Entrepreneurs require CRM software because it helps them effectively manage interactions with current and potential customers, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of their business. By leveraging a high-quality CRM solution, entrepreneurs can ensure that their businesses are customer-centric, efficient, and competitive, positioning them well for sustained growth and success.

QuickLook: Best Web-Based CRM Software

What’s the Difference Between Web-Based and Traditional CRM Software?

Web-based CRM and traditional CRM software differ primarily in their deployment and accessibility. Web-based CRM software does not require installation on your computer and is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Traditional CRM software, on the other hand, is typically installed locally on individual machines.

The choice between web-based and traditional CRM will depend on various factors including the specific needs, preferences, budget, and technical capabilities of the organization. While web-based CRM solutions are generally more popular today due to their convenience and lower upfront costs, traditional CRM solutions can still be the right choice for organizations requiring a high degree of control and customization.

Top Web-Based CRM Software

There are several options for CRM software on the market. Here is a breakdown of 10 top web-based CRM software, including key features and pricing options.

Salesforce

Salesforce offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing customer data, sales pipelines, marketing campaigns, and customer support tickets. With its user-friendly interface and scalability, Salesforce CRM empowers small businesses to enhance customer relationships, improve sales efficiency, and drive growth by centralizing crucial customer-related information and facilitating collaboration across teams.

Key features of Salesforce CRM software include:

• Contact and Lead Management: Salesforce provides comprehensive tools to manage contacts and leads efficiently.
• Opportunity Management: Salesforce enables businesses to manage and track sales opportunities and pipelines effectively.
• Automation: Overview: Salesforce allows for the automation of various tasks and processes to increase efficiency.

Pricing:

• Essentials: Starts at $25 per user per month
• Professional: Starts at $75 per user per month
• Enterprise: Starts at $150 per user per month

Pros:

• Extensive functionality and customization
• Scalability and ecosystem
• Robust analytics and reporting

Cons:

• Complexity and learning curve
• Higher cost
• Customization limitations that lead to additional development

Get started with SalesForce

Hubspot

HubSpot is a user-friendly and powerful CRM platform with a focus on streamlining communication and enhancing customer relationships. It provides robust features for efficient contact management, marketing automation, and in-depth reporting and analytics.

Key features of Hubspot CRM software include:

• Deal Tracking: HubSpot CRM enables businesses to manage and track deals and sales pipelines effectively.
• Email Tracking and Automation: HubSpot CRM offers tools for tracking email interactions and automating email outreach.
• Integration and App Marketplace: HubSpot CRM supports integrations with a variety of apps and services and offers an app marketplace.

Pricing:

• Starter: Starts at $45 per month per user
• Professional: Starts at $99 per month per user
• Enterprise: Starts at $399 per month per user

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Extensive integration options
• Free-tier availability

Cons:

• Customer support
• Complexity with advanced features
• Limitations with the free plan

Get started with HubSpot

Zendesk

Zendesk Sell is a CRM software designed to improve sales productivity and customer relationships.

Key features of Zendesk CRM software include:

• Multi-Channel Support: Zendesk offers support across various channels, including email, chat, phone, and social media from a single dashboard.
• Ticketing System: Zendesk’s advanced ticketing system helps in organizing, prioritizing, and tracking customer interactions and issues efficiently.
• Knowledge Base and Self-Service: Zendesk provides tools for creating a comprehensive knowledge base that enables customers to find answers to their queries independently.

Pricing:

• Essential: Starts at $19 per user per month
• Enterprise: Up to $99 per user per month

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Customizable to suit various business needs
• Integrates well with other Zendesk products

Cons:

• Advanced features may require a higher-priced plan
• Pricing can be relatively higher compared to other CRMs

Get started with Zendesk

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of cloud-based business applications that includes a CRM platform. It offers features for contact management, lead generation, marketing automation, sales pipeline management, and customer service.

Key features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM software include:

• Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, along with customer journey mapping and personalized customer experiences.
• Automated lead scoring and prioritization, which includes accurate sales forecasting using AI and machine learning.
• Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Azure, and other Microsoft solutions, as well as an extensible platform with a robust API for third-party integrations.

