Software solutions have come a long way from sitting inside a computer hard drive to being accessible in the “magical” cloud system. More software is created than the number of hardware devices being manufactured in the market.
In fact, the majority (38%) of the share in the IT spending of small businesses in 2022 is allocated to software solutions, followed by hardware (31%), cloud-based services (25%), and managed services (11%). It makes sense that software entrepreneurs are no longer bedroom shut-in nerds but rather techno socialites sipping their margaritas in their privately owned 90210 properties.
What is the secret sauce for this boom of software applications? The short answer is, that it has the ability to solve a particular problem. Software solutions are getting better and smarter at solving our seemingly mundane tasks. A decade ago, you would not find an app that could measure an object from a distance or make you look like an older man instantly.
Now, almost everything has an equivalent digital solution to it. Take a look at these numbers on how small business allocate their budget to software solutions:
- Productivity software (16%)
- Industry-specific apps (16%)
- Security software (11%)
- Operating systems (10%)
- Backup/disaster-recovery solutions (9%)
- Business support apps (8%)
- IT management solutions (6%)
- Database management systems (4%)
- Communications software (4%)
One of the sterling solutions a software company can offer is solving the growing challenges of building a company’s relationships with its customers, especially for budget-friendly startups. Customer relationship management (CRM) software and its integrations have answered the ever-growing number of customer data and touchpoints.
Companies need to have consistent and timely interactions with their customers to establish trust and loyalty towards them. But how can a single application like CRM software do this? It lies in the wonders of its integrated applications.
What Are CRM Integrations?
A CRM integration works in many different ways, but it has four core purposes so that you can use a CRM tool more effectively and efficiently. These are:
- It connects a CRM with third-party applications
- It moves the data seamlessly between applications
- It gives a single view and workflow that happens in the CRM
- It provides a marketplace or application library for its users
Integration is possible through three options; API documentation, use of middleware, or getting an integration as a platform service (iPaaS). Coding-free integrations are those applications that use middleware or iPaaS to connect to the CRM or other applications. Most software applications have integrations since it extends their functionality.
By bridging the applications, they will have a single data source that can be synchronized and updated. It will also reduce human-related errors when data are updated from time to time. A well-organized data can help users perform better at work and work with their customers well.
Data integration helps customer service representatives picture their clients through the available data.
For instance, integrating HubSpot CRM with different applications is done using its API documentation, or you can browse their HubSpot App Marketplace. Recently, the HubSpot Ecosystem has reached over a thousand integrations available in its library. It makes its CRM platform desirable for many tech-savvy marketers because it offers many benefits that can ramp up the sales and support of a business.
Benefits of CRM Integrations
The benefits of CRM integrations may vary depending on what tools are integrated with the CRM platform or how data are aggregated from applications. These are the expected benefits when you utilize your CRM tool with other applications.
Increased Efficiency and Productivity
Business becomes complex operations over time. Efficient business processes are the key to automating the company to operate round the clock. SMS promotions are better managed with HubSpot SMS because it has better throughput and delivery rates than sending them over a single carrier platform. Alternatively, utilizing carrier lookup can significantly minimize unnecessary texting expenses. It allows your business to have productive employees with higher outputs.
Improved Strategy and Forecasting
A data-driven strategy is better than an opinion-based one. CRM tools have a dashboard where you can see reports and analytics. It tells you how many leads came from your web form, social media, or search engine. The status of the lead in the pipeline or how satisfied your customers are with their customer experience. You can export the data to an integrated spreadsheet or a CSV. Forecast call queues or see the health status of your sales campaign.
Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics
Depending on the data connection in the CRM, you can summarize data in one place. It can provide you with additional information like analytics of your marketing videos to see which of them correlates to the site traffic. You can also get a detailed view of your marketing channels. Some CRM may even add them directly to your dashboard to monitor real-time data.
Consistent Data Workflow and Management
Automate data altogether in different applications in which you can set inter-system triggers. For example, whenever someone signs up in your web form, it automatically registers to your CRM database. It then schedules a call with an SMS to set expectations and a follow-up email. All these happen with only a few clicks. You can also manage and update multiple events simultaneously across platforms.
Must-Have CRM Integrations for Businesses
To start with your CRM integration journey, here are the necessary integrations you may need to run some basic operations with your business.
Task Management and Productivity Integrations
Manage daily meetings, events, and client appointments.
com –
Stands for a working OS for teams to have an intuitive interface for their project, business workflow, collaboration process, etc.
Airtable –
You can sync, import, or export company contacts without time-consuming manual entry. Historical synchronization lets you revisit previous information in the database.
Deal Duplicator –
Allows you to duplicate existing deals for faster and easier proposals without the risk of manual errors from the customized sales.
Contact Center Integration
leverages omnichannel strategy together with CRM. It manages your customer contact information with an add-on phone system functionality in the CRM.
Aloware –
A contact center solution that transforms your CRM into a call and text machine. You can enroll your contacts in the sales dialer for cold calling campaigns or register multiple lines that are manageable in a desktop application or mobile. Get unlimited calls and texts in your CRM to stay connected with your customers.
Content Management Integration
creates a repository for salespeople to send and share content. It also connects different social media content in the CRM.
Webflow
You can design creative websites or landing pages, manage blogs and share them in your social media channels or email newsletters.
WordPress –
You can create a professional website from scratch and get leads and customer inquiries delivered to your CRM with ticket references.
Sales and Marketing Automation
nurture leads with sales automation. It grows and engages the audience inside the CRM without switching platforms.
Facebook Messenger Chat Tool –
for your Facebook business page inquiries. Manage and organize customer conversations inside the CRM. You can also employ chatbots with this integration.
CalendarHero –
never miss a meeting and appointment by syncing your contacts with other applications in seconds. Share a uniform link for group sharing or send and receive reminders automatically.
Are You Ready for Integrations?
The importance of CRM integrations is limitless as business and technology continue to innovate together. It gives your business a competitive edge to overview the company and provides efficiency in task and data management among your constituents. HubSpot CRM integration is a must-try platform known for its reliability and user-friendliness that comes with unlimited after-sales support.
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