The Role of a SharpSpring Consultant in Customizing Your CRM Platform
A SharpSpring consultant can play a crucial role in customizing the platform to fit your business needs and goals. Hiring a CRM consultant with SharpSpring experience can bring several key benefits to your organization.
Key Reasons To Consider Hiring A SharpSpring Consultant
Expertise and Knowledge
A SharpSpring consultant has in-depth knowledge and expertise in working with the platform. They understand the platform’s capabilities, limitations, and best practices. Their experience allows them to provide valuable insights, recommendations, and solutions tailored to your SharpSpring instance.
Efficient Implementation
Implementing a CRM platform can be a complex process. A consultant with platform experience can streamline the implementation process by leveraging their knowledge of the platform’s architecture, configuration options, and integration possibilities. They can help you avoid common pitfalls, ensure smooth deployment, and save time and effort.
Customization and Optimization
CRM platforms offer a wide range of features and customization options. A CRM consultant with SharpSpring experience can maximize the benefits of SharpSpring by customizing it to align with your unique business processes and goals. They can optimize settings, workflows, and automation to improve efficiency, productivity, and user adoption.
Integration Capabilities
Integrating your CRM platform with other business systems, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Quoting, or Accounting tools, can be critical for seamless data flow and process automation. A consultant with a dedicated in-house API team can help identify the integration requirements, design integration workflows, and implement the necessary connectors or APIs to ensure data consistency, and accuracy and complete the integration in weeks, not months.
Data Management and Reporting
Effective data management and reporting are crucial for making informed business decisions. An experienced SharpSpring consultant can assist in setting up data structures, defining data models, and configuring reporting dashboards to provide meaningful insights. They can ensure data quality, implement data migration strategies, and help establish data governance practices.
User Training and Adoption
User adoption is a significant factor in CRM success. A consultant with platform experience can provide comprehensive training to your team, covering not only the platform’s basic functionalities but also advanced features specific to your business needs. They can guide users on how to leverage the CRM effectively, improving user adoption rates and maximizing ROI.
Ongoing Support and Upgrades
CRM platforms evolve over time, with updates, new features, and bug fixes being released regularly. A CRM consultant with platform experience can provide ongoing support, ensuring that your CRM remains up-to-date, secure, and optimized. They can assist with troubleshooting, handle platform upgrades, and keep you informed about new enhancements or functionalities that can benefit your business.
Overall, hiring a CRM consultant with platform experience can help you leverage the full potential of your CRM system, streamline processes, improve customer relationships, and achieve your business goals more effectively.
Key Benefits of Hiring a CRM Consultant Firm with SharpSpring Experience
While hiring a freelance CRM consultant can have its advantages, there are also potential negative impacts compared to hiring a CRM consulting firm. Here are a few considerations:
Limited Resources
Freelance CRM consultants often work independently, which means they may have limited resources and capacity to handle complex projects or large-scale implementations. They may have a limited network of professionals or lack the support staff to handle all aspects of the project effectively.
Lack of Diversified Expertise
A CRM consulting firm typically consists of a team of experts with diverse skill sets and experience. They can provide specialized knowledge in various areas, such as CRM implementation, customization, integration, data migration, and training. In contrast, a freelance CRM consultant may have limited expertise in certain areas, potentially leading to gaps or inefficiencies in the project.
Scalability and Availability
Freelancers might have limited availability, particularly if they are handling multiple projects simultaneously or have other commitments. This could result in delays or difficulties in scheduling meetings, providing timely support, or meeting project deadlines. CRM consulting firms usually have a team that can scale up or down as needed, ensuring consistent availability and project continuity.
Risk of Dependency
Relying solely on a freelance CRM consultant can introduce a risk of dependency on an individual. If the consultant becomes unavailable due to personal reasons, illness, or unexpected circumstances, it could significantly impact the project’s progress and continuity. In contrast, consulting firms can provide backup resources and ensure a more reliable support system.
Limited Accountability
Freelance consultants may need more accountability than consulting firms, as they typically operate as individual contractors. If issues arise during or after the project, resolving them and enforcing contractual obligations may be more challenging with a freelance consultant. Consulting firms typically have established processes, contracts, and reputations to uphold, which can offer stronger accountability and recourse if needed.
Scalability and Long-Term Support
If your CRM implementation requires ongoing support, maintenance, or future scalability, a CRM consulting firm can offer more comprehensive long-term support. They can provide dedicated support teams, help desk services, and tailored service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure continuous assistance. Freelancers may not have the resources or infrastructure to provide extensive long-term support.
When considering the potential risks and complexities involved, engaging a CRM consulting firm often provides a more robust and reliable solution, particularly for larger, complex projects or when long-term support and scalability are crucial.
Let Us Help You
Cultivize has helped 100+ companies build, train and scale SharpSpring for their marketing and sales teams. Let us show you the strategic approach we use to reach and exceed our client’s goals. Schedule a call with us today, we’d love to learn about your unique business needs and where we can bring the most value to you and your organization.
