Interesting facts about CRM implementation - from concept development to implementation

Your company and customer database are growing and it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of everything. Are you encountering problems in customer service? An efficient, powerful CRM solution makes this task easier. It helps to build healthy customer relationships, increase efficiency and ensure the success of your business. If you are hesitating and have not decided to implement CRM, we describe the key moments of the process and the benefits of using a CRM system in this article. With this information you will be able to make the right decision.

Relevance of CRM implementation: the most important reasons

A CRM system is not just an efficient tool for contact management. It contributes to productive collaboration between project teams and process automation, increasing customer satisfaction, conversion rates and sales. According to Founderjar, 59% of companies improve customer loyalty and satisfaction as well as lead costs through CRM use.

For a better understanding of the importance of using the software, we will explain everything in detail. There are several reasons for implementing a CRM system. Let's take a closer look at them:

• Strengthening customer loyalty: The software allows all customer contacts to be stored in one place. They are grouped according to specific criteria (location, demographics, etc.). This enables the company to offer a better service. The customer approach is personalized, which increases the satisfaction and loyalty of regular customers. Marketing campaigns can be targeted at a specific customer group.
• Acquisition of new customers: A relevant approach and individual offers expand the customer base. Sales staff receive useful information about leads from the marketing team and know what attracts them and can be offered to them.
• Efficient team management: The implementation of the software promotes teamwork within the company. By accessing CRM, different departments can obtain information about a particular customer and see each other's work.
• Strategic planning: A CRM system can be used to track customer interactions and market trends. Forecasts can be created based on the well-founded data. You can see how many deals can be expected in a quarter and plan for the near future.
• Success and growth: Optimizing business processes saves time and money. The customer data obtained is used to deploy targeted resources and optimize sales processes.

The most important CRM implementation phases

Once you have familiarized yourself with the benefits of using CRM, you can start with the implementation. You should summarize a roadmap with the important milestones in order to successfully implement the CRM tool in your company. The following steps are crucial:

Guarantee of user acceptance

It often happens that the company's employees no longer want to learn anything new. They prefer to work with Excel as before to store data and have no desire to learn how to use the new methods and technologies. To avoid this problem, you need to become more familiar with all CRM implementation phases.

Detailed analysis of the database

Determine which data is required for your CRM system and its migration. You need to determine the location and timeliness of data and clean up duplicate records. It is necessary to understand how the implementation will take place in practice. It should be possible to map the company's own CRM processes. To do this, the software should be easy to adapt to the company. If there are outdated processes, they should be adapted to the system.

Cleansing the database

It often happens that inefficient data silos and duplicates are created in the company over time. If redundant data records are identified during analysis, they must be deleted. Then the migration of the contained data will take place without any problems. If necessary, it is also necessary to convert the data into the required format.

Datenmigration ins CRM

This is an important step where problems can arise. When the data is transferred to local systems, you need to work closely with the CRM provider. Then technical challenges can be overcome. All data is transferred properly and the company provides valuable information.

Configuration of the CRM software

Common CRM systems can be configured. This allows them to be adapted to specific, customized requirements. Access authorizations can be assigned to users. This makes the user interface clear. As a result of the CRM implementation, the business processes can be adequately mapped. Appropriate interfaces are created for a seamless transition between systems.

Review of the CRM system

Once all preparations for CRM implementation have been made, the software can be installed on your own server or in the computer center. Pilot operation of the system by test users then starts in order to check the functionality of the interfaces and the fulfillment of all requirements. This phase is carried out in cooperation with the CRM provider so that they can make any necessary changes.

Go-live of the software

Once the tool has been introduced correctly and the pilot operation is successful, the CRM roll-out takes place. Your old system is completely converted to the new one throughout the entire company. The provider's services are provided as agreed and CRM can be used for day-to-day operations.

Best practices and tips for the successful introduction of a new CRM system

By using a CRM tool, contacts are managed efficiently. Sales increase, customer satisfaction and productivity grow. Since employees in all departments have access to complete customer information, sales processes are optimized. Although companies can achieve important results, they encounter problems during implementation. To avoid these, best practices are implemented.

Definition of business objectives

It is necessary to set a specific goal for your project. It is not about a general goal such as improving customer service, but about a specific task - improving customer service response time by 20%. Then success is more likely. It is therefore worth clarifying a few questions in advance.

You have to develop a clear CRM strategy and set priorities. Whether you want to reduce customer acquisition costs, increase average revenue per sale or get more sales leads, you need to define your main goal.

Linking business objectives with the IT department

Bringing your business and IT together is important for business success. Then the CRM functionality is supported by business objectives that focus on achieving meaningful results. To manage the CRM concept, IT and LOB managers should agree on defined, measurable goals in advance. When system project and business project managers work together, they make informed functional and technological decisions.

Financial support and assistance from the management

The initiative to implement CRM should definitely be supported by managers. If the CEO emphasizes the importance of the software for the entire company, the employees will also accept this renewal better. Everyone needs to clearly understand how a CRM system helps achieve business goals.

Effective expansion of functionality through corporate goals

The CRM software should be configured according to your business objectives. It is necessary to define the most important functions for your business. Other business objectives should be supported during configuration:

• Increase in customer satisfaction;
• Increase in profitability;
• Optimization of business and sales processes;
• Cost reduction for technologies;
• Improvement of system performance.

A CRM can also be used to expand or change the range of functions and thus support your business objectives. CRM software is used to support existing customers in the event of problems and for customer management as well as to increase sales figures.

Help from a professional e-commerce agency to set up an online store

With the professional support of a specialized service provider, a successful online store is built that can stand out from the high competition. The top-class e-commerce agency offers professional services at all levels of your project. This includes consulting, planning, creation, optimization of the user experience and improvement of user-friendliness, technical implementation and various integrations. It is therefore advisable to find a qualified partner for the realization of your online store.

You can fully rely on a qualified, competent agency like Kenner Soft, because we guarantee a powerful, competitive webshop with an appealing, unique, user-friendly design. Our expert team will support you from idea to implementation and troubleshooting during operation.

Whether you want to integrate payment or shipping methods or link your online store with CRM or ERP, the experienced team at Kenner Soft will be happy to assist you. Whether it's a simple CRM for small businesses or an advanced solution, we can implement everything.

Kenner Soft is the right place for you if you want to improve the usability of your online store and make it flexible, secure and scalable. We can advise you on all topics relating to online stores, whether it's CRM implementation costs or module development. If you are looking for solutions to specific tasks, contact our agency!