Online CRM for teams

Short for ‘customer relationship management’, CRM refers to the process that businesses use to manage their communications and interactions with clients and prospects, building lasting relationships with them. To achieve this, they typically use platforms called CRM software.

Recently, most CRM platforms have made the move from on-premises to cloud deployment, freeing the businesses from being forced to install software on multiple desktop computers and mobile devices. Online CRM software is now the most practical, connected, secure, and popular way for businesses to manage their customer relationships.

In addition to tracking their clients, businesses can also use online CRM to analyze their behavior in-depth and make informed decisions to optimize their processes and improve bottom line.

The usefulness of online CRM software extends even beyond these objectives. As it covers the client-business relationships across the whole customer lifecycle, it assists in customer service, marketing, sales, supply chain management, and digital commerce operations of a business.

As such, CRM software benefits the organization’s relationships with clients, team members, service users, and suppliers. It supports finding and reaching out to new clients, providing one place for storing all their contact and other information. It helps team members discover new sales opportunities and manage marketing campaigns, as well as take note of any service problems.

No. At least not unless you’re planning on building custom CRM systems yourself.

Although it can look intimidating, installing and utilizing online CRM software and adjusting it to your business is very simple and straightforward. In fact, its complexity level is very close to that of a typical email and contacts app. Think of it as a bigger, better version of an address book, enhanced with all sorts of additional features and capabilities.

Sure, certain CRM systems may require knowledge of coding for deep-level customizations and unusual integrations. However, most online CRM platforms have enough customization options for any business to apply without any programming expertise.

The same goes for integrations. A capable modern CRM system will allow you to easily connect your workflow with a number of outside platforms and services – no code required. Examples of such CRM integrations include those with Zapier, Quickbooks, and Google Analytics.

Also, CRM platforms like vcita typically offer setup assistance and video tutorials for their partners to help them become familiar with the system and clear any confusion.

After a business invests in a CRM platform, it usually requires a small amount of preparation on behalf of the manager and employees before they can use it. Different CRM platforms come with different levels of complexity, so they may need a different number of training sessions. The length of training may also depend on the experience of the team with similar kinds of software.

Some online CRM platforms, like vcita, are very easy and straightforward to navigate and they don’t require any complicated, lengthy, or expensive training. Instead, when purchasing a subscription, vcita will provide your business with personalized onboarding in whichever way you find it easier to digest – be it by phone or by email.

In addition to the installation assistance, all the clients have access to video tutorials, comprehensive guides, and detailed step-by-step explanations and descriptions of every feature and capability. On top of that, clients are more than welcome to get in touch with speedy and knowledgeable customer support whenever they have any new issues or additional questions.

A CRM database is a part of the CRM system that organizes in one place all the information about an organization’s clients and their interactions with the organization. Once the clients’ information is added into the database, you can sort and filter them by different properties, facilitating easier and faster access.

This database is shared among the manager and employees and typically comes equipped with marketing and sales reporting capabilities, extending its usefulness beyond just tracking clients. For instance, it allows you to forecast revenue to see if you’re on the right track toward meeting your business goals.

Usually, a CRM database contains several types of information, including:

– client data (name, title, and contact information: email address, phone number, home address, and so on)
– the date of the last communication (such as phone calls, emails, chats, etc.) with the client and details about the communication
– the client’s order(s) and transaction history
– source of leads (e.g. your website, their company, and so on) and lead scores
– other information about the client, potentially useful in nurturing the relationship with the business (e.g. job, hobbies, birthday, and the like).

Using this information, businesses can deploy their CRM to bring in new customers, make optimizations in their operations, as well as pursue and achieve their marketing and sales goals.