A CRM or Customer Relationship Management system is a software solution designed to manage and enhance a company’s interactions with its customers, clients, and prospects. These tools centralize customer data, including contact information, purchase history, and communication logs, creating a comprehensive view of each customer. Considering the fast-paced business landscape, using a reliable CRM tool makes the perfect ecosystem for all aspects of business operations. The two most widely used CRM platforms are Zoho and Salesforce. Read this Zoho vs Salesforce comparison to ensure you use the most suitable tool for your business.
What to Look for in a CRM Software
CRM systems enable your business to run smoothly. Using a CRM tool lets you streamline sales, automate tasks, track leads, send email newsletters, monitor insights, and more. But what are the top features of a good and powerful CRM application? Here are some factors to consider:
- User-Friendly Interface: A straightforward, intuitive design that minimizes the learning curve.
- Customization: The ability to customize the CRM to match your business processes and workflows.
- Integration: Compatibility with other software tools like email, calendars, and marketing automation platforms.
- Mobile Access: Allows users to access the CRM remotely from any device.
- Scalability: Can align with your business growth and adapt to changing needs.
- Automation: Automates tasks such as follow-up reminders and email campaigns.
- Data Security: Ensures customer data is protected with encryption and secure access controls.
- Reporting and Analytics: Offers in-depth insights and data visualization to guide decision-making.
- Customer Support: Reliable support for setup, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance.
Zoho Overview
Zoho has carved its path in the tech industry, defying Silicon Valley norms and adopting a unique approach to product development. The Zoho team considers software development a work of art that needs precision and patience.
Zoho means business when it promises users a no-nonsense approach to security. Since its inception, the brand has never shown ads inside its products, including the free editions. This prohibits third-party trackers from penetrating its websites. This way, Zoho ensures your business is solely yours. Additionally, you can seek help from Zoho consultants in creating efficient workflows and pipelines.
Zoho Top Features
Here are Zoho’s top features:
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is the best for managing customer interactions and business operations. This tool increases your sales pipeline by up to 65 percent. The Zoho CRM tool transforms your leads into quality prospects by 60 percent.
Here are some top Zoho CRM features:
Rich Analytics for Hyper-Managed Operations:
- Utilize Zoho CRM’s advanced analytics tools to make agile, data-driven decisions.
- Gain actionable insights and create custom reports and dashboards.
- Measure real-time operations for sustainable growth.
- Harness the power of AI Zia for accurate predictions and guidance on the next steps for each lead.
Personalized Implementation:
- Customize, scale, and deploy Zoho CRM effortlessly.
- Access a dedicated admin panel and state-of-the-art customization tools.
- Leverage a robust developer platform to enhance Zoho CRM’s capabilities.
Integrate Zoho CRM with Over 800+ Apps:
- Zoho CRM integrates smoothly with your preferred apps.
- Explore Zoho Marketplace for the perfect app to meet your needs.
Benefits of using the Zoho CRM tool:
Before deciding on Zoho vs Salesforce, it’s essential to know what benefits you’re getting from the CRM tool. Here are some reasons why you must choose Zoho:
- User-friendly interface with modern features suitable for modern businesses
- Quick and easy migration, training, and deployment through dedicated programs
- Extensive developer tool for developers to customize solutions and integrations
- Users can opt for flexible contracts without lock-in periods
- No surprise costs
- It comes with price protection, so users always get the best deals
List of tools that come with the Zoho CRM software:
Here are some other sales, marketing, and analytics tools you get with your subscription:
- SalesIQ for sales, support, and marketing
- RouteIQ for sales and lead conversion
- Bigin for customer onboarding, support tickets, order delivery, social proof
- Bookings for online scheduling
- Forms for form building
- Sign for paperless signing
Pricing:
- Standard - $14/user/month
- Professional - $23/user/month
- Enterprise - $40/user/month
- Ultimate - $52/user/month
Here are the Zoho bundles you can choose from:
Salesforce Overview
Salesforce has consistently worked to enhance the world by leveraging technology to build meaningful connections. These connections span businesses and customers, employees and remote teams, governments and citizens, and individuals striving for positive change.
In 1999, four Salesforce founders launched a transformative CRM system from a small San Francisco apartment. This system hosted software and customer data online, providing it as a subscription service.
Salesforce founders established the 1-1-1 model, allocating 1% of equity, technology, and employees’ time to benefit education, equality, and the environment. Today, more than 12,000 companies worldwide have joined its Pledge 1% initiative.
Salesforce Top Features
Salesforce offers a myriad of cloud-based tools designed to improve customer engagement. This way, brands can find more prospects, close more deals, and impress customers with their unique products.
Salesforce Customer 360
Customer 360 encompasses the full range of Salesforce technology, offering a unified CRM platform that connects your company and customers seamlessly from any location.
The platform combines your marketing, sales, commerce, service, and IT teams on one integrated CRM platform. Customer 360 lets you see a comprehensive view of your customers. This allows your teams to deliver cohesive, personalized experiences that foster stronger relationships.
Here are some Salesforce Customer 360 features:
AI Built on Trust
- Use the Einstein 1 Platform to deliver customized solutions through generative AI
- Provide conversational AI to all workflows, departments, users, etc.
- Sell faster through Sales AI by writing emails, summarizing sales calls, and using real-time predictions
- Boost agent productivity for a more impactful customer service experience
- Commerce AI lets you personalize every merchant and buyer experience
Data Cloud for Seamless Data Aggregation
- Embedded in the Einstein 1 Platform, driving actions and workflows within your CRM
- Helps bring the entire organization together to focus on customers
- Connect your aggregated data with buyer intent signals to route the hottest leads
- Upsell and cross-sell based on gathered data
Pricing:
Salesforce’s pricing for its plans runs differently compared to other CRM companies. It’s fully customizable and works like this:
Step 1: Select the most suitable Sales Cloud edition:
Step 2: Boost your Sales Cloud selection by choosing relevant apps and add-ons:
Step 3: Choose the best Success Plan:
Zoho vs Salesforce: Which CRM Software is Better?
Both CRM companies are well-known in all industries for their reliable and robust features. It all depends on your business’s needs and how customized you want your customer interactions to be. Moreover, choosing one will also boil down to your budget. The best way to select one is to weigh the benefits and see if the price is worth it.