Getting Started with CRM Automation
As a small business in Australia, managing customer relationships, tracking sales, and staying organised is vital for your growth and success. However, finding a cost-effective solution that meets your needs can be challenging. An affordable Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can help you streamline your operations by organising contacts, automating follow-ups, and providing valuable insights, all without breaking the bank. According to a study by Nucleus Research, CRM automation can help businesses reduce their sales, marketing, and customer service costs by up to 30%.
Start with Simple Automation Tasks
43% of businesses report that CRM software reduces employee workload by 5 to 10 hours per week, with 50% of respondents saying this time is saved by automating repetitive tasks. Begin with basic automation like email follow-ups, lead scoring, and data entry. CRM software can automate processes such as lead management, email marketing, and customer support, reducing the need for manual labour and saving time and resources whilst improving accuracy and efficiency.
Choose the Right Features for Your Budget
Basic plans suitable for small businesses start at around $12 to $30 per monthly user, with mid-tier plans with more advanced features generally ranging from $50 to $100 per monthly user. Focus on essential automation features like contact management, workflow automation, and basic reporting. Look for features that automate repetitive tasks such as email follow-ups, lead scoring, and reporting, plus robust reporting and analytics for comprehensive insights into customer behaviour and sales performance.
Maximise Your Return on Investment
91% of businesses report a reduction in customer acquisition costs after implementing CRM software, with businesses using a CRM platform seeing their revenue increase by up to 245%. While investing in a CRM system may seem like a significant expense initially, automation helps small businesses save money in the long run by improving efficiency, reducing errors, and automating tasks that would otherwise require additional staff.
Getting Started
Start by identifying your most time-consuming manual tasks and prioritise automating those first. Most cloud-based CRM tools offer free trials, so you can test the product and see if it meets your needs. Make sure that the CRM you choose comes contract-free, with pay-as-you-go plans allowing you to pay an upfront subscription fee for your total number of users on a monthly or annual basis. At Coastal Programs, we help local businesses implement CRM automation solutions that fit their budget and grow with their needs, ensuring you get maximum value from day one.
