What questions should I ask before choosing a CRM?

You’re aware of how CRMs can help your business, but do you know the questions you should be asking to effectively evaluate and compare CRMs?

Can the CRM grow my business?

When you compare CRMs, one of the most crucial yet easy to overlook things is whether the tool will scale with your business. You may be a startup now, but you’d be surprised how quickly a good CRM has you hitting all your targets. To prevent having to switch tools a year or two down the road, see what kind of features are available across all plans, not just the one you’re interested in now.

How simple is it to use and train my team to use?

Compared to CRM alternatives like spreadsheets and pen and paper, most CRM systems can seem complicated. The right one for you, however, will help you get more done in less time. The key is finding one that’s powerful yet intuitive. Tools with all the bells and whistles may seem great at first, but if they take your team months to get the hang of, that’s a lot of lost time and productivity.

What kind of support does it have?

If a software error can cost you a big deal then you can’t afford to wait five working days for an email response. Look for a tool that offers live chat or phone support during your business’ operating hours with a solid reputation to boot.

What kind of customizations does it offer?

Every CRM will need some customization to make it fit your business and sales process. Creating things like custom fields and pipelines is standard, but does it let you automate parts of your unique workflow? Look at CRM pricing comparisons to see how much you’ll pay for the customizations you need with different providers.

What kind of reporting capabilities does it have?

Sales reports are crucial for improving your results and motivating your team. If you create a lot of reports for your business, look for a CRM that generates reports without manual input. Even better, look for a tool with live dashboards to keep you on track towards goals. When reports are beautiful and easy to make, you might also find yourself using them more.

Best CRM for small business

Compare CRMs

Adviai vs Salesforce

Pay less for an intuitive, easier to use CRM you don’t need an IT degree to work

Adviai vs Hubspot

Don’t get tied in to features you don’t need and win more deals with less legwork

Adviai vs Copper

Pay less across all plans and fully customize as you go without surprise restrictions or hidden costs

Adviai vs Monday

A fully customizable sales CRM with kanban view AND project view vs. a project board

Adviai vs Zoho

Easy and customizable from square one. Don’t pay more for essentials like calendar and contact sync

Adviai vs Agile CRM

Get an easier to use tool with deluxe features like Workflow Automation to use as you grow

Adviai vs Nutshell CRM

Get a CRM that’s simple to use, has all the features you need, and is better value for money than Nutshell

Adviai vs Nimble

Get critical sales features like customizable reports and product inventories without the restrictions of Nimble

Adviai vs Airtable

A dedicated CRM with full customization and activity management vs. a spreadsheet software

Adviai vs Close CRM

Simple-to-use CRM with extensive functionality, and fewer feature limits – at nearly half the cost of Close

Adviai vs Mailchimp CRM

A powerful email marketing add-on that unifies your sales and marketing data

Adviai vs SugarCRM

Don’t let Sugar CRM hold you back by mandatory field overkill and lack of product inventory

6 Red Flags To Watch For When You Compare CRMs

Understanding how to compare CRMs and make a decision that will give you the best possible advantage is essential. On the other hand, understanding the things to avoid in a CRM can often be just as helpful.

 
Poor Customer Support

Having help when you need it is essential. Before subscribing, put a company to the test by reaching out to their customer support via email, live chat or social media. If you wait for days or even weeks for an answer, they probably won’t be helpful when your company’s processes are on the line.

The software requires manual updates

When conducting your CRM comparison, look for a cloud-based CRM tool that updates automatically and backs up your data online. This is more secure than offline software that requires manual updating and is liable to lose client data.

The product hasn't changed in years
To get an idea of the level of innovation that goes into a CRM tool, take a peek at their company announcements and product updates. You’ll easily find this info on their blog or homepage. The frequency of updates will tell you just how much they’re improving their product.
Your sales data is difficult to understand
CRM tools should provide an uncluttered and accessible view of your data. Check out product demo videos or screenshots for a preview. The clearer the dashboard looks, the better, and the more likely you and your team are to benefit from the improved visibility.
Bad customer reviews
When it’s time to compare CRMs, customer reviews can be a good source of objective feedback on a product or company compared to that brand’s own marketing materials. Also, pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews to determine how valid the reviewer’s concerns are and how much the brand cares.
The brand has negative PR
Take time to research how a company treats its environment, staff and partners. It says a lot about their values. Employee scandals, licensing feuds and shady practices are signs that a company is not headed for success and that the products they make will inevitably suffer.

Adviai free-trial FAQ

Understanding how to compare CRMs and make a decision that will give you the best possible advantage is essential. On the other hand, understanding the things to avoid in a CRM can often be just as helpful.

 
What is our pricing model?
Our pricing is based on 2 variables: the feature plan you’d like to use, and the number of seats you purchase on the platform. Once you’ve decided on the feature plan and number of seats, choose your preferred subscription payment: month-to-month or annual. Payment is made in one upfront installment (so if you purchase a plan for one year, you will pay for one year upfront). To see all plans please go to your avatar > admin > billing and click on “upgrade now”
 
Are there any live or recorded demos of the platform?
Of course! You can check out a recorded demo: here
 
Do I get support while on the free trial?

Yes. You will receive the same 24/7 support that our paying customers do while in free trial, regardless of which plan you’re in.

Is there a limit on features during the free trial?
Not at all. You will experience the full range of features that are accessible to paying customers within the plan you’re in. You can also switch between any plan while in free trial.
Can I add people to my team while on the free trial?
Yes, you can invite as many people as you want to join you’re Adviai trial. Simply click on your profile in the top right corner of your screen and select “Add more users” from the drop-down menu.

A pricing plan that works for everyone.
Start free.

Get started – No credit card needed.

Personal

$ 19 /month
  • Task management, collaboration tools, and basic reporting
  • Efficient organization and streamlined communication
  • Invite up to 3 users
Start Free

Business

$ 29 /month
  • Advanced reporting, priority support, and customization options
  • Better insights, tailored workflows, and enhanced collaboration
  • Invite up to 10 users
Start Free

Enterprise

$ 49 /month
  • Real-time analytics, a dedicated account manager, and API access
  • Project management capabilities and strategic decision-making
  • Invite up to 50 users
Start Free

Compare plans

Transparent pricing for every stage.

Personal
$19 /mo
Business
$29 /mo
Enterprise
$49 /mo
Contacts

The number of contacts you can store in the system.

10k

Unlimited

Unlimited

Storage limit

Storage effects number files, data, and workflows.

5GB

25GB

Unlimited

Active team users

Number of team members you can have.

3

10

Unlimited

Dashboards

Tackle the right tasks at the right time.

Customizable reporting dashboard

Analyze and report on business performance.

Customized sales analytics

Build custom analytics and workflows.

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Priority support

Dedicated account manager and priority support. 

–

Custom APIs and webhooks

Connect with your third-party softwares.

–

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Select Business
Select Enterprise
Frequently Asked Questions

All the answers you're looking for

If you're new or looking for answers to your questions, this guide will help you learn more about our services and their features.

Yes, you can try us for free for 14 days. For solo-teams we have a free plan that gives you the basics of our software to drive your growth.

Of course you can! Our pricing scales with your company. Chat to our friendly team to find a solution that works for you as you grow.

We understand that things change. You can cancel your plan at any time!

At the moment, the only way to add additional information to invoices is to add the information to the workspace's name manually.

Plans revolve around four key metrics. Users, contacts, storage and features.

You can change the email address associated with your account by going to your account settings.