Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software is a valuable tool for small businesses looking to streamline their operations and improve customer relations. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to select the best CRM for your business. Most CRMs cater to large companies, but there are several targeted specifically towards small service-based businesses. In this article, we will cover the features and benefits to consider when selecting a CRM for your business, and provide a list of the top CRMs for small service-based businesses.
What to look for in a CRM for service-based businesses
When selecting a CRM tool for a small service-based business, consider the following features:
- Simple to use and set up: The software should be easy to use and navigate, with a simple setup process that doesn’t require technical expertise.
- All-in-one solutions: Look for a CRM software that can handle all aspects for your business, including customer relationship management, project management, invoicing and payment processing. This will save you time and money compared to using multiple software programs.
- Easy to use for clients: The CRM tool should also be easy for your clients to use. It should allow them to book appointments, make payments, and communicate with you in a straightforward and user-friendly way.
- Affordable pricing: As a small business owner, you want a CRM software that is affordable and fits within your budget. Look for a CRM that offers flexible pricing plans, with options to scale up or down as your business grows.
- Automations to save time: A good CRM system should have automation features to save you time and improve efficiency. This can include automated appointment reminders, payment processing, and project management tools.
- Light customization: The CRM tool should allow for some level of customization to reflect your brand and company values. This can include adding your logo, customizing templates, and tailoring the software to meet your unique business needs.
9 Best CRMs for service businesses
Here are some of the best CRMs for small service-based businesses, broken out by bigger and smaller companies.
For businesses with 10+ people, we'd recommend looking at:
Freshsales CRM
Freshsales is a CRM that's build for bigger companies. You'll see large brands like Klarna using their CRM, which has all the basic functionality of an all-in-one solution, with additional customization around sales automation, live chat, and enterprise level support. If you're running a large organization or you're looking to manage a sales team, Freshsales might be right for you. Pricing for Freshsales starts at $18/user/month for the CRM alone.
Insightly CRM
Insightly is a CRM for teams. With over 2000+ integrations, you can customize this CRM to your needs — even for the most complex of businesses. Insightly also offers add-ons for marketing automation, and customer support functionality. Pricing for Insightly starts at $29/month for the CRM alone.
Pipedrive CRM
Pipedrive is the CRM designed for sales people, by sales people. And it's shows! You can manage leads, build sales automation, email tracking, get insights across different sales reps, and more - all within Pipedrive. They also have email marketing functionality that you can add on, and integrations with 250+ apps. Pricing for Pipedrive starts at $19.90/user/month.
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is an incredibly popular option amongst businesses. They serve over 250,000 businesses worldwide with an extensive feature list. You can find features from predictive sales to process management and everything in between. Zoho also has many other products that their CRM can integrate with, providing a holsitic solution for enterprise customers. Pricing for Zoho CRM starts at $18/user/month.
HubSpot
HubSpot CRM is popular software that caters to businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries. The software offers features for managing customer relationships, marketing, and sales. Its standout features include email marketing automation, lead capture forms, and integration with popular social media platforms. The pricing for HubSpot starts at $50/month, and it offers a free plan for basic features.
For businesses with less than 5 people, we'd recommend looking at:
Practice
Practice is a CRM software designed specifically for coaches, consultants and other businesses of one. The software offers features for managing client relationships,scheduling appointments and simple workflow automations. Its standout features include the ability to create and share customizable form templates, a streamlined client portal, and easy invoices and payment reminders. The pricing for Practice starts at $25/month, and it offers a 7-day free trial.
Honeybook
Honeybook is an all-in-one CRM software that caters to small businesses in the creative industry, including event planners, photographers and designers. This crm system offers tools for managing projects, invoicing, and scheduling appointments. HoneyBook’s standout features include automated workflows, project management tools, and the ability to create custom proposals and contracts. The pricing for HoneyBook starts at $19/month, and they offer a 7-day free trial.
Dubsado
Dubsado is another all-in-one CRM software that caters to small businesses in the service industry, including coaches, consultants and freelancers. This CRM system offers features for scheduling appointments, sending invoices and managing projects. Its standout features include customizable forms and questionnaires, appointment scheduling and time tracking. The pricing for Dubsado starts at $35/month, and it offers a free trial.
17hats
17hats is an all-in-one CRM software that caters to small businesses in the service industry, including photographers, videographers, and event planners. The Software offers features for managing projects, invoicing, and scheduling appointments. Its standout features include automated workflows, customizable templates, and integration with popular payment processors. The pricing starts at $45/month, and it offers a 14-day free trial.
The Right Choice for You
In conclusion, choosing the right CRM software can make a significant difference in the efficiency and success of your small business. While there are many options available, we've highlighted five of the best CRM software options for small businesses. Each software has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your specific business needs.
If you’re a coach, consultant, therapist, or a business of one, Practice stands out as an excellent option that offers simple yet professional features that support your and your clients. With its client management tools, appointment scheduling, and easy payment features, Practice can help you save time and improve customer satisfaction. Whether you choose Practice or Pipedrive or another CRM tool, taking time to research and invest in the right solution can help set your small business up for long-term success.
