In the modern marketplace, leveraging sales software for small businesses can make a world of difference.
In this article, we explore a host of solutions designed to help SMEs streamline their processes, boost productivity, and drive revenue growth.
Key takeaways:
- Sales software options offer a diverse range of features, from lead management and CRM to analytics and automation.
- Small businesses will find many affordable options with flexible pricing plans to boot. This makes it easier to invest in the right software without breaking the bank.
- Each of these solutions will integrate seamlessly with other essential tools to create a unified ecosystem for your business operations.
The benefits of using software for sales
Sales software offers many advantages for small businesses. Let’s look at a few of them.
Improved customer service
CRM software does more than organize data — it builds better relationships with the help of customer service tools.
Imagine you run a small online store.
Sales software can track your customer’s preferences. So, when Jane, a regular shopper, visits your website, she’ll see product recommendations based on her past purchases.
This is like having a personal shopper at her beck and call.
In-depth analytics
Good data isn’t enough; you also need insights. Built-in analytic features in CRM software can put data in context, transforming raw numbers into meaningful information.
Think of it like this: you run a food truck, and your sales software tells you burritos sell best on Fridays.
With this information, you can plan to stock up on burrito ingredients every Thursday and boost your profits when sales surge.
Automated sales reports
No more digging through files either — sales software does all the heavy lifting.
Your CRM software’s reporting and dashboard functions should help you generate detailed sales reports.
Imagine you own a small tech repair shop.
Your sales software compiles customer requests and repair times to instantly see which services are most popular.
You then adjust your staff schedule accordingly.
Better sales forecasts
Predicting the future is almost a superpower.
Take a bakery as an example. Your sales software analyzes past cake orders and predicts that chocolate cakes are more popular in winter.
Armed with this information, you order the ingredients needed to make these ahead of the holiday season, ensuring you don’t run out when demand is at its highest.
What to look for in sales tracking software for small business
Given the many benefits that come with it, it’s a no-brainer to say that startups need the right sales management software to optimize profits.
Choosing this is a big decision. So, let’s break it down into two essential factors to consider.
Total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Upfront costs. Start by examining the initial costs associated with the software, including licensing fees, setup fees, and any required hardware or infrastructure upgrades. Ensure these align with your budget constraints as a small business.
- Subscription or licensing model. Determine whether the software offers a subscription-based model or one-time licensing. The former may be more budget-friendly for small businesses as it spreads your costs over a set period.
- Scalability and future expenses. Consider how the software’s pricing scales as your business grows. Will you be charged per user, per feature, or based on transaction volume?
- Hidden costs. Be vigilant about potential hidden costs, such as maintenance fees, data storage costs, and fees for additional support or training.
Usability and credibility
Before making a purchase, you should also consider how practical a sales CRM will be.
User-friendly interface
Look for sales tracking software with an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Your team should be able to adapt to the software quickly without extensive training.
Customization
Evaluate the level of customization the software offers and if it suits your business needs.
Integration capabilities
Check if the software will easily integrate with other essential business tools. Imagine your cafe uses a cash register.
You want your sales software to work seamlessly with it.
Vendor reputation
Research the software provider’s reputation and track record in the industry. Think of it like choosing a reliable car brand.
You’d ask your friends, read reviews, and check if they have good customer support before purchasing a new vehicle.
The 10 best pieces of sales management software for small business
So, let’s now take a look at 10 of the best pieces of sales management software for small businesses.
1. PandaDoc
PandaDoc simplifies document management and sales proposals for small businesses.
Key benefits for SMEs include:
- Efficient document creation. PandaDoc’s drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create professional sales proposals, quotes, and contracts.
- E-signatures. It also facilitates electronic signing, accelerating deal closures and reducing paperwork.
- Integration. PandaDoc integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM, ensuring sales documents are always up-to-date.
- Templates and workflow automation. It offers customizable templates and workflow automation to save time and maintain consistency across sales documents.
- Quick and seamless onboarding. Whether you’re a small business or a global enterprise, you can go from signing up to becoming an active user in minutes.
Pricing for PandaDoc starts at US$19.00/month, and users can access a 14-day free trial.
Quality-wise, PandaDoc consistently receives positive reviews (4.5 stars on Capterra), primarily due to its ease of use and the efficiency it brings to the sales document process.
2. Copper
Copper is a user-friendly CRM that simplifies contact and lead management. Its seamless integration with G Suite allows users to access CRM features directly from Gmail and Google Workspace apps.
It can help small businesses in the following ways:
- Efficient contact management. Copper automatically populates contact profiles and updates them with Google Workspace data.
- Streamlined sales process. You can also manage leads and automate tasks.
- Email tracking. Copper enables email tracking too, letting users know when recipients open emails.
- Customizable. Small businesses can customize fields, workflows, and reports to align with their specific needs.
Copper offers pricing plans starting at around $25 per user per month and has 4.3 stars on Capterra.
Its simplicity and ease of use are popular with small businesses seeking an intuitive CRM solution.
3. Nimble
Nimble offers unified contact management and social media integration. It delivers:
- Unified contact management. Nimble consolidates contact data from various sources, making it easy to access, update, and search for information.
- Social media engagement. You can also engage with contacts on social media.
- Contact insights. Nimble automatically enriches contact profiles with background information, helping users build more personalized relationships.
- Task and calendar management. Users can schedule tasks, set reminders, and manage calendars within the platform.
Nimble offers pricing plans starting at $19 per user per month, and there’s a 14-day free trial available. It has 4.4 stars on Capterra.
4. Nutshell
Nutshell helps small businesses manage sales processes, leads, and customer relationships. It offers:
- Lead and contact management. Nutshell offers a centralized database for managing leads and contacts, making it easy to track interactions and maintain up-to-date records.
