As a professional realtor, you’ve probably obtained countless contacts and leads from your marketing efforts. Unfortunately, this kind of information can only be beneficial if it is stored effectively, hence the need for a CRM system. Today, real estate CRM solutions are much more than a database for holding contact information. Although modern-day CRM systems offer many unique benefits, choosing the most suitable option is important. Below are tips for selecting the right real estate CRM system for your business needs:

1. Establish your business goals

The first step to making the most out of your real estate CRM solution is determining the goals you hope to achieve by setting up a CRM system. To use your CRM software effectively and evaluate your performance, you must first define your business success. To help you establish ideal business objectives, here are some of the most desired outcomes:

• Improved organization and efficiency levels
• Data security
• Remote functionality and access
• Improved customer service
• High customer retention rates
• A refined, easy-to-understand sales process
• An effective leads generation strategy

2. Make sure it’s easy to learn and use

Real estate CRM solutions ought to suit the end user. As such, you need to consider your staff’s ability to learn and use the CRM application. If your team members don’t find the new software application easy to learn and use, they probably won’t be able to use it effectively, meaning you won’t make the most out of it. The more intuitive the CRM, the faster it can be put to good, business-advancing use.

3. Find out whether the CRM solution is compatible with all of your business tools

Since running a business usually requires the use of multiple tools, it is prudent to have programs and utilities that are compatible with one another. If you are already using multiple tools for your business-related needs, make sure the new CRM solution allows for easy integration with each of them.

Calendars, email messaging, live chat systems, support desks, telephone systems and marketing platforms are some of the most commonly used business tools. Easy integration can help improve efficiency by reducing duplicate data and eliminating the need to switch back and forth between tools.

4. Determine the costs associated with your new CRM

Different factors can influence how long it will take to implement your new CRM solution. These can include the size of your team, the security requirements, your sales processes and the volume of data involved.

Although implementation can take up to a year, SaaS CRM solutions are probably the best option for any business that needs to be up and running in no time. This is because SaaS CRM systems allow quick configuration and can serve a large team. Apart from allowing you to pay for what you use only, SaaS CRM solutions make it much easier to add and remove users. Heavier models will often involve more time and money.