Have you decided to introduce a (new) CRM solution? Then congratulations, you made the right choice! CRM solutions are important success factors for small, medium-sized and large companies and organizations. Especially for new customers, choosing the right CRM solution is a major challenge and requires a lot of time and energy. We have compiled a guide for all new CRM customers:
The most important CRM functions
If you choose a CRM system that includes the following features, you can offer your sales team and your company completely new opportunities:
Management of contact data
CRM systems enable contact data records to be created and information about potential and existing customers to be stored and processed.
This function is of course particularly interesting for sales staff and marketing employees. It is essential that contact data can be entered quickly and easily. Only if contact data can be entered intuitively and quickly will employees accept the new CRM system and enjoy working with it.
Dashboard with reminder functions and resubmissions
A dashboard with a reminder function and resubmissions support sales employees on a daily basis. The CRM solution must include a dashboard in order to offer great benefits. The functions on the dashboard primarily include the number of deals, the progress compared to the set quota and the tasks that still need to be completed.
Sales managers and senior executives also need a comprehensive dashboard as a team overview. This function should be visually appealing and easy to understand.
Task management
It becomes very tedious for an employee if they have to switch back and forth between different systems to complete their daily tasks. To optimize your daily business and keep it up to date, it is best to choose a CRM system with integrated task management. This way, the CRM system can inform you exactly when you should contact existing customers or new leads.
Easy access to information brochures
You can save a lot of time with the help of a CRM with built-in document management. You can store information material such as brochures, case studies or presentations, which you often need to send to potential customers, in one easily accessible place. You can also save customized email templates and don’t have to start from scratch with every new contact.
Automatic data acquisition
An overview of the contact history with customers and leads is one of the major advantages of CRM systems. Calls and documents and emails stored in the system as well as tasks, sales opportunities and tickets should always be logged.
Mobile version
Nowadays, mobile availability of the CRM solution is particularly important, as the spread of mobile devices has penetrated all areas. Most CRM systems also allow you to access them via an app from your smartphone or tablet. This means that contacts, sales opportunities and tasks can be accessed and processed offline – i.e. even without an internet connection.
Integration in marketing automation solutions
If you are working with marketing automation software, you should make sure that your CRM system integrates with it. A gap between the marketing automation software and the CRM can lead to incomplete information and missed opportunities. Ideally, the CRM solution should already include simple marketing tools such as newsletter mailings or email campaigns.
