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Best CRM for Small Offline Marketing Firm Salesforce Application?

by CudaFish
19 replies
Ok, so I'm stumped. I've worked with the big boy apps like Infusionsoft, which are great and all, but right now I have a 4 man, part time sales staff. They each work 2-4 days a week, making 50-60 dials a day.

What I need is a solid CRM with the following features:

- Lead importing
- Lead Sorting
- Custom Field Addition

But more importantly, I need a system that I can have auto create tasks/opportunities, whatever you wanna call it, for the leads i create and assign to guys.

I don't necessarily want them to just access lead lists, but have tasks automatically scheduled for followups with leads they can the move around for future followups etc.

I also need them to be able to add more contact information and especially be able to set appointments for me to meet with these clients.

I hope I'm being clear, and I'm not sure if I'm giving ya'll all the details you need, please let me know if I'm missing any important criteria!

I've tried capsule, and I've tried Zoho. Neither are what I need. I'm not looking to break the bank on my four guys just yet, they are new and I don't know if it's worth spending hundreds just yet on a CRM for them.

Thanks in advance guys, I really appreciate all the assistance. Long live Warrior Forum!

- Mark
#application #call #center #crm
  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Hate to bump guys, but I really could use some help on this. Thanks a million!
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  • Profile picture of the author successmonster234
    Am curious as to why you don't want to use Infusionsoft, sounds like a perfect fit for what you need.
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Honestly, with the upfront of at least 2 grand, and for me and four guys it would require I believe it is $299 a month, at the stage that my sales guys are at, they are yet to prove to me that they are worth that investment. Does that make sense?
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Yeah, I know what you mean. I love infusionsoft, I used it when I managed a 20 man sales team a few years back. I just don't know if my guys are going to be worth it so I need something to tide me over until they are worth the added cost of Infusionsoft.
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  • Profile picture of the author successmonster234
    That's only a decision you can make, just don't think there is anything else that comes close without investing some proper money into it, let me know if you find any cheaper alternatives!
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    >>> And How Respected Warrior Forum Member Myra Love Is Using These Methods
    To Make OVER $5000 PER MONTH! < < <
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Yeah, I was wondering if there was a diamond in the rough somewhere!

    By the way, have you ever heard of Braintree? Off topic, but I am strongly considering a move to their system. Now that they are integrated with Freshbooks, which I <3, it's becoming so enticing!

    P.S. Thanks for the input, brother

    - Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author WarrenPeterson
    Check out what Zoho has to offer. They have a whole suite of online tools, including a CRM. You might be able to find what you need through them.
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    I'm currently on Zoho for my guys, it's a nice CRM, it's just a bit awkward for turning leads into opportunities for them. I don't really want them to see lead lists, but more just the opportunities associated.

    But thanks for the input!

    - Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Infusionsoft sucks... I have never been a fan, VTiger is open source and does all that infusion soft does. I'm not a fan, not a fan of salesforce, highrise, or sugar. Then again, everybody's needs are different and perhaps it was perfect for you, but it isn't for me.

    I have had the same problem, and ended up needing to use a hybrid. The hybrid I've been using is VTiger and Zoho. Zoho to manage the current clients, and VTiger more to organize marketing and prospecting.

    NOW... I use nutshell. Which is hands down the best in my opinion. It's easy to use and there is less clunk.

    See, the problem most CRMs have in my opinion, is that they are trying to do too much. There is so much that its hard to get the simple things done. $10/mo per user.... it's a great CRM.

    If you want to go the free route, install VTiger on your server. It is very robust and has a learning curve though.
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    • Profile picture of the author successmonster234
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Infusionsoft sucks... I have never been a fan, VTiger is open source and does all that infusion soft does. I'm not a fan, not a fan of salesforce, highrise, or sugar. Then again, everybody's needs are different and perhaps it was perfect for you, but it isn't for me.

      I have had the same problem, and ended up needing to use a hybrid. The hybrid I've been using is VTiger and Zoho. Zoho to manage the current clients, and VTiger more to organize marketing and prospecting.

