What is the best free CRM solution?

If you're looking at getting into business or starting your own small company then it's likely that you will need some sort of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool. It can be hard enough just keeping track of customers without having to worry about sales too! That's why we've put together this guide to help you decide which one might be right for you.

We've looked at all three major open source CRMs - Salesforce, HubSpot  and Bitrix24. All offer paid versions with additional features, however, they also come in completely free options, so let's see how these compare...

How much does Zoho cost per user?

Zoho offers two different packages depending upon what type of plan you choose. The first being their Standard package which costs $5/month per user, while the Premium package comes in at $10/user per month. This means if you go ahead and sign-up now for the Standard version, you'll save yourself an extra dollar every month after that! If you do end up going for the premium edition though, there is no discount available.

So, as far as pricing goes, Zoho seems pretty competitive against other solutions out there such as HubSpot, Bitrix 24, and SalesForce. Of course, you could always opt to use something like Google Apps instead, but that would require paying each time someone uses it. With both Zoho and HubSpot, you get unlimited users included in your monthly price. As for Bitrix24, it starts off fairly cheap ($9/mo), but once you add in any number of custom fields, reports, etc., suddenly it jumps up quite high. So overall, I'd say that Zoho wins here by offering more flexibility than its competitors.

How long is the free trial for Zoho?

All plans include 30 days of access when signing up for them, although only the Premium and Enterprise editions allow you to renew at full speed until you cancel. However, even with the latter option, it's not clear whether you'll actually lose any money if you did cancel before the 30 day period was over. For example, you may have signed up for the standard edition, but decided during the trial that you really needed the enterprise edition instead. In my opinion, it would make sense to keep using the basic one, since you won't be losing anything anyway.

What are the advantages of Zoho?

As mentioned above, Zoho has several unique selling points compared to the rest of the competition. First of all, they're open source. You get complete control over everything within the application itself, rather than relying on third parties to provide updates and fixes. Secondly, they're easy to install and configure, making setup very quick and simple. Thirdly, they allow you to customize everything from colors to branding, giving you total control over your entire interface. And finally, unlike most systems where you must purchase licenses separately for each person who works on the account, with Zoho, everyone gets the same license.

The downside to Zoho is that there isn't nearly as many modules available as the others listed here. There are plenty of built-in ones, but it doesn't seem like anyone has taken the initiative to develop any new ones yet. Even so, because they're all open source, you can modify whatever code you want to create your own module if you wish.

Does Zoho have set up fees?

No, Zoho does not charge any kind of fee whatsoever. They simply take a percentage of each sale made through the platform. Since they're open source, anyone can view the code behind the scenes and build their own applications to suit their needs.

Overall, Zoho definitely stands out among the pack for its ease of installation and customization, along with its low initial cost. But unfortunately, it lacks certain key components found in the other apps. Although it still remains a solid choice for people who prefer open source alternatives.

How much does HubSpot cost per user?

Like Zoho, HubSpot gives you two different ways to buy - either on a yearly basis or a monthly subscription. Prices start at $79/year for 5 users, increasing to $199/year for 25 users. Monthly prices range between $99-$299, depending on the level of service that you choose. You can purchase individual licenses for each user, however, which allows HubSpot to give you full control over each team member’s experience. On top of that, you can easily upgrade or downgrade anytime throughout the year.

In terms of features, HubSpot is similar to the other offerings on our list. Everything is customizable, meaning you can change fonts, color schemes, logos, and images to match your brand identity. Plus, HubSpot provides tons of integrations with various services including Gmail, Outlook, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Google Analytics, Zapier, MailChimp, and many more.

However, HubSpot falls short in comparison to Zoho and Salesforce. Not only does it lack the ability to import data directly from Google Sheets, Excel, and CSV files, but it also lacks a lot of advanced reporting tools that HubSpot excels in. To name a few: You cannot pull specific information from contacts via filters, nor can you search for contacts by their email addresses.

On top of that, the HubSpot dashboard is extremely cluttered, with too many things crammed onto one screen. Also, it takes forever to load pages sometimes, especially if you have lots of items displayed on the homepage. Lastly, HubSpot requires you to log in to check emails regularly, which makes it difficult to focus on work tasks. Overall, HubSpot isn't ideal for managing large teams, especially those who aren't tech savvy.

Does HubSpot have set up fees?

Unlike the other companies on this list, HubSpot charges a hefty $399 registration fee upfront, plus another $499 annual renewal fee afterwards.

