When Is It Time to Look for CRM?
Managing customer data through spreadsheets, index cards, or Outlook works—until it doesn’t.
It might feel manageable at first, but over time, it slows you down, causes things to slip through the cracks, and eats away at your day.
You know you need CRM.
The question is: how do you pick the best CRM software for your business?
As you keep reading this article, you’ll discover what to look for, common missteps to avoid, and we’ll give you a sneak peek at one of the most effective strategies that will guarantee you CRM success.
Are you ready to find the best CRM software for your needs?
First, let’s start with what our experts recommend looking for in CRM.
What to Look For in a CRM
Your first instinct might be to find the most feature-packed software that comes with all the bells and whistles.
This is a common mistake businesses like yours make that could cost you a fortune down the line.
When you’re conducting your initial search for the best CRM software for your needs, you should look for:
1. Flexibility to Grow
Your business is going to evolve, and your CRM should, too. Make sure the system you choose can grow with you, without forcing you to start over later.
A good CRM will allow you to:
- Start with a basic setup and add more features as needed.
- Adapt to your evolving needs, whether that’s adding automation, reporting, or AI capabilities.
- Avoid getting locked into a system that can’t keep up with your business.
2. Ease of Use
If your team doesn’t want to use the CRM, it won’t matter how powerful it is. Pick a system that fits how they already work.
That means easy to learn, mobile-friendly, and ideally, integrated with the tools they already live in, like Outlook or Teams.
3. Budget Fit
We get it—budgets matter. But when CRM is done right, the productivity gains and sales impact can pay off fast.
Look for a system that:
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Offers tiered pricing options so you only pay for what you need
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Gets your team up and running quickly without heavy upfront commitments
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Let’s you grow your CRM as your team and goals expand without breaking the bank
Now that you know what to look for, here’s why we recommend Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Why Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM is Our Pick
For us, all three of those reasons point to one platform: Microsoft Dynamics 365. Here’s why:
You Can Start Simple and Scale Anytime
Dynamics 365 lets you launch with just the essentials and build from there as your needs evolve.
You’re not locked into a rigid setup or forced into expensive upgrades. You choose what works for you at the start and later on down the line.
You’ll Use Tools You Already Know
If your team already uses Outlook or Teams, Dynamics 365 fits right in. That means:
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No need to learn new apps
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Users can log emails, track updates, and manage opportunities without switching platforms
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Higher adoption rates and faster ROI
It Grows With You—Without Lock-In
Other CRMs, like Salesforce, often come up in conversations. But unlike Salesforce, Dynamics 365 offers more flexibility and doesn’t lock you into expensive tiers or require you to switch platforms later.
That’s why more and more businesses are choosing Microsoft for a reason.
Now that you have an idea of what to look for in a CRM, we will reveal one of the most effective strategies that will guarantee CRM success.
How Starting Small Will Give You Quick Wins
If you’re coming from spreadsheets and Outlook, your needs are simple: You want to stay on top of follow-ups, break down information silos, and make sure nothing gets missed.
That’s why we always recommend starting small, taking your time, then moving from there.
What we call the “Less is More“ strategy, has helped 500+ businesses over the last 20+ years and is the approach we recommend to all of our clients for CRM success.
And it can help you too.
Combined with best practices, you can build a CRM that fits your needs, makes you more profitable than ever, and makes your life a whole lot easier.
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to take the next step.
Ready for CRM?
Sign up for our FREE implementation program for Microsoft Dynamics 365 (a $7500 value)!
With our proven ‘Crawl, Walk, Run’ methodology based on hundreds of implementations, you will successfully roll out CRM for your team – from initial orientation and system setup to streamlined forms and data management.
Secure your spot in our FREE 5-week program. Act fast, spots are limited!
Peter Wolf is the president and founder of Azamba. He has spent the last 20 years focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses become more profitable through effective and efficient usage of CRM.
His passion is blending the promise of CRM with the realities of business needs to create successful outcomes.