How to Manage Leads for Startups

Manage leads for startup image 4444The main task of a startup entrepreneur is to generate a large number of leads that can bring in sales so that the business can thrive. Making it happen can take a lot of time and effort, even with a dedicated team of professionals. Without the appropriate software, this can be a tricky mission. However, as is often the case in business, effective solutions are mostly the simplest.

To get your leads, you need a good startup lead management software program that integrates within the Gmail emailing service, transforming it into a convenient CRM instrument that is capable of pushing any startup project to a new level of self-organization, says NetHunt, a company that adds CRM functionality to applications (apps) that businesses use daily. CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management.

According to Wikipedia:

“(CRM) uses data analysis about customers’ history with a company to improve business relationships with customers, specifically focusing on customer retention and ultimately driving sales growth.”

CRM Solution for Companies of all Sizes

Most startups and small businesses are looking for CRM software to manage an ever-growing customer base. They also want it to monitor the quality of services and products provided for important customers.

However, most of them don’t have the money to buy programs that fit all sizes. They want something that satisfies their immedidate and short- or medium-term needs. Some CRM specialist companies offer trial periods. During this period, prospects can test the software to determine whether it is what they are looking for.

CRM software features

Let’s look at some important features that a good CRM software program should have:

Security

One of the most valuable intangible assets of a company is its customers data. Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2B) operations, especially, would not be able to achieve good sales without their customer data.

A secure CRM program is crucial. If hackers got into your computer system and erased all that data, it could be the kiss of death for your company. You don’t want your competitors getting hold of your confidential information either.

There should also be recovery tools in case of, for example, an outage. You need be able to set up different levels of access, depending on which employees are using the software.

Scalability

Scalability, in this context, refers to the CRM software’s ability to grow as your company gets bigger without any problems. You also need to be sure that the creators and providers of your software are going to be around for a long time.

Investing in a program that one day suddenly has no more support is a waste of money. Check out the software company carefully before you decide whether to take the next step.

Customer overview

You should be able to easily capture and see all details related to clients and prospects, i.e., a 360-degree customer overview. A prospect is somebody who could turn into a customer.

Your data must be up-to-date at all times, so that you have vital information at your fingertips when you most need it.

According to NetHunt:

“Important information should be always available and up-to-date, providing you with a valuable context when you need it the most.”

Syncing tools

If you are still using several sales tools that don’t sync together, you are probably getting things done much more slowly than many of your competitors. Your risk of losing valuable data is also greater than it is for your rivals, if their tools sync together.

When you add a good CRM software program to your Gmail, you will be able to create unified hubs for your favorite apps. The software also needs to be a lead management tool that is easy to use.

You need to be able to gather leads from various sources “qualify them, capture details, sort, segment, and track their path through the sales pipeline – all right in their Gmail,” says NetHunt. Imagine creating and managing leads right inside Gmail.

Even though the CRM market today is worth over $120 billion each year globally, approximately forty percent of salespeople continue using informal methods. You have the opportunity today to get ahead of possibly nearly half of your competitors.

Video – Startups

Since the turn of the century, we have been hearing and reading a lot about startups in the news. However, few of us can define them precisely. All startups are new or very young companies, but not all very young or new businesses are startups. This Market Business News (MBN) video explains what the term means and how startups differ from many other new businesses.