CRM Recommendations

[Nicki Laycoax]

With so many choices out there, I need recommendations for the one that you think is the best.

If possible, can you list the price?

Thank you!

[Nicki Laycoax]

I thought I'd reopen the CRM discussion to see if there were any new ones out since your convo... What did you end up using?

When you say website work on Google Apps... What exactly do you mean? I use Google Apps. Highly dislike Gmail, but everything else super rocks!

[John Wooton]

I did like Zoho CRM. It's free up to 3 users and it's $12/month for each additional user after that.

http://crm.zoho.com/crm/login.sas

[Nicki Laycoax]

When you say you did like... Were you using it and stopped? If so, why? I just signed up for it, but haven't started populating it yet... Will await your response!

[Jon D. Speer]

Nicki,
Long time, no talk! I hope all is well. We need to catch up soon.
I use SugarSuite CRM. They have an open source version that is free. Lots of capabilities in this package. I also recently learned about Intelestream. The principles of this group were former Sugar employees and developers. Their tools are pretty inexpensive. Give them a call.
Also, this topic has been discussed on SI before here and here.
Cheers,
j

[Nicki Laycoax]

Thanks Jon! I'll check into Intelestream.

[Matthew Maudlin]

Nicki,

I would recommend you look at Pipeline Deals. http://www.pipelinedeals.com

I have been using it for 3-4 months and it is working for me. The cost is $15 per month per user.

Check it out. I would be interested to hear if you think it would work for you too.

Good luck!

[Nicki Laycoax]

I will also check out Pipeline Deals. Wil was saying that he uses it as well... I'll let you know what I think!

[Alice Irvan]

I have found salesforce.com to be about the best crm software...it has a lot to offer any size organization.

[Mike Seidle]

Nicki -

SugarCRM is fantastic. Our company offers hosting for the open source version - the cost is simple: $50/month for up to 50 users. The cost for setup is based on how much data you need brought in, and if you need training or not. We can do customizations and integration work as needed.

Mike
// Have been doing CRM since 1997

[Angela Halloran]

Hi Nicki,

I've haven't used any of these myself but these were recommended on another site so it might be worth checking them out. I've used Salesforce.com which is great but is an investment.

Free CRM - This is a Web-based customer relationship management software that allows for sales force automation. Track leads and manage your sales pipeline. http://www.freecrm.com/

bConnections - This is a simple, easy to use CRM system that allows you to shorten your sales cycle, provide better customer service, make informed decisions, and increase your sales. http://www.bconnections.com/login.aspx

salesboom - This is a CRM and back office solution that’s user friendly and provides seamless integration. http://www.salesboom.com/

SalesJunction - SalesJunction is a highly customizable but easy to use contact management system that’s very affordable. http://www.salesjunction.com/

Good Luck in your search.

Angela

[Nicki Laycoax]

Thank you Angela! I will check them out!

[Mark A. Anderson]

Hi Nicki,

Haven't read the entire string, but thought I would weigh in. Over the past 5 years I have used Act, Goldmine, SalesForce, Sugar CRM, Zoho, HighRise, and Sales Force. I am currently using SalesForce for my job, Zoho for my company, and Highrise for Personal/ Business Development. I think it totally depends on the size of the company, what you are selling, and what the back-end requirements are (Is it being used for operations as well? Looking to track trends, manage campaigns, etc.). If it is an organizational tool for personal use and/or a small business wanting to keep organized for sales and business development, I would go with HighRise from 37 Signals. Pretty basic like all 37 Signals Applications, but very practical and useable and free or cheap depending on the number of users. Won't support much in terms of operations, but that is where Basecamp would come in.

At the other extreme, I honestly believe that SalesForce is clearly the best for National or International companies with remote sellers and compartmentalized or regional sales teams. The key to falling in love with SalesForce is to embrace the inevitable. If you try to resist and take short cuts, it can get frustrating, but if you use it correctly, you can be zipping through calls at a pretty rapid clip in no time. The problem with Sales Force is the cost. Depending on the features, you are talking somewhere north of $50 or $60 per user per month which can add up even for small companies with a decent sized sales team. So, if you are willing to give up a few features, you can take a slight step down for a HUGE reduction in price. That is where Zoho and SugarCRM come in. Last I checked, SugarCRM was free, but choppy where Zoho was better, much closer to SalesForce, but extremely affordable. So...

Sales Force: BMW
Zoho: Honda Accord
Sugar CRM: Hundai

Highrise: Harley Davidson (or at least a motorcycle ; )