Selecting the Best Free Online CRM Software for Small Businesses
ď śSmall businesses face a unique set of challenges, not the least of which is finding software which really fits their needs. Most software packages are designed with large, corporate clients in mind, and adapting their use to the reality of the small business sector can be time consuming, costly, and difficult in the extreme.
That’s why many small businesses have turned to free, open source alternatives; however, this leads to another set of problems. How is an organization supposed to select the best free online CRM software for small businesses from among the hundreds of available options?
How to select the best free online CRM software We’ve compiled a list of some basic factors that you should consider when making your choice. Remember that the best free online CRM software for small businesses will in general be flexible, low cost, and easy to use and implement:
ď śCustomizable – No two small businesses are alike; therefore no one software package can hope to serve them all. However, the best free online CRM software for small businesses will have a variety of customization and personalization options that makes it flexible enough to work with a large variety of businesses.
ď śScalability– Another characteristic of the best free online CRM software for small businesses is scalability. Typically, you want to be able to expand and scale up at your own pace, and not get locked in to any long term contracts or beholden to expensive comprehensive software packages you will not fully utilize.
ď śFeature Selection – Perhaps the most important characteristic which serves to differentiate the various CRM options is the feature selection. You want to be sure basic, expected functionality is there (Gmail and PayPal integration, estimates and invoicing, etc.), along with whatever specific tools you and your sales force will actually use to drive increased revenue.
No Hidden Costs – As your business grows, you may eventually graduate out of free software and begin to consider paid alternatives. When this happens, make sure to evaluate the programs thoroughly. Don’t get locked into contracts you can avoid, ensure there are no hidden fees in the fine print, and again focus on finding a solution that is modular and scalable so it can adapt to fit your needs.
Getting started Paying attention to these factors can help you select the best free online CRM software for small businesses. One excellent option for those who aren’t sure what they need is a company like PayPanther, which provides both free and paid CRM solutions for business.
You can learn about the software using their free version, and then expand at your own rate exactly as discussed above. So crawl on over to their features page and take a look at what they have to offer. Find the best Customer Relationship Management Software here : http://www.paypanther.com/