Sustaining an independent agency involves juggling multiple projects with limited resources and workforce. You need to expand contacts and improve customer experience to ensure a steady revenue flow. Additionally, a thriving agency needs the following:
- Proper document management system
- Seamless internal communication
- Effective lead generation and qualification
This is where a reliable CRM for agencies comes in. It will help you track deals efficiently, streamline your sales team’s operations, and communicate with customers promptly.
Why CRM Software is Essential for Agencies
You’re an agency working tirelessly to attract and retain clients, manage projects, and deliver outstanding results. With so many moving parts, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks and chaos to ensue. That’s where Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software saves the day.
A good CRM software is a reliable assistant for agencies. Specifically, it:
- Streamlines and syncs internal communication, making collaboration easy.
- Frees up your team’s time by automating mundane tasks.
- Generates leads through multiple channels.
- Qualifies and manages leads.
- Delivers a clutter-free bid and performance tracking experience.
That said, here are our top five CRM tools for agencies.
Pipeline CRM: Best CRM for Sales-focused Agencies
First up on our list is Pipeline CRM, one of the best CRM solutions for agencies. Built by salespeople for salespeople, this custom CRM software is the all-in-one tool you need for scaling your agency’s revenue.
Pipeline CRM offers practical sales tools to reach new client segments and generate high-quality leads. With best-in-class real-time tracking and analytics features, you can prioritize areas and improve operations.
It also automates tasks, sends timely updates, and ensures excellent customer service with data-driven processes.
Features
- Custom deal stages to fit the unique needs of independent agencies.
- Automates repetitive tasks and sales commissions.
- Sends timely updates on deals and events.
- Manages and monitors email drip campaigns.
- Tracks bid progress.
- Offers accurate sales forecasting.
- Provides integrations with popular email providers, marketing, and sales software.
Pros
- Easy to set up, capable of fully functioning within 48 hours.
- Extensive automation for better sales management.
- Integrates with popular platforms, with Google apps, Outlook, Zapier, Mailchimp, and other sales tools.
- Streamlined communication between both small and large teams.
- Monitors historical data and examines the cause of lost bids.
- Industry-best customer support.
- Automated tracking of commissions reduces cost and increases transparency for remote sales teams.
Reviews
- 4.4/5 star rating on G2 (915 reviews)
- 4.3/5 star rating on Capterra (618 reviews)
- 10/10 score on TrustRadius (15 reviews and ratings)
- 4.1 star rating on Gartner (41 reviews)
Pricing
Start plan: $25 per user per month.
Develop plan: $33 per user per month.
Grow plan: $49 per user per month.
Monday.com: Best CRM for Creative Agencies
Next up on our list is a robust and highly customizable CRM solution. From centralizing client communication to providing post-sales support, Monday.com’s CRM offers the perfect features for creative agencies.
All the data is divided into folders and is organized into 50 folders in a clean and easy-to-navigate dashboard. Monday.com also allows users to fast-track their sales recruitment process and can seamlessly accommodate your growing team.
Features
- Users can create custom pipelines according to different project specifications.
- Offers various integrations, including Gmail, Excel, and DocuSign.
- Automated notifications for when a lead opens or replies to an email.
- Provides personalized email templates.
- Tracks pipelines, project targets, and the team’s performance.
- Offers accurate sales forecasting.
Pros
- Intuitive user interface
- The wide-ranging integration ensures a smooth flow of information, creating a connected ecosystem.
- Improves sales outreach with accurate analytics.
- Real-time notifications and analytics updates enable teams to minimize mishaps and maintain precision.
- Creates realistic deadlines to help you manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Cons
- Users can’t choose multiple single dates in one date column.
- Some necessary features require upgrading to a pricier plan.
- Lack of visuals in analytics reports.
Reviews
- 4.7/5 star rating on G2 (8,287 reviews)
- 8.5/10 score on TrustRadius (3081 reviews and ratings)
- 4.5/5 star rating on Gartner (253 reviews)
Pricing
Basic CRM: $30 per month
Standard CRM: $42 per month
Pro CRM: $72 per month
Enterprise CRM: Custom pricing
Insightly: Best Analytical CRM for Agencies
Having trouble handling all your projects with a small team? Insightly offers a modern CRM for agencies aiming to scale their operations. The platform’s highlight feature is its superior analytics and reporting capabilities, letting users improve customer service holistically.
The platform’s unique lead routing feature streamlines prospecting and drives revenue growth. Additionally, it offers mobile applications to accommodate remote teams seamlessly.
Features
- Routes leads and tracks the most relevant information.
- Tracks client pitches and monitors their position in the pipeline.
- Offers integrations with popular productivity tools.
- Provides mobile applications for remote teams.
- A/B and multivariate testing.
Pros
- The comprehensive dashboard highlights specific contexts of projects, relevant contacts, workflows, and metrics.