- Email tracking. Users can track email opens, link clicks, and engagement, with email templates to improve follow-up strategies.
- Customization. Nutshell allows users to customize fields, tags, and workflows to match their unique sales processes.
- Reporting and analytics. Gain insights into sales performance too.
Nutshell offers pricing plans starting at $19 per user per month, and there’s a 14-day free trial available. It has 4.2 stars on Capterra.
5. Freshsales
Freshsales, developed by Freshworks, streamlines sales processes and lead management. Features include:
- Lead and contact management. Freshsales allows small businesses to centralize and organize their contacts and leads, making it easier to track interactions and nurture prospects.
- Email tracking. Users can track email opens, link clicks, and responses to improve engagement and follow-up strategies.
- Automation. Freshsales provides workflow automation as well, reducing manual tasks and ensuring consistent follow-up with leads.
- Integration. Freshsales seamlessly integrates with a wide range of business tools, including email marketing platforms and customer support software.
Freshsales offers pricing plans starting at $19 per user per month, and there’s a free 21-day trial available. It has 4.6 stars on Capterra.
6. SalesForce
Salesforce offers a flexible suite of tools for comprehensive CRM functions. It provides:
- A 360-degree view of customers. Salesforce provides a unified view of customer interactions, helping small businesses deliver more personalized and targeted marketing and sales efforts.
- Sales automation. It also streamlines the sales process via automation, allowing small businesses to track leads, opportunities, and deals efficiently.
- Customization. Salesforce is highly customizable, allowing businesses to adapt it to their unique processes and workflows.
- AppExchange. Small businesses can extend Salesforce’s functionality by integrating third-party apps from the Salesforce AppExchange marketplace.
- Scalability. Salesforce can grow with your business, making it suitable for SMEs that are planning to expand.
SalesForce includes a free plan for up to 10 users. Paid plans start at $25 per user per month. It has 4.4 stars on Capterra.
7. Zoho
Zoho CRM offers a wide range of tools to enhance sales processes and customer relationships. Features include:
- Contact and lead management. Zoho CRM centralizes customer and lead information, making it easier for small businesses to track interactions and nurture leads.
- Sales automation. Streamline your tasks with workflow automation.
- Email marketing. Zoho CRM also integrates with Zoho Campaigns, enabling small businesses to create and manage email marketing campaigns.
- Customization. Users can customize fields, layouts, and modules to match their unique sales processes and requirements.
Zoho CRM offers a free version and has 4.2 stars on Capterra. Paid plans start at $14 per user per month.
8. Pipedrive
Pipedrive offers features for contact and lead management, sales pipeline tracking, email automation, reporting, and sales analytics. For SMEs, it offers:
- A visual sales pipeline. Pipedrive’s visual interface allows users to easily track leads and deals as they move through the sales pipeline stages.
- Contact and lead management. It provides tools for centralizing contact information, tracking interactions, and managing leads effectively.
- Email automation. Pipedrive offers email tracking and automation too, streamlining communication with leads and prospects.
- Customization. Users can customize fields, stages, and pipelines to match their specific sales processes.
- Integration. Pipedrive integrates with a variety of third-party apps and tools, enhancing its functionality.
Pipedrive offers pricing plans starting at $15 per user per month, and a 14-day free trial is available. It has 4.5 stars on Capterra.
9. Hubspot Sales
HubSpot Sales integrates with marketing and customer service tools, offering a unified platform for sales teams. It includes:
- CRM and contact management. HubSpot Sales offers a free CRM that allows small businesses to manage contacts, leads, and customer interactions in one place.
- Email tracking and automation. Users can track email opens, link clicks, and engagement, and automate follow-up emails and tasks.
- Sales automation. HubSpot Sales includes features like lead scoring and workflow automation to streamline sales processes.
- Reporting and analytics. Users can access insights and reports to track sales performance and monitor key metrics.
HubSpot Sales offers a free CRM with basic features. Paid plans start at $45 per user per month. It has 4.5 stars on Capterra.
10. Zendesk
Zendesk Sell is a dedicated sales automation and CRM software. It focuses on lead and contact management, email tracking, reporting, and analytics and includes:
- Contact and lead management. Zendesk Sell allows businesses to centralize contact and lead information, track interactions, and maintain up-to-date records.
- Sales automation. It provides workflow automation and task management to streamline sales processes, automate repetitive tasks, and ensure follow-up with leads.
- Email tracking. Users can track email opens, link clicks, and responses to improve email engagement and follow-up strategies.
- Customization. Businesses can customize fields, pipelines, and stages to align with their specific sales processes.
- Reporting and analytics. You also get access to reports for sales performance insights.
Zendesk offers a free trial, and pricing tiers start at $19 per user per month. It has 4.3 stars on Capterra.
How we get our data
When compiling content, our team looks at a huge collection of information, including:
- Business websites
- Independent publications
- Customer reviews and feedback
In addition to the information we gather during our research, we also strongly consider the source of any data based on key factors like reputability, reliability, and topical relevance.
Our goal is to provide accurate and trustworthy information to readers so they can make relevant and informed decisions.
How the right sales platform can work wonders for your business
The best sales software can supercharge results for your business and transform processes like customer segmentation, enhance customer relationships, and boost your bottom line.
Among the many tools that are out there, PandaDoc’s sales management solution shines.
It not only streamlines operations but makes it easier than ever to create, customize, and manage sales documents and contracts.
Its features will empower your team to work more efficiently, reducing manual tasks and minimizing errors.
Disclaimer
PandDoc is not a law firm, or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. This page is not intended to and does not provide legal advice. Should you have legal questions on the validity of e-signatures or digital signatures and the enforceability thereof, please consult with an attorney or law firm. Use of PandaDocs services are governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
