Cloud-Based CRM

Customer relationship management software is a technology that powers a business’s everyday client and customer interactions. From small startups to large corporations, today’s CRM tools not only collect contact information, but they also provide the support necessary to put that data to use. As with every other type of business software, CRM solutions have gone to the cloud, with organizations opting for internet-based access rather than paying a large sum up front for software that has to be installed on every device.

Whether your business is just getting started or you’ve been around for a while, a cloud-based CRM can help you. But first it’s important to understand customer relationship management, as well as how a cloud-based solution can be the best option for your own business.

At every stage, customer relationships are integral to success. If the first person who buys from you has a good experience, that person will send friends and relatives your way. But you can improve your relationships by capturing information on the people who pass through your business, as well as getting recommendations on leads.

That’s where CRM comes in. This software is designed to help you keep track of your customer interactions. At one time, this merely meant capturing names and contact information. As technology has evolved, though, CRM solutions have grown more sophisticated. When you choose a solution, you’ll get information collection, as well as the tools necessary to improve your interactions and reach new audiences.

1CRM is web-based CRM software designed with the unique needs of small/medium businesses (SMB’s) in mind. Using 1CRM, you can collect names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses from all the customers you meet each day. In addition, you can track all interactions to make it easy for everyone on your team to keep up.

One feature that sets 1CRM apart from many competitors is that you can customize it to suit your situation. Choose the layout and colors, add custom fields, rearrange screen layouts, design your own PDF documents like invoices and work orders, create custom automated workflows, and even add all-new custom modules to your system. You can even create custom reports that provide actionable insights into the work you’re doing. It’s like having software designed for your organization without the high cost.

Like other popular solutions, a cloud-based CRM brings many benefits you won’t see with on-premise software. With cloud software, you’ll have the option to pay a recurring monthly fee rather than having to front the entire cost at the time you start using it. You also won’t have to worry about installing the software on every computer and mobile device in your organization. Simply send instructions to your employees on signing in and they’ll immediately be able to start working.

Another benefit of trusting a third-party CRM provider is that they’ll generally provide the technical support necessary to keep things going. Small/medium businesses often lack the dedicated IT support staff to troubleshoot issues, and even large corporations want their workers to focus on other tasks. Cloud solutions providers have the resources necessary to quickly manage any issues that arise.

Due to this built-in technical support, businesses also have access to top-of-the-line security protection. Your database will hold sensitive information on every customer you have, in addition to information about your business. If this data fell into the wrong hands, it could be devastating. In fact, a security breach can cost a business up to $8 million, and that figure is on the rise. Cloud CRMs ensure your data is protected and always backed up, which means if a server goes down, all your information will still be available.

Of course, one of the most coveted benefits of a cloud CRM is that you can access it from anywhere. As workforces continue to shift out of the office environment, this is more important than ever. Your team will be able to get to their information whether they’re commuting to the office, waiting for a meeting to start, or traveling for a business conference. If a natural disaster happens or your company is in the middle of a big relocation, cloud-based software will offer business continuity to keep your organization running.

Once you start shopping for cloud-based CRM software for small business, you’ll find that you need to know what features to prioritize. Price will likely be a top consideration, but make sure you’re comparing similar CRMs for the cost. This is where identifying what you want ahead of time can come in handy since you’ll be able to track down all the CRMs that meet your needs, then compare pricing.

As you’re shopping, consider the installation and onboarding process of any solution you’re considering. Once your employees log in, will they know what to do? If you need to train workers before they get started, make sure the provider will give you the support necessary to get everyone up to speed.

Integrations are also an important consideration. A new business may not have a full suite of software yet, but chances are you’ll have the basics. 1CRM integrates with Word, Excel, and Gmail, as well as social tools like Facebook and Twitter. If you have a website, you’ll find it makes life easier that 1CRM also easily links up to your WordPress site, as well as interacting with tools like WooCommerce, Stripe and authorize.net.

You’ll also notice during the shopping process that automation is part of the discussion. The more you can get your tool to do for you, the less work your own team will have to do. This will save you time and money. Your CRM should be constantly working for you, gathering leads as they come in to your site. You can also set up autoresponders to answer customer queries that come in through your website.

All of these things can combine to create a solution that serves as the foundation of your customer interactions. The key is to know what you want and find that solution. 1CRM can be customized to meet your own business’s needs, ensuring you’ll be able to check off all the items on your list.

It can be easy to sign in to a solution and only use the same few features year after year. It’s important to look at all the things your chosen software can do for your team and make sure everyone is encouraged to use it to its fullest. If you have a collaboration tool, for instance, use it to post updates for your team. If you have a calendar, make sure essential information is posted there, with everyone invited to view it.

That said, a cloud-based CRM like 1CRM can still be useful even if you only use a fraction of its features. You may find that you pick and choose certain modules are most relevant to your day-to-day activities. However, check in at least once a year and make sure there isn’t something you could dive into that would improve the work you’re doing every day. If you’re considering purchasing software, check before you buy to make sure that your CRM can’t handle the task and, if not, that your CRM integrates with it to make everything seamless.

Web-based CRM software can give your business the support it needs to build a customer base and nurture it as you grow. It’s important to look closely at your organization and define what you need in a solution before you make that choice. 1CRM can look at your parameters and show how their software can work with your own organization. Contact us for a consultation today.