Overall, HubSpot is probably the least expensive of the bunch. While it certainly includes some cool features, the fact that it's missing important functions leaves us scratching our heads. It also feels very dated in design. Still, if you're looking for a way to manage multiple clients' contact info without spending a fortune, HubSpot might be worth checking out.

What are the disadvantages of HubSpot?

There are a couple minor downsides to HubSpot. Firstly, it's impossible to import data from Google Sheets, Excel, and CSV files. Instead, you must export the data manually, which can take hours. Second, it's not possible to filter contacts by email address. Last, the website loads slowly, often taking upwards of 15 seconds to fully render pages.

Despite those drawbacks, HubSpot does have a ton of useful features that should appeal to almost anyone. Like mentioned previously, it lets you integrate it seamlessly with dozens of popular platforms, such as Gmail, Outlook, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Google Analytics, Zapier, Mailchimp, and many more. Another benefit is that it supports mobile devices, allowing you to stay connected wherever you happen to be. Finally, HubSpot is packed with tons of templates and prebuilt forms, which you can edit according to your preferences.

Does HubSpot have set up fees?

Yes, HubSpot charges an upfront $399 registration fee, followed by another $499 annually thereafter.

Overall, HubSpot is great for smaller businesses that don't need extensive functionality. It's got all the basics covered, so if you're just trying to run a few accounts, this app might fit your needs perfectly. Otherwise, try out the other options above.

Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is another excellent alternative to HubSpot and Salesforce. Unlike the former, it focuses primarily on B2B marketing automation instead of consumer products. It boasts numerous integration capabilities, letting you connect with practically anything imaginable. From social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest, to eCommerce providers like Amazon and Wishpond.com, Bitrix24 aims to simplify digital marketing efforts for SMBs across the globe.

Another advantage to Bitrix24 is that it integrates well with Microsoft Office 365, enabling you to sync data automatically between your desktop client and cloud servers. This saves countless hours on manual file transfers. Furthermore, it comes with an impressive feature called "Smartforms" which enables you to quickly generate customized HTML forms online, saving you a significant amount of time and effort.

Unfortunately, Bitrix24 lacks a robust API, which limits its usefulness somewhat. Its UI also suffers from occasional glitches and slow loading times. Despite all that, Bitrix24 is still highly recommended due to its powerful automation features and intuitive interfaces.

Does Bitrix24 have set up fees?

Not initially. After registering, you'll receive 2 months of unlimited usage and 1 GB of storage space for free. Then, you'll be billed for 3 years of unlimited usage and 10 GB of storage space.

We're all about saving money in these uncertain times. But what if you need to find a new CRM (customer relationship management) tool without spending any cash? You've got options! Here are some of our favorite CRMs that we think will help your business manage its customers more effectively than ever before.

What CRM do small businesses use?

The first thing you should know when choosing an enterprise-level CRM solution is whether it's going to fit into your company's budget. If you have a tight one or two person team, then there are plenty of affordable solutions out there. 

But if you're looking at something with robust functionality, then you may be better off sticking to a paid option. This is because the extra capabilities will come in handy as your business grows, allowing you to scale up seamlessly. Plus, you'll benefit from access to real people who can assist you along the way.

Zoho offers a range of packages starting at $25/month. The most basic package includes CRM tools such as salesforce.com, social media marketing, email marketing, project management, time tracking, invoicing, analytics and reporting. It also has a cloud storage service called OneDrive which allows users to upload files directly onto their account while working remotely.

If you'd rather not spend so much money upfront, check out HubSpot. HubSpot provides everything you need for under $100/month including contact manager, lead capture forms, webinars, content creation, landing pages, reports, and even live chat. They offer a 14 day trial period during which you can try out every feature of the platform for yourself.

Bitrix24 is another great choice for those on a tighter budget. Their plans start at just $5/user/mo. That puts them firmly within reach of many SMBs. And they offer a variety of add-ons like custom HTML templates and online surveys for no additional charge. They also provide 24x7 phone and instant messaging services to ensure that you always feel supported.

Another good deal comes courtesy of Freshsales. With prices ranging between $9-$29 depending on how large your organization is, this is yet again a viable option for smaller companies. In addition to providing full integration with Microsoft Office 365, they give you access to mobile app development and unlimited user licenses. So if you happen to run across someone using your product, you won't have to worry about paying licensing fees down the road.

