What if your marketing approach was wrong?
Many companies get caught up in the endless debate about SharpSpring (SHSP) vs Hubspot (HSPOT). The truth is that each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages. But the choice of platform isn’t the most important thing.
The most important thing is your partner’s expertise. Keep reading to discover why this is what matters most.
The Power of CRM
As we said, there is a constant and fierce debate about these two platforms. But if you don’t use these services, you might have a basic question: what is so important about these platforms?
Each platform provides reliable CRM software. CRM software used to be considered a luxury, today it’s a must-have for any business that wants to grow and reach its full potential.
What makes CRM software important? For one thing, the ability to streamline your sales process is essential. Every business can benefit from such streamlining, though smaller businesses have the most to gain.
And the automation provided by a good CRM system is a true game-changer. It is almost impossible to calculate how much time this automation can save you and your business in the coming years.
CRM takes your analytics to the next level. A modern company is only as good as its data, and a CRM helps you measure how well your company is reaching its latest KPIs.
Finally, a CRM can provide a better customer experience. Implementing a well-thought-out customer service experience is the best way for you to leave your competition in the dust.
Let’s take a closer look at the different benefits and drawbacks.
CRM: The Blunt Truth
On paper, having a CRM system is the ultimate game-changer. However, there’s a “dirty secret” regarding CRM that many businesses don’t understand until it is too late.
What’s that secret? According to statistics, less than 40% of CRM projects have adoption rates of more than 90%. Many CRM projects involve a lot of struggles and bleak failures after which they are completely abandoned.
What is causing this? The primary reasons are things like confusing software, a lack of training, and a general lack of support.
This is why it is important to find the right partner to get the most out of your CRM. The right partner can help you navigate and master confusing software and provide the training opportunities and support that your business needs.
Do We Really Need a Partner?
Even if you like the idea of using CRM, you may wonder if you really need a partner. Why not simply set up everything on your own?
Well, it may take up to a year to set up a CRM system on your own. This is because the complex process involves cleaning and migrating data, setting up automation and integrations, and providing the proper training to your team.
None of this is easy, which is why it’s estimated that up to 69% of CRM implementation completely fails. By finding the right partner, you can change all of this and save countless hours by getting up and running almost right away.
As cliché as it may be, time is money for your business. And every hour that you don’t have to worry about mastering a CRM is an hour that your business can spend focusing on marketing and sales.
The Real Cost Analysis
It’s an open secret that the right partner can help you make the most of your CRM. Why do many businesses hesitate to take on a partner?
As usual, it all comes down to money. Many businesses imagine that they cannot afford to hire a partner and maximize their CRM.
But imagine the task lying before you. If you try to do everything on your own, you must develop and implement a solid CRM strategy on your own and then coordinate your sales and marketing departments. Along the way, you’ll need to make sure that both your strategy and technology perfectly line up with your KPIs and other important performance metrics.
This would be a lot to ask of any company, and especially a small company. Hiring a good partner can ultimately save you time and money, all while putting you ahead of the competition.
SharpSpring Benefits
One of the first things you will notice is that it’s easy and intuitive to use. While that is always a good sign with new software, this is fantastic news for any company that hasn’t used a CRM before.
What is great about SHSP? Being able to track the behavior of prospects can completely transform your marketing and sales efforts. This is as good as a prospective customer raising their hand and requesting additional attention.
And the ability to automate this and other processes can save you countless hours. The capacity to automate things while nurturing and educating your customers through the sales funnel means that your business can truly have its cake and eat it, too.
It provides a wide variety of sales and marketing tools, here are a few:
- Email Marketing – Ability to send emails to lists and personalized one-on-one single emails through automated workflows and templates for sales teams
- Landing Pages – Create pages designed for conversions that are mobile optimized
- Social Community Management – Schedule and share content with ease.
- Sales Tracking – Customizable pipelines and sales processes will systemize your team, add accountability and allow you to forecast “real expected revenue”
- ChatBot – Enable personalized communication between website visitors, customers, and prospects
- Website Integration – Track web form leads, behavior on your website, and more…
But like any tool, your CRM is only as good as the business using it. With the right partner, you can achieve a perfect synthesis of technology and strategy. By getting a license from a reputable partner, you can achieve a successful CRM launch and ensure that ongoing CRM implementation is smooth and seamless.
Hubspot Benefits
The primary alternative to SHSP is the Hubspot CRM. And like its competitor, HSPOT comes with a few key benefits you should be aware of.
One benefit is that it offers a free basic CRM package. This free option can be suitable for small companies that are not ready to embrace a fully integrated Sales Enablement and Marketing Automation system. However, take note that the free offering allows only basic use of the platform and is a complete DIY experience.
If you’re a sole proprietor, don’t have a sales team, and get new customers from referrals, then the free HSPOT CRM would be a good fit. Like SHSP, HSPOT has features that let you see when individual contacts are visiting your website. This allows you to reach out and convert customers when the time is right.
It also provided e-mail features such as personalized bulk e-mails and thorough e-mail tracking, just like SHSP. E-mail marketing remains one of the most effective marketing techniques, and both platforms can help you take this technique to the next level.
What’s Next?
Who wins? We all know that’s not the real question. The real question is who can help you make the most of your CRM and utterly transform your sales and marketing efforts.
Could you do all of this on your own? Of course. But in the time it would take your most skilled employees to make the most out of your CRM, you will have lost countless hours and countless profits. Going the DIY CRM implementation route can also leave your sales and marketing teams struggling to reach their goals.
On the other hand, the right expert can have your CRM customized and your team trained in less than two months.
Cultivize is a complete expert in CRM, marketing, and sales.
Face it: your business doesn’t deserve a good CRM. Instead, it deserves the absolute best. To see what the best partner can do for your business, contact us today!