Pricing:

• Dynamics 365 Sales:
  • Professional: $65 per user per month
  • Enterprise: $95 per user per month
• Dynamics 365 Customer Service:
  • Professional: $50 per user per month
  • Enterprise: $95 per user per month
• Dynamics 365 Marketing:
  • Pricing for this app can start at around $1,500 per month

Pros:

• Integration with Microsoft products
• Advanced analytics and AI
• Customizability and scalability

Cons:

• Complexity and learning curve
• The cost of licensing, customization, and implementation can be high
• Extensive customizations can lead to issues during software updates, maintenance, and potential dependency on IT support

Get started with Microsoft Dynamics 365

Freshsales

Freshsales is a powerful CRM system with AI-powered features, email tracking, and built-in phone capabilities. It is designed to empower sales teams. The software can be utilized effectively by organizations to manage customer relationships and conduct successful marketing campaigns.

Key features of Freshsales CRM software include:

• Freshsales offers AI-based lead scoring that helps sales teams prioritize leads by ranking them based on their engagement, behavior, and characteristics.
• Freshsales provides a visual sales pipeline that allows for easy tracking and management of deals through various stages, such as drag-and-drop navigation.
• The software comes with a built-in phone and email, eliminating the need to switch between different platforms to contact leads and customers.

Pricing:

• Blossom: Starts at $12 per user per month
• Garden: $25 per user per month
• Estate: $49 per user per month
• Forest: Forest plan is the highest-tier option. Pricing is available upon request.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Affordable pricing plans
• Offers extensive customization options

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Complex pricing tiers
• A learning curve for advanced features

Get started with Freshsales

Zoho CRM

Zoho is a user-friendly solution that offers automation features, analytics, and seamless integrations with other Zoho products. It is a good option for businesses that need a comprehensive CRM solution at a reasonable price.

Key features of the Zoho CRM software include:

• Zoho CRM offers tools to effectively manage and organize customer contacts and leads. This includes tracking interactions and communication history.
• The software provides automation capabilities to streamline repetitive tasks and processes, such as lead assignments, follow-up reminders, and email campaigns.
• Zoho CRM offers reporting and analytics features that provide insights into sales performance, lead conversion rates, and other key metrics.

Pricing:

• Standard: Starts at $12 per user per month
• Professional: Starts at $20 per user per month
• Enterprise: Starts at $35 per user per month

Pros:

• Affordable options
• Integration ecosystem

Cons:

• Complexity for advanced features
• Scalability limitations

Get started with Zoho

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a highly effective sales-focused CRM designed to empower small and medium-sized businesses to manage their sales pipelines with efficiency.

Key features of Pipedrive CRM software include:

• Pipedrive offers seamless email integration and tracking, enabling users to send, receive, and track emails within the CRM. This includes two-way email sync and customizable email templates.
• The software automates lead scoring and management, helping sales teams prioritize leads and optimize conversions. This includes automated lead assignment and consolidated lead information.

Pricing:

• Starter: Starts at $12.50 per user per month
• Professional: Starts at $24.95 per user per month
• Enterprise: Starts at $99 per user per month

Pros:

• Easy to use and intuitive interface
• Strong sales pipeline management features
• Good reporting and analytics

Cons:

• Limited marketing automation features
• Not as scalable as some other CRMs

Get started with Pipedrive

Apptivo

Apptivo CRM is a comprehensive, cloud-based software that is part of the Apptivo suite of business applications. It’s particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses but can also accommodate the needs of larger enterprises.

Key features of Apptivo CRM software include:

• Lead capturing from emails, web forms, and more. Conversion of qualified leads to opportunities.
• Comprehensive customer profiles align with contact categorization and segmentation.
• API access for custom integrations, such as with applications like G Suite, Office 365, Slack, and more.

