The Best CRM Systems for Small Businesses
Beginning entrepreneurs at a certain stage in the development of their business find themselves in a dead end: Excel tables and accounting journals are no longer enough to work with clients, or these tools are completely ineffective from the very beginning. The only way out for small businesses is a good CRM system that will streamline interaction with customers

Now in the domestic software market there is a whole scattering of CRM systems. On the one hand, this is healthy competition, because not only IT giants release their products. There are “siremki” from small companies-enthusiasts, which, perhaps, more sensitively understand the needs of small businesses. But the variety of offers also means the agony of choice for the user. And when you are an individual entrepreneur, you already have worries above your head.

In 2022, the best CRM systems for small businesses are not just structures that streamline work chaos and drive sales. The most successful programs automate the business – its marketing, financial and other parts. Between themselves, the programs differ in functionality, tools, design and price.

Editor’s Choice

Fillin

The system was originally developed for the needs of small businesses. And in 2022, it rarely looks like an office in the classical sense – everything is in motion, on the go. Therefore, the company made a big bet on the development of a mobile application. It’s no joke, but there are even solutions for smartphones on Windows, which today have already become rarities in the world of gadgets. 

And yet, the detailed approach of the developers pleases. CRM integrates with websites and telephony, and even maps from Google. In addition to the classic sales funnel, this CRM is able to track the company’s cash flows, serve as a task manager (task schedule for employees). 

The creators are so imbued with the aspirations of small businesses in Our Country that they do not hesitate to hint that the CRM financial planner is also suitable for double-entry bookkeeping. Like, if the real numbers do not agree with the official ones. Another interesting thing: the impossibility of deleting some operations so that employees cannot “swindle”.

Official site: promo.fillin.app

Features

The main purposesales, inventory control, financial analytics, task manager
Free versionyes, 10 days of access after application approval
Price30 rubles per day for a basic set of tools
Deploymentweb version in the cloud and app for smartphones

Advantages and disadvantages

A live mobile application that is constantly being improved by the creators. Detailed reference base for the application, in which everything is painted and drawn in pictures
Tariff policy: for each additional project, warehouse, company, etc. need to pay extra. Paid CRM setup: 9900 or 49 rubles, depending on the set of services

Top 10 Best CRM Systems for Small Business According to KP

1. HelloClient

The program is made with an eye on the business that provides services. Moreover, the widest range has been thought out, up to car repair shops, yoga studios and smartphone repair. The interface allows you to maintain a client base, control accounting and assign tasks to specific employees. 

You can tie up data from the online cash register in CRM. It seems to be an obvious and necessary feature in 2022, but not all companies “trouble” themselves with such improvements. A well thought out payroll system. The boss can set the “rules of the game”: for which deal, which bonuses are awarded, and for which action a penalty is due.

Official site: helloclient.ru

Features

The main purposesales, warehouse accounting, financial analytics, employee management
Free versionYes, for the first 40 orders
Price9$ (720 rubles) per month for one point of sale
Deploymentweb version in the cloud and app for smartphones

Advantages and disadvantages

Cheaper than competitors for a comprehensive set of features in one package. Designed with the details of different small businesses in mind
The subscription price is strictly tied to the exchange rate. Service management is common for all branches of the company: some of the departments do not provide any service, it cannot be hidden at this particular point

2. Brizo CRM

Designers managed to pack a huge set of options into a concise shell of this CRM. Take the basic functionality of any modern program – sales management. In this system, not only a classic funnel is built. It is possible to work with contractors, set tasks for employees, track the profitability of transactions, integrate with email clients and website widgets. 

With bookkeeping, too, everything is in perfect order: everyone who likes to delve into the numbers, so to speak, count money, will be satisfied. Fixing cash gaps, payment calendar, budgeting. Easy invoicing. If warehouse accounting were also added, it would be ideal.

Official site: brizo.ru

Features

The main purposesales, financial analytics, employee management
Free versionyes, full access for 14 days
Price5988 rubles per year for each employee with a one-time payment
Deploymentweb version in the cloud and app for smartphones

Advantages and disadvantages

Expanded system of financial analytics of the company. Integration with a large number of modern services (IP-telephony, instant messengers, schedulers, etc.)
The functionality of the mobile application has been reduced compared to the desktop version. No integration with banks

3. Business.ru

Previously, this system was called “Class365”. But the company rebranded, improved the functionality and made an interesting CRM for small and medium-sized businesses. Its main advantage is the maximum adaptation of the functionality to laws in the field of trade (EGAIS, mandatory labeling, cash desks). Developers make a strong bet on the development of a client online store. 

The system is able to draw up estimates, invoices, accept payments, and conduct electronic document management. In fact, it’s more than CRM, it’s an “ecosystem”: a complete set of services in one bottle. There is inventory control, you can set up a discount system – often this important aspect of sales is missed by other market players. For small businesses, there are democratic tariffs “Cashier” and “Cashier +”.

