Apptivo<\/td> Freelance business growth<\/td> Simple set-up<\/td> $0 \u2013 $20\/ user per month<\/td> \u00a315.44<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What is CRM?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou may already know that CRM stands for client relationship management. But what does that mean exactly? CRM is simply the strategy freelancers use to keep their clients happy and coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the days before the internet, freelancers could do it all themselves. clients would pop into your shop, so it was easy to get to know their preferences, make the best recommendations, and take the time to answer their every query.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that\u2019s not what most freelancers look like today. Still, developing great client relationships is more important than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you know it\u2019s far less expensive to keep existing clients happy than to chase new ones? And that long-term clients are altogether more valuable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How can CRM help me?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNowadays, freelance businesses of all sizes are using CRM software to give their clients that same friendly, one-to-one client service, with just their computers and phones. And you don\u2019t need to be a marketing guru or have bags of time and money to use one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nCRM providers give you a 360-degree view of all your clients\u2019 data across one simple interface. This is the basic format, but most of our top picks below have a friendlier feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may already use analytics tools like Google Analytics, marketing automation systems like Hootsuite and perhaps you are already an active merger thanks to MailChimp. But the best CRM software does the legwork for all your analytics, marketing and sales needs for you, and can integrate nicely with your existing platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How does CRM work?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEssentially, CRM systems work by collecting client data, analysing it to understand their individual needs, and adjusting and automating marketing campaigns to help boost sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What data does it need? The most useful data might be your clients\u2019 personal information (so you can personalise your emails to specific groups), or insights pulled from interactions they have had via your website, email and social media (which will help you work out who your biggest fans are, and who might be in need of a bit of attention).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research has shown that freelance businesses who create personalised experiences for their clients see their revenues increase by 6% to 10%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also save bags of time by automating many of your tasks. Try creating automated email responses for the most common queries, or start tailoring your communications to specific clients. You’re bound to see an uplift in sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is all this important?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Gone are the days when a person on the end of a phone counted as good client service. Today people are used to connecting with each other via a number of platforms \u2013 and they expect the same of the freelance businesses they use, no matter their size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone talks about the importance of data. But most people need a bit of help in making the most out of it. This can seem overwhelming for freelance businesses. But it doesn\u2019t need to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good CRM software takes the hassle out of keeping your clients happy and your sales healthy \u2013 and there are plans to suit all needs and budgets, even for when your business grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CRM systems use client data to help you plan the best marketing and sales activities. This means you should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get more emails read by personalising their content<\/li> Save time by automating tasks<\/li> Get to know your clients better by understanding their data<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nIn a nutshell, CRM makes freelancers happy by driving new and repeat sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it makes clients happy by improving the service they receive and their overall experience of your business. All this is the secret to better sales and loyal clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 top tips when choosing your CRM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Your CRM needs will be as unique as your freelance business, and there is no one-size-fits-all provider. But to help you decide which CRM tool is best for you, here are some key questions you\u2019ll want to ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How easy is the software to use?<\/strong> You don\u2019t have much time to spare. All our picks are easy to learn and use, and we\u2019ve highlighted which ones keep it simple, and which ones have more bells and whistles.<\/li>Is it a team player?<\/strong> You want to know the CRM system you choose will get on well with the software you are already using. We\u2019ve selected the top options for integration, so the process will be as hassle-free as possible.<\/li>How mobile is it?<\/strong> You are mobile, and you need your software to be too. Everything on this page is cloud-based (meaning everything can be stored online, and accessed wherever and whenever your staff need it), and comes with a mobile app (to make using CRM easier than ever).<\/li>What\u2019s my budget?<\/strong> Price is always a big factor when choosing the right CRM provider, especially for start-up freelance businesses. Below you\u2019ll find the most cost-effective options for all price points to help you get the most out of your budget, and all come with a free trial.<\/li>Will it scale with my business?<\/strong> However small your freelance business may be now, you\u2019ll want to think about where your CRM system will take you as you grow. To help you avoid starting all over again after a growth spurt, we\u2019ve tracked down the CRM plans which will scale best in the long term.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nIn the current climate, personalisation is key to any successful marketing campaign.<\/strong> Clients want to feel like an individual and require a one-on-one relationship with a brand in order to stay loyal.