CRM systems for digital agencies can play a key role in streamlining operations, enhancing client relationships, and driving business growth.
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management – a kind of strategy or software tool that helps manage, maintain, and enhance the relationship between your agency and its clients.
Without a formal CRM system, digital marketing agencies can experience many challenges. Stagnant customer experiences, lack of continuity, inefficiency, and even department clashes are just some of the problems that can occur.
In this guide, we’ll look at the benefits that come with using powerful CRM systems and which factors to consider when choosing the right one for your digital marketing agency.
Understanding CRM Systems for Digital Agencies
A CRM system typically comes in the form of a digital tool. It can perform a wide number of functions relating to customer management and relationships, such as:
- Helps your agency target new audiences
- Provides data insights for existing clients
- Automates management features (email sendouts, response rates, etc.)
- Centralised employee management
- Conversions boosting
- Leads generation
However, the exact features and tools added to CRM systems greatly depends on the system you choose. Many of them have unique angles and automations designed to tackle different components.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a CRM System
Digital marketing agencies can come in all shapes and forms. Therefore, when it comes to installing and using a CRM system for your business, there are a few key factors to consider. Let’s look through them to help you select one that reaches your agency’s full potential.
- Customisation and Scalability
You need a CRM system that can be tailored to the unique needs of your digital agency. Fortunately, many CRM systems come with in-built customisation options with regards to scalability and size.
By selecting a CRM system that works for the scale of your client base (as revenue goals), you can better accommodate the agency’s growth.
- Integration Capabilities
Seamless integration is a significant aspect of implementing any new tool or system to your agency. You will need to integrate all your existing tools and platforms, such as project management software, email marketing platforms, and social media management tools.
Finding a CRM system that integrates smoothly with your pre-existing structure is highly beneficial, because you will experience automated data syncing and streamlined workflows.
- User Interface and Ease of Use
A user-friendly CRM system that is intuitive and easy to navigate is key to extracting its full potential. A well-designed dashboard and the ability to access critical information quickly can transform the way your team utilizes this kind of tool.
A clean user interface means faster integration, less training needed, and a generally less stressful tech adoption period for your team members. It also means your agency gets to reap the benefits of the system sooner rather than later.
- Reporting and Analytics
Reporting and analytics features also play a major role in choosing which CRM system to implement. The more robust the analytics tools are, the easier it will be to track performance, measure ROI, and make data-driven decisions.
Some of the best reports and analytics features that digital agencies should look for in a CRM system include PPC analytics, actionable client reports, and online marketing performance.
- Mobile Accessibility
We live in an increasingly mobile-dominated digital world. Mobile accessibility in today’s world is critical for experiencing a smooth-functioning CRM system.
By using a CRM system that offers mobile apps or a responsive web interface, you can appeal to a much wider demographic of clients, appreciate faster app integration, and stay more relevant to today’s digital trends and features.
As a digital marketing agency, keeping your finger on the pulse of digital trends and assimilations is key to maintaining a strong position in the market and contending with industry peers. It makes you more competitive and relevant to modern consumers.
Top CRM Systems for Digital Agencies
There are many good CRM systems out there designed to equip your business for enhanced client management and satisfaction. But when it comes to digital agencies, there are some CRM systems that stand out from the crowd, such as:
- Zoho – Zoho is a popular CRM system that offers impressive sales force automation and process management features. With omnichannel services, it is highly integrative and perfect for agencies with a wide range of existing tools to play with.
- Hubspot – Hubspot is a powerful, truly customer-oriented CRM system with great website tracking features, making it ideal for agencies who focus on website marketing.
It also boasts strong task management features and simplified collaboration tools, making it a great option for digital agencies with large remote teams. - Monday.com – With exceptional data analytics and tracking tools, Monday.com’s CRM system is great for agencies who deal with large sets of data and generally value making data-driven decisions. It is also very integrative with other apps, making it easy to connect all your existing data in one place.
- Nutshell – Although Nutshell may be lesser known than the other CRM systems on this list, it is quickly gaining recognition as a strong system for agencies with a need for more intuitive interfacing and sales automation.
The intuitive aspect of Nutshell makes it a good option for smaller digital agency teams or ones that are still gaining experience in their field.
Digital marketing agencies have much to benefit from utilising a strong CRM system. But just like with any new tool, picking the right one is key to harnessing its full potential. Selecting one of the above based on your agency’s unique needs, scale, and audience is essential.
The Right CRM Enhances Growth & Success
CRM tools can significantly impact the way clients experience working with your business. It means more profitable and longer-lasting relationships with clients, improved efficiency due to automation, and access to deeper insights relating to client adoption and satisfaction rates.
Choosing the right CRM system for digital agencies is fundamental to experiencing the full bulk of its benefits. With the right CRM tools at your side, your agency can experience enhanced efficiency, client satisfaction, and business growth.