Official site: online.business.ru

Features

The main purposesales, financial analytics, warehouse accounting
Free versionyes, perpetual, but with greatly reduced functionality or 14 days with a full set of CRM functions
Price425 – 5525 rubles per month when paid for the year (the tariff includes a different number of employees and access to additional services)
Deploymentweb version in the cloud and app for smartphones

Advantages and disadvantages

The ecosystem of services as a potential for business growth. Create templates for order processing
Overloaded interface – requires flexible customization. Visually less pleasing and more comfortable than competitors

4. amoCRM

The company has a special package offer for small businesses, a special tariff. You pay immediately for the year, but it comes out cheaper than a monthly subscription charge. The tariff includes twice the limit of open deals (up to 1000 per account) than in the basic plan. 

As befits the best CRM, the service can accumulate requests from mail, website widgets, social networks, chats and phone calls into the sales funnel. What is especially convenient for work is the collection of correspondence from all mailboxes. Messenger is built into the system. In theory, if you do not want to implement newfangled Slack, Hangouts and others, so as not to produce interfaces, you can use the basic features of amoCRM.

The developers have made a successful “autopilot” of sales: through the system, you can track how the client reacts to “warming up” offers. For example, whether he went to your site after sending an e-mail.

Official site: amocrm.ru

Features

The main purposesale
Free versionyes, 14 days of access after application approval
Price499, 999 or 1499 rubles per user per month or special rates for small businesses
Deploymentweb version in the cloud and app for smartphones

Advantages and disadvantages

Extensive functionality for setting up transactions. In-app business card scanner
Complaints from users about the slow work of technical support. The functionality of the mobile application has been reduced compared to the regular version

5. WireCRM

CRM developers position WireCRM as a constructor. The application interface is really sharpened for flexible workspace settings. Too bad the design for 2022 looks mean. But the system is fast. To set it up, you need to go to the brand store modules. It resembles modern app stores for smartphones (AppStore and Google Play). You choose the necessary module, download it and it appears in your CRM. The modules are free (given that you are already paying for the entire program), there are about a hundred of them. 

Of the options – everything that the best CRM needs: a detailed scheduler for employees, accounting for customers, sales and stock balances. There are automatic tools for generating not only invoices, but also acts and commercial offers. Inside CRM, you can create a personal account for the client. For small businesses, this is hardly relevant, but the opportunity is interesting.

Official site: wirecrm.com

Features

The main purposesales, warehouse accounting, financial analytics, personnel management
Free versionyes, 14 days of access after application approval
Price399 rubles per month for each user
Deploymentweb version in the cloud, mobile application

Advantages and disadvantages

Customization for your tasks through the module store. Works well even on weak computers
Mobile applications are tailored to work with tablets, not regular smartphones. Lack of detailed instructions for users

6. LPTracker

CRM for small businesses, which is aimed at active and even aggressive sales. Moreover, automation here, by the standards of 2022, has been brought to perfection: the service can run ads, call customers (voice bot) and filter out non-targeted applications so that staff does not waste time on them. There is even a “hacker” option: the program can find the numbers of customers who visited your site, but did not buy anything and went to competitors. 

CRM can automatically distribute tasks to employees (for example, make a call on this application), saves a contact database, you can keep a calendar of work meetings and tasks, make notes for each client.

Official site: lptracker.io

Features

The main purposesale
Free versionCRM is free for a company of up to 35 employees, additional functions are paid for – their full set is available free of charge for 14 days
Price1200 rubles per month for one user with access to all additional options with certain limits
Deploymentweb version in the cloud

Advantages and disadvantages

Powerful telephone sales tool. CRM is completely free
Each additional option is paid one-time, i.е. a fee is charged for each SMS, client identification, voice bot operation. There are complaints about the long work of technical support

7. Flowlu

“Sieremka” with company management tools in a single space. Suitable for businesses that set up their processes in accordance with the Agile philosophy (an innovative project management system in which tasks and priorities are constantly changing). 

The deal board in CRM is simple and visual. Funnels can be created for each sales scenario. There is a system for marking tasks and deals. The system tells employees what to do next. Of course, there is integration with telephony, email clients and websites. 

A fairly detailed dossier can be compiled on clients. A well-built reporting system with the ability to evaluate sales for each of the funnels.

Official site: flowlu.ru

Features

The main purposesales, financial analytics
Free versionyes, with limited functionality
Price1890 rubles per month for five users when paid for a year in advance
Deploymentweb version in the cloud, smartphone app

Advantages and disadvantages

Suitable for classic business and those who prefer to work according to Agile. Detailed knowledge base and live chat support
You cannot upload your own contract templates to the system. No integration with messengers

8. Trello

In 2022, this is perhaps the most feature-rich free CRM for small businesses. There are also paid options, but a small company can easily do without them. 

Known for his branded cards of current tasks and projects. This is called the kanban method. It has now been adopted by other CRM vendors, but Trello is the trendsetter here. 

The application has an open API (“application programming interface”), which means that if there is a programmer in the team, he can modify the system for your tasks.

