Create new sales and retain customers with new CRM campaign module
Businesses have the potential to increase sales lead generation and customer retention with a new marketing campaign module launched by web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) provider, webCRM.
Launched this month, the new module makes webCRM one of the most comprehensive and yet easy to use online business CRM systems on the market. Delivering targeted sales and marketing campaigns the module also automates client data recording, ensuring businesses have the latest sales and customer information to hand at all times.
“The campaign module builds on the already effective webCRM system. It ensures our clients can undertake a targeted campaign knowing all relevant data and interaction is captured, recorded and acted on,” said James Bogue of Leicestershire-based webCRM.
“It also has the ability to analyse each and every part of the campaign to maximise effectiveness and concentrate investment and resources on winning and retaining new business.”
Key elements to the module include the ability to create newsletters and e-shots, monitor emailed link clicks, the automatic creation of follow-up activities, opportunities and meetings directly from campaigns, event booking, surveys, self-editing and adding of contact details by recipients. Read more
CRM and National Customer Service Week
It’s National Customer Service Week in the UK, but are you giving your existing and potential customers the service they deserve? Have you considered a web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system such as webCRM to build your relationship and retain customers?
Customers are your best asset. They provide opportunities for new sales and act as an endorsement to your products and services when everything’s going well. But if you’re not maintaining your relationship or using an effective business CRM system, you could be losing sales, customers and your reputation.
“CRM systems such as webCRM ensure you maintain a proactive relationship with your customer,” said Stephen Todd of Leicestershire-based webCRM.
“From recording activities and enquiries, following-up sales opportunities, sending e-mails and arranging meetings which can synchronised with Microsoft Outlook, webCRM is a valuable business tool.”
Outlook and webCRM – the perfect CRM match
Microsoft Outlook is a common software package used by businesses for day-to-day e-mail, calendar and contact information.
But why not use that data to your commercial advantage by integrating it into a web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system?
webCRM’s cloud-based CRM system fully integrates with Outlook allowing all or selected contacts, appointments, activities and e-mails to seamlessly integr
ate between the two systems. But why’s this so important?
Whether it’s a small, medium or large business, sharing information internally is critical to ensure good business development and overall commercial growth.
Sales and customer services teams need to work closely together and have access to relevant, accurate and up-to-date information to avoid missed sales leads, customer enquiries, duplicate or even missed appointments. Read more
Text ahead with webCRM
webCRM’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system has many functions which we’ll cover on our blog over the coming weeks. Here we focus on the the ability to use SMS to text clients and colleagues from within webCRM.*
Whether it’s part of a marketing campaign, chasing an lead or sending a meeting reminder, texting by SMS is an effective way of contact and it can all be done within webCRM’s web-based system. So no more checking your diary and fumbling on the mobile phone keyboard.
Just think, you’ve had the lead and updated the CRM system. You’ve put that all important meeting with a prospective client in the diary but just to make sure they remember you can set the system to text a reminder.
And it’s not just individual texts. You might have a PR or marketing campaign or even a big event coming up. Connect your campaign so that delegates, clients or prospective delegate get a quick SMS text reminder. You can even send confirmation texts after a sale or enquiry as confirmation. The possibilities are endless but beneficial. Read more
webCRM can help the growth of franchise businesses
The UK’s £12.4 billion turnover franchise industry could create further growth by making greater use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
With more than half a million people employed in franchise businesses in the UK and the sector seeing its turnover and number of franchise businesses growing by 15 per cent in 2010, the industry is ripe for further growth with the right tools, according to Stephen Todd of webCRM, a web-based CRM provider.
A survey published by the British Franchise Association and NatWest states that franchise systems grew by 897 to 36,900 last year. Mr Todd said these businesses could develop even more growth by using CRM systems that help them track leads and retain existing clients.
“Franchise licence owners and franchises are often working together but can also be fragmented in their approach,” said Mr Todd.
