By Vera Lang

Seven Advantages of a web-based CRM for small business are:

1. Web-based CRM, or CRM-on-demand, is a fraction of the cost of self-hosted CRM for small business as price is determined by the number of modules and users selected.

There are no additional computers to be purchased nor is there an internal IT team to be hired to manage the CRM and its new servers.

While support is usually paid for, many open-source web-based CRM programs are even offered free, while other CRM providers offer a single-user solution for free. In sum: CRM-on-demand is affordable by small business.

2. Introducing a CRM may in many cases be the first step towards customers management that a small business will take. This means that a wide array of new marketing and sales opportunities now spontaneously look small business owners in the face. These opportunities are not new. They were always there, but CRM makes them apparent.

3. Online CRM access from any location when needed helps small business to facilitates its sales & marketing processes in terms of accuracy, speed, and effectiveness. It also helps small business’ help desk team do its job better.

4. Small business can leverage the superior data security of its web-based-CRM provider. Securing sensitive customer and business data with proper encryption and through a computer set-up that avoids hack attacks is now managed by a professional IT organization.

5. For computer-savvy small business, CRM offers the chance to finally realize interaction between the various customer-related data sources that were previously spread over different computer software and hardware.

6. Web-based CRM is easy to use, not just for small business, for anyone. It is simple to select the CRM modules that are most suitable for your type and size of business. There are even specialized CRM-on-demand providers who offer industry-specific solutions.

7. Access to CRM software allows smaller business to better compete in the market, even with companies that have a wider equity base and more disposable resources for marketing.

Vera Lang, copyright 2007