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut tailoring marketing is tricky in the digital age. It\u2019s not on a face-to-face basis that we come to know our clients, which makes establishing their specific wants and needs a labour-heavy and time consuming task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A global survey analysing the \u2018top organisational barriers to personalisation\u2019 found that 74% of businesses said that \u2018too few personal dedicated to personalisation\u2019 was their biggest obstacle when it came to offering a fully individualised brand experience to their clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a CRM system comes in. Saving freelance businesses time, money and resource by individualising marketing based on a client’s previous engagement with the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/span>Insightly CRM \u2013 is it for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nWith over 1.5 million users worldwide, Insightly is one of the most popular CRM systems around. It\u2019s known as a user-friendly option and is often a favourite for freelance businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can access it online, or even on your mobile via its app, and it will integrate well with other online applications like Gmail, MailChimp, and Evernote. Its dashboard provides real-time information and a range of reports, but there is also the option of customising your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, Insightly is a solid entry point into the world of CRM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great for:<\/strong> Freelancers wanting to hit the ground running with CRM and grow quickly<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros:<\/strong> Easy to use, integrates well with other software, good interface, affordable<\/p>\n\n\n\nCons:<\/strong> Not fully customisable, limited client care on free version<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat can Insightly do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBuilding client relationships<\/strong> \u2013 Discover new connections, plan your sales process, track organisations and partnerships.<\/li>Connecting to apps<\/strong> \u2013 Monitor all tools and manage them from one database with email and software integration.<\/li>Accelerating sales<\/strong> \u2013 Automate lead capture and generation to streamline and improve processes. Close deals faster and more efficiently.<\/li>Delivering projects<\/strong> \u2013 Manage assignments and projects, set schedules and share goals and objectives across teams.<\/li>Being enterprise ready<\/strong> \u2013 Safeguard with encryption and backups to ensure that your vital information is protected.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhat will Insightly cost me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Insightly offer CRM plans to match different budgets. In the table below we have included information about each plan, with prices and some specific features.Search:<\/p>\n\n\n\nFree<\/strong><\/th>Plus<\/strong><\/th>Professional<\/strong><\/th>Enterprise<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>$0<\/td> $29\/user per month<\/td> $49\/user per month<\/td> $99\/user per month<\/td><\/tr> Introductory package, ideal for a one or two person company<\/td> Segment, communicate and monitor outreach efforts<\/td> Add workflow automation and team security<\/td> Scale your CRM to fit your business needs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Salesforce CRM \u2013 is it for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nSalesforce is one of the oldest players in CRM and is still considered one of the best options for freelance businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you would expect, the tools are slick, and integrate nicely with any platforms you are already using. It has a jaw-dropping range of features, giving you the most in-depth insights into your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But even for those who are just finding their feet with CRM, there is also great client support, an intuitive interface and tutorials to help you make the most of their impressive tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because Salesforce caters for businesses of all sizes, you can be sure it will scale as you grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great for:<\/strong> Freelancers wanting a slick user experience, scalability and in-depth reporting<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros:<\/strong> Top-notch reports, integrates with most other tools, very flexible, feature-rich<\/p>\n\n\n\nCons:<\/strong> Can be tricky to get to grips with<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat can Salesforce do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nSales<\/strong> \u2013 Improve, centralise and automate your sales process to save time and money, and get key insights into your clients.<\/li>Service<\/strong> \u2013 Keep your clients happy and coming back with its intuitive and customisable solutions.<\/li>Marketing<\/strong> \u2013 Understand your client journeys better to create personalised marketing communications across all your different channels.<\/li>Apps Builder<\/strong> \u2013 Build your own apps with point-and-click tools. Its unified platform means everything scales and integrates well.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhat will Salesforce cost me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nLightning essentials<\/strong><\/th>Lightning professional<\/strong><\/th>Lightning enterprise<\/strong><\/th>Lightning unlimited<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\u00a320\/user per month<\/td> \u00a360\/user per month<\/td> \u00a3120\/user per month<\/td> \u00a3240\/user per month<\/td><\/tr> Out-of-the-box CRM for up to five users<\/td> Complete CRM for any size team<\/td> Deeply customisable sales CRM for your business<\/td> Unlimited CRM power and support<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSalesforce CRM products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Salesforce\u2019s CRM product range is expansive and varied to adapt to different client needs. With everything included \u2013 from specialty sales functions to marketing feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to understand what you need is to analyse your teams and to decide what your goals are. If you know that you want to improve sales figures, then this should be included in your decision-making process; likewise, if you know that you want to improve client retention rates, then you should consider this closely as part of the process too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salesforce is able to offer a huge number of plans, with various services designed to match different requirements. Included in their plans are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cloud services \u2013 offers expertise, data and innovation.<\/li> Success plans \u2013 offers a range of services to suit different goals and objectives.<\/li> Advisory services \u2013 provides consultation services to help your freelance business grow.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThese three plans can be perfect for many freelance businesses, however, there are more options available too \u2013 it is important to consider the choices carefully before making a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: Salesforce CRM UK Review<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Zoho CRM \u2013 is it for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nZoho is a great option for freelancers who want to be up and running in CRM quickly, and are looking for an option that\u2019s simple and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most users pick Zoho because it\u2019s reasonably priced, easy to use and very customisable. Plus, 2018 brought Zoho CRM a makeover, so it is now more user-friendly and powerful than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than struggling with a series of how-to videos, Zoho users have access to a conversational AI assistant, so you can ask it (in everyday language) to find whatever information you need for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zoho gives a lot of bang for a few bucks and is one of the best low-budget CRM providers out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great for<\/strong>: Freelancers with tight budgets who are after an intuitive way of using data<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros:<\/strong> Affordable, easy to use<\/p>\n\n\n\nCons:<\/strong> Client support can be slow to respond, limited features<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat can Zoho CRM do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nChannels<\/strong> \u2013 Merge multiple channels for quick and streamlined conversations with clients.