It’s pretty well known that a CRM (customer relationship management) system is one of the most powerful tools you can use for your business. By optimizing the way you connect with your customers, manage your tasks, and manage your sales team, a CRM can help you increase sales and productivity.
Though it’s simple to see why a CRM is good for your business, it’s harder to know which one is the best, and which features your business needs. In this article, we will cover why a cloud-based CRM is almost always the best option.
What is a cloud based CRM system?
As opposed to an on-premise system, cloud based CRM software store all their data on remote servers, known as the cloud. Cloud based software is a much more convenient solution than on-premise options due to easier accessibility, lower cost, and increased flexibility.
On-premise CRMs require a business to host the system on their own servers. It can be expensive and requires more manpower to maintain and update the system. With a cloud based CRM, your business data can be accessed by any user from any location with any device with an internet connection. This makes it much more convenient and cost effective to connect with your customers and manage your sales process
Key Benefits of a cloud CRM
1. Easy to implement and maintain
No need for your own servers, complex installations, and software maintenance. You just need to sign in online and you have access to a powerful CRM system. There is no need for expensive hardware or an IT specialist to maintain the system as everything is done for you.
2. Seamless access
Since you are not always in the workplace when you need important business information, it makes more sense to have access to your CRM from any location. With a CRM on the cloud, you get seamless access from any device with an internet connection. All users can access the updated information whenever needed, without having to be ‘on premise’.
3. Easy to use
For many of us, the thought of using a new, unfamiliar system can be daunting. Training your teams can seem even more difficult. But most cloud CRMs focus on designing their software to be very user friendly so anyone can start using it almost immediately.
4. Affordable and scalable
Cloud CRMs are more affordable than on-premise options, making it a much better choice especially for smaller businesses. The purchase of hardware and its ongoing maintenance can easily go way over the budget of many companies, making it an unaffordable option.
With a cloud based CRM, you usually just pay a monthly or annual fee depending on features and/or user amount, and they take care of all maintenance and upgrades. Plus, cloud CRMs are usually scalable, so you only pay for what you need. Plans can usually be scaled according to how many users will be using the system, as well as which features your business needs most.
5. Security
One of the main concerns for many users is security. Most Cloud based crm solutions make security their top priority and take all the necessary steps to ensure that your data will be stored securely.
Plus, data on the cloud is backed up so there is no risk of it getting lost to a technical issue as with on-premise CRM software.
6. Reliability
A cloud based CRM is also a much more reliable option. On-premise software always runs a risk of system failure, which could be financially devastating, especially for small businesses.
With your CRM on the cloud, all your data is backed up and retrievable in the nearly impossible case of a system failure.
7. Flexibility
Every business has different needs, and should have a CRM that is customizable to them. However, it would be very expensive to have an on-premise system customized to fit your specific business needs.
Many cloud based systems are flexible and offer customizable features so you can tailor the CRM to be a perfect fit for your company.
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8. Data Integration
You need a CRM that is capable of integrating data and exchanging information with other platforms.
It’s crucial that you will be able to send and save documents, manage your contacts, access your emails, and manage your calendar from within the CRM. Cloud-based CRM solutions make it easy to integrate your data from outside sources so you can get a full view of your business in the CRM.
These days, it’s much easier to implement and maintain a CRM thanks to the availability of cloud-based software. Managing your data in a cloud CRM is the best choice for most enterprises, especially smaller businesses
