Valeriia Cheban
We have already established how a modern CRM solution can help your real estate business to be more successful. But what else do you need to consider? For sure, if you have been planning on getting a new CRM solution, now is probably the perfect time to do so. But that doesn’t mean you should jump the gun and buy the cheapest package from a vendor who promises everything under the sun. Nor does it mean that you should go with one that is most expensive and reputable.
Of course, the choice is up to you but think wisely before any hasty decisions are made. You don’t want to end up with a CRM solution that has a ton of features you don’t need, requires expert knowledge to operate/navigate, or is just plain expensive. After all, a CRM solution is meant to help you provide better customer experiences, make your business operations more seamless, and maximize ROI. That said, here are my 5 top things to consider when selecting a new CRM solution.
1.Cost
As with many things in life, expensive doesn’t always mean better and affordable doesn’t always mean worse. In fact, some of the priciest options out there will have all the bells and whistles but the biggest question is – do you need all of them? Chances are…you don’t.
One good way to start is by thinking about what your goals are. Think of the features that you need your CRM solution to have today AND tomorrow. Take into account how much the cost per user is, and if you’ll need to pay extra to add more contacts or data. Always remember that the key is a balance between cost and value.
2. Ease-of-Use
A positive ROI on your CRM investment will be helped if you get the most out of your solution. This means that no matter how robust or ground-breaking its features are, it will be useless if you can’t utilize them to your advantage.
Aside from the cost, is it easy to set up? How long does it take to master the whole system or parts of it? More importantly, how comfortable are your staff in using it especially if you are migrating from an old CRM to a new one?
3. Support
This has more to do with the provider of the software than the system itself. Still, it should play a big role in determining which CRM to go with. If something goes wrong or if you need immediate assistance, how quickly can you get help? Is it by phone, email, or do you have to look it up on a website?
It is always a good idea to check product reviews from other companies who are already using or have used the same software before. Challenge the provider to offer customer references.
4. Integration to existing solutions
Another thing that you need to look at when choosing a new CRM solution is its ability to integrate with other software solutions. Everything from your website and Office to social media and your ERP solution should be considered. In doing so, you optimize for cost and productivity of your employees as well as give your IT department a lending hand when it comes to integration headaches and the like.
5. Customization vs. Out-of-the-box functionality
An out-of-the-box solution is designed to handle standard or generic business processes for a specific type of company or industry. On the other hand, a custom solution is designed to meet specific and distinct needs of a company that don’t fall under the norm.
Both have their own pros and cons, but it doesn’t mean that one is better than the other. It’s about finding the most cost-effective combination for your real estate business. It’s about getting the features and functions you need in a CRM at a price that’s within your budget and within a timeframe relevant to your business needs.
Want to learn more? Get in contact with sales@domain6inc.com.
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