Official site: trello.com

Features

The main purposeproject management, sales
Free versionYes
Price$5-17,5 per month for each user with extended access
Deploymentweb version in the cloud and applications for employees

Advantages and disadvantages

Large set of card templates. Extensive features of the free version
More focused on project management than sales. Employees who have already worked with classic CRM will have to be retrained for Trello

9. Social CRM

CRM is suitable for companies whose majority of customers come from social networks. The database is quite detailed. By it, you can sort customers down to the specific product that they have ever purchased from you. Reminders are set for each buyer. 

Works with the main social networks: it allows you to install a widget on the site, through which the guest will automatically be able to write to you from a convenient social network.

Official site: socialcrm.ru

Features

The main purposesale
Free versionno
Price899 rubles per month per user
Deploymentweb version in the cloud

Advantages and disadvantages

It does not require installation and long training: in fact, this is a widget for browsers that helps to sell. Simplifies the work of managers in social networks
There are no sales funnels. Exclusively for work in social networks

10. RetailCRM

The app will help convert leads (potential customers) from instant messengers, social networks and other channels into sales. Ideal for commerce. There is an algorithm that can be configured in such a way that it automatically distributes orders to the right employees. 

Offline orders are also entered into the system. After that, in a single window, you can work with the entire database. You can develop your own loyalty program in order to retain customers. 

The analytics section is interestingly implemented: it displays not just financial receipts, but splitting into specific categories and products, reading specific sales of employees, and monitoring financial performance.

Official site: retailcrm.ru

Features

The main purposesales, financial analytics
Free versionyes, 300 orders per month with limited functionality or 14 days access to the full version
Price1500 rubles per month per user
Deploymentweb version in the cloud or installation on your server

Advantages and disadvantages

Convenient integration with the website and other sales channels (Internet flea markets, social networks). Company managers help to integrate CRM for your business
The emphasis on tools for online stores is worse for other areas. Requires careful study before starting work

How to choose a CRM system for a small business

The abbreviation CRM stands for “Customer relationship management”, which means “customer relationship management” in English. The service helps to regulate business processes. First of all, in terms of sales of services and work on projects. 

The best CRMs in 2022 are designed to help companies build long-term customer relationships and help salespeople close more successful deals.

Pricing Policy

One of the fundamental aspects in small business. When every penny counts and the entrepreneur has to pay for a lot out of his own pocket, you have to carefully select software. Now the creators of CRM in most cases use a subscription package model, as well as modern music and movie services.

On the one hand, it is convenient: you pay once a month, in installments, if it is provided, you can buy the necessary functions or remove unnecessary ones. On the other hand, the subscription model is beneficial primarily to manufacturers. It hooks the company on its product, makes it dependent on it. Developer companies also make money, and therefore come up with marketing strategies to get as much money out of the user as possible. First of all, by imposing the connection of additional options. Here the entrepreneur must keep his eyes open.

Part of the CRM work on a model similar to the principle of balance on a telephone bill. From the client’s balance for each service of the application, for example, a call, the creation of a new project, the connection of an employee, money is debited from the account.

Before buying a CRM, check if the provider has promotions and discounts. For example, when paying from 3-6-12 months, etc.

Required feature set

It is not always clear from CRM advertising what the system can do, and what tools it did not and will not have. This is where the free full version comes in handy. When meeting, pay attention to the following aspects:

  • Drawing up a client base and setting it up. To be able to view the history of interaction with the buyer, select the most optimal offers for him.
  • Accumulation of applications from different resources. Where do potential customers come from to your business? Mailing lists, website targeting, social networks and instant messengers? It is important to collect all sales channels in one place for the convenience of work.
  • CRM should help managers sell. Suggest an action algorithm and have a reminder function.

Additional useful options

The best CRM systems can beat the numbers: conduct financial analytics of successful transactions, receipts, work with accounting. Advanced programs help in calculating salaries and building a system of motivation for employees.

Integration with other services

Today, even a small business is forced to use several services at once for successful functioning. Maintain a website, social networks, work messengers, own applications. Many people use IP-telephony to call customers. It is important that CRM is adapted to work with the most popular tools that your team uses.

Popular questions and answers

The KP answers questions from readers Director of SkySoft, which implements CRM systems, Dmitry Nor.

What are the main parameters of a CRM system for small businesses?

– The main thing is to solve the problems of a particular business. This is no different than implementing CRM in large enterprises, except that it is possible for small businesses to standardize CRM functions because the business process in small enterprises is generally similar and there is no need for custom development.

Are there free CRMs for small businesses?

– There are free CRMs. They can be divided into two categories. The first is open source CRM. They do not have too wide functionality, but it is enough for a small business if it does not impose high requirements on the software. I suggest trying to implement them, and if they don’t fit, then move on to the next option. There are free versions of paid CRM. They are created to get acquainted with the product and understand what functionality is needed specifically for your company, and then you can already buy the required functionality.

What are the main mistakes when implementing CRM systems?

— There are two main mistakes: the wrong choice of CRM and its wrong implementation. CRM is implemented to solve one or a set of small business problems. If you have integrated the system, but the problems have not gone anywhere, then you made a mistake. Analyze what went wrong. If you cannot find the root of the problem, you can seek help from specialists.

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