Zoho CRM for Small Businesses
Updated March 22, 2015

Zoho CRM for Small Businesses

Marissa Hornbuckle | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 5 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Professional

Modules Used

  • Leads
  • Companies
  • Contacts

Overall Satisfaction with Zoho CRM

In 2011 I oversaw a full office IT integration project for a small religious-based marketing company. They needed a CRM system that integrated with email, accounting, and sales. Unfortunately, after testing the features of Zoho CRM with the QuickBooks and Google Apps for Business, it was not the right fit for this organization. Although, Zoho CRM became a useful tool in helping another client maintain a comprehensive database of clients and leads. They did not need integration with other programs. I have found the Zoho system easy to use and customize to the needs of the organization, such as renaming sections and modifying fields. They currently use Zoho CRM to manage an ever changing database of clients and leads, the reporting features are spot on, and the system is easier to use with every upgrade. Although I have much respect for the Zoho Corporation, as I also use the Invoicing program, I do not believe that they are ideal for companies that deal in big numbers, sales, leads, memberships, and complex accounting. They seem to be more ideally suited for smaller companies that are looking for a great way to handle the basics.
  • Customization of all the Fields and Sections.
  • Reporting Functionality.
  • Total Control of the Importing/Updating of Data.
  • Creating relationships between fields and sections.
  • Automated workflows are more difficult to configure.
  • Would like to see a more streamlined Gmail integration, as in, sent mail from Zoho goes into Sent mail in Gmail.
  • Faster Lead Conversion
  • Easy database management
  • Easy mass-updating
As it stands, if a small company is looking to handle simple CRM processes, such as client and lead details, this application works just fine. Every update Zoho does allows for more functionality and flow, so it can only improve, and the program is cost effective. If your company needs real time accounting, sales, social, and other data, a more robust CRM is recommended, although the price will increase, sometimes substantially. I did find Zoho CRM useful when transitioning from a poorly maintained CRM to a robust CRM. Importing all the data we needed, and using Zoho to filter through and clean up all the data before exporting out and importing to the new CRM made our lives much easier. Zoho's importing, reporting, and updating features were spot on for what we needed at the time. I would recommend this product to small businesses who either intend to stay that way or to grow over the next few years, they will grow out of this system.

Zoho CRM Feature Ratings

Customer data management / contact management
7
Workflow management
5
Territory management
Not Rated
Opportunity management
Not Rated
Integration with email client (e.g., Outlook or Gmail)
3
Contract management
Not Rated
Quote & order management
Not Rated
Interaction tracking
Not Rated
Channel / partner relationship management
Not Rated
Case management
Not Rated
Call center management
Not Rated
Help desk management
Not Rated
Lead management
7
Email marketing
Not Rated
Task management
Not Rated
Billing and invoicing management
Not Rated
Forecasting
Not Rated
Pipeline visualization
Not Rated
Customizable reports
8
Custom fields
8
Custom objects
Not Rated
Scripting environment
Not Rated
API for custom integration
Not Rated
Not Rated
Single sign-on capability
Not Rated
Not Rated
Social data
Not Rated
Social engagement
Not Rated
Marketing automation
Not Rated
Compensation management
Not Rated
Not Rated
Mobile access
Not Rated

Using Zoho CRM