When the pandemic occurred, throwing everything out of gear, most businesses were grappling with some basic concerns – how to switch to an online mode of work? How to get work done? How to quantify productivity?
In 2021, Google Workspace emerged as the knight in shining armor for countless small as well as large-scale organizations, which had to suddenly move their business online to keep them up and running. Google iterated that were roughly 3 billion professionals who rely on Google Workspace for their digital business needs.
In the last couple of years, Google Workspace has gone from strength to strength by enabling professionals across the globe to connect, create, and collaborate in a safer and more secure environment while fostering human connection. For many, Google Workspace became the one-stop solution for all their hybrid work needs. But sometimes, Google Workspace users face the dilemma of creating a Customer Relationship Management system, also known as CRM that not only makes work easy, and saves your time from doing mundane administrative tasks but also offers efficient data management, contact management, and data synchronization. Ever imagined how frustrating it can get when you have to copy-paste an email conversation manually from Gmail to a contact stored in your CRM? With this post, we are emphasizing the common struggles with CRM experienced by Google Workspace users and how they can solve them.
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But first, let’s address the most obvious question – does Google Workspace come with CRM? The answer is no. However, users did find their way around this. Some are making the most of Google Sheets, their email contact list, and Google Docs to make a simpler version of a CRM while others opt for third-party integration available through Google Workspace Marketplace.
Does Google Workspace as CRM work? – The pros and cons
The biggest advantage of using Google Workspace as CRM is that it is free and your business email is already connected to this. This arrangement works well for freelancers or small businesses with low lead volumes.
What doesn’t work is its inability to manage a high volume of leads. Another shortcoming is the absence of CRM-specific tools like automated administrative tasks which are an everyday necessity for sales teams in particular.
To sum it up, using Google Workspace as CRM is not effective or doable, especially for sales professionals who have to prioritize, manage, track and analyze countless sales opportunities. And many observe that the missing spreadsheet system and manual email impact their productivity. Another drawback while using Google Workspace as CRM is that it dampens your ability to do even basic tasks and you have to risk the loss of opportunities, loss of time, and data.
An efficient CRM comes embedded with features that can enhance as well as simplify the way you as your team tackle complex issues.
The essential features of a CRM
- Update, edit, and create contacts and auto-sync across all platforms.
- Keep a track of the communication timelines.
- Add notes to group or individual contacts.
- Keep a check on the emails seen by team members.
- Share customer email threads without having to forward to BCC directly from Gmail.
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5 Top CRMs For Google Users
We have compiled a list of 5 top CRMs that don’t just boast of fabulous reviews by authentic users on G2 but also have some exciting features and include integrations for Google Workspace.
Nutshell
Nutshell comes with email templates and marketing automation tools that facilitate a bigger, wider reach to your potential customers without having to spend any time or put in the effort to manage the CRM. The Chrome extension for Gmail helps you to explore important contact management software features right in the comfort of your inbox like new task creation, viewing scheduled activities, etc. The integrations with Google calendar and Gmail enable users to manage contacts, send and receive work emails, and keep a tab on all appointments without having to constantly juggle between applications.
Highlights of Nutshell:
- Seamless Google Chrome extension.
- Two-way Gmail sync.
- Use email marketing automation like sequences, templates, etc.
- Google calendar integration.
- A complete CRM and email marketing platform.
Active Campaign
This CRM smartly syncs with your campaign data, contact book, and spreadsheets saved in Google. To sync data from existing contacts to new ones, you can connect any email account to Active Campaign’s Deals CRM. Though most of Active Campaign’s features are inclined more toward Sales, this CRM is primarily marketing automation software. Most users believe this to be a better alternative to email behemoths such as MailChimp. With Active Campaign, you can make the most of marketing integrations with Google Workspace like Sheets and Analytics, which can be beneficial for sales teams.
Highlights of Active Campaign:
- Easy sync between your CRM and Google.
- Use Google Analytics to track your campaign.
- With Google Sheets, import and sync contacts.
Agile CRM
This CRM works wonders for both sales and marketing teams using Google Workspace. With this, you can sync your activity and data between Google Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, and Agile CRM. Another noteworthy feature of Agile CRM is that it also allows customization like email triggers based on tags, to its G Suite users.
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Highlights of Agile CRM
- Upload Google drive documents directly.
- View synced contacts on either of the app.
- Sync Google Calendar events.
Copper CRM
This CRM is a Google Chrome Enterprise Partner which means that they are legally authorized to sell Chrome browser products. Copper CRM app can be accessed directly within Gmail and Google calendar. Copper CRM allows users to sync as well as update contacts across Google Calendar, Gmail and Copper CRM simultaneously irrespective of the app they are operating.
Highlights of Copper CRM
- Works within Gmail.
- Check details of Google calendar events without opening Gmail.
- Sync and update details between Copper CRM, Gmail, and Google Calendar.
Freshsales
Created by Freshworks, this sales CRM offers complete Gmail integration. The main feature of Freshsales is that it allows users to view, edit and update changes without exiting Gmail. You can also perform a variety of functions like creating tasks, appointments, and new notes without opening any new tabs.
Highlights of Freshsales
- View details from Freshsales directly within Gmail.
- View the prospect history in Gmail on any platform (mobile or desktop).
- Create tasks and add prospects from Gmail to Freshsales.
Which of the above-mentioned CRM would be the perfect fit with Gmail?
Gmail is the tool within Google Workspace which is both popular and a must-have. This becomes all the more essential if you are in the sales department and you need a CRM that integrates smoothly. The finest CRM from the lot will help you with an array of functions like updating contact information, tracking, saving, and making notes on email threads using the auto-sync features. This will help you focus more on nurturing relationships with potential clients, and exploring more ideas to amplify ROI.
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Of all the five CRMs mentioned, Nutshell is the closest to offering the most dynamic integration with Gmail as it allows users to auto-sync conversations, contacts, etc. With Nutshell, users can also sync Google calendar, add the chrome extension and use any of the two apps, and be assured of the fact that data is up to date.
In a nutshell
CRM’s most basic function for any Google Workspace user is to organize and automate everyday tasks in one centralized place. And in the future, when the team evolves and grows or there’s an update in the sales strategy where you are required to track all updates without missing, a CRM is the all-in-one solution. With CRM you can gain a holistic view of your customer as well as the leads and this can be your well-deserved gameplan to maximize customer satisfaction, boost sales and manage customer relationships.
[To share your insights with us, please write to sghosh@martechseries.com].
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