You'll need to determine where your data will be stored safely and yet also be available to your staff. You'll want to be able to generate reports for accounting, marketing, and sales – standard in almost all CRM software. Great – but price ranges are wide when it comes to CRM software so how are you going to choose the right software for your small business?

Start by understanding what CRM really is. In the most basic form it is a database where sales departments store critical data on their customers – information such as name, address, and purchase information. Leads are also reported, and customer history is tracked. This data is then used to make important company decisions both in sales & products and in marketing campaigns for the future. It is also used by accounting to do projections for future revenue. It is an important tool that no business should be without.

You can use your CRM to

1. Compile data so that sales generated are tied to the marketing campaign at that time
2. Project sales for specific products, for specific periods, and even for specific sales associates
3. Create lead lists
4. Create sales associate activity reports
5. Manage advertising campaigns
6. Capture leads off of your website
7. Minimize your time spent on creating sales reports for the day/week/month

With the right CRM software you will gain a great deal of power because of the amount of knowledge you suddenly have at your fingertips.

If you choose wrong you'll have data bases with information on your customers but no links so creating reports in different departments will be difficult if not impossible resulting in lost productivity and revenue. You'd have been better off with the old paper system. But you aren't going to make that mistake!!

When you choose right everything is cohesive and sales, marketing, accounting, and all levels of management can quickly and easily access the information. Reports of any type are a breeze and it can even be integrated with other software. Take ACT! for example – here's a CRM package that gives you the flexibility to customize it to your small business.

Here's how to compare different CRM software packages:

1. Start by analyzing your company's needs.

2. Decide what it is your sale' team needs for information and how you want them to access and use the information.

3. Identify who you want to use the system and where their offices are. This will help you determine whether you'll need changes to your network.

4. Decide what type of reports you want to generate.

5. Determine the programs you want your marketing department to run.

Once you've determined exactly what your requirements are you can start looking at CRM software packages. Many companies offer different versions of their CRM software so that they have something for just about every business from the basic to the sophisticated and everything in-between. You can start small and upgrade as the need arises. For example ACT! offers an “individual and small team package” and a “Corporate package.”

Now that you now how to choose the right CRM software for your small business you should be reaping the benefits in no time with more efficient use of staff time and an increase in revenue.