How to choose the best CRM for service business

Service businesses face unique challenges when it comes to meeting customer demands.

With new schedules every day and changing working conditions, no two jobs are ever the same. That’s why designated CRM for service based business owners exist.

In this article, you’ll look at how CRM for service business companies help you resolve these problems to stay organized and efficient. You’ll go over the best CRM for service based business companies to help you choose the right software.

To pick the CRM that best aligns with your needs, you’ll pay close attention to their:

Pricing.
Features.
Benefits.
Limitations.

Let’s get started!

What is CRM software for service businesses?

Customer relationship management (CRM) software manages your business’ interactions with current and potential customers. But it’s more than just a tool for contact management.

CRM systems integrate customer information and sales management tools that automate your business. As a result, you:

Save time on manual processes.
Experience fewer errors.
Make informed decisions.

How does a service business CRM work?

A CRM that’s designed specifically for service businesses includes special tools like:

Dispatching.
Routing.
Scheduling.

Many CRM systems, such as QuickBooks accounting software, integrate with your current processes to automatically update invoices and other financial records.

To choose the best CRM for service business companies, you should first think about the platforms you already use and find out if the CRM integrates with them.

How are the services industry different?

Unlike other industries, the service industry typically requires in-person visits to a customer’s location. The value in what you deliver is your time and skills. As a result, CRM software that schedules workers and provides time tracking tools is important.

Any effective CRM for service business owners manages customer relationships and optimizes work processes. Service-based CRMs:

Build customer loyalty.
Save you time.
Let you run your business more efficiently.

Benefits of CRM software for service-based businesses

1. Real-time connection with customers

CRM for service business professionals lets you maintain a real-time connection with your customers. By giving you tools to provide immediate support, like 24/7 customer portals, your customers don’t need to wait for you to clock in before they get the help they need.

2. Better customer experience leads to retention and referrals

Taking advantage of CRM data lets you personalize your interactions and improve customer satisfaction by predicting what your customers need. This improves your customer retention rate and increases the likelihood that people recommend your services to their friends.

3. Faster turnaround, less admin, and higher efficiency

Why spend time on work you can do, but don’t have to? A CRM for service business owners automates your manual processes. Invoices, customer information, and financial data automatically update in your accounting software, so you don’t have to enter and re-enter them yourself.

The results are fewer errors and more time for you to spend on tasks that add value to your business.

Key features to look for in the best CRM for service business

Customer data management

The best CRM for service based business companies are those that integrate with the platforms you already use.

By collecting data from your accounting software, emails, and marketing platforms, you can make changes and view information from a single platform, instead of managing multiple logins.

Task and activity tracking

CRM for service business teams adds task and activity tracking features to help manage your daily operations. This improves the efficiency of your services and customer follow-ups while keeping your day-to-day tasks organized.

Sales management and lead tracking

By organizing your leads and customers, your sales team always knows who to prioritize in sales.

The best CRM for service business companies automates your sales management and lead tracking. Set up alerts to know when to follow up with customers and track where each lead is in the sales pipeline.

Reporting and analytics capabilities

The best CRM for service business teams integrates with existing platforms to automatically pull data into accurate, detailed reports.

Advanced reporting and analytics tools are a great way to accurately:

Predict performance.
Analyze customer trends.
Make informed decisions.

Third-party integrations

The ability to integrate with third-party applications empowers your CRM solution with additional features not included out of the box.

For example, your CRM might integrate with your Gmail account so that you can create and send email templates directly from the CRM platform. This lets your sales reps keep customer information and interactions in a single, organized place and avoid switching between platforms to perform everyday tasks.

Meet Method, the best CRM for service-based businesses

Connect your office and field team with Method. As the #1 CRM for QuickBooks and Xero users, Method’s seamless integration lets you create invoices, accept payments, and authorize estimates from the job site while it updates your accounting software in real time.

See how Method makes running your business easier.

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Features and benefits

As the best CRM for service business owners, Method’s features include:

A seamless two-way sync with QuickBooks and Xero.
Scheduling and dispatching tools with optimal route planning.
A mobile app for on-the-go access to customer data.
The ability to convert work orders to invoices in just a few clicks.
24/7 online customer portal services.
Detailed reporting and analytics tools.
No-code customization to tailor the software to your specific needs.

Plus, Method users receive a free hour of professional customization services, where you can work with an expert to personalize your Method account.

Method also includes a collection of free help center articles, video tutorials, and a dedicated support team to answer questions and keep your operations running smoothly.

Reviews and ratings

4.4 out of 5 on G2.

Method’s user reviews commonly mention its:

Responsive customer support team.
Built-in automation features and time-saving tools.
Seamless QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop sync.
Easy-to-navigate interface.
No-code customization.

Limitations

Method’s limitations are as follows:

Software is only available in English.
Can only be used if you’re a QuickBooks or Xero user.

Cost

Method CRM starts at $25 per month and Method:Field Services starts at $44 per month for the dispatcher service when billed annually. Both platforms include a 14-day free trial. You can also choose from different Method feature packs, depending on the tools you need for your business.

Your other options for service business CRM

Zoho CRM

Image credit: Discover CRM

Zoho CRM is designed for the needs of medium-to-large companies. It focuses on task automation and sales pipeline management. Zoho also gives you the advantage of integrating with hundreds of third-party business apps to add additional features.