There are several buying considerations when it comes to purchasing Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, software. Not all CRM software is created equally. Some do everything well, and some are the best at only one thing.

There are many important purchase considerations that you need to think about, such as budget, mobile support, integration, and how robust the company is behind the CRM system. The size of your company is also a consideration. If you have a really small company, you might want to purchase a different kind of product than if you had a large international company. You are going to have different needs depending on the industry that you’re in. You also might want to find one that is specific to your trade.

What does it cost?

Your budget is most likely your primary consideration. You will have to consider the up front costs as well as the long-term costs. Not all CRM is expensive. Thanks to the Software-as-a-Service model, it is more affordable than ever. Some CRM systems are just $30/month – think about all the benefits you will get from purchasing a CRM system. You might consider one with a free trial if you’re hesitant about purchasing a CRM system. A free trial will give you a chance to figure it out and see if you like it.

Does it have mobile support?

Does your CRM software have mobile support? If not, you might want to purchase from elsewhere. The needs of your workforce revolve around mobile nowadays, everyone has a device of some sort, and if they’re traveling, they need to be able to access the workflow from wherever they are.

Will the system integrate with your current systems?

You will need to know whether it will integrate with your other systems, such as bookkeeping and email. If it does not sync with your other applications, it may be a hard sell for team. They are not going to want to input data into the CRM system and then have to do it again for their bookkeeping and email files.

What is the reputation of the vendor?

Be sure to research the reputation of the vendor. Check user reviews, independent analysis and rankings. Also, speak to existing clients about the strengths and weaknesses of the system and the vendor. Ask about service agreements, level of support, and security updates, too.