CRM systems have come a long way, boasting advanced features and dynamic capabilities. If you’re intrigued by the varied functions of CRM solutions, you should also be aware of some fantastic methods to make the most of these functions to your small business’s advantage.
The key lies in syncing your CRM system with other valuable tools. This connection is crucial to unlocking its full potential and ensuring a smooth workflow. By converting your basic CRM into an all-in-one sales CRM tool, you can bid farewell to the hassle of switching between multiple tabs, ultimately boosting efficiency and productivity.
However, selecting the right integrations for your small business CRM software can pose a challenge due to the abundance of tools that serve different purposes. But don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll steer you in the right direction, providing the answers you seek. This guidance will help you refine your CRM integration strategy to achieve the highest level of effectiveness.
What is CRM Integration?
CRM integration basically involves connecting external tools to your CRM and streamlining functions into one platform.
For instance, imagine a CRM as your business smartphone, storing and sorting huge amounts of data. Basic CRM systems manage contacts, while advanced ones are like smartphones, loaded with lots of features. An all-in-one CRM System offers diverse applications for dynamic tool usage.
With the use of various different apps by different teams, there is a high chance of data getting scattered, which makes it difficult to track. This causes the accumulation of isolated data and inaccurate tracking of customer journeys and specifications.
In this case, a centralised platform stands as a solution that integrates all tools, creating a cohesive workflow with shared data. Like adding apps to a smartphone, you can customise the CRM by integrating or removing tools as required by your business.
Top 5 CRM Integrations Every Small Business Needs
Amidst the vast array of CRM tool integrations, the temptation to install numerous business tools is quite common. Yet, it is important to analyse the needs of your small business including the new business model – dropshipping and carefully prioritise integrating only the crucial business tools with your CRM software. Below are some of the key integration tools that every small and medium-sized business must have in their CRM system:
Messaging Channel Integration
One of the top five indispensable CRM integrations that every small business should prioritise is messaging tools. Seamlessly connecting platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and LinkedIn to your CRM software can significantly amplify your customer interactions and outreach efforts. Additionally, the Message channel integration helps in improving in-house team productivity by promoting real-time and asynchronous communication even in the remote and hybrid work models.
WhatsApp integration with CRM for instance, empowers you to engage directly with customers through private messages, providing personalised assistance and building stronger relationships. On the other hand, LinkedIn integration offers opportunities to tap into the professional network, facilitating targeted lead generation and business networking. By effectively harnessing the capabilities of these messaging tools within your CRM, your small business can elevate its communication strategy and foster meaningful connections with customers and industry professionals alike.
Email Tool Integration
Email tool integration in a CRM system is a must-have for every business, irrespective of its size. Syncing with email platforms like Gmail and Outlook can significantly enhance communication efficiency and streamline customer interactions. You can also incorporate these tools into your CRM workflow to automate day-to-day tasks based on time and event such as whenever an appointment is scheduled, the CRM can automatically trigger emails to clients via Gmail or Outlook. A mailing list stands as the cornerstone for every small business. Using a QR code is a convenient method to secure subscriptions. Develop enticing lead magnets and compelling CTAs to prompt individuals into sharing their contact information willingly.
Additionally, integrating email marketing tools such as MailerLite and Mailchimp can take your marketing efforts to the next level. These integrations enable you to seamlessly manage your contacts, track email interactions, and execute targeted email campaigns directly from your CRM interface. By incorporating these email marketing solutions into your CRM ecosystem, you can achieve a comprehensive view of your customer interactions and utilise them to build stronger customer relationships and maximise your business’s potential.
Calling Tool Integration
Imagine the potential for your pre-sales, sales, and customer support teams if client communication could seamlessly occur and be effortlessly recorded right within your CRM. The integration of calling tools into your small business CRM software possesses the capacity to transform customer interactions for small and growing businesses. By incorporating calling software such as Aircall for audio calls and Zoom for video conferencing, you ensure that every sales call-related detail like call logs, recordings, and essential notes becomes easily accessible within your CRM.
This integration empowers your sales team to initiate and receive calls directly from the CRM interface, eliminating the need to juggle between multiple applications. It also enables businesses to establish an organised call distribution workflow within the CRM, effectively routing calls to appropriate team members.
Lead Form Integration
In the series of crucial CRM integrations for small businesses, the integration of web forms, Facebook lead generation forms, and prospecting tools tactfully channels potential leads and prospects into your CRM system. The integration of prospecting data and lead forms into the CRM streamlines the process of entering data into the CRM system. The gathered information auto-synchronises with your contact list, ensuring the swift addition of data to each lead as soon as the form is completed.
Moreover, some lead forms come with an in-built UTM tracking feature that further enhances this integration, enabling you to precisely trace the sources of these leads. By syncing these lead generation forms, your small business can efficiently consolidate lead information, optimise engagement strategies, and attain an enriched understanding of lead origination.
Accounting Tool Integration
Every small business should consider integrating their CRM systems with accounting tools such as Xero and QuickBooks. This integration can be a game-changer, especially for e-commerce businesses. By integrating your CRM with accounting software, tasks like billing, invoice generation, and financial tracking can be streamlined to a remarkable extent.
For instance, in the realm of e-commerce, the integration can automate the process of generating invoices for each transaction, ensuring accuracy and saving valuable time. It also allows for real-time syncing of financial data, offering a comprehensive view of sales, expenses, and profits directly within your CRM dashboard. This level of integration not only minimises manual errors but also empowers growing businesses with accurate financial insights that aid in making informed decisions for growth.
What Are the Benefits of CRM Integrations for Your Business?
Small businesses can reap multiple advantages from CRM integrations, which enhance customer relationship management and operational efficiency. Let’s explore some of these benefits:
- Centralised platform for time-saving: Embracing an all-in-one CRM system eliminates the need to navigate various applications separately. Instead, you can integrate diverse tools directly into your CRM, providing a centralised platform. By leveraging CRM integration, the tedious task of manually recording contacts and information can be eradicated, leading to significant time and energy savings for your team members.
- Bridges communication gap between teams: By integrating CRM systems, the gap between marketing and sales teams is bridged. This enables seamless planning, execution, and analysis of marketing campaigns, resulting in more profound insights for the sales team.
- Improves customer assistance: By integrating CRM systems, businesses can conveniently access customer information and acquire deeper insights into their preferences. This leads to enhanced customer support and an elevated customer experience.
- Reduces sales costs: Research indicates that businesses stand a greater chance of selling to their current customers. By integrating CRM tools, companies gain a holistic perspective of customer needs, online interactions, spending patterns, and crucial behaviours. This information can then be utilised to enhance overall business performance.
Summing Up!
Integrating vital business tools within a CRM can enhance efficiency and simplify business operations. These tools include messaging channels, email marketing platforms, calling software, lead capture utilities, and accounting systems. Numerous CRMs, such as Pepper Cloud, an all-in-one sales CRM software, provide crucial integrations tailored for small businesses at budget-friendly rates. These integrations contribute to businesses by enhancing communication, enabling focused marketing campaigns, enhancing customer support, and cutting sales expenses. For growing enterprises, CRM integrations offer opportunities to elevate customer engagement, ensure precise revenue tracking, and foster data-informed choices, ultimately enhancing productivity.
Why is FinancesOnline free?
Leave a comment!