CRM Software

If you are currently looking at purchasing a new customer relationship management (CRM) software system, about to deploy one, or trying to optimize CRM software that you already possess, there are multiple CRM mistakes that can be made. This list is comprised of the top five most common CRM mistakes at the present time, according to eCRMGuide.com

Deploying a CRM Software system that isn't optimized for mobility

Today's sales force is mobile, so why shouldn’t your CRM system be mobile as well? According to various experts, there are still companies out there utilizing CRM systems that don't offer the option for seamless integration with mobile devices.

Trying to do too much right away

Start off your CRM software system small and then continue to add to it. "The most effective CRM systems are built out gradually so that they fit naturally into the way you do business," said David Taber, CEO of SalesLogistix, a certified Salesforce.com (News - Alert) consulting company, in a statement.

Not owning your information

When deploying a CRM system, it is crucial to ensure that your information is protected from the beginning of installation of your system. Pamela O'Hara, president of BatchBlue Software remarked in a statement, "Use the business name, business credit card, and be sure that a business email address is used when registering the administrator on the account," she said. "These steps will protect you from legal ambiguity about who can access the data, ambiguity you'll be thrilled to avoid if the employment status of the person who sets up the account changes."

Deploying a CRM system that isn't optimized for mobility

Considering that today's sales force is mobile, your CRM system should also be mobile. Yet according to multiple experts, there are still companies out there using CRM systems that don't easily synch with mobile devices. The solution: "Ensure that your CRM system's mobile capabilities are tethered to the core CRM platform — and not another system that needs to be bought, configured, implemented and maintained alongside the core CRM system," said Martin Schneider, senior director of communications at SugarCRM (News - Alert), in a statement.

Creating a CRM silo

"Many businesses deploy their CRM without thinking about connecting it with the larger business," said Paul Turner (News - Alert), senior director of product marketing at NetSuite, in a statement. In order to steer clear of this CRM mistake, Turner said in a statement, managers should "tightly integrate sales and service applications with accounting, so you can accelerate, streamline and reduce errors from the quote, to order, to fulfillment and invoicing, through to customer service process."