Post summary:
- What is cloud based CRM?
- 8 benefits to cloud-based CRM
- How to find the cloud solution that your business needs
CRM (customer relationship management) is a real buzzword of today’s business world: everybody is talking about CRM, almost everyone knows that they can significantly benefit from it, yet only few know which solution fits their business model best.
It doesn’t matter if your company employs 10 people or more than 100 people – CRM is a tool that can help you establish closer connections with your customers, provide professional customer service, sell more and grow your business further.
When it comes to choosing CRM, it has to be affordable, it should be able to help you right here, right now; it shouldn’t be complicated; it should target your unique business needs and, it should be accessible day-and-night.
So, if you are one of those 72% of companies who think that investing in modern technology, such as CRM, is going to result in a bigger ROI and help you grow your business, then let me help you steer through these unknown CRM waters and find the CRM solution that fits you best.
But, before we get into that, watch this short video that will show you why cloud based CRM is best suited for your business.
Getting rid of outdated attitudes
Gone are those days when the word “CRM” brought to mind an image of a bulky and expensive software that requires an entire team of IT experts working solely on installing and maintaining the system.
Today’s CRM systems are not only more technologically advanced and user-friendly, but they also come in a variety of solutions that are designed to address unique needs of all types of businesses – big or small. Just like everything in today’s IT world, contemporary CRM systems now offer new possibilities, flexible costs, as well as easy maintenance and deployment.
In other words – things have changed. Even the term “software” has moved from its previous earth-bound domain all the way to the Cloud. And this is exactly in the Cloud where your business should look for their CRM solution.
Let me show you why.
Lifting your business up to the Cloud
IT Cloud services in general have seen an impressive lift-off recently. The International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that the spending on cloud services will continue to grow in 2020, which stands for a 23% growth compared to 5 years ago.
And according to research from the 2020 State of Cloud Report by Flexera, 61% of companies have cited "migrating more workload to the cloud" as one of their top 2020 cloud initiatives (it ranks second, behind "Optimizing existing use of cloud").
So, if you’re still not sure about the cloud, here are 8 reasons why cloud-based CRM is something that all companies should seriously consider if they want to grow their businesses further.
1. Hassle-free installation
A deep-rooted fear that CRM comes with complex installation process is no longer valid. A modern Cloud-based CRM is, in fact, “IT worry-free”, and you can be up and running in no time (no business case required, but if you do need one, you can find it here). All you need is the internet connection. Then, you sign in online and use it. As simple as that.
You don’t have to pay for hardware, server and software maintenance. Nor do you need to have a permanent IT person on site, worry about complex installations, data migration, or even upgrades – all this is done remotely for you.
2. Seamless access
Round-the-clock accessibility is by far the greatest benefit of a CRM in the cloud.
Imagine that you need to make some urgent, yet game-changing sales calls while on-the-go, or send an amended sales proposal, or quickly find a contact’s phone number or an e-mail when you are out of the office?
Cloud CRM gives you access to the system from anywhere – in the office or if working remotely - on a train, in a café, at home; and on any device – be it a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. Again, all you need is the internet. Your colleagues and you can access the centralized database at any time, even outside working hours if need be, which is particularly handy for any modern business.
By always staying connected to the central database, Cloud CRM gives you the flexibility and freedom to do what you need to do when you need to do it.
3. Ease of use
It can’t get easier than Cloud CRM usage. First, you buy a software package at a fixed monthly price. All you need to do is log in with the access codes provided, and make sure you have a reasonably fast Internet connection at all times and a device you prefer to work on. As to the system maintenance, it is provided by the vendor and accompanied by a wide range of self-service online services.
4. Affordable product
Another benefit is that this business-enhancing product certainly won’t break your bank. No business likes to allocate big sums of money for a one-off purchase, and smaller, regular installments are usually preferred.
Typically Cloud CRM operates on the pay-as-you-go subscription model, which requires minimal upfront investment and, as a result, reduces risk. Also, there are no hidden costs like buying additional hardware or licenses fees. What you pay is a set monthly fee for a Cloud CRM package, which can be as low as €37.
5. High security levels
A very serious concern for any business using web-based information storage systems is, of course, security.
As shown in the chart by Forrester Research below, the most common reason why businesses are wary of adopting a cloud solution, also known as software-as-a-service or (SAAS), is security concerns.
Companies that offer CRM systems online know that very well and take security issues very seriously.
In the end – it is they who are responsible to protect the confidential information that you trust them with.
Not surprisingly that information security levels at Cloud servicing companies are much higher than those provided by an average local IT room. Providers of Cloud CRM also offer advanced automatized back-up policies and have clear data recovery plans if a breach happens. Yet, individual users of Cloud services can further improve their data safety by using a two-step authentication and strong passwords.
This has become even more important since the introduction of GDPR on May 25th 2018.
6. Reliable operation
Nobody wants to imagine the possibility that a system that you rely on every day can crash, leaving you with a potential financial meltdown
With Cloud CRM such situations almost never occur, as all parts of the Cloud are backed up. Meaning that every component, for example – a server, has multiple replicas in the Cloud. So, if something fails, it will be immediately replaced and the system won’t get disrupted. In fact, a web-based CRM system continues to be operational 99.99% of the time – the rate reliable enough even for the fussiest of the businesses, don’t you think?
7. Flexible potential
What can be better than owning a product that is tailored for your needs?
When adopting CRM systems, most businesses are likely to start with only the features that can help them in their current work and that are relevant to their unique needs.
However, as your company grows, you may decide that you need, for example, more capacity, new features or more advanced modules. In this case, Cloud-based CRM can be instantly updated to satisfy your new needs. And you won’t have to wait until a new program is written for that purpose. The bigger, better and more innovative CRM can be provided to you straightway.
8. Enhanced compatibility
Stand-alone products have little chance of success in today’s IT world that demands flexibility of integration. Especially in a modern business environment, information exchange between already available technologies is paramount.
Why would anyone invest in a software that cannot open your documents, save your contacts or be able to integrate the e-mail system that you’re using? That is why compatibility with other products and services is the key to ensuring CRM’s longevity and effectiveness.
Cloud CRM can be easily integrated with other applications or software, such as Gmail and Office 365 products, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint (or even PowerPoint alternatives). It is this compatibility that makes Cloud-based CRM an even more appropriate choice for for your business.
Find a cloud-based CRM that you need
Here you have it –eight powerful reasons why Cloud-based CRM is the right choice for your business.
If you’re looking for a CRM tool that will help you to:
- centralize your customer database,
- have a comprehensive view of your interactions with customers,
- have instant access to real-time insights of your sales opportunities,
- automate your task management processes such as following up on leads, closing sales deals on time and ensuring better service deliverance,
- and, as a result, increase your customer retention rates.
…then Cloud-based CRM is the quickest way to achieve these goals, because it is:
- easy to use,
- easy to access,
- affordable with little upfront costs,
- requires no hardware to purchase or software to maintain,
- supports multiple devices,
- compatible with third-party products,
- ensures high data protection,
- adaptable to your needs and changing requirements.
The only thing now left is to choose the CRM vendor wisely.
Make sure that the vendor offers a flexible Cloud solution that is able to grow with you as your business grows, and that the solution is tailored to your needs in terms of functionality.
Now that you are equipped with this knowledge, you’d be able to find the Cloud that will take you high and far in growing your business.
Do you want to find out how cloud-based CRM can impact your business?
Request a personalized demo
