Best Web Based CRM & ContactManagement Solutions for Small Businesses
Don't read any further if you access the internet via a slow dial-up
connection, but if you are permanently online with a decent connection, web based CRM software is an exciting option, and is the fastest growing area of CRM Software.
Web based CRM, sometimes referred to as Hosted CRM, OnDemand CRM, Online CRM, Browser Based CRM and now SaaS (Software as a Service) software solutions, is where the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is hosted by an Application Service Provider (ASP), typically the vendor of the software.
These web based CRM applications are delivered as services over the Internet, rather than on your local network like conventional CRM software. From Google Calendar to website development tools like the amazing SBI!(small business website tool), hosted applications are popping up everywhere.
Why An Online CRM Solution?
Often a lower cost of entry and lower total cost of ownership.
Rapid implementation, although this can vary, depending on the vendor.
Rapid transmission of information across organizational lines and locations.
Accessibility - you can access web based CRM from anywhere provided you have Internet access.
Hosted CRM systems don’t require the deployment of backend systems.
No costly hardware server infrastructure necessary.
Automatic upgrades to your CRM solution
Organizations that use web based CRM systems don't own the CRM software. Instead you subscribe to the CRM services by paying a monthly or annual subscription "service based" or "pay-as-you-go" fee that varies from vendor to vendor.
CRM Survival Guide
If you are still in the process of evaluating your CRM or Sales Automation needs, you would be well advised to read something like The CRM Survival Guide by CRM consultant Scott Gingrich. Not only will you ensure your CRM Project is given its best chance of success, but you will do it within your CRM budget.
Are Web Based CRM solutions suitable for your small business?
This of course depends on the specific CRM needs of your particular organization. Like its more conventional cousins, hosted CRM products are now starting to cater for different requirements in varying degrees. Rather than trying to be one size fits all, some second generation hosted CRM systems are offer customised solutions for different industries.
Online small business CRM solutions are worthwhile considering, particularly if you are on-the-move and have a remote CRM requirement, with a widely dispersed or work-from-home workforce with access to adequate bandwidth.
The steady rise in popularity of web based CRM is also indicative of increased trust and acceptance of having your data stored off-site.
The Best Web based CRM/hosted CRM solutions you can consider are:
InfusionCRM. Highly Recommended. Excellent web based CRM solution for small to medium companies seeking a comprehensive, reliable CRM tool. InfusionCRM is an all-in-one CRM solution, so you can finally avoid exchanging data across different systems and provides support for shopping cart and sales transactions, auto-responders, product information, customer details, order history, payment plans, marketing sequences and responses, lead tracking and progression, and more. All your information is tracked in one consolidated CRM system. InfusionSoft is also a top-rated CRM company that provides an excellent level of support. InfusionCRM was voted a SmallBizCRM Top 10 CRM product. Don't be fooled by the higher price - if you compare apples-with-apples, you'll find this comprehensive solution does it all for you.
Etelos CRM for Google Apps. Recommended. The Etelos CRM Suite of online CRM for Google users has us excited (and Microsoft worried). If you are looking for a flexible web based CRM, this is it. Their Etelos CRM Personal Edition (Single User) is free. They also have a Professional and Enterprise Edition, the latter including source code. Their MS Outlook integration module is now shipping, too. The Etelos Professional Edition is only $12 per user per month. The Etelos Enterprise Edition costs from only $24 p/u p/m. The Enterprise edition allows you the ability to customize your App and host your data wherever you want. Read our Etelos CRM Review.
Aplicor CRM.Highly recommended. Excellent CRM software solution for high-growth and middle market companies. By combining ease of use with distinctive functionality such as workflow rules and business intelligence, Aplicor is carving out a unique niche for companies looking to advance in the areas of business process automation and information analysis. We also enjoyed the Forms Designer which permitted us to modify any of the browser screens in a visual drag and drop environment. This tool empowers users to modify their CRM system in order to accommodate their unusual, varying or changing business processes.
FreeCRM.Recommended. FreeCRM is a market leader for online CRM solutions for small businesses. Their single user version is free and their PRO version is a nominal $15 per user per month. Read our FreeCRM review of this best value-for-money hosted CRM solution that compares very favourably with its much higher priced counterparts.
CenterBase. Recommended. Centerbase is ideal for companies that want the accessibility of a web based CRM system, but prefer to host it on their own servers. This makes a lot of sense from various angles, particularly from a security and performance perspective. Feature rich and good value for money. Their CenterBase CRM Pro version is designed for 10-15 user sites.
Pricing is $195 per user for CenterBase Pro or $295 per user for their Enterpise version, which includes a MS SQL Server 2000 installation.
LeadsOnRails. Recommended. An exciting new entrant to the fold of web based CRM software, LeadsOnRails promote their product as "easier to use than large CRM systems, more capable than Contact Management applications". Brought to our attention by a very satisfied user, LeadsOnRails seem to know where they fit in to this competitive and convoluted CRM market. Many vendors almost lose sight of the fact that it is about managing leads, and behind those leads are real people, will real expectations that need to be managed. Their pricing, at $350 per user per year, is very realistic.
iContact Pro . Highly Recommended. Brainchild of wizzkid Ryan Allis, iContact PRO is a web-based contact manager and email marketing software combined. If your business involves the regular sending out of eMail newsletters, this polished, value-for-money software will form an essential part of your marketing arsenal. You can manage your email marketing campaigns and any sales lead follow-up's that result. Priced from an affordable $9.95 per month, depending on the size of your mail list. iContact Pro is a SmallBizCRM Top 10 CRM Contact Manager
BrowserCRM.Recommended. Offered in two editions, BrowserCRM Small Business Edition is the entry level version of BrowserCRM retaining much of the powerful functionality of BrowserCRM Professional, but without email and accounting functionality. At $299 for 5 users for the in-house deployment product and $9.99 per user per month for their web based/on demand solution, BrowserCRM provides good value for the price.
Entellium. Highly rated web based contact management / CRM solution. Compares very favourably to benchmark hosted CRM products like Siebel OnDemand and SalesForce, as well as other client/server applications like Goldmine and ACT! Strong workflow management features. Recommended for large sales teams. Priced from about $59 per user per month. For the upper end of the SMB CRM market.
InterpriseSuite. Even though InterpriseSuite is only recently out of Beta phase, it is already attracting a lot of attention. Interprise Suite can be run as both a web based CRM application or locally on your own server. This integrated CRM and accounting/ERP application is very reasonably priced, and they offer a free Single User CRM license for Interprise Suite. Ideal CRM application for small businesses.
