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How to build a CRM system

CRM / By

Learn how to build a CRM system to improve your customer relationships with this article.

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A CRM is a must for any business that regularly deals with customers. But what’s most important is having the right CRM for your business. 

CRMs are as unique as businesses, which makes it challenging to find the perfect match for your needs.

One solution to this problem is to learn how to build a custom CRM system for your business.

Whether you build this CRM or hire someone else to do it for you, there are a few things worth knowing before embarking on this adventure.

Keep reading to learn how to build a CRM system to: 

  • Optimize your workflows.
  • Improve customer service.
  • Strengthen your sales.

As a bonus, you’ll discover alternatives to building your own CRM that still provide you with a personalized system.

What is a CRM?

You can’t understand how to build a CRM system if you don’t know what a CRM is.

CRM stands for customer relationship management and is a tool that improves how you interact with your customers. 

With a CRM, you can:

  • Organize your contacts. 
  • Simplify customer communications.
  • Track every customer interaction.

No matter how small or large your company is, you need a CRM to trigger business growth and actively maintain it.

Let’s look at some statistics for context on where CRM software stands in today’s business world.

Stats on CRM systems usage

According to Martech, CRM is among the top three tools for creating personalized customer interactions to foster loyalty and a higher marketing return on investment (ROI).

Businesses can expect an estimated ROI of $8.71 for every dollar spent on CRM software.

This shows an increase from 2011, when the average ROI was just over $5.00. And that figure continues to increase as CRM technology becomes more advanced.

Finally, 91% of companies with ten or more employees use a CRM. So if your business fits this category, but you don’t yet use a CRM, you’re behind your competition. 

CRM is at the heart of every growing business. Let’s check out the features that make this possible.

Key features of CRM systems

Knowing how to build a CRM system involves understanding the key features behind the system.

Here are three core features that all custom CRM software needs.

Sales features

Since a CRM focuses on managing your customers, you can expect your CRM system to become your sales team’s new best friend. 

That’s why it’s crucial to ensure that your CRM has robust sales features, such as:

  • Dashboards.
  • Automated notifications. 
  • Sales analytics and reporting. 

These features ensure that your sales representatives always have the information they need to excel at their job. 

Marketing features

A CRM with marketing automation is a must to streamline and track your marketing efforts. 

This is especially true once your business achieves substantial growth and manually tracking marketing efforts becomes overwhelming. 

Key CRM marketing features include:

  • Email campaigns.
  • Embedded web forms.
  • Marketing software integrations.

Customer service features

Your customers keep your business afloat, so customer service should be your top priority.

A CRM improves your customer service with features such as:

  • Central database to store customer information.
  • Automatic follow-ups.
  • Easy payment processing.

What’s more, a CRM that goes above and beyond has additional features to bring every aspect of your business to a new level.

Advanced features of custom CRM

Basic CRM features may be enough to get you started, but as your business grows, so should your software.

Here are some advanced features to consider when figuring out how to build a CRM system.

Distinct lead management

To stay organized, keep your paying customers and your potential customers separate in your system.

Unfortunately, not all CRM software allows for this.

Keep lead management in mind when deciding how to build a CRM system for your business. Your leads represent the future potential of your business, so you need to nurture them with particular attention to detail.

A CRM with good contact management lets you focus on your leads and give them each the attention they need to make it through the sales pipeline.

Detailed reporting and analytics

You must keep track of the past and present to move your business forward. This is best done through custom reporting.

Reports let you know how your business is doing. They show you what’s working well and point out weaknesses you may not have noticed otherwise. 

Custom reporting allows you to identify those weaknesses fast and act even quicker to fix them.

Online customer portal

Another advanced feature to note when considering how to build a CRM system is an online customer portal.

As friendly as your customers may be, chances are that they don’t want to pick up the phone or send an email every time they engage with your business. 

This is why self-service options are so popular across businesses.

An online portal empowers your customers and boosts your customer service. It allows your customer to:

  • Submit inquiries.
  • Approve documents. 
  • Pay and retrieve invoices.

The best part is that this means less manual work for your team! And that’s only one of several benefits of CRM software. 

Benefits of CRM solutions

Integrating a CRM system carries several benefits for your teams and overall business. 

For example, sales reps gain a comprehensive view of your customers to deliver a better customer experience. Accounting and invoicing are also improved if your CRM carries advanced features. 

Here are a few other top benefits of CRM software:

  • Gain access to a variety of tools to organize your processes. 
  • Save time on admin work that you can reinvest into growing your business.
  • Strengthen your processes to boost productivity.
  • Increase customer satisfaction and customer retention.

A CRM solution dramatically impacts your business, but a custom CRM system can grow your business into what you’ve always dreamed of.

Why creating a custom CRM system is worth it

Ready-made CRM software is convenient and easy if you’re looking for a solution to improve your current customer relationship management.

But if you’re looking for a CRM that blends seamlessly into your business processes, you may have trouble using one-size-fits-all software.

One solution is learning how to build a CRM system that’s custom-tailored for your business. This helps prevent a lack of features or seemingly useless ones from getting in the way.

Doing so ensures you know exactly how your software works from the get-go, so you don’t have to dedicate hours to learning a new system.

That said, you will have to dedicate some time to building the system.

The benefits of building your own CRM may only be worth it if you have strong development skills and are invested in the project.

Cost of custom CRM development

Building a custom CRM is more than a weekend DIY project.

While a custom CRM saves you time and money down the line, building the system requires a significant commitment that can deprioritize revenue-generating activities for a while. 

The best way to approach building a CRM is with the help of an expert.

