Customer relationship management or CRM is an integrated solution that connects sales, marketing, and customer service to facilitate streamlined execution of day-to-day business operations. CRM software combines crucial data from various departments- Finance, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, and more to create a central database of information that can be accessed whenever required. This enables users to work with data-driven sales and marketing plans and simultaneously focus on improving customer experience.

In recent times, when data is a vital element for every business, adopting CRM software becomes a survival imperative for SMEs. It automates manual tasks and helps in building customer connections, lead generation, marketing automation, account management, sales forecasting, and more.

What’s CRM Integration

The sole purpose of CRM integration is to facilitate smart data transfer while increasing organizational efficiency. Integrated CRM systems are more of a central hub of all crucial data from all departments. It serves as a great tool for the Customer service department, which needs to drive customer conversations based on data. A hassle-free integration helps in receiving real-time notifications from various touchpoints, thus keeping everyone in the loop always updated. It helps them create a seamless customer experience and build a loyal customer base.

CRM integration offers different benefits as per its usage in various sectors. For example, the healthcare domain extensively helps in patient care and billing services. Secondly, it helps formulate key decisions involving treatment plans, hospital management, and more. In the IT department, an integrated CRM system keeps you updated about customer feedback regarding product improvement or bugs, thus streamlining the whole process of software updates.

The sole purpose of CRM integration is to increase operational efficiency by establishing a streamlined connection across departments. An integrated CRM ecosystem encourages seamless data transfer across different software modules, thus helping decision-makers manage the entire customer lifecycle- right from prospecting a potential customer to nurturing him through post-purchase support and upselling strategies.

CRM Integration Examples

A CRM system establishes seamless connectivity and bilateral data transfer between your customer relationship management (CRM) software and third-party applications. It results in automated actions which no longer need the reps to toggle back and forth between systems.

Here are some of the crucial CRM integrations that the new-age businesses are relying on.

CRM-Calendar Integration

This is a big-time lifesaver for both sales and customer service reps. CRM synced with Google or Outlook Calendar helps in two-way data transfer. Thus, you no longer need to maintain notes on meeting schedules. Instead, you can log in to meetings instantly, get automated updates and send invites to the attendees. What’s more! You can always check the availability of the concerned person in real time before scheduling any meeting. It’s easier to eliminate confusion and back-and-forth coordination.

CRM-Email Integration

Email and CRM integration automate a major part of your job. From sending out cold pitches, and sharing data with your internal team, to answering your prospect’s questions and running email marketing campaigns- the integration automates it all. It helps establish a better connection with your customers. By integrating your official email inbox with the CRM tool, you can have a glance over all the emails, and access templates and sequences to design your campaigns without leaving your inbox.

CRM- Social Media Integration

Integrating CRM systems with your company’s social media accounts helps you get valuable insight into your social audience. You can evaluate their engagement level and automate regular posting. Also, you get to know who your social customers are, the nature of social traffic, whether they are coming to the website, and the bounce rate.

CRM- Internal Communication Integration

Integrating your communication platform with CRM helps you keep a tab on your internal communication with team members. The chat functionality can be opened right from your CRM directly and you no longer need to go back and forth between applications to check that.

CRM- Data Collection Forms Integration

When your CRM and data collection forms are integrated, all the lead data you receive through forms and surveys are automatically synced, which can be later on analyzed for lead analysis or preparing for sales meetings.

CRM-Marketing Automation

Marketing automation is a buzzword these days for new-age firms. CRM makes it even more promising. Integrating marketing software and customer data tools results in more streamlined communication across departments. It helps to run highly targeted marketing campaigns. There are automated follow-up mails to keep your customers updated. Also, you will get to know whether someone has unsubscribed from your email. New-age CRM systems like ConvergeHub already come with marketing automation modules, so users no longer need to invest separately in any other tool or third-party apps for marketing.

How CRM Integration Benefits Business

CRM software providers are constantly expanding the range of business applications for CRM. As already mentioned, it automates repetitive administrative tasks yet ensures productive efficiency to a great extent. The best part is your CRM system is not restricted to a desk or computer but is accessible from anywhere. You can also choose to subscribe to the CRM system and access it from anywhere, even on the go.

It helps provide multiple benefits to your business. For SMEs, CRM integration is going to be nothing lesser than a blessing.

CRM Integration ensures productive efficiency across departments
It gives you real-time updates, thus allowing your business to stay organized.
It makes customer service teams a one-stop solution to manage all interactions efficiently.

An integrated ecosystem brings and consolidates real-time data on leads, deals, and opportunities, thus allowing managers to evaluate the progress and bottlenecks. It helps allocate resources efficiently in the shortest possible time.

Wrapping Up

Lately, data-driven decisions are the sole driver of success everywhere. Having a well-integrated all-in-one CRM allows entrepreneurs to have better access to data, while simultaneously automating tasks with the highest level of accuracy. It also reduces operational and overhead costs, promotes data security, and boosts revenue and the bottom line.

Exploring Crm Integration- How Beneficial It Is for Businesses?