Web Based CRM Software

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	Web Based CRM Software *top-search.shtml* *top-ad-collapse.shtml* *tier3square.shtmlI used to have a few issues with web based CRM software because there was little feature parity with it's fat client sibling, it was slow and cumbersome to work with, it's advantages were also disadvantages (like no Internet, not solution) and it didn't bring any new capabilities for running your business to the mix. Folks, things have changed! Software as a Solution (SaaS) services have proven that the technology is there and dependable and that feature parity is no longer the issue that it used to be. The client / server CRM vendors have been developing decent web technology as well. Unfortunately, they still think the same way. You know, "software IS the solution". The good news is that there is at least one company I've been reading about lately that understands that only a solution* is a solution and they've developed web based CRM software for small companies that they feel is just that.....a solution. The main reason I'm letting them get away with this is that they actually provide guidance on developing strategies for being customer-centric that can be plugged into their web based CRM. Now, it's all about follow-up marketing, but since it is one with the sales force automation, billing system, shopping cart and affiliate program, it can make a very small company some like one bigger company to a customer or prospect. So, they get a check mark for that from me. It doesn't fit for every business, especially those with complex service offerings, but I can see some real power here for the right type of business. This is where I see I see innovation in CRM software. Niche players like this are going to help the industry realize that one product can't solve all the problems of the world. Infusionsoft, which is the product I'm referring to, can solve the problems of many small businesses. But not all of them. But I have to believe that the ones that don't conform are more complex business services with higher margins and pricing. They can probably afford a higher end, customized solution. But if they don't have to, why would they. I would check out some of these niche solutions just in case someone is innovating like these guys are. Personally, I'd be jumping all over this if I knew how my customer support, project management and time tracking fit into all of this. As far as I know, only the more complicated and expensive crm software out there has it. Or worse, I have to stick with my syncing fat client solution with custom solutions bolted on top. What to Look for in your Web Based CRM Software Here's list of things I would recommend my clients to follow: Develop a CRM Strategy and blueprint for how you plan to do business with your customers in a way that increases their loyalty and their value. If marketing is something you want to put on auto-pilot, and have developed your marketing plan in coordination with the above strategy, check out Infusionsoft because it will put your plan on steroids. If you have a slightly more complicated business, look at some of the SaaS solutions out there like Salesforce.com and RightNow. If you're even more complicated and paranoid about data, but still want a low administration CRM system, most of the vendors, like Saleslogix, have developed killer web architectures which you can host internally or thru a service you control. Just make sure that you are demanding to be shown how your requirements will be fulfilled and not accepting that the software features will change the way you do business (like that's a good thing - what do they know about your business?) Make sure the total cost of ownership is really as low as they suggest. I would factor in opportunity cost as well, since your wasted time could make your customers flee. In closing, web based CRM software is most likely the wave of the future. I don't think even old fogies like me are going to beat it back much longer. But that's OK because doing business with the customer at the center isn't about software. In fact, it's been done just about forever. So, the less you have to worry about, the more you can work on the business of doing business. *bottom-ad-collapse.shtml* Return to CRM Software from Web Based CRM Software *SOCIALIZEIT* Link to Effective CRM Consulting *bottom-search.shtml*	*gadgets.shtml*
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	Web Based CRM Software *top-search.shtml* *top-ad-collapse.shtml* *tier3square.shtmlI used to have a few issues with web based CRM software because there was little feature parity with it's fat client sibling, it was slow and cumbersome to work with, it's advantages were also disadvantages (like no Internet, not solution) and it didn't bring any new capabilities for running your business to the mix. Folks, things have changed! Software as a Solution (SaaS) services have proven that the technology is there and dependable and that feature parity is no longer the issue that it used to be. The client / server CRM vendors have been developing decent web technology as well. Unfortunately, they still think the same way. You know, "software IS the solution". The good news is that there is at least one company I've been reading about lately that understands that only a solution* is a solution and they've developed web based CRM software for small companies that they feel is just that.....a solution. The main reason I'm letting them get away with this is that they actually provide guidance on developing strategies for being customer-centric that can be plugged into their web based CRM. Now, it's all about follow-up marketing, but since it is one with the sales force automation, billing system, shopping cart and affiliate program, it can make a very small company some like one bigger company to a customer or prospect. So, they get a check mark for that from me. It doesn't fit for every business, especially those with complex service offerings, but I can see some real power here for the right type of business. This is where I see I see innovation in CRM software. Niche players like this are going to help the industry realize that one product can't solve all the problems of the world. Infusionsoft, which is the product I'm referring to, can solve the problems of many small businesses. But not all of them. But I have to believe that the ones that don't conform are more complex business services with higher margins and pricing. They can probably afford a higher end, customized solution. But if they don't have to, why would they. I would check out some of these niche solutions just in case someone is innovating like these guys are. Personally, I'd be jumping all over this if I knew how my customer support, project management and time tracking fit into all of this. As far as I know, only the more complicated and expensive crm software out there has it. Or worse, I have to stick with my syncing fat client solution with custom solutions bolted on top. What to Look for in your Web Based CRM Software Here's list of things I would recommend my clients to follow: Develop a CRM Strategy and blueprint for how you plan to do business with your customers in a way that increases their loyalty and their value. If marketing is something you want to put on auto-pilot, and have developed your marketing plan in coordination with the above strategy, check out Infusionsoft because it will put your plan on steroids. If you have a slightly more complicated business, look at some of the SaaS solutions out there like Salesforce.com and RightNow. If you're even more complicated and paranoid about data, but still want a low administration CRM system, most of the vendors, like Saleslogix, have developed killer web architectures which you can host internally or thru a service you control. Just make sure that you are demanding to be shown how your requirements will be fulfilled and not accepting that the software features will change the way you do business (like that's a good thing - what do they know about your business?) Make sure the total cost of ownership is really as low as they suggest. I would factor in opportunity cost as well, since your wasted time could make your customers flee. In closing, web based CRM software is most likely the wave of the future. I don't think even old fogies like me are going to beat it back much longer. But that's OK because doing business with the customer at the center isn't about software. In fact, it's been done just about forever. So, the less you have to worry about, the more you can work on the business of doing business. *bottom-ad-collapse.shtml* Return to CRM Software from Web Based CRM Software *SOCIALIZEIT* Link to Effective CRM Consulting *bottom-search.shtml*	*gadgets.shtml*
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Web Based CRM Software

What to Look for in your Web Based CRM Software