How to choose a CRM for a small business: a step-by-step guide

Frequently asked questions

1. 01 Where do you start when choosing a CRM?

   With describing your sales process. Write down the deal stages — from enquiry to payment — and look for a CRM that mirrors your real path rather than forcing you into someone else's scheme.

2. 02 Which CRM is best to start with?

   There's no «best for everyone». For growing teams, all-in-one systems are convenient; for budget ones, flexible and affordable; for small sales teams, simple pipeline-based ones. It depends on your team and budget.

3. 03 How much does a CRM cost?

   From zero on free plans to roughly $15–50 per user a month on working plans. Budget the price of the plan you'll actually work on, with your number of users and modules — not the starting figure.

4. 04 Why does a CRM often fail to stick?

   Usually not for technical reasons but because the team doesn't run all deals in the system. Without a shared discipline, a CRM quickly goes stale and turns into an empty database.

5. 05 Does a small business need a CRM?

   If enquiries are a handful a week, you can start with a simple spreadsheet. When there are more than you can hold in your head, a CRM pays off by ensuring no deal is lost.