Ever feel like your business rolodex is exploding? You’re not alone. Keeping tabs on customers, emails, and follow-ups can be a nightmare for any small business owner, especially when you’re just starting out. This is where a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system comes in – it’s basically your digital sidekick for managing those all-important client connections.
CRM’s for Very Small Businesses
In this post, we’re focusing on CRMs built for the real micro-businesses – the solopreneurs, the mom-and-pop shops, the one-person empires. We’re not talking about those giant companies with hundreds of employees.
What should your tiny-but-mighty CRM do?
At the core, a CRM should keep you organized. Think of it as a super address book on steroids. It should store all your customer information, notes, to-do lists, and make it easy to categorize your contacts.
But some CRMs can do even more!
Many offer fancy features like email marketing tools, fancy automation tricks, and even project management bells and whistles. But don’t get overwhelmed – we’ll explore some great options with features for every budget and business size.
What are some of the Top CRMs for the Super Small Business Owner:
- ActiveCampaign: This user-friendly product gets you started with the basics (contacts, email marketing, basic automation) for just $15/month. Plus, it helps you score leads and manage newsletters.
- OnePage CRM: All about taking action! This simple CRM keeps things clutter-free, focusing on helping you make that next call or send that follow-up email. Plans start at a budget-friendly $9.95/month.
- Constant Contact & MailChimp: Looking to dip your toes in the CRM world? These email marketing giants offer beautiful templates, email tracking, and some light CRM functionality – a great choice for beginners.
- Insightly CRM: This all-in-one option combines CRM with project management for $49/user/month. It includes marketing and workflow automation, custom dashboards, and even a business card scanning mobile app.
- AllClients: An easy-to-use platform that combines CRM, email marketing, and marketing automation in one. Manage interactions, send targeted emails and texts, automate tasks, and collaborate with your team – all from one place, starting at $24.mo.
Remember, the best CRM is the one that fits your business! Do your research, consider your needs and budget, and don’t be afraid to try out a free trial before you buy.
Bonus Resources:
Now go forth and conquer your customer relationships!
