Is Price The Only Benchmark While Evaluating A CRM Software Purchase

As per Gartner, the governments in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region are expected to spend $11.6 billion in 2017 on information technology (IT) products and services.

Impressing customers is an age old tradition, and businesses try everything that is there in the book to make them happy. But, keeping all your customers in good humour can be a difficult task to accomplish, given their awareness and demands. However, with technology taking centre stage, businesses now have the option of keeping all their customers contented if they adopt a customer relationship management (CRM) solution.

Don’t forget that a CRM system increases the productivity of your sales team by 27 percent. But, deciding on which CRM to buy still remains a billion dollar question, as there are several vendors out there in the market trying to sell their product claiming it to be the best.

So, what is it that you should look for when you start evaluating a CRM purchase? What are the criteria which you ought to consider, and how do you zero in on the best CRM software for your business? But, before that let’s explore what a CRM system can do to your business.

This is what a CRM system does to your business

Choosing a perfect tool for your company requires a lot of deliberation on various fronts, more so when you know that it is going to be the backbone of your sales and marketing teams. Yes, a CRM software empowers you and your team members through which you can look after all your customers really well, and make them loyal to your brand or service. Moreover, it helps you convert your prospective leads into your customers, giving you a chance to make them your permanent patrons.

Is price the only benchmark while evaluating a CRM software purchase?

There are various considerations when it comes to selecting the right kind of a CRM software for your establishment. Of course, CRM software price are one of the most important consideration, but it should never become a hindering factor. As a company you need to plan your investments and do that judiciously as well.

Usually, CRM vendors these days charge their customers a fixed monthly or yearly price on a per user basis. Also, most of them have plans that suit the needs of businesses of all sizes. The amount of money you finally have to pay would depend on the number of users you sign up for and the functionalities you need. As it is, with the introduction of cloud based CRM systems, the prices have become more competitive and affordable making it possible for small companies also to avail these services. On the other hand, if you opt for an in house CRM system you will have to pay more for a single user license.

But, when negotiating on prices, do keep in mind what you are going to get in return for the amount you pay. From upfront cost to the long term implications of the amount you would have to pay in the longer run, research every bit of it. Also, remember that the CRM system you are purchasing integrates well with the existing IT infrastructure of your company.

Also, do keep in mind the ROI a CRM system would generate for your organisation.

Apart from the CRM software price, here are some of the other factors you should consider before finally going ahead and purchasing the system.

Make sure the CRM system you are purchasing is Easy to use – You need to buy an intuitive and user friendly CRM system for your organisation, one which is easy to use for your employees. A complicated CRM system is difficult to give you good results. Take your team members into confidence prior to making the final decision on its purchase. This would ensure that implementation of the software is smooth in your company.

Ensure that the vendor you select has sufficient experience in the software industry – An experienced vendor would make the process of implementing the CRM easy. Find out about the vendor from wherever you can, social media, your friends in the industry or both.

Also, find out how much support you would get from the vendor – Another important consideration is vendor support. How much support your vendor is ready to extend to you. During the implementation stages it is always better to have good customer care and support from the vendor because it eases the nerves of your staff. Though, it is always helpful if you get support after the implementation phase is over, either through phone, chat or email.

Scalability is another important criterion – You would not want to invest in a CRM system every few years, hence make sure that the software you select has the capacity to grow with you. Scalability is an important consideration because you should not expect your workforce to embrace change every few years. Also, it is not financially viable to buy a CRM software that would not allow you to grow in future.

In case you want a CRM software that is cost effective and easy to use, you should consider using eZnetCRM, a product from the repertoire of vStacks Software Solutions.

eZnetCRM is scalable, which provides all its customers 24X7 technical support. It also manages your sales process, and all your customer needs pretty effectively.