Running a small business can be quite a handful. You will need to keep track of so many things at once including clients’ contact information. With a good CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software, you don’t have to rely on handwritten client notes to get information.

A CRM software eases the burden of manually keeping a tab on clients. It helps you manage information about existing and prospective clients. With this important segment of your business sorted, you have ample time to focus on growing your business.

The importance of CRM software in every business can never be overemphasized. Some of these benefits include:

  • Contact Organization

This is one of the most important uses of any CRM software. It helps you organize all data on your clients, which in turn will aid the smooth running of your business.

  • Customer grouping

Since most firms are leveraging digital marketing and sales teams, Customer grouping is very important to aid effective marketing. It helps break down potential customers into different suitable groups. A CRM software can help group your clientele into groups based on location, age, gender, type of contract, etc.

  • Sales Reporting

CRM software helps you arrange and gives you a comprehensive summary of sales performance using different metrics like calls, mail, text messages, deals booked, etc.

If you are considering using any CRM software for your business, ensure they are equipped with the following tools and capabilities:

  • Lead management
  • Mobile Apps
  • Contact Management
  • Automation
  • Dashboard and reports
  • Campaign management
  • Email tracking
  • Social media management
  • Also, look out for the following features:
  • Security
  • Integration
  • Customization
  • Functionality
  • Collaboration features
  • Mobility
  • Help and support
  • Good user interface
  • Ease of use

So what’s the best CRM for your business? Here are the top 10 client management software every small business should consider:

1. HubSpot

Hubspot CRM software is very popular among small businesses. HubSpot offers a free CRM software to millions of users, allowing users to add up to 1 million contacts.

The software has all the basic features required of any CRM software plus some. It allows small business owners to keep a tab on their company’s activities. Activities like company profiles, contacts, assigning and tracking deals, etc. can be managed and accessed via your dashboard.

The HubSpot dashboard is only visible to team members. This CRM software can also be used to enhance inbound sales. In fact, you can easily run almost all aspects of your business on the HubSpot CRM.

Some HubSpot Features include:

  • Live chat tool to connect to customers in real-time
  • Ad management features
  • Forms and landing pages creation capability
  • Email marketing and tracking
  • Team email and conversation feature
  • Ticketing to help organize and respond to customers queries
  • Third-party integration capabilities

2. SalesForce

SalesForce is one of the biggest and most widely used CRM software, that may be due to its easy user interface. It is an all-in-one software that offers a cloud-based solution.

Aside from being part of bigger businesses, SalesForce has a small business segment that allows small business owners to leverage their CRM tools.

SalesForce offers users a basic edition known as Lightning Essentials. It provides every user with an advanced contact manager that includes email integration and follow-up reminders. Some of the major features of this software include:

  • Workflow automation
  • Lead generation
  • Contact and opportunity management
  • Sales forecasting

The software also gives room for integration and customization. Unlike some CRM software, SalesForce is not free. The Lightening Essential package cost $25 monthly per user while the Lightening Professional cost $75 monthly per user.

3. FreshSales

This software allows users to automate everything on their website. You can automatically capture your website visitors as sales lead then segregate them based on their engagement on your website.

It also allows you to assign them to the right salesperson on your team. FreshSales is great for all business sizes, it is easy to use and offer a great approach to sales. This software cost $12 a month per user which is billed annually.

4. Agile CRM

Agile CRM gives you everything – contact management, sales, marketing, all in one dashboard. Users get a 360-degree contact view, project management, events, calendar, timeline, gamification, etc.

There is also a detailed overview upon request where you can quickly access your business report on the progress so far. Some of the features of Agile CRM include:

  • A single page contact management
  • Built-in live chat windows
  • A 1-click call scripts, and automated voicemail
  • Advanced lead tracking and reporting
  • Fan integrated marketing automation
  • A multichannel campaign developed and managed with a drag and drop interface

Agile CRM software also supports widgets and API-powered integrations. The free version of this software has limited features. To fully enjoy all the perks of this software, users will have to pay $9.99 monthly which is billed annually. There is also the option of a pre-paid 2 years discount.