<\/li>Performance<\/strong> \u2013 Make things easier for your staff, and improve sales figures with help from advanced platforms.<\/li>Platforms<\/strong> \u2013 Use software that can be customised to suit your needs and goals.<\/li>Scale<\/strong> \u2013 Zoho\u2019s CRM solution can be scaled as you grow.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhat will Zoho CRM cost me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Zoho offers a range of CRM plans to match different budgets. These plans are designed with different features included, allowing most businesses \u2013 including freelance businesses \u2013 to find a plan to suit their requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The table below includes a small side-by-side comparison of the plans that are available from Zoho.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFree<\/strong><\/th>Standard<\/strong><\/th>Professional<\/strong><\/th>Enterprise<\/strong><\/th>Ultimate<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>$0\/user per month<\/td> $12\/user per month<\/td> $29\/user per month<\/td> $49\/user per month<\/td> $99\/user per month<\/td><\/tr> Basic CRM, all you need to start your freelance business<\/td> Standard CRM, including sales forecasting and KPIs<\/td> Standard CRM, with integration and workflow<\/td> Advanced CRM, with custom modules<\/td> Full package, with customisable and tracking options<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSome of Zoho\u2019s top promises are listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Channels \u2013 merge multiple channels, allowing for quick and streamlined conversations with clients.<\/li> Performance \u2013 drive your teams forward and improve sales figures with help from advanced platforms.<\/li> Platforms \u2013 use software that can be customised to suit your needs and goals.<\/li> Scale \u2013 perfect for freelance businesses, Zoho\u2019s CRM can be scaled as your operations grows.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAs well as traditional CRM, Zoho have also continued to introduce high-value technical functions into their company, with new features like Zia \u2013 an AI sales assistant \u2013 among their latest developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find out our verdict in our full Zoho CRM review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>SugarCRM \u2013 is it for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nFreelance businesses love SugarCRM for its low cost. It has a simple user interface, and a range of services to suit many sectors. This makes it ideal for companies with fairly straightforward sales processes, and little need for more complex processes (features like customisation are possible, but come with a learning curve and limited support).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growth is at the heart of SugarCRM, so it will be difficult for businesses not to grow with this tool. But because it\u2019s open source, you don\u2019t have the support services offered by some of the larger providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great for:<\/strong> Freelance businesses who are looking to grow, are budget-conscious and want to keep things simple<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros:<\/strong> Very cost-effective, full control and customisation of features<\/p>\n\n\n\nCons:<\/strong> Takes a bit of time to master, can be tricky to integrate with other systems<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat can SugarCRM do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nEnterprise<\/strong> \u2013 Adaptable software and systems that can be scaled to suit your freelance business.<\/li>Sales<\/strong> \u2013 Schedule your system, and approach every sale with expertise.<\/li>Customer service<\/strong> \u2013 Handle all client relationships, complaints and workflow efficiently.<\/li>Marketing<\/strong> \u2013 Market effectively by integrating systems into one central dashboard.<\/li>Mobile<\/strong> \u2013 Mobile CRM from SugarCRM lets you get to work, wherever you are.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhat will SugarCRM cost me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The table below includes some information about SugarCRM’s various plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSugar Professional<\/strong><\/th>Sugar Enterprise<\/strong><\/th>Sugar Ultimate<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>$40\/user per month<\/td> $65\/user per month<\/td> $150\/user per month<\/td><\/tr> Basic CRM, ideal for growing your freelance business (15GB storage)<\/td> More CRM capabilities, best value for larger businesses (60GB storage)<\/td> Most complete CRM, plus highest level of support (250GB storage)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe five main areas covered by SugarCRM\u2019s products are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enterprise \u2013 providing adaptable software and systems that can be scaled to ensure the success of freelance businesses.<\/li> Sales \u2013 get the most out of each client, and provide them what they need too. Schedule with your system and approach every sale with expertise and resource.<\/li> Customer service \u2013 handle all client relationships with expertise and efficiency. Handle complaints and sales quickly and easily, by optimising workflow with a quality system.<\/li> Marketing \u2013 market effectively by integrating systems into one central dashboard. Launch campaigns with confidence.<\/li> Mobile \u2013 mobile CRM from SugarCRM lets you monitor and track, wherever you are. Stay connected and ensure quality, from top to bottom.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Pipedrive \u2013 is it for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nPipedrive is a leader in managing sales opportunities and is designed around activity-based selling. It is a great starter CRM, and its customisable and easy-to-use interface will appeal to freelance businesses looking to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t be fooled by its modest price tag \u2013 this is a powerful sales tool, and takes the pain out of managing sales and related activities. There are also a number of out-of-the-box integrations available, making it as easy as possible to adapt the software to your sales and marketing strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great for:<\/strong> Sales pros and sales-focused freelance businesses<\/p>\n\n\n\nPros:<\/strong> Slick sales management, great integration with other software, high-level reporting<\/p>\n\n\n\nCons:<\/strong> Not so intuitive, limited non-sales features<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat can Pipedrive do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPipeline management<\/strong> \u2013 Stay on top of all your deals with a clear visual interface.<\/li>