Yes, Even Your Small Business Needs Social CRM

Large companies may have taken the lead in Social CRM, but your small business can do Social CRM just as well.  You may think your business can’t afford to implement Social CRM.  But the truth is, you can’t afford NOT to.

The fact is that social care is no longer a bonus feature for your customers; it’s expected!  Your customers already use social media to engage customer care; 47% of social media users use this medium for their customer care needs and 33% prefer social customer care to calling on the phone.  And 50% already complain (vocally!) about products and services on social media.  Your customers are already talking about you in the social space, so you may as well listen and try to engage them.

Small businesses have an advantage in the social space over big firms because small businesses already excel at building customer relationships.  Large firms are desperately trying to achieve the direct personal connection inherent in small business.

Succeeding in this space will help you make an impression and increase customer loyalty and their rate of return.  Costs are minimal but the rewards are huge!  Your time and efforts spent attending to a customer’s problem are seen and appreciated by the greater community, potentially answering questions of other customer’s in the process.  Additionally, Social CRM will save you time as you can access all your social media communication in one spot, facilitate easy analysis of your content to maximize its value, and follow up and reconnect with customers.

Large firms have implemented complex and expensive programs, such as Salesforce and Nimble, that provide an incredible level of detailed “listening.” Fortunately, software firms have recently focused on small businesses, too.  The tools are customizable to your business size, customer base, and are adaptable as your online presence evolves.

So, give your business an edge and create happy, connected customers.  As Social CRM expert Alvaro Saltur says, “Fast, easy, and personalized is the new way to keep your customers happy, engaged, and loyal.”  Below are five highly recommended Social CRM platforms for your small business.  Now, go out and engage your happy and loyal customers!

1. Batchbook

2. Nimble

3. BlueCamroo

4. Insightly

5. GreenRope