5. Zoho

Zoho is another popular cloud-based CRM software that is easy to implement. This software offers users an easy way to adopt a process of management which makes it possible for them to create a custom CRM solution without a developer.

Zoho CRM software helps small businesses to organize contacts, market their brands, manage sales, provide customer support, etc. Some of the features of this software include:

  • Al voice assistant
  • Contact management
  • Sales lead management
  • Mobile app
  • In-built security
  • Team alliance tools
  • IT management

Although there is a free plan which can only accommodate three users, the paid plan gives you access to everything. With $12 per month (annual billing), users get good support, marketing, and sales features with SaaS apps and online productivity tools.

6. Streak

This software works with Gmail accounts. It is technically a plugin that is great for a smaller team. Streak basically eases the mailing system. You can track views, schedule emails, send mass emails with this software.

It helps small businesses track their customers, manage contacts, emails, and leads. Streak CRM helps you automatically capture leads from your contact. You can add tasks, reminders, schedule emails, develop custom channels, add tags, etc.

A distinct perk with Streak CRM is that it comes with workflow management features like hiring, sales, support, etc. which can be customized to suit your preference.

You can use streak as a browser add-on, or download the app which is available on iOS and Android. It also supports 3rd-party integration via Gmail and Zapier.

The streak software has a free option but with limited features. With an average of $49 per user monthly, you can enjoy all the features available on Streak.

7. Pipedrive

This is one user-friendly CRM software every business owner will enjoy using. It is designed to ease integration. Pipedrive allows users to get a review of their whole sales process and manage the process more effectively.

This software offers email integration, mobile app, sales reporting, and predictions. Unlike some CRM software, Pipedrive does not offer grouping. Some of its key features include:

  • Email reminders
  • iOS and Android mobile apps
  • email integration
  • General app integration
  • Sales prediction
  • Drag and drop tasks
  • Trend analysis
  • API
  • Backups and encryption

Subscription to Pipedrive is not free, users pay $12.50 monthly, this is billed annually.

8. Nimble

For small business owners looking to link contacts, email, and social media interaction in one place, Nimble is your best bet. Nimble offers a great user interface that is easy to adopt. There is a section for a to-do list and a dashboard that shows you major deals.

Nimble also uses user behavior to forecast relevant contacts and activities. Reminders can be set to stay in touch with some users, also, users can mark some communications as a priority to keep a close tab on. Nimble price ranges from $9 month per user to $19 monthly per user.

9. Sendinblue

Sendinblue offers many services that have all the features needed for it to serve as a CRM software. It offers email marketing, automation, email delivery, contact grouping, transactional email for eCommerce businesses, etc.

SMS marketing and live chat are some of their distinctive features. The live chat option allows users to connect with customers and leads in real-time. Some of its features include:

  • Grouping and personalization
  • Landing page
  • Signup form builder
  • Analytics
  • A/B testing
  • Marketing automation tool
  • Transactional emails
  • Facebook ads and retargeting
  • SMS and live chat marketing tool

The software allows users to start for free, then you can gradually upgrade as your business grows. You can send up to 300 emails daily to an unlimited number of contacts.

10. Drip

Drip is a leading eCommerce CRM software with an appealing interface that is easy to use. This software makes the building of automatic workflows and email campaigns easy. Users can build their email with a visual builder or a text builder.

Like some CRM software, Drip also offers contact grouping, purchase intent marketing, conversion tracking, content customization, etc.

With the tags, events, and custom field options, users can learn and track important information about customers.

Drip is designed to help small businesses increase their bottom line, generate leads, manage contacts, and convert them into returning customers.

Some distinctive features of this software include:

  • Marketing automation
  • Actionable report
  • Email campaigns
  • Real-time conversations
  • Content grouping
  • eCommerce user tracking
  • Contact management
  • Email list grouping

Drip offers a free window period of 14 days, after which if you wish to continue, you will be required to subscribe to a plan starting at $49 monthly. This subscription gives you access to all the features available, unlimited email sends, 24/7 chat, and email support. Drip can be integrated with any 3rd party service like lead generation software, email services, Shopify, etc.