Martech

What CRM software can do for your business

CRM software automates the boring stuff, so you can focus on what really matters—serving your customers.

Valery Moniaga, Atikah Amalia

19 Mar 2025 • 7 min read

Customers expect fast, personalized service. Businesses today struggle to keep up with these demands, often dealing with customer data scattered across different platforms—emails, spreadsheets, social media, and customer service tools. This disorganization leads to missed opportunities, delays, and frustrated customers.

For example, a real estate agent juggling client preferences on various platforms may struggle to send the right property recommendations at the right time, causing potential sales to slip through the cracks.

That's where CRM comes in.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software solves this problem by centralizing all customer data in one place, making it easy to track interactions, manage leads, and automate follow-ups. CRM helps businesses engage customers more effectively and streamline communication, improving customer satisfaction and boosting sales productivity.

💡 Pressed for time? Here’s what matters:

CRM automates routine tasks, like follow-ups and reminders, giving you more time to focus on growing your business.
It centralizes all customer data, so your team can easily access contact info, preferences, and past interactions, improving sales and service efficiency.
With CRM, businesses can cut operational costs by up to 23%, making it a smart investment for long-term savings.
CRM helps you automatically track and engage with customers, ensuring no follow-up is missed and keeping communication consistent.

What is CRM?

CRM is a system that helps businesses manage customer interactions and data across the entire lifecycle. It enables you to store key customer information, such as contact details, purchase behavior, and communication history—all in one system.

Whether you're using CRM for small businesses, CRM for real estate, or CRM for startups, this software provides a 360-degree view of your customers, making it easier to engage with them in a personalized way.

For instance, a real estate agent using CRM can track client preferences for properties and send timely recommendations based on past inquiries. CRM tools also help businesses stay organized by automating follow-ups and managing customer satisfaction, ultimately driving sales and retention.

What does a CRM do?

CRM software tracks every interaction with a customer, from emails and phone calls to social media messages. All data is stored in one place, ensuring your team has access to everything they need for meaningful and personalized communication.

For example, when a customer calls with a question, your team can quickly access their purchase history, past interactions, and preferences. This makes the conversation smoother, speeds up resolution times, and boosts customer satisfaction.

CRM can also automate repetitive tasks, such as sending follow-up emails or reminders, saving your team time and reducing human error.

Benefits of CRM for sales, service, and operations

CRM systems provide a wide range of benefits that help businesses run more efficiently. Here’s how:

1. Organizes customer information

CRM systems keep all your customer details in one place, making it easy for your team to access and use that data. Whether you’re a small business or a large company, this organization helps track customer contact details, preferences, and past interactions, which leads to better, more personalized service.

2. Helps manage sales better

CRM makes tracking leads and sales opportunities more straightforward. It helps businesses stay on top of follow-ups and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. For instance, CRM for small businesses can automate reminders, so your team doesn’t forget to follow up with potential customers, speeding up the sales process.

3.Improves communication

CRM automates many communication tasks, such as sending follow-up emails or setting reminders, ensuring consistent and timely interaction with customers. For example, a real estate agent can use CRM to send updates about new property listings based on a client’s preferences, keeping customers engaged with minimal effort.

4. Saves time and money

By automating routine tasks, CRM frees up time for your team to focus on more important work, increasing productivity.

For small businesses, CRM helps streamline daily operations, cutting down on manual work. Additionally, tools like CRM with mobile apps allow businesses to access customer data on the go, improving efficiency and response times.

According to Salesforce, CRM can reduce operational costs by up to 23%, making it a powerful tool for improving both efficiency and profitability.

What CRM systems should businesses use?

Choosing the right CRM depends on your business type and goals.

1. CRM for small businesses

Look for a simple, cost-effective solution that helps you organize customer data without the complexity of larger systems.

2. CRM for real estate

Choose a CRM that tracks property details, client preferences, and automates showings and follow-ups.

3. CRM for startups

Opt for a scalable CRM that grows with your business and integrates seamlessly with other tools.

There are plenty of options for CRM tools on the market. It's essential to choose one based on your specific business needs, whether you're a CRM for sales team or need more robust features like CRM for customer service.

Well-known CRM tools for sales, customer service, and more

Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular CRM tools that fit different business needs:

1. Salesforce

One of the biggest names in CRM, Salesforce offers powerful features for managing sales, customer interactions, and analytics. Perfect for businesses of all sizes, especially those focused on sales and customer service.

2. HubSpot CRM

Known for its simplicity and ease of use, HubSpot CRM is an excellent choice for small businesses and startups. It includes features like contact management, email tracking, and lead nurturing—all with a free version for smaller teams.

3. Zoho CRM

A great option for small to medium-sized businesses, Zoho CRM provides sales automation, analytics, and easy integration with other tools, making it ideal for both sales and customer service teams.

4. Pipedrive

Built with sales teams in mind, Pipedrive helps manage leads, track deals, and automate tasks. It’s straightforward and intuitive, making it a top pick for teams focused on closing deals quickly.

5. Zendesk

If you're focused on customer service, Zendesk is a solid CRM choice. It offers multi-channel support, ticket management, and automation, all designed to boost your customer satisfaction and response times.

6. Follow Up Boss

Tailored for real estate agents, Follow Up Boss makes it easy to manage leads, property details, and follow-ups, helping you stay organized and close deals faster.

Incorporating CRM into your MarTech stack is essential for improving customer relationships, engagement, and operational efficiency. The right CRM will help you create better customer experiences while saving time and reducing costs.

As customer expectations continue to grow, a solid CRM system will ensure you stay competitive and effective.