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How to Balance Cost with Functionality When Evaluating CRMs
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Chloe Larson
Choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a critical decision for any business, especially when you're trying to balance cost with functionality. A CRM should not only streamline your processes but also offer the right features that provide value to your organization without breaking the bank. For many businesses, the challenge lies in finding a solution that offers comprehensive functionality at a reasonable price—without the need to purchase multiple products for various tasks.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to evaluate CRMs by considering cost and functionality, and show how Shape CRM offers a unique combination of essential features, like a built-in POS and compliance tracking, to save your business money and boost efficiency.
1. Define Your Essential Needs
Before evaluating any CRM, the first step is to identify what your business truly needs from the platform. Start by listing your must-have features, such as:
- Contact management
- Lead tracking
- Sales pipeline management
- Integration with email or communication platforms
- Reporting and analytics
By clearly defining these core needs, you can filter out CRMs that offer unnecessary features, helping you save on cost while still meeting your business objectives.
For example, Shape CRM offers the essentials for managing leads, automating workflows, and tracking your sales pipeline, all while keeping the platform intuitive and cost-effective.
2. Look for an All-in-One SolutionÂ
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is investing in a CRM that requires multiple add-ons or integrations, each of which comes with its own price tag. While a cheaper CRM may seem appealing at first, having to purchase third-party tools to handle things like payments, compliance tracking, or analytics will drive up your costs over time.
A better approach is to opt for a CRM that offers all-in-one functionality, helping you save on the long-term costs of buying separate tools.
Shape CRM: Aggregated Services in One Platform
- Shape CRM is an excellent example of a platform that delivers multiple essential services without requiring users to buy extra products. For instance:
- Built-in POS: Shape CRM includes a built-in Point of Sale (POS) system, allowing businesses to manage transactions directly within the platform. This eliminates the need for third-party POS integrations, helping you save on additional fees while streamlining your sales process.
- Compliance Tracking: For industries like mortgage, legal, or insurance, staying compliant with regulations is critical. Shape CRM comes with compliance tracking built-in, meaning you don’t need to pay for separate compliance software. This feature ensures that your business stays in line with industry standards, reducing the risk of fines and legal issues while saving you the cost of additional tools.
By offering these features within the CRM itself, Shape helps businesses avoid the hidden costs that come with having to integrate multiple platforms for the same tasks.
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3. Assess Long-Term Scalability
Another important factor to consider when evaluating the cost vs. functionality of a CRM is scalability. As your business grows, your CRM should be able to grow with it—without increasing your costs exponentially. Many CRM systems charge higher fees as you add more users or require additional features, which can quickly add up over time.
Shape CRM offers a scalable platform designed to meet the needs of both small and large businesses. Whether you're a startup with a small team or a growing enterprise, Shape allows you to customize your CRM based on your evolving needs, without the need for costly upgrades or add-ons.
4. Evaluate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
While subscription fees may seem like the primary cost associated with a CRM, it’s important to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). This includes:
- Subscription fees
- Setup and implementation costs
- Integration fees
- Ongoing maintenance and support
- Cost of additional tools or software
A CRM that requires minimal setup and offers ongoing support without extra fees will often be more cost-effective in the long run.
Shape CRM: Cost-Effective and Easy to Implement
With Shape CRM, businesses enjoy a user-friendly interface and a quick setup process, reducing implementation costs. Plus, Shape’s all-in-one approach means fewer additional software investments, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses that need robust functionality without excessive TCO.
5. Check for Hidden Fees
Many CRM providers advertise a low base price but tack on hidden fees for things like technical support, training, or integrations with third-party apps. When evaluating CRM options, be sure to read the fine print and ask about any additional costs that may not be included in the base subscription.
Shape CRM is transparent with its pricing, offering clear and upfront costs with no surprise fees. This transparency helps businesses budget effectively and ensures there are no unexpected expenses down the road.
6. Prioritize User Experience and Efficiency
Even the most affordable CRM can end up costing your business in the form of lost productivity if the system is overly complex or difficult to use. A CRM that is intuitive and easy to navigate will reduce the learning curve for your team and ensure that the platform is being used to its full potential.
Shape CRM’s intuitive interface ensures that your team can get up to speed quickly, minimizing the time spent on training. Its simple yet powerful design makes it easy to manage customer relationships, track leads, and automate workflows—all without needing to switch between multiple platforms.
Shape CRM: The Best Balance of Cost and Functionality
When it comes to balancing cost with functionality, Shape CRM delivers on both fronts. By providing a comprehensive set of features—like a built-in POS system, compliance tracking, lead management, and automation—Shape helps businesses avoid the high costs of managing multiple software products. The platform’s scalable design and all-in-one approach make it ideal for companies looking to grow while keeping costs in check
Ready to invest in a CRM that offers the perfect balance of cost and functionality? Shape CRM can help your business save money while delivering the features you need to thrive.
Visit Shape Software today to learn more about Shape CRM and see how it can transform the way you manage your business relationships.
Final Thoughts:
Balancing cost with functionality doesn’t have to be a compromise. With Shape CRM’s powerful, integrated features, your business can get everything it needs from a CRM—without having to purchase multiple expensive tools. Choose Shape CRM for a cost-effective, all-in-one solution that saves you time, money, and headaches.
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