions let you pick the features you want to include in your package, and some also let you modify the most fundamental functionality, like the ability to add contact fields, pick the data that appears on your dashboard, and design unique reports. Additionally, you can install plugins, extensions, and other add-ons to your software to increase its functionality.

Many CRM software companies offer more sophisticated alternatives via APIs if you require even more customization to really personalise the product to your business. This allows programmers access to all technical specifications and coding for complete software customisation.

3. Integration of outside parties

You can save a tonne of time and money by integrating your CRM software with other programmes you already use. The trick is finding one that is simple to apply and compatible with the software you employ. Most CRM solutions offer third-party software interfaces. Salesforce, a well-known CRM programme, for instance, has its own app store called AppExchange where customers can easily link Salesforce to products like QuickBooks accounting software, Mailchimp email marketing software, recruitment CRM software, and DocuSign digital signatures.

You can accomplish the following things with the appropriate third-party integrations to simplify your life:

• You can avoid switching between apps by running CRM software directly from Outlook, Gmail, or another email client.

• To avoid human data entry, automatically sync your POS system and accounting software with sales and order information.

• You can initiate email marketing campaigns and automatically create email lists from either your CRM software or email marketing software, saving you time from having to open both.
• Use Dropbox, Box.com, and other well-known cloud backup storage providers to backup and sync your data.

4. Customer support

By offering top-notch customer service, CRM software may assist you in attracting and keeping consumers. To ensure that your sales representatives and customer support team can deliver their best work, look for the following capabilities:

provides you with a 360-degree perspective of your customers that includes every detail about them starting with your initial point of contact.

• Automatically keeps track of all communication points, from lead generation to finalised deals and past sales

• Record any occurrences, internet visits, purchase histories, and other activities to serve as a record for future use and to keep all representatives informed.

• Personalizes all correspondence with the customers’ first names.

• Possesses distinct reference numbers for each account, client, and support issue.

• Sends automated responses to consumer questions and messages so they don’t feel unheard.

• Provides assistance with predefined email templates and call scripts that address the most typical inquiries

5. Worker monitoring

A wonderful way to monitor employee activity and performance is through CRM software. Select software that enables users to maintain individual records of their hours, tasks, meetings, sales figures, goals, and other stuff. Additionally, the software ought to offer supervisors and top management access to dashboards where they can see the objectives of specific employees, activities that have been done, and other productivity indicators. This can assist managers identify struggling employees and address areas for improvement, compose employee performance reports, and develop incentives.

6. Social networking

Your marketing team can save time by using a CRM that includes social media monitoring features because they won’t have to transfer platforms to carry out this crucial activity.

You can complete these social media duties using the tools provided by Salesforce, for instance:

• Utilize social listening to stay informed about what consumers are saying about your company.

• Learn how many social media interactions, such as shares, comments, and mentions, your brand receives.

• Examine all social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) to

• Adapt your social media strategy as necessary.

• Discover more about your customers.

• Identify your brand and use it.
• Take care of the daily responsibilities involved in updating your social media profiles.

Also Read- How to Integrate Other Technologies With Salesforce

7. Lead monitoring

You may identify your leads and the steps they have taken in the sales cycle with the use of a lead management function. You can score your prospects through the lead management process and, if necessary, filter them off to another member of your team to convert some leads into customers.

Dead leads can occasionally remain in a CRM for weeks or months. A savvy sales manager keeps track of leads and reassigns quiet or seemingly dormant leads to various team members for reengagement.

8. Projecting sales

Based on information from your present pipeline, a CRM with this function forecasts your future sales. Based on the sales projection, you might need to change your marketing strategy. For instance, you can tailor your campaigns if you anticipated that your toy business would sell a lot of girls’ dolls during the Christmas season but discovered through sales forecasting that building blocks are more popular. To reduce your company’s risks, sales forecasting can also predict changes in the market.

9. Email

Tracking emails through a typical inbox can grow overwhelming and confusing. According to Lifewire, the typical office worker receives 121 emails as of 2015. To enhance the likelihood of making sales, it’s critical to receive and respond to every sales email promptly.

A CRM’s email capability aids in the organisation and productivity of your sales representatives. In order to arrange appointments and interact with prospects and customers appropriately, they can integrate their calendars. The capability to automatically pull in email templates saves reps time by reducing the need for them to create unique email content. Several email templates, like these, can be made using this feature:

• Industry-specific summaries of the company’s fundamental information

• After a phone conversation, follow up

• After sending one email, follow up
• Follow-up on a suggestion that representatives are waiting for clients to get back

CRM software can be a helpful tool for companies of all kinds, but it’s crucial to choose a platform that is really productive and can grow with your organisation. Before making a purchase, be sure the CRM software has these 12 characteristics.

10. CRM analytics

Customer analytics, commonly referred to as CRM analytics, provide understanding of customer information. This information is crucial since it can aid in your decision-making regarding the kinds of goods and services, marketing campaigns, and general communications you offer to your clients.

In a CRM, look for the following specialised analytics:

• Simple to read and comprehend customer segmentation

• Transparent profit and loss information to help you calculate your ROI

• Web analytics that show how customers use and behave on websites