“A good CRM system can bring the businesses closer together while maintaining the franchises individual business requirements. Tracking leads within each franchise, tapping into customer enquiries and enabling co-ordinated marketing communications can provide greater efficiencies and improved sales opportunities as a result. It’s a win for all involved.”
webCRM adds company credit and director searches
webCRM Ltd has added a new ‘company and director search’ module to its web-based CRM system, providing users with access to UK business accounts and directors’ searches filed with Companies House.
Users will have the ability to undertake basic searches on potential and existing clients, including risk scores, credit limits, directors shareholdings, accounts, mortgage and charges and County Court Judgements at additional cost. webCRM is using UK Data as the supplier.
“Searches on potential or existing business customers assist companies when making commercial decisions,” said Stephen Todd, director at webCRM.
“The integration of the UK Data database means users can access this information directly from the webCRM system, making the transition between data systems easier. It also enhances the user experience – cutting time between window and screen transitions.”
webCRM users will be able to click on a search option within webCRM before being taken to the UK Data website where their results will be posted. The user can record the information into the CRM system where necessary. Read more
webCRM shortlisted for CRM Idol 2011
webCRM is pleased to announce that it has been shortlisted and entered into the final of CRM Idol 2011.
CRM Idol is a global competition open to CRM system providers. We are just one of 20 companies in Europe to reach the final. There are 32 entrants in the US element of the competition.
This exciting news follows webCRM being placed in the Top 40 CRM systems in a recent global list. And that’s on top of us being given 9/10 in a recent GetApp.com CRM review.
We’d like to thank the clients who provided references to the organisers of CRM Idol 2011 for their time. The next stage in the contest is an interview with a prestigious judging panel and we’ll be undertaking this on the 9th September.
webCRM helps college engage with businesses
Farnborough College of Technology turned to webCRM when it needed a dynamic and effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to increase interaction with the business community and to compete with other training providers.
With an existing CRM system structured predominantly around learners, the college’s Business Services team needed a CRM system capable of supporting their drive for new business, securing repeat contracts, and to compete with other training providers.
“Our focus is very much on providing businesses with first-class training services and we found we needed a CRM system that would support us in both developing new relationships and managing existing ones effectively.” said Geoff Roy, Business Development Consultant.
“The training sector is highly competitive and we needed to ensure we could target and retain business and having an effective CRM system was vital. The fact that it tracks sales gives us a good idea of potential new business at any given time.” Read more
More businesses turn to cloud services like webCRM
More businesses are turning to cloud computing services to host their business systems, backing the surge in users for webCRM’s web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
According to research published this week, around 45 per cent of large businesses are using cloud services for their IT services which is up 24 per cent compared to the same period in 2010. The research was carried out by Ovum who questioned 110 multinationals.
The trend follows research published earlier this year that found more small and medium-sized businesses are turning to web-based services for many of their IT and business services, including Customer Relationship Management systems like webCRM.
“There’s a clear shift in business confidence when it comes to hosted services,” said James Bogue of webCRM.
“Companies are realising it’s more cost effective to have their system hosted off site on secure servers than having to procure and run their own costly IT-based systems.”
He added: “webCRM is a good example of this. Companies can be safe in the knowledge that their CRM system is secure and backed-up. More importantly, webCRM ensures customers have access to a fast and reliable system that is securely accessible anywhere via a PC, MAC, iPad, mobile phone or other portable device. Read more
webcrm helps Seafield Logistics to distribute information
With 18 sites spread throughout the UK, rapidly growing distribution and warehousing company Seafield Logistics needed a business CRM system capable of integrating management and customer information.
A specialist in storing and distributing goods as quickly and efficiently as possible throughout the UK and Europe, ensuring the business has access to key data and customer information from each site is critical to its success within one of the most competitive industries in the UK. A fast, secure and reliable CRM system was paramount.
The company turned to web-based webCRM for its CRM system and is already benefiting from its decision.
