How to Select the Best SaaS CRM for Your Business

Customer relationships are crucial to succeeding in business, isn’t it? However, keeping track of patron information can prove cumbersome for organized companies and utterly chaotic for the rest. If you are searching for a customer relationship management system, you have hit the spot where spreadsheets of buyer information like contact details, email addresses, purchase history, and much more have become disorganized and unproductive.

According to Grand View Research, the global customer relationship management (CRM) market was valued at USD 43.7 billion in 2020. However, the market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2021 to 2028. One of the primary trends in the sector is the increasing demand for deploying CRM solutions and suites through the software as a Service (SaaS) model.

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Increasing demand for automated engagement with shoppers and magnifying the scope of digital operations, customer services, and experience drive the demand for CRM platforms across different sectors across Canada, France, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and others.

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Moreover, advancements in cloud computing technology, the evolution of serverless computing, hybrid cloud computing, and the availability of multiple service models like SaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) are predicted to encourage the CRM market increase over the forecast period.

What is a CRM System?

CRM year-over-year growth is assumed to be over 25% among marketing leaders. Customer relationship management systems streamline your sales process by enabling you to track your customer’s information. Versatile companies provide supplemental systems for customer service and marketing teams.

However, having a sense of price tiers, features, third-party add-ons, and subscription services can be as stressful as initiating a spreadsheet. To make the task smoother for you, we have listed everything that will help you to know how you can find the right CRM for your Saa-based company.

Must-Know Factors to Choose the Best SaaS CRM for Your Business

Every B2B business these days must have a customer relationship management (CRM) system. There are various questions that brands come across while choosing the best SaaS CRM for their business; these include:

• How does the SaaS CRM benefit their business?
• Why must they invest in a CRM system?
• How can they choose the right CRM vendor?
• How does the CRM platform help them stand out in the market?

Starting from deployment methods to functionality to user experience, there are various things that you need to take into consideration while choosing SaaS CRM software for your business. Let’s check each point in brief, helping you to make better decisions than ever before.

Identify Your Business Requirements

Searching for the right CRM software, then you must identify your business requirements and consider your regular sales process and activities. Highlight all essential steps and types of consumer interactions. The feature-rich and powerful solution helps boost your business success, but you need to identify your business goals before that.

You need to be clear about the requirements to choose the solution that helps you deal with various issues like:

• Difficulty in searching shopper information;
• Poor interaction;
• Incapability to retain or acquire loyal customers;
• Long or extensive sales cycle;
• An issue in handling schedules;
• Inadequate visibility into agent production.

There are many other issues that you can consider while choosing SaaS CRM software. The prime object is to tie together all the above issues and streamline the sales process and operations. Starting with listing issues can help you determine the features of your CRM solution.

Decide on CRM Deployment: Cloud Vs. On-premise

Both cloud and on-premise have their own pros and cons. With a software as a service solution, you do not require technical expertise on your side. You can log into the cloud-based CRM system using the Internet browser, and you are all set to go. All information resides on the vendor’s server.

However, it becomes essential for you to stay online at the time. If your Internet connection breaks, you will fail to access the information. At the same time, the on-premise CRM solution is hosted physically at your location. The system provides you with direct access to the servers if you aim to integrate with other apps.

Besides, you do not have to deal with recurrent subscription charges for the same. But you require to purchase all essential hardware and software, resulting in higher upfront costs. Explore the pros and cons between cloud and on-premise CRM platform development to make an intelligent choice.

On-Premise	Cloud
Control over system or data	No cost for software license
Data is stored and handled internally	No need for new IT infrastructure
Need IT professional for maintenance support	A small cost for services
Demands high initial investment	Low start-up cost

Pay Attention to User Experience

One of the essential factors to choose a SaaS CRM system is how you feel? When you use it. Does it help you, is it intuitive? or is it something that aggravates that slows you down. For example, you can ask the huckster to show you:

• How many clicks will it require to perform a specific task?
• Check how effective the user interface is?
• Is the action flow logically?
• Is the button labelled clearly?

Hence while evaluating the system user interface, check the user interface, features, and functionality. You might be wondering why to check it?

According to research, businesses must get user-friendly solutions as more than 86% of prospects consider user-friendliness the most crucial aspect of choosing a new system. Hence make sure to invest in user-friendly and engaging Dynamics CRM development services for your business.

Scrutinize Different CRM Types

There is no “one size fits all” SaaS CRM solution. The closest thing is to look over the basic operations system that offers a common platform where your marketing, sales, and support units can work on. It helps you address the issues of searching customer data since all the units will be using a centralized database for customers’ information. However, there are different CRM types that you can scrutinize, these includes:

• Operational;
• Analytical;
• Collaborative;
• Campaign management;
• Strategic.

Once you decide which CRM solution can meet all your requirements, you can proceed further and purchase a CRM solution from the best vendor in the market.

Have Look Over the Features

The customer relationship management software market is worth app software revenue globally, as it totaled $193.6 billion in 2018, Gartner’s study reveals. Hence investing in the solution can be a smart choice, but it becomes vital to research everything before investing your money.

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One of the critical parts that demands extra time is research. You can head straight to the list of the best SaaS CRM solutions for your business on the internet or can find high rated solutions based on different factors, make sure to have a look at factors like:

• Main functionality;
• Ease of use;
• Collaboration features;
• Customization;
• Integration;
• Security;
• Mobility;
• Help & support;

You can evaluate a system and make better decisions to get your investment worth based on the above aspects.

Consider the Cost

Wondering how much the CRM platform costs? The cost depends on various factors, including deployment methods, features and functionality you choose, and many more. You can take a free trial and then invest in the best option.

