CRM for Small Businesses and Seamless Integration

Integration is a key factor in choosing a CRM solution. For example, if you use a specific accounting software, you will want to ensure that there is a simple data transfer process or integration that allows you to view your accounting data alongside your customer records.

Once you have selected a CRM solution, you are one step closer to easy integration. The next step is to consolidate customer information, supplier details, and financial records into this new unified platform. If you don’t have in-house experts who understand the platform, it may be best to work with your vendor to implement your CRM.

Consultants have the advantage of having implemented these systems in many different companies and can guide you toward best practices to build long-term success. Installing a CRM is not always the quickest process, especially if you haven’t used such a system for a long time and have a lot of data to process, but the result of eliminating siloed data and manual processes outweighs any problems that may come with implementation.

Train your team

Some agreements include a certain level of support and training for your team as it learns to use the new platform. Be sure to take full advantage of the value of the training offered and develop resources for your team. Participating in webinars or attending local events hosted by the vendor are great ways to start training your team on the new platform.

Ensure that implementation plans include testing by end users and sufficient time for training. It is important that the team feels confident about the new processes before being asked to use the platform.

Depending on how big a change the new platform is for users, some companies may incentivize users to start using the new platform before the old one is officially retired, allowing their team to gradually get familiar with the new platform. Having a well-trained user base is crucial, as when everything is in one place, the priority is to maintain data without errors.

Automate scheduling

With all your customer data integrated in one place, you should have easy access to reports on customer data and trends, making it easier to make informed business decisions and engage with your customers at scale. For example, if you’ve integrated customer order records into your CRM, you can run a report to identify which customers typically take advantage of your discounts and then run a personalized campaign.
Enjoy using your CRM to prioritize human relationships in your business with automated reminders that let you know when to reach out to ensure lasting customer relationships.