Hidden Truths About CRM Solutions Small Businesses Don’t Know

What do CRM solutions and best friends have in common? They both remember everything about the people who matter most! 

Customer relationship management, or CRM, helps you keep track of customer information, interactions, and data, ensuring you deliver exceptional results. Even with a small customer base, keeping tabs on them is crucial.

Small businesses often don't fully understand CRM, and vendors may not disclose all the details. So today, we’ll dive into what small businesses don’t know about CRM solutions and how they can make informed decisions when choosing one.

What are CRM solutions?

CRM solutions are basically digital notebooks or databases that help you keep track of all your interactions and dealings with your customers. 

Imagine you have a big book where you write down every time you talk to a customer about what they bought, what they liked, and any other important details. CRM solutions do that digitally but in an organized, easily accessible way. 

Does your small business need CRM?

As a small business, the information gathered by simple CRM tools can help you understand your customer’s behavior and spending habits, keep in touch with them, and provide better service. 

Knowing these details and taking action, like messaging on special occasions, birthday greetings, and showing appreciation, will make you memorable. When you remember your customers, they will have a connection that goes beyond just a transaction. Eventually, you can increase customer loyalty, have more repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Can you see the bigger picture? CRM tools are not just for big corporations. They are important for small businesses that want to forge strong relationships and grow!

7 truths small businesses don’t know about CRM solutions

While the benefits of customer relationship management can be revolutionary, there are some insider tips you'll want to know before diving in headfirst.

#1 There might be hidden costs

As you explore CRM solutions for your small business, you must watch out for hidden costs that vendors might not openly discuss. While the initial price tag might seem attractive, it often doesn't include additional fees for advanced features, customization, or ongoing support. 

For example, a CRM that seems cheap initially might cost you more in the long run because you'll have to pay extra for customized reports or better support. Some even charge extra when your business expands!

To avoid being blindsided, thoroughly research and compare CRM solutions. Look for transparent pricing models that clearly outline any additional fees or charges. 

#2 Your chosen CRM might not grow with you

When choosing a CRM, you need to consider scalability. Scalability refers to the CRM's ability to accommodate your business's growth over time. Some simple CRM tools might not be able to handle an increase in customers and data, leading to performance problems. 

For example, a CRM with limited storage might not keep up as your business grows, forcing you to pay for expensive upgrades or switch to a new system, which can disrupt your operations.

To avoid these issues, pick a CRM that can grow with your business. There are CRM solutions that offer flexible storage and customizable features to meet your changing needs.

#3 It’s hard to do on your own

Small businesses often don't realize how complicated setting up and customizing a CRM system can be. For instance, let's talk about setting up workflows. Workflows are step-by-step guides that tell your CRM what to do with different customer information or tasks. They help organize your work and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Setting up workflows can take a lot of time because you need to think about all the different steps and rules you want to include. You have to plan out things like who should get notified when a new customer signs up or what happens when someone sends a support request.

That's why it's important to choose a CRM provider that offers good support. They can help you determine the best workflows for your business and show you how to set them up properly. This way, you can avoid delays and get your CRM up and running smoothly.

#4 Learning CRM can slow you down

Some CRMs can be hard to learn. CRMs can have complicated features that take time to figure out. The learning curve can slow you down and make you work harder than you need to. It might even make you or your team less productive.

To avoid this, pick a CRM solution that's easy to use. Look for one with simple menus and buttons that are easy to find. Also, make sure you can get the training and help you need it. That way, you and your team can learn how to use CRM quickly and get all the benefits immediately.

#5 Some CRMs are not as flexible as you want

Some CRMs may not let small businesses customize them enough to fit their needs. For example, if a CRM doesn't let you change how tasks are organized or how reports are made, it can slow things down and frustrate you. Without customization, you might end up with workflows that don't work well or reports that don't give you the information you need. 

You have to choose a CRM that offers multiple customization options. With a flexible CRM, you can adjust workflows, reports, and other features to fit your business. This way, you can get all the benefits of managing customer relationships without any hassles.

#6 You can’t troubleshoot independently

Sometimes, small businesses find themselves overly dependent on vendor support to address technical issues with their CRM system. This reliance can become problematic if the vendor takes longer than expected to resolve issues, causing downtime and increasing dependency on their assistance. As a result, this reliance can negatively impact productivity and flexibility and lead to unexpected expenses and delays.

Choose a CRM that offers thorough training resources and ongoing support to help your team manage the platform independently. This way, you and your team can handle issues, reducing dependence on the vendor and keeping operations running smoothly.

#7 Some CRMs can’t match  your vibe

Consistency in branding is essential for establishing and maintaining your business's identity. When your brand looks and feels the same across all platforms, it helps build trust and recognition among your customers. Many CRM tools cannot customize their appearance to match your brand identity. If you don’t choose wisely, your CRM will stand out in a bad way.

For instance, some CRMs only offer a limited selection of colors and templates, which may not align with your brand's specific aesthetic. This lack of customization options can lead to inconsistencies in your brand presentation, causing confusion for both your team members and customers.

To avoid this, go for a simple CRM tool that provides ample customization features. Look for a simple CRM solution that allows you to change colors, logos, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand's style seamlessly. 

#8 You can get caught in a vendor lock-in

Vendor lock-in occurs when a business becomes dependent on a particular vendor's products or services, making it challenging to switch to alternatives in the future. 

In the context of CRM, this means that the CRM provider uses formats and methods that are unique to their system, making it difficult to transfer data to a different CRM if you want to switch later.

Vendor lock-in can be particularly problematic for small businesses, which often have limited resources and flexibility. If you find yourself locked into a CRM that doesn't meet your needs or becomes too expensive, it can hinder your growth. 

Avoid vendor lock-in by carefully considering the flexibility and compatibility of CRM solutions before committing. Choosing a CRM that uses open standards and allows for easy data transfer can stop the risk of lock-in.

Elevate360: The go-to CRM solution for small businesses

Now, you might be thinking, how can I stop my business from getting conned with second-rate CRM solutions? With many options, choosing the right one for your needs can be daunting. That is until you found us, The Bellamy Co.

As a company dedicated to supporting businesses at all levels, we've anticipated the CRM challenges small businesses face. That's why we've developed a comprehensive solution designed specifically for you, one that has been tried, proven, and used by us! With Elevate360, you can:

• Effortlessly manage all your customers and prospects in one place,

• Easily adjust your CRM's capacity to match your business needs,

• Navigate and move around the CRM system like a pro in no time,

• Keep track of all your customer interactions without breaking a sweat,

• Automate mundane tasks and repetitive chores,

• Make it easy for your customers to reach out to you, and

• Customize processes, workflows, branding, and design options. 

Elevate360 offers a range of CRM solutions that fit small business needs, from done-for-you setups to done-with-you guidance and, finally, a done-by-you approach when you're ready. Our mission is to simplify this complex process so you can concentrate on what matters most – your business and your passion.

Build your CRM solution with The Bellamy Co. today and experience the difference Elevate360 can make for your small business!