Counting Pennies with Small Business CRM Tools

The phrase, "in an economy like this one" has already become so overused in the mainstream media that it's reached cliche status. Still, hearing about the global economic crisis on a seemingly endless loop has made some small business owners nervous about implementing CRM software. After all, large companies are putting off spending on new software implementations, so why shouldn't small business owners redirect some of their budgets someplace else?

In reality, a strong small business CRM system may be exactly the investment that your company needs to make. Firms that have experienced layoffs in the past few months need tools to help remaining staff increase workload. Strong CRM software tools can automate tasks like reporting and compliance tracking, allowing staff to focus more attention on growing sales. And connecting a CRM system to a lead generating website can shorten the gap between first contact and final contract.

Hosted CRM systems really shine in troubling economic times. CRM software platforms that allow companies to pay per-seat license fees offer fiscally sound alternatives to flat-fee systems that require dedicated hardware or hosting. Zoho, an upstart provider of low-cost small business CRM, has even made this one of their strongest selling points. By allowing small companies to host their first three users for free, marketers at Zoho hope to attract growing companies that will evolve into paying clients. Meanwhile, the company encourages its users to utilize its CRM software to filter leads more effectively and to prioritize sales calls.