FreshSales also gives you a 30-day free trial, so you can see exactly how well it works for your own needs. There aren’t too many other platforms out there offering such generous terms.

Is Zoho totally free?

Yes, it really is true - Zoho doesn't require a credit card number or payment details whatsoever. Instead, you sign up by giving them permission to store information about your company's contacts in their database.

This means that you get access to a whole host of benefits without having to shell out anything extra. These include advanced search filters, customizable workflows and workflow automation, automated data importation, integrated ecommerce, multiple pricing structures, and more.

So if you only plan on using a handful of functions, Zoho might be perfect for you. However, if you're hoping to take advantage of everything the platform has to offer, then you might want to look elsewhere.

How long is Zoho free for?

At the moment, Zoho is completely free until December 31st 2021. After that date, you'll be able to continue using the platform for either three months or 12 months. Whichever term you choose, you'll still get access to the same amount of premium features.

However, you'll lose access to some of the most useful integrations available. For example, you won't be able to connect your CRM to Google Sheets anymore, you won't receive notifications about changes made to documents stored inside the platform, and you won't be able to create projects automatically through Zapier.

Also note that after 2020, you'll start seeing ads appear on the homepage of your dashboard. While it's unlikely that anyone would mind this happening occasionally, it could potentially annoy some users.

What does Zoho cost per month?

As mentioned earlier, Zoho offers different plans depending on how big your company is. Prices start at around $15/month for organizations with fewer than 10 employees and go all the way up to a whopping $2,000+ / month for larger enterprises.

That said, regardless of size, you can expect to save anywhere between 50% and 90% compared to buying individual products separately. Which makes sense given that Zoho already owns several popular apps in their portfolio.

In order to calculate your monthly investment, simply multiply the total number of users in your department by the price listed above. Then divide that figure by 100.

For instance, let's say you have a team of 25 people spread over five departments. Each staff member costs $40/month, meaning that your annual bill comes to roughly $1,500. Now divide that figure by 100 to determine the approximate monthly rate. You end up with around $150.

You can compare various plans here.

What does Zoho offer beyond basic CRM tools?

It's actually pretty impressive! Aside from being fully compatible with Salesforce, Zoho also integrates with Slack, Trello, Asana, Gmail, Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, Github, Jira, Marketo, Pipedrive, Skype, SendGrid, SurveyMonkey, and tons more.

They also provide a bunch of helpful features such as sales forecasting, webinar scheduling, and video conferencing. Additionally, you can easily set up a series of follow ups via email and send automatic reminders whenever necessary. All of this takes place behind the scenes thanks to powerful AI and machine learning algorithms.

And finally, Zoho supports hundreds of languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu. Its developers are constantly adding new ones too, making sure that everyone gets equal representation everywhere.

Finally, Zoho has a very active community of developers dedicated to improving the experience of both existing and potential clients alike. And since it was founded back in 2003, it's been growing steadily year after year.

Overall, Zoho is definitely worth checking out if you're searching for an effective CRM platform. Not only will it allow you to streamline your entire operation, but it'll also enhance your productivity and boost revenue levels dramatically. So why wait any longer? Get started today!

There are plenty of reasons why you might need a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. Whether it’s tracking sales leads or managing client information, having an effective CRM in place will help your business grow.

But there’s no denying that using a paid service isn’t always feasible for small businesses with limited budgets—and if you’re looking at ways to save money while still keeping up with your customers, then a free CRM could be just what you need.

In this article we take a look at some of the most popular options available today, including HubSpot, Bitrix24, Freshsales, Zoho Corporation, Freshworks, and more. We also talk about how to get started creating your very first free CRM, as well as which ones offer the easiest user experience and the highest level of personalization, so you can find one that works for your company.

How can I create a free CRM?

If you have zero budget but still want to start building out your organization's database, then you'll likely need to use third-party tools instead of paying someone else to build them from scratch. Luckily, many of these services provide templates for users who would rather not spend thousands on custom development. Some even allow you to edit their code directly! Here are a few examples of companies offering such solutions:

Freshdesk - A cloud-based CRM tool with a drag-and-drop interface that lets you add contacts, notes, tasks, events, documents, and surveys without coding knowledge. You can customize fields by dragging and dropping labels onto the page before saving. It also has integrations with other apps like Gmail and Slack.

