CRM software, or customer relationship management system, is a software application that enables businesses to manage and track customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle.

Many parts of your workflow can be automated with a CRM. For example, you can set up automatic email responses to customer queries, telling them that their issue has been logged and someone will be in touch soon.

Regarding customer satisfaction, you can use a CRM to set up automatic surveys. These surveys can be sent out after a customer has made a purchase or interacted with customer service.

You can also automate repetitive tasks, like data entry and accounting. This frees up your time to focus on more pressing tasks. Automation extends to marketing as well, with some CRMs allowing you to automate your email marketing campaigns.

Sales is typically a multi-step endeavor, including tasks like prospecting, lead generation, and closing deals. Each step requires different information and features from a CRM.

The prospecting stage, for example, requires a CRM with good contact management capabilities. You need the ability to store and segment contacts, as well as the ability to track interactions.

Lead generation requires a CRM with powerful analytics and reporting features. It allows sales teams to track their progress and performance and identify areas for improvement.

Yes, CRMs can integrate with other financial systems. This is especially useful for businesses that need to keep track of their finances in one central place.

For example, if you use QuickBooks for accounting, you can integrate your QuickBooks data with your CRM. This way, you can see your financial information alongside your customer information.

You can also use a CRM to manage your inventory, which is useful for businesses that sell physical products. With an inventory management system, you can keep track of your stock levels and even set up automatic reordering when your stock gets low.