- Easy filters let users search for required information quickly.
- The customer support portal is easily accessible and convenient.
- High-quality analytics features offer real-time and detailed updates on projects and performance.
Cons
- The platform frequently logs out in case of non-use.
- Automations get changed often due to new updates.
Reviews
- 4.2/5 star rating on G2 (868 reviews)
- 4/5 star rating on Capterra (626 reviews)
- 8.1/10 score on TrustRadius (783 reviews and ratings)
- 4.2 star rating on Gartner (711 reviews)
Podio: Best CRM for Seamless Communication
The next addition to our list is a reliable and straightforward CRM solution called Podio. It is low-code, custom CRM software focusing on streamlining agency team communication.
Podio centralizes all project content, conversations, and processes into one collaboration point for team alignment. Every stage is customizable to suit every project’s specifications and team’s requirements. The interface is stable and intuitive, making task delegation and project deployment easy for agencies.
Features
- Centralizes all relevant information in one clean dashboard.
- Offers an open-plan online office.
- Allows creating custom integrations and new apps as required.
- Provides add-ons built for specific use cases.
- Has mobile applications.
Pros
- Makes coordination and collaboration easy by organizing all contacts, content, and conversations in one place.
- Project budget tracking and automation make it easy for your team to be on top of every project with the same operational accuracy.
- Offers 24×7 tech support for users.
Cons
- The free version lacks basic CRM features.
- Refresh time is longer than the alternatives.
- Costlier than other similar tools.
Reviews
- 4.2/5 star rating on G2 (485 reviews)
- 4.3/5 star rating on Capterra (311 reviews)
- 7/10 score on TrustRadius (125 reviews and ratings)
Pricing
Plus: $11.20 per month
Premium: $19.20 per month
Salesforce: Best CRM for Large Agencies
Salesforce is one of the most popular and reliable CRM software. Thanks to its numerous capabilities, it seamlessly accommodates large teams and multiple projects.
It offers best-in-class marketing, sales, commerce, and service solutions, all in one platform. Users can import data sets from any source, analyze them, and get a comprehensive view of project progress. Salesforce is adaptive, scalable, and secure, with a customer-centric approach to every business operation.
Features
- Hassle-free contact, opportunity, and quote management
- Einstein Analytics for high business intelligence
- Offers custom platforms for small businesses.
- Has a dynamic dashboard.
- Offers mobile applications.
Pros
- Superior analytical abilities unlock complicated sales as well as service insights.
- Salesforce Lightning shows a complete view of the customer profile for better prospecting.
- Easily creates ecosystems with your partners.
Cons
- Bug issues.
- Not beginner-friendly.
- High-end pricing.
Reviews
- 4.3/5 star rating on G2 (14575 reviews)
- 4.4/5 star rating on Capterra (17674 reviews)
- 8.2/10 score on TrustRadius (3129 reviews and ratings)
- 4.4/5 star rating on Gartner (1807 reviews)
Pricing
Available on request.
Pipeline CRM is the Best Customer Relationship Management Software for Agencies
Agency life sometimes feels like a whirlwind of tasks, client meetings, and endless spreadsheets. But with the right CRM software, you can automate tedious tasks and focus on scaling your business.
Pipeline offers everything you need for managing deals and clients for your agency. It’s beginner friendly and capable of accommodating teams of any size seamlessly.
To acquire high-quality clients, handle multiple projects with precision, and boost your agency’s ROI, try Pipeline for free today!
FAQs – 5 Top CRM Software for Agencies
1. What Is CRM for Agencies?
CRM (customer relationship management) empowers agencies to streamline their sales processes, allowing agencies to solve two of their main challenges: delivering tailored products or services and retaining clients. By centralizing all client data and requests, CRM empowers agencies to deliver exceptional service. Teams can easily access and update lead statuses, ensuring each client’s unique needs are met. This fosters satisfied clients who return for more, boosting sales and referrals.
2. What’s the Best CRM for Agencies?
Pipeline CRM is one of the best CRM for agencies, regardless of their size and industry (professional services, real estate, digital marketing agencies, etc.). Some of our prominent features for agency CRM are custom deal stages (to fit the unique needs of each agency or client), automation (for email campaigns and administrative tasks), and accurate sales forecasting (helping agencies mitigate risks).
3. How Do I Choose the Best CRM for My Agency?
The following factors can help you choose the best CRM for your agency:
- Customization options: select agency CRM that can be tailored based on your unique sales workflow, business strategy, and team language.
- Available integration: check the integration options so you can continue using tools that work for you.
- Scalability opportunities: ensure that when you need to grow, the agency CRM can support your needs. Avoid a CRM that has a low limit number on active deals, saved contacts, and users.
- Simple navigation: find CRM software with a short learning curve and user-friendly interface to avoid technical problems.