Zendesk - Another service that offers both hosted and self-hosted versions. The hosted version comes with unlimited storage space and email integration, allowing you to send emails right through Zendesk. For those interested in trying out a free trial, click here. Self-hosting gives you complete control over your data and allows you to integrate with any app.

Bitrix24 - One of our favorites for its powerful features and easy-to-use interface, Bitrix24 provides all the basic functionality needed to manage contacts, projects, cases, etc., along with a built-in calendar, task manager, document management, invoicing, chat, and analytics.

The pricing structure depends on whether you wish to host the platform yourself or go with the hosted option, however. There are two different plans: Business ($10 per month) and Enterprise ($50 per month). Both include access to additional modules, advanced reporting, customizable dashboards, and more. If you're serious about growing your business, Bitrix24 is definitely worth considering.

Can I develop my own CRM?

Not only does developing a new CRM require extensive technical skills, but it can also end up being incredibly costly. However, if you already know HTML and CSS, JavaScript, PHP, or Ruby on Rails, then you may be able to make something usable within hours. Even if you don't have programming background, there are numerous resources online that can teach you everything you need to know.

Here are some websites dedicated to teaching you how to make your own CRM:

CoderDojo - An open source community where anyone can learn web design and development basics, and even gain hands-on experience working on real projects. Their mission is to "give everyone the chance to become a better programmer."

Code Academy - Offers a wide range of courses in various languages and frameworks, including Java, Python, C#, NodeJS, React & Redux, Angular 2+, Webpack, Git, AWS, Docker, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and others. Learn how to build mobile applications, deploy servers, write SQL queries, and much more.

GitU - This site teaches you how to use GitHub and Git to work on multiple projects simultaneously. From setting up repositories, branching strategies, and making pull requests, they cover every aspect of learning how to maintain and collaborate on open source code.

How do I create a simple CRM?

If you aren't sure exactly what type of CRM you'd like to implement, you should probably try starting simply. Many free platforms let you set up contact lists, calendars, reminders, and some basic project management features, giving you enough power to begin organizing your workflow. These kinds of systems are perfect for smaller organizations, especially if you've never worked with a CRM before.

Some great choices for simple CRMs include:

HipChat - Similar to Slack, Hipchat enables teams to communicate via text messages, voice calls, video chats, and file sharing. With integrated plugins, you can attach files to conversations, share links, view recent activity, and assign tasks to team members.

Trello - Trello is similar to Kanban boards used in agile methodologies. Teams can organize cards into columns, checklists, and progress bars to monitor their work and stay organized.

Basecamp - Basecamp is designed to streamline communication between employees and managers. You can connect your Google Calendar to a specific project, automatically sync meetings across devices, and easily invite people to join discussions.

OneNote - Microsoft's note-taking application is ideal for brainstorming sessions and storing important ideas. Integrate it with Excel to create reports and charts, or embed it inside PowerPoint presentations for quick reference during lectures.

Google Docs - Not only is Google Docs a fantastic collaborative writing environment, but it's also great for collaborating on spreadsheets, slideshows, and forms. Use it alongside MailChimp to collect names, addresses, phone numbers, and more.

Dropbox Paper - Dropbox Paper is another collaboration tool designed specifically for team projects. Create individual pages for each member of your team, and mark sections as read when finished. When you're ready to move forward, merge changes together, and export PDFs.

What is the best way to keep track of clients?

Once you've got a good handle on your workflow, you'll need a reliable way to store information about all of your clients. Free CRMs typically come equipped with several useful features that can help keep things organized, including:

Email marketing automation - Track responses, schedule followups, and automate repetitive processes with automated campaigns.

Task management - Keep tabs on due dates, deadlines, and other important milestones.

Integrated chat - Get instant updates regarding all interactions with current and potential clients.

Contact list - Store names, titles, email address, phone number(s), website URL, and more.

Project management - Manage tasks, assign responsibilities, and prioritize projects.

Automated invoices - Send customized quotes via email or generate bills based on time spent.

To avoid overwhelming your staff with too much info, consider implementing multiple methods for collecting information about your clients. While you may prefer to stick with traditional paper records, you can also benefit from the digital age by integrating social media profiles, past purchase history, feedback ratings, reviews, and more into your databases. Plus, having all of this information readily accessible makes it easier to respond quickly to inquiries, resolve issues, and improve overall relationships.

Want to see how your favorite CRM stacks up against the competition? Check out our comparison chart below.

Have questions about how to choose a CRM? Feel free to leave us a comment below to discuss further.