Editor's Choice
Why Your Business Needs CRM Software
Implementing CRM software empowers your team to increase sales, improve retention, streamline funnels, and enhance online marketing efforts - even when you're leveraging free lead generators or posting on free ad sites. Its integrated approach drives conversion and efficiency while fitting into any budget.
1. What is a CRM?
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a centralized platform that stores customer and lead information, enabling teams across sales, marketing, and support to collaborate and automate workflows efficiently.
2. Why it matters now
Modern businesses rely on a range of online channels—free lead generators, ad posting sites, and DIY tools like “how to make a website for free”—to attract prospects. Without CRM, these leads often get lost in spreadsheets. CRM ensures every lead is tracked and followed up smoothly.
Key Benefits of CRM for Your Business
Increase Sales Effectiveness
- Centralized client database streamlines follow-ups.
- Insight-sharing tools help sales reps close deals faster.
Boost Customer Retention
- Store actionable feedback to foster loyalty.
- Access a “360‑degree” view of accounts to personalize service.
Streamline the Sales Funnel
- Visual pipeline dashboards clarify deal stages.
- Granular funnel analytics pinpoint where leads drop off.
Enhance Online Marketing ROI
- Plan and monitor email campaigns in one platform.
- Track leads sourced from free ads posting sites or free life insurance leads for agents—all integrated with sales data to improve conversions.
Key Takeaways
- CRM centralizes all your free leads—from generators, ads, websites—in one place.
- Choose a cloud-hosted, free-tier CRM with automation, integrations, and intuitive dashboards.
- Always confirm you can capture real-time leads from your free website and ad tools.
- Support and community are critical for smooth setup and ongoing usage.
- Start simple, then scale features—custom fields, workflows, and analytics—as your lead volume grows.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1
Exceptional9.8
Free CRM for startups and small businessesFree CRM for startups and small businessesRead HubSpot ReviewHubSpot’s CRM software is free and therefore best suited to small businesses that only need the core essentials. That said, it’s earned high reviews and offers a solid line-up of tools that make it worth considering for SMBs looking to increase sales.
HubSpot CRM has a clean dashboard that lets you sort deals and track all pertinent information which can be sorted by lead status, name, amount, or by custom filters, all so businesses can view their sales funnel in real-time. The software syncs up with Gmail and Outlook and includes tons of free communications tools such as live chat, cross-team emails, and a central inbox for sales, marketing, and customer service teams to manage conversations.
Most notably, HubSpot allows an unlimited amount of users and storage that can reach up to a million contacts. While limited for clients with advanced needs, HubSpot exceeds what you’d expect for free software and is a capable solution for small businesses looking to improve organization and productivity.
HubSpot Pros & Cons
PROS
Free CRMUnlimited users1160 app integrationsCONS
Advanced features only in the premium versionsCostly premium options - 2
Excellent9.2
All-purpose CRM to support businessesAll-purpose CRM to support businessesRead Pipedrive ReviewGreat for - First-time CRM users
Price - Starting at $14.90
Free trial - 14 days
Another accessible CRM tool, Pipedrive fills in the gaps left by Monday and other competitors in its field, namely with lead-tracking and other sales-based reporting tools.
Pipedrive offers a simple yet sophisticated interface that more than makes up for it with its ability to represent the sales process in graphic form. It is a worthy tool for keeping track of contacts, improving communication both within and outside of the team, and keeping close tabs on sales and possible deals. Add in automated call tracking, a popular chatbot feature, and a ready-to-use platform, and you have a CRM tool that offers a solution to most of the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses.
Pipedrive Pros & Cons
PROS
Free trial available for 14 daysComprehensive customer supportExtensive features plus apps and integrationsCONS
Live chat only available for paying customersAdditional costs when you add more integrations - 3
Excellent9.1
Customizable CRM option for businessesCustomizable CRM option for businessesRead monday sales CRM ReviewGreat for - Visual thinkers
Price - $8 per seat per month (3 seat minimum)
Free trial - 14 days
Monday sales CRM manages to provide a wealth of CRM features without overloading the user. Its visually stunning interface is remarkably accessible, with automated workflows and easy-to-use collaboration features. But there’s more underneath the surface, making it surprisingly capable both for those who only utilize its core features as well as those who need more advanced tools.
From small businesses to enterprise organizations, monday sales CRM offers an approachable, scalable CRM that can adapt to almost every user’s needs.
monday sales CRM Pros & Cons
PROS
Team tracking and insightsCustomizable featuresUnlimited contactsCONS
Plans require you to pay for a minimum number of seatsTraining on CRM implementation may be inadequate
