What is a CRM Database? CRM System Examples
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) refers to how a business or organization manages information about their customers. Often, the term CRM refers to the platform that an organization uses to manage all of this information. We’ll dive into why CRM databases are valuable for businesses and organizations, as well as some examples of the most widely used CRM databases out there.
What is a CRM database?
A CRM database is the foundation of a CRM system. It is a central repository where all customer-related information is stored. This information includes customer contact information, demographic data, buying history, customer service requests, and other data points that are relevant to customer interactions. This information can be accessed by authorized personnel in real-time, allowing them to have a complete view of the customer.
A CRM database serves as a single source of truth for customer data, which enables sales, marketing, and customer service teams to work more effectively. They can easily access customer data to gain insights, identify trends, and tailor their interactions to meet customer needs. This allows companies to deliver better customer experiences and create long-lasting relationships with their customers.
Example: Steven’s Shoe Store
Steven owns a shoe store and use a CRM database to manage his customer information. Some of the basic things he records on his CRM about his customers are:
- Name, age, gender and address
- Shoe size
- Family members, and their name, age, gender and shoe size
- When they last bought from you
- What sports they play
Using a CRM database, Steven records information about one of his longest-serving customers, Molly. He know that Molly is a size 5, runs on the weekend, and purchased running shoes from his store 14 month ago. Since Steven know that Molly is an avid runner, Molly’s running shoes will be staring to wear out, so Steven send her an email with the latest running shoe deals.
Steven also know that Molly’s children Gabby and Daniel play basketball, and the football season is about to start. In the email, he include deals for children’s basketball shoes, so that Molly knows what options she has for her kids.
Using a CRM database to record this sort of information can be incredibly useful for Steven, as the shoe store owner, to help drive sales. Steven can send customers like Molly targeted emails with products and deals relevant to her. When she comes into the store that weekend, he makes sure that there are shoes in her size available.
CRM System Examples
There are several CRM system examples in the market, with each having unique features that cater to specific industries or business needs. Here are some popular CRM systems:
Salesforce CRM
In all likelihood, you’ve probably heard of Salesforce before. However, have you ever asked yourself “What is Salesforce?”.
Salesforce CRM is one of the most popular CRM systems in the market. It is a cloud-based solution that provides a complete view of customer interactions across all channels. It offers a range of features, including sales automation, marketing automation, customer service, analytics, and more.
Salesforce CRM also integrates with other business systems, such as accounting, HR, and project management. Arguably, Salesforce allows for the greatest level of customization of all the CRMs, making it popular amongst larger companies and organisations, including government agencies.
One of the significant benefits of Salesforce CRM is its flexibility. It is highly customizable, allowing companies to tailor the system to their specific business needs. The platform has an extensive library of add-ons and third-party applications that can enhance its functionality further. Oh, did we mention the cute mascots that Salesforce use in their branding too?
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is another cloud-based solution that provides a range of features for managing customer interactions. It includes features such as contact management, sales automation, email tracking, and analytics. It is a straightforward system to set up and use, making it an excellent choice for small businesses.
HubSpot CRM integrates with other HubSpot products, such as marketing automation and customer service, providing a complete business solution. It also integrates with other third-party applications, such as Gmail and Microsoft Office. HubSpot is generally preferred by small to medium sized businesses and organization.
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is a cloud-based solution that provides a range of features, including sales automation, marketing automation, customer service, and analytics. It is highly customizable, allowing companies to tailor the system to their specific business needs.
One of the significant benefits of Zoho CRM is its affordability. It offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan for up to three users. This makes it an excellent choice for small businesses that are on a tight budget. It’s widely regarded as an entry-level CRM database, as the free version has relatively simple features, making it quick and easy to set up.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a cloud-based solution that provides a range of features, including sales automation, marketing automation, customer service, and analytics. It integrates with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365, Power BI, and Azure.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is highly customizable, allowing companies to tailor the system to their specific business needs. It also provides advanced security features, making it an excellent choice for companies that prioritize data security.
Conclusion
Considering how useful a CRM database can be for a business, it’s no wonder that there are so many CRM system examples out there on the market. If you’re wondering how you can get started with learning how to use a CRM, check out the best CRMs available today or learn about why working as a Salesforce Admin may be the best option for you.