Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by JD Koch
In this guide, I have provided insight into 3 CRM’s to consider, most of which I have used over the last few years within my agency and wanted to share them with you to allow you to utilize their benefits to see which of them will work for you.
Best For Corporates
HubSpot
HubSpot is a free CRM platform with all the software, integrations, and resources you need to connect marketing, sales, content management, and customer service.
Best For Consultants
Nutshell
is a cloud-based CRM tool that aids companies in managing their customer interactions.
They offer capabilities for contact management, lead tracking, sales pipeline structure, and automation. Free 14 Day Trial
Best For Starting Out
Zoho
Similar to the previous two. Definitely not the cheapest. Zoho CRM is the centerpiece of the suite, providing a complete solution for managing customer interactions, sales leads, and deals. Provides 30-day trial.
So, what makes them different?
Overall, all 3 of these provide comparable functionality for businesses to keep track of customer interactions, sales leads, and deals in one central location, although their specific features and platform support may vary. When selecting Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, it’s crucial to think about the features that are most important to you and the needs of your business.
More about these CRM’s
1. HubSpot
JD’s Take
HubSpot is definitely a VERY powerful CRM. It does however ask you to go over to the paid options, but for a start, it is definitely worthwhile. The onboarding process is easy, but getting into the flow of the entire system is quite difficult. I would however see it as a beneficial learning curve.
Best For Overall
Pricing Free (Has a commit annually but pay monthly option when going on a paid plan)
Annual Discount 10% (Depending on the package you are taking)
Here are a few reasons why you might consider using HubSpot for your CMR needs in 2023:
Contact management: HubSpot Free CRM enables you to keep track of interactions with each contact by storing them all in one location. Also, you can divide up your connections based on factors like region, industry, or firm size.
Lead Tracking: With HubSpot Free CRM, you can track all of your leads in one place, from initial contact to conversion. This helps you to see where each lead is in your sales pipeline and prioritize your follow-up accordingly.
Sales Pipeline: HubSpot Free CRM provides a visual representation of your sales pipeline, making it easy to see where each deal is in the process. You can customize your pipeline stages to fit your specific sales process and move deals from one stage to the next with just a few clicks.
Free: As previously mentioned, there are no additional costs or subscriptions necessary to use HubSpot Free CRM.
Because of this, it’s a wonderful choice for small enterprises.
Task Management: HubSpot Free CRM allows you to create and assign tasks to yourself or your team members. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and everyone knows what they need to do next.
Overall, if you’re looking for a tool that offers a range of features that allows businesses to keep track of customer interactions, sales leads, and deals, HubSpot might be a good fit for you in 2023.
2. Nutshell
JD’s Take
Nutshell was a fairly unknown CRM for quite some time to me. But, after a few clients used it, they were fairly impressed with its functionality. It does feel to me that they can do much better with their design options when it comes to form-embedding styling options.
Best For Overall
Pricing US$ 19 – US$ 79/mo
Annual Discount 15% off
Some key features that will allow NutShell.com to be your best fit are the following:
All in one platform: All the resources you require to manage your client interactions are available on Nutshell.com in a single platform.
When opposed to employing various software programs, this can save you time and money.
Customizable: NutShell.com is made to be flexible, enabling you to modify it to meet the unique company requirements.
As a result, you can use the elements that are most crucial to your company’s success while ignoring the others.
Reporting: Nutshell.com provides reporting capabilities, allowing you to see key metrics such as deal value, conversion rates, and email open rates. This can help you to identify areas where you need to improve and make data-driven decisions.
3. Zoho
JD’s Take
Zoho’s CRM is become a very popular choice with more and more people hopping on as they have an all-in-one approach with integration from invoicing systems, getting payments and then also integrating everything with their CRM. Their options are affordable and a great platform to start out on.
Best For All-in-One
Pricing R270 – R825 p/month
Annual Discount 34% off
It is suitable for companies of all sizes because it is also scalable. Beginning with a free plan that gives only the most fundamental elements, Zoho offers a variety of pricing tiers that progress to more expensive tiers that include more features and capabilities. Some key features that will allow Zoho to be your best fit are the following:
Comprehensive Suite: Zoho offers a complete set of solutions for sales management, marketing automation, and customer relationship management.
By managing all of your customer contacts and marketing tasks in an one platform, you can save time and money compared to using several software programs.
User-Friendly: With a simple and clear layout, Zoho is user-friendly.
No matter their level of technical expertise, this makes it simple for anyone to begin using the software.
Customer Support: Zoho provides excellent customer support, with a comprehensive knowledge base, live chat, and phone support available to all users. This means that if you ever have questions or issues, you can get the help you need quickly and easily.
In conclusion, Zoho might be a good option for you if you’re looking for a comprehensive CRM software suite that provides tools for managing customer relationships, marketing automation, and sales management. With its user-friendly interface, customizable features, and powerful automation and analytics tools, Zoho can help businesses of all sizes optimize their marketing and sales efforts, improve customer relationships, and grow their business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Zoho is a great tool to have in your arsenal.
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links on this website at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.
JD Koch is a full-time Agency Owner of DigiPlug in South Africa, a Internationally Certified Conversion Optimizer, LinkedIn Marketing Insider and Marketing Expert with customers across the country. Join JD on ExpectationNation.co.za to learn about software that could be useful to you as a Digital Marketer, Business Owner, Teams Leader, Manager, Freelancer, Agency Owner or just want to be more productive with your marketing.
