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What Is CRM Software?
CRM software is Customer Relationship Management software. The most obvious task performed by a CRM program is storing and managing customer contact information. Beyond this, many high-end CRM software programs, like Prophet, allow the user to track sales, manage sales reports, access customer satisfaction information, and store more than just contact information about a particular client.
What Is Web Based CRM Software?
Web based CRM software takes the tools in a CRM package and puts them online. This means that the sales records, customer contact information, and other data stored in the program are all recorded, accessed, and stored online. As long as the computer is connected to the Internet, the information can be accessed and used by your team members.
Benefits of Web Based CRM Software
While it is not a perfect CRM solution for all businesses, web based CRM software does carry some specific benefits. First, it is very easy to set up. Basically, you will log in to the platform you have chosen, import your customer and sales information, and customize the program to tailor to your business's specific information.
Second, your computer's valuable storage space will not be filled with sales reports and customer contact databases. This information is stored in a separate server connected to the web based CRM program. You will not need to increase your memory space to accommodate your growing business. If more memory is needed to store your information, you will not have to worry about hardware upgrades. It will be taken care of for you.
Similarly, by using this option, you ensure that your data is regularly backed up. Your CRM software will perform regular backups, so concern over lost data is eliminated.
With software that is loaded onto your computer, switching platforms can be problematic. This is not the case with web based CRM software. If your computer's platform can browse the Internet, you can use the program.
Finally, web based CRM programs can be more affordable, depending on the applications the business needs. This is because there is no need to buy a permanent software package. You will pay monthly or annually for the program, so the upfront cost is less. If you choose a program and find that it does not work for you as well as you thought it would for your business, you are not stuck with an expensive piece of software that you can no longer use. Of course, if you find a program that is a good match and continue to use it for several years, you may find that the cost is comparable to non-web based programs.
Downsides to Web Based CRM Software
While web based CRM software has many benefits, it is not going to be the best choice for all businesses. First, it cannot be connected to Outlook. Many businesses are reliant on Outlook to manage customer communication. When using web based programming, the business must enter customer information into the CRM program, and then also insert it into Outlook if desired. This can become cumbersome.
Not only that, but your existing information can be tedious to implement into a web based program. While an Outlook based program can integrate the contact information that is already in Outlook into the CRM program, web based CRM options require all contact information to be transferred from Outlook to the CRM software. This can be time consuming, and the risk of losing important contact information in the process is high.
Another downside to web based CRM software is the fact that the user has to be connected to the Internet to access the information. This can create problems. For instance, if a sales representative wanted to access customer contact information to make a quick call, but did not have access to an Internet connection, it would be impossible. Non-web based CRM programming is stored directly on the computer, so it can be accessed with or without an Internet connection.
Similarly, web based CRM programming is exclusive to those with a high-speed Internet connection. If your company employs workers who sometimes work remotely and cannot connect to a broadband connection, they will have trouble accessing the CRM platform as well. Of course, in today's Internet-driven society, this is becoming less and less of a problem, because most people can get online with a high speed connection, but if your business is in an area where good internet is hard to find, a web based CRM service may not work.
Is Web Based CRM Software Right for My Business?
Deciding whether web based CRM software is right for your business is something only you can do. You must weigh the benefits and downsides against your business's needs. If you rely heavily on Outlook already, a web based option will not be simple to integrate. You will be much happier with Avidian's Prophet programming, which works directly within Outlook, eliminating the need to upload your contact information to a separate server.
You must also look at your budget. If the affordability of web based software makes it possible for you to begin using CRM tools in your business, where otherwise you could not afford to do so, this is probably the best option. Keep in mind that you may be able to find affordable non-web based options, so be open to looking for something else.
To decide which CRM programming you need, outline the needs of your business. What functions and tools do you wish to find in a CRM program? Is customer contact information your most important function, or do you want a program that creates highly customizable sales reports? How much growth do you anticipate in your business? Will the program be able to handle your growth without expensive upgrades? The answers to these types of questions will help you determine whether web based, non-web based, or Outlook based programming will be the most beneficial. In the end, choose the program that offers the best balance between affordability and benefits for your business.
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