      NOW... I use nutshell. Which is hands down the best in my opinion. It's easy to use and there is less clunk.

      See, the problem most CRMs have in my opinion, is that they are trying to do too much. There is so much that its hard to get the simple things done. $10/mo per user.... it's a great CRM.

      If you want to go the free route, install VTiger on your server. It is very robust and has a learning curve though.
      IMO Infusionsoft doesn't SUCK, it has helped me generate millions of dollars in online sales, what it may lack as a CRM it more than makes up for as an automated marketing tool! it is expensive but IMHO well worth it, definately going to investigate all the other options out there though, its good to keep an open mind
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      > > > Find Out How We Made OVER $17,000 IN COMMISSION <<<

      >>> And How Respected Warrior Forum Member Myra Love Is Using These Methods
      To Make OVER $5000 PER MONTH! < < <
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      • Profile picture of the author Mark Ferguson
        You could try Workbooks.

        You can use up to 2 licences for free and there's a 30-day free trial for unlimited users. It also links with lots of other online services.
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Nutshell, eh? I'll check it out now! Thanks, really appreciate it. I've used VTiger before and it's pretty great, just a little complicated on the backend like you mentioned, but the userend isn't so bad at all. Open source is a plus too, I could fool around with it I'll take a look at nutshell though! Thanks a bunch, bud.

    - Mark
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    • Profile picture of the author crosbymkt
      vanillasoft
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by monkeyblogger View Post

      Nutshell, eh? I'll check it out now! Thanks, really appreciate it. I've used VTiger before and it's pretty great, just a little complicated on the backend like you mentioned, but the userend isn't so bad at all. Open source is a plus too, I could fool around with it I'll take a look at nutshell though! Thanks a bunch, bud.

      - Mark
      If you're like me... you will be so relieved that you FINALLY found something that is efficient, easy, but still robust enough for your needs. I've been looking for the right solution for a very long time now. I'm opening an office in just a couple weeks and need something that is easy enough for my sales staff to use without me having to train them for a week, lol.

      Everything I have found, always had weaknesses in my eyes. I was even considering the possibility of building my own until I found nutshell. I highly recommend it.

      Let me know what you think of it.

      The automated tasks and workflow is AWESOME.
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  • Profile picture of the author CudaFish
    Thanks Mark, I'll check that one out. iAmNameLess, I haven't signed up to nutshell YET, but I've been thumbing through their feature set this morning, very impressive, and I might have just found a great fit!

    In the meantime, on Zoho Professional, I can mess with custom options and such and I've got a fairly decent working CRM atm for my guys but I just wish it was more streamlined!
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  • Profile picture of the author Folusho Orokunle
    I've tried a bunch too. Vanillasoft, trial of Salesforce, Pipelinedeals, Infusionsoft, Office Autopilot, ect... With a virtual PBX system for my virtual sales team.

    For easy mgmt of leads: I like Pipelinedeals
    For autodialing and phone call recording: Vanillasoft plus Vocalocity (expensive for a team)
    Office Autopilot is pretty good but they charge a lot per user.

    Now I'm on Infusionsoft because one of my Friends, Jermaine G., finally talked me into it.

    If you do your marketing right, you make more sales, and your sales people will love their job.

    The most important thing is the quality of leads.
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    Need premium biz opp traffic? Email me: folusho at eliteecoach.com

    Internet Marketing Television

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  • Profile picture of the author AmyMB
    Hi, I may have a solution for you. My company just launched a new product: JunoHCM. It's a CRM software for small to medium-sized businesses.

    Essential information is secure and available at all times. Access controls into the system keep reports safe and private. Employees can manage multiple email addresses, edit profile information and handle other crucial employee data. A key feature is the limitation of information based on admin permissions. Role definitions and hierarchy are established to organize employee data and to maintain privacy.

    Let me know if you want more details. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author maryamhort
    Check out what Zoho has to offer. They have a whole suite of online tools, including a CRM. You might be able to find what you need through them.
    Maryam
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