The Top CRM Programs for Your Business

If you're a business owner, you know that finding the perfect CRM for your company can be a real headache. Still, it's an important decision to be made, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. You want to make sure the software you've chosen is compatible with your business model, the size of your enterprise, and the price you're willing to pay for CRM features – a process that requires sifting through a lot of internet search results. We've made things a little easier by creating a list of recommended CRM programs and highlighting their best qualities, as well as the type of business for which they're best-suited. Here are a few of our suggestions: 

Salesforce
If you've got a large company and the resources to put into setting up your software, Salesforce is a great option for you. While the features can be overwhelming, those willing to spend time getting familiar with the program and training their users will find that this software is one of the most comprehensive CRM tools available. With the full feature package, you get unlimited customizations, online training, and all the CRM capabilities you could possibly ask for. We should note, however, that this program is not cheap; the "Unlimited" package sells for $250 per user per month. Also, this software is targeted at a wide variety of companies and is not built specifically for the needs of any one type of business (e.g. contracting). 

CorkCRM
What makes CorkCRM unique from other software is that it's designed specifically for contractors. Created by the owner of a small painting company, the program was built with home improvement professionals in mind. Because of this, it caters to a wide variety of contractor needs, with features including custom online painting proposals and electronic contract signatures. CorkCRM provides all the usual benefits of CRM with the added flavor of a home improvement focus. 

Act!
This is another one of the most well-known CRM programs for business owners. Its features are seemingly endless: communications management, automated setup and upgrades, video training, e-marketing services, social networking integration…the list goes on. Unfortunately, if you want full access to these features, your wallet is going to take quite a hit. The "Act! Pro" package costs $270 monthly per user, and those with large sales teams will pay $550 for the "Act! Premium" package. The cheapest package, at $10 per user, only offers the most basic CRM functions. 

Nutshell
A small company itself, Nutshell is a great choice for smaller businesses or for businesses who prefer a deeper client connection. And for a company of its size, it's certainly making a name for itself in the CRM industry. It offers most of the same features as the software listed above, and it includes an iPhone application which syncs automatically with the desktop version. Not to mention, the user interface is beautiful. Even so, this program has been criticized due to its Task Manager feature, which is easy to use when dealing with leads but not so much for existing clients and projects. The program is also geared more towards sales than improved customer relations.

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