“We have 18 sites throughout the UK which all have their own customers and they all operate autonomously with their own sales information,” said Natalie Holt of Seafield Logistics based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Read more
webCRM improves business development at Oxford Hardware
Converting from paper and Excel files to a fast, secure and integrated CRM system was the only way to improve business development opportunities at Oxford Hardware, a leading provider of commercial catering, refrigeration and plumbing equipment.
The Warwick-based company, which has customers throughout the UK and Ireland, chose webCRM because of its adaptability and the fact that its cloud hosting means it can be accessed by the sales team from virtually anywhere.
Sales and Marketing spokesperson, Joanne Taylor, said the business had needed to move from a paper-based system to improve business opportunities.
“We were all working off paper and I was finding that it was all very well knowing who our customers were but we weren’t aware of who wasn’t. So it was a waste of business development,” she said.
“Initially we were looking for a CRM system of any sort. We wanted something that was easy to use and manage. When I’m out and about I also need to be able to fire up the laptop and have information to hand and access all the relevant information about the customer. I can check that there’s anything that I should be aware of before I walk into the customer’s building.” Read more
Excel Law takes webCRM on the road
When it comes to being able to access and input customer data live you need a CRM system that has the capability to work with a range of mobile and portable devices, including iPads and Tablet PCs.
Up until now, field and sales teams have had to rely on bespoke systems that allow them access to their company’s database or CRM system – often at extortionate costs and with a host of IT requirements. The alternative has been updating system in the evening or the next day – sometimes even days later.
webCRM is a web-based CRM system that is readily available on mobile phones, tablet PCs and iPads without the need for software or specialist IT requirements and runs extremely fast through the devices web browser. Read more
webCRM listed as 2011 Top 40 CRM Vendor
webCRM has been listed in the top 40 of an influential list of top CRM systems globally.
Business-Software.com, the leading software evaluation website for IT and business professionals, has listed webCRM in its annual report of the top 40 CRM providers.
Stephen Todd of webCRM said: “We’re very pleased to be listed as one of the top 40 CRM providers in the world in this list. It demonstrates how webCRM is now one of the major players within the CRM industry and we’re proud of our ability to provide an affordable and scalable web-based CRM system to small, medium and large businesses and organisations.” Read more
Eagle Education flies with web-based CRM provider webCRM
Eagle Education and Training is one of the UK’s fastest growing specialists in accountancy training. When it wanted to improve its sales lead conversions it needed a CRM system that was easy to use and implement within the business and so it turned to webCRM.
The Wrexham-based company provides specialist home and remote training and education for businesses and individuals seeking a range of accountancy qualifications to enhance their careers or as part of staff development programmes and training. The business had previously relied on its sales team dealing with enquiries through conventional office databases, but realised that it needed to modernise and implement a professional CRM system in order to grow the business.
Sonya Ashbury of Eagle Education and Training explained: “Because the business was growing it was getting more difficult to keep track of leads and we wanted to have a professional system in place. We found out about webCRM through networking with other people who told us about it. I was finding it more and more difficult to find a system that wasn’t over complicated. The webCRM website was easy to find and the system itself was very simple to understand.” Read more
webCRM’s tips for a successful web-based CRM system
When a business is considering implementing a CRM system it can often make the whole process more complicated than it needs to be.
That’s why webCRM works with businesses and organisations to identify what they’re trying to get out of their web-based CRM system before they sign-up.
There are three simple rules when it comes to procuring and operating a successful CRM system. Here, James Bogue of webCRM explains.
“The key in procuring and operating a CRM sytem is to keep it as simple as possible. Many people wanting to implement a CRM start by trying to automate everything and everybody. This results in complicated rules for business exceptions and a system that your average user cannot understand in a CRM system.
“Some CRM systems sales people are notorious for selling the flashy bells and whistles, focusing on the features and not the benefits. Put it this way, most of us use Microsoft Word? Yes, well you probably only use 20 to 30 per cent of it. Well the same applies to CRM systems. Now that does not mean you cannot eventually use this functionality, but introduce it gradually.” Read more