Pricing:

• Lite starts at $10 per user per month
• Premium starts at $15 per user per month
• Ultimate starts at $25 per user per month
• Enterprise is for large organizations and comes with a custom price

Pros:

• Versatile and scalable
• User-friendly interface
• Cost-effective

Cons:

• Limited advanced features
• Performance and downtime issues
• Some third-party integration challenges

Get started with Apptivo CRM

Agile CRM

Agile is a comprehensive CRM solution designed to empower businesses with versatile tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. With its user-friendly interface and automation capabilities, Agile CRM offers a unified platform to streamline customer interactions, nurture leads, and drive sales growth.

Key features of Agile CRM software include:

• Contact and lead management
• Email marketing and automation
• Helpdesk and customer support

Pricing:

• Starter edition is $8.99 per user per month
• Regular is $29.99 per user per month
• Enterprise is $47.99 per user per month

Pros:

• Affordable pricing options for small businesses
• A comprehensive set of features
• Good integration options with other tools

Cons:

• The user interface can be overwhelming for beginners
• Some advanced features require upgrading to higher plans

Get started with Agile CRM

Nimble

Nimble is a simple, smart CRM for Office 365 & G Suite, combining contacts, calendar appointments, and social interactions.

Key features of the Nimble CRM software include:

• Nimble excels in integrating social media insights, allowing users to automatically link social media profiles to contact records.
• Nimble consolidates contacts, emails, calendar appointments, and social interactions in one place, reducing the need to switch between platforms.
• Users often praise Nimble for its user-friendly interface and intuitive design, making it easy to navigate and use.

Pricing:

• Business plan costs $25 per user per month

Pros:

• Social media integration
• Unified contact management
• Ease of use and interface

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Reporting capabilities
• Integration limitations

Get started with Nimble

What to Consider When Choosing the Best CRM Software for Small Businesses

When choosing the best CRM software for a small business, several considerations should guide your decision to ensure that you select a solution that aligns with your business needs and objectives.

1. Cost

Consider the pricing structure, whether it is a monthly subscription or a one-time payment, and whether it includes all the features you need. Look for CRM software that fits within your budget while still meeting your business requirements.

2. Features and Functionality

Consider what features are essential for your business, such as contact management, lead management, sales tracking, task management, email integration, reporting, and analytics.

3. Customizability

Consider if it allows you to create custom fields, workflows, and reports.

4. Integration Capabilities

Consider the CRM software’s integration capabilities with other tools and systems that your business uses, such as email marketing software, e-commerce platforms, customer support systems, and collaboration tools.

5. User-Friendliness and Usability 

Consider if it provides user training and support to ensure your team can effectively utilize the software. Also, look for CRM software that offers mobile access, allowing your team to access and update information on the go.

Which CRM Software is Best?

Every entrepreneur wants to grow their business or disrupt an industry. The best reason to get CRM software for your business is to enhance customer relationships and optimize your sales and marketing strategies, ultimately driving revenue and business growth.

For small businesses, web-based CRM software can be a strategic tool to manage customer relationships effectively while aligning with their budgetary constraints, operational needs, and growth aspirations.

FAQs

Is web-based CRM secure?

Yes, a web-based CRM is secure, but as with any online system, there are inherent risks, and the level of security can vary between providers.

How long does it take to implement web-based CRM software?

The implementation time on web-based CRM software can vary depending on the existing framework of your businesses, as well as the accessibility of your CRM provider.

Can web-based CRM software handle large amounts of data?

Yes, many web-based CRM software solutions are designed to handle large amounts of data effectively. Leading cloud-based CRM providers offer substantial storage capacities, robust data management features, and scalable infrastructure to accommodate the growing data needs of businesses, regardless of size.

Is web-based CRM software suitable for small businesses?

Yes, web-based CRM software can be highly suitable for small businesses. In fact, many prefer web-based CRM solutions due to their scalability, affordability, and ease of use.

Can I import my existing data into web-based CRM software?

Yes, most web-based CRM software allows you to import existing data, making it easier for businesses transitioning from another system or using a CRM for the first time. Importing existing data is crucial to maintain continuity in business processes and customer relationships.