You might be thinking that you have multiple items on the checklist but keep calm. It will take limited time to go through the list and check the features; it will help you choose the one that matches all your business requirements.

Take Demo

After going through the vendors and narrowing product choices, it’s time to experience the software’s working by yourself. Most CRM vendors provide free trials of their software. Hence, it’s a better option for you to choose the easy-to-navigate and intuitive features system.

Without worries of strings and cost attached, it’s the most reliable method to know if the software satisfies your expectations and matches your business obligations. If it does, you can choose to shift from the trial to the paid version. If not, then opt out during the trial period and try for other software available on the list.

Make a Smart Choice to Get Worth!

No matter what size of enterprise you own, a robust CRM solution enables you to stay competitive by enabling you to:

• Keep track of customers interactions;
• Maintain strong relationships with every customer;
• Sell more products or services;
• Improve interaction between marketing and sales team;
• Manage your sales and marketing efforts.

However, choosing the right solution is not an easy task. The challenge is multiple options available to choose from, making it difficult for you to make a smart choice. But there are various options that you need to consider before making a choice; these include the ability to customize, scalability, business value, cost, etc.

With multiple things to consider, there is another essential thing that you have to address which is your own requirements. It’s crucial to identify whether your business requirements match the functionally offered, helping you decide whether the CRM solution is the best choice for your business. It seems like a lot of effort and work, right? Fear not; you can take support from the web to ease the stress of decision-making to choose the best and right CRM system for your business.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is SaaS CRM?

SaaS CRM (Software-as-a-Service Customer Relationship Management) is a cloud-based platform designed to help businesses manage and analyze customer interactions and data. It streamlines sales, marketing, and customer service processes by centralizing all client-related information in a single interface, making it accessible from anywhere.

Why should I choose a SaaS CRM for my business?

Choosing a SaaS CRM offers several advantages:

• Cost-Effective: No upfront infrastructure or hardware costs.
• Scalability: You can easily scale your CRM as your business grows.
• Remote Accessibility: Access data and manage customer relationships from any location with an internet connection.
• Automatic Updates: SaaS CRM providers handle updates, ensuring your business always has the latest features and security.

What are the key features to look for in a SaaS CRM?

When selecting a SaaS CRM, look for the following features:

• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design for easy adoption by your team.
• Customizable Dashboards: Tailor your CRM to your specific business needs.
• Sales Pipeline Management: Track leads and monitor your sales process effectively.
• Automated Workflows: Automate repetitive tasks like email marketing and follow-ups.
• Analytics and Reporting: Access real-time insights to track performance and customer behavior.
• Integration with Other Tools: Ensure the CRM integrates with tools like email, social media, and your business software.

How do I determine if a SaaS CRM will scale with my business?

To ensure scalability, check for:

• Flexible Plans: Look for a CRM that offers tiered pricing or usage limits that match your growing business needs.
• Customizable Features: As your business grows, you may need custom fields, new modules, or additional functionality.
• User Capacity: Ensure that the CRM can support an increasing number of users without performance issues.
• Integration Capabilities: The CRM should seamlessly integrate with other software as your tech stack grows.

How do I evaluate the ease of use of a SaaS CRM?

To evaluate ease of use:

• Free Trial: Take advantage of a free trial or demo to explore the CRM's features and interface.
• Training Resources: Look for platforms that offer tutorials, webinars, or customer support to guide users.
• User Interface (UI): The CRM should have a clean and intuitive UI with minimal learning curve.
• Customer Reviews: Check reviews and testimonials to see how users feel about the usability of the platform.

What kind of customer support should I expect from a SaaS CRM provider?

A good SaaS CRM provider should offer:

• 24/7 Customer Support: Availability for troubleshooting, technical issues, or general inquiries.
• Multi-channel Support: Live chat, phone support, email, and self-service knowledge base.
• Onboarding Assistance: Help with initial setup and integration of the CRM.
• Dedicated Account Manager: For more personalized support, especially for larger businesses.

How important are integration capabilities when selecting a SaaS CRM?

Integration capabilities are essential for streamlining business processes and ensuring seamless data flow. The CRM should integrate with your existing tools such as:

• Email Marketing: Sync with platforms like Mailchimp or SendGrid.
• Accounting Software: Integrate with QuickBooks, Xero, etc., for financial management.
• Social Media: Integration with social media platforms for marketing automation.
• Project Management Tools: Link with platforms like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com.

How do I assess the security and data protection offered by a SaaS CRM?

Data security is critical when choosing a SaaS CRM. Ensure that the provider offers:

• Encryption: All data should be encrypted during transmission and storage.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security for users accessing the CRM.
• Compliance: Look for GDPR, HIPAA, or other industry-standard certifications if you handle sensitive data.
• Regular Backups: Ensure that your data is backed up regularly to avoid loss.

What is the total cost of a SaaS CRM?

The cost of a SaaS CRM depends on factors such as:

• Number of Users: Most providers charge per user.
• Features and Customization: Advanced features and customization may come at an additional cost.
• Add-ons: Look out for hidden fees for integrations or premium support.
• Billing Structure: Some CRMs offer monthly or annual billing with discounts for long-term plans.

How do I choose the best SaaS CRM for my business?

To choose the best CRM:

• Understand your needs: Define your key requirements such as sales automation, lead management, or reporting.
• Evaluate multiple options: Compare different CRM providers based on features, cost, and customer support.
• Consider future growth: Choose a CRM that can scale with your business and accommodate evolving needs.
• Test the platform: Use free trials and demos to test functionality and interface.
• Seek recommendations: Ask peers in your industry or look for expert reviews.