Investing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can transform the way a small business operates. A good CRM helps you scale, stay organised, and communicate with customers more effectively. It can also give you helpful analytics and connect your customer data with your other marketing tools.
But once you decide to use a CRM, the huge number of available options can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, here are my thoughts on some of the best CRM systems for small businesses.
HubSpot
Out of all the systems I’ve worked with over the years, HubSpot is the one I recommend most often.
One of the biggest advantages is the generous “forever free” plan. You get a powerful CRM with room for up to 1 million records and unlimited users. You also get access to tools like live chat, a shared inbox and form builders.
It’s intuitive and easy to learn
HubSpot’s interface is simple and clean, which makes it ideal for anyone who has never used a CRM before. HubSpot Academy is packed with free tutorials, so your team can get up to speed quickly.
It integrates smoothly with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
HubSpot connects easily with calendars and email. Most integrations are quick to set up and well documented. Beyond Google and Microsoft, HubSpot’s App Marketplace includes hundreds of other tools you can connect with just a few clicks.
Shared inboxes make collaboration easier
Once your emails are synced, you can use shared inboxes. This feature lets you see every conversation your team has had with a prospect or customer. It helps you avoid missed messages and gives customers a smoother experience.
Freshsales by Freshworks
Freshsales is another strong contender. While the free plan is limited compared to HubSpot, the “Growth” plan is reasonably priced at £15 per user per month.
Freshsales also includes helpful features such as AI-powered contact scoring and flexible ways to view your sales pipeline.
Bigin by Zoho
Zoho is a long-established CRM provider, and Bigin is their streamlined CRM for small businesses. Bigin focuses mainly on sales, so it’s less suitable if you want to connect marketing or customer service as well.
However, if you simply need a simple, affordable system to track prospects, Bigin is worth a look. It’s free for the first 500 records, with paid plans starting at £7 per month.
vTiger
vTiger often flies under the radar, but it offers powerful features. Their flagship product, vTiger One, brings sales, marketing and customer service together in a single platform.
The downside is ease of use. vTiger is less intuitive than other systems, so it may take longer to learn. Pricing has also increased over the years. The free tier supports up to 3,000 records, but once you pass this limit the cost rises to $42 per user per month.
Which CRM Should You Choose?
For many small businesses, HubSpot is an excellent starting point. The free plan is generous, the platform is user-friendly, and the training resources are outstanding.
However, the best CRM for your business depends on your priorities. If you want a strong sales pipeline tool, Freshsales or Bigin may suit you better. If you need a fully connected system for sales, marketing and customer service, vTiger might be the right choice.
If you’d like help comparing options or choosing the right CRM for your needs, I’d be happy to support you. Just drop me a message.
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