A variety of development companies specialize in helping small businesses build custom software, such as CRMs, or that take on the job entirely for you.

To demonstrate, let’s now look at how to build a CRM system with a developer.

How to build a CRM system with a developer

Here are six steps toward building a custom CRM system with a development partner. 

1. The preoperational stage

The first step in how to build a CRM system – whether by yourself or with some help – is the preoperational stage.

The preoperational stage is a brainstorming session where you determine what exactly your business needs out of a CRM.

For this brainstorming session, you should involve everyone who will be using the CRM, including:

  • Sales managers.
  • Marketing directors. 
  • Customer support managers. 

Your team members will have the best insights into the needs of your business and can contribute to a cross-departmental solution.

2. Choose a development company

While you can attempt to engage your internal development team in your CRM project, their expertise may be limited to your core business.

It’s a good idea to work with industry experts who can guide you when creating your custom CRM software. 

Key things to verify when choosing a development partner are:

  • Their portfolio.
  • Industry experience.
  • Previous client reviews. 

3. Contact your potential development partner

Once you find a suitable developer, approach them to assess if they can execute your custom CRM software ideas.

Be prepared for your potential developer to come back to you with additional questions on how you want your custom solution designed.

Come up with your own set of detailed questions to ensure you’re both on the same page.

4. Keep an open mind

While you may think you’re approaching a developer with the perfect CRM system plan, they may suggest changes or improvements.

During this process, remember that there’s a reason why you chose to seek the help of a professional. 

Keep an open mind with every iteration of the design your developers bring to you. While they don’t know your business as well as you do, they may have insights or ideas that might have escaped you.

5. Approve the final design

Make sure to include all of your company’s stakeholders in the final design’s approval. 

This ensures that nothing is overlooked and allows you to address any problems before your developers get to work. 

During this final approval stage, make sure to confirm:

  • Development cost. 
  • Development time. 
  • Time frame for updates.

6. Roll out your new CRM system

Once your developer delivers your new CRM software, it’s time for deployment. Take the opportunity to test your new custom software before fully implementing it. 

Get your staff involved with testing so that all areas of your business are covered. Also, let your developer know about any needed changes or bugs to fix. 

Finally, establish plans for future support needs should you run into trouble later on. Maintaining a good relationship with your development partner is the best way to ensure that you always have the support you need. 

After reading these steps, you may decide that:

  1. Figuring out how to build a CRM is too much of a time commitment.
  2. Hiring a developer is too costly. 

But if that’s the case, this isn’t the end of the road.

Alternatives to learning how to build a CRM system

Should you choose not to build your own CRM, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for a ready-made solution.

There are a couple of alternatives to learning how to build a CRM that will still provide personalized results. 

First, you can use a third-party app such as Zapier to connect the tools you already use.

This particular integration connects your apps and moves information between them based on the rules you set, empowering you to devise your automated CRM system.

However, figuring out which apps to connect and different triggers can be a challenge, and you may not have all the features you need. 

Instead of figuring out how to build a CRM from scratch, opt for a customizable CRM.

Before you build a CRM – Consider Method

Method CRM is the ultimate compromise between ready-made CRM systems, learning how to build a CRM system, and hiring a developer for a custom solution. 

Method is a no-code platform, meaning you don’t need a developer to personalize the system. This versatility makes it the perfect custom CRM system for small business budgets. 

If you still need guidance or want someone to take over and execute your vision, Method’s customization experts are here to help. 

With unlimited customization, the possibilities are endless.

Create custom reports to analyze data in the way that makes the most sense for your business and better informs your decisions.

Method also allows you to customize:

  • Online customer portals.
  • Transaction templates. 
  • Web to lead forms. 

Its two-way sync keeps data flowing between your accounting software and your CRM. So what you see in Method will also appear in QuickBooks or Xero. 

Some of Method’s native integrations include:

  • Outlook.
  • Gmail.
  • Google Calendar.
  • Paypal.

You can also use Zapier to integrate other third-party tools into Method CRM.

Wrap up: Building a custom CRM system is an investment

There are endless software options, but nothing beats a custom CRM solution built for your every business move. 

Even if this article didn’t inspire you to figure out how to build a CRM system, you hopefully discovered alternatives that will strengthen your business processes and boost your success.

How to build a CRM system FAQs

How do you build a good CRM?

To build a good CRM, you must first understand your business needs, work out current weaknesses, and determine the features that would help you overcome those weaknesses. Then, decide whether to hire a developer or build your own CRM.

How hard is it to build a CRM?

Learning how to build a CRM system is challenging if you don’t have a developer background. It’s a considerable time investment, which could affect your business’ profits. Because of this, opting for a customizable CRM that lets you personalize the solution without starting from scratch may be the best call. 

What are the 4 pillars of CRM?

The four pillars of CRM are people (your team), strategy (to promote growth), processes, and technology.

Bring your perfect CRM to life with your free trial of Method CRM!

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What is a sales commission management system?

Sales / By

A sales commission management system eliminates tedious tasks, automates time-consuming tasks, and increases sales.

What is a sales commission management system? Read More »

A sales commission management system allows companies to:

  • Track sales data.
  • Calculate commissions.
  • Pay employees accurately and on time.

In this article, we’ll go over what the software is, what it does, and how it can help improve productivity and increase sales.

What is sales commission management?

Sales commission management includes organizing, calculating, and paying out commissions to sales representatives based on implemented incentive and commission plans. 

Companies typically use spreadsheets to calculate sales reps’ commissions when done manually.

But the larger the sales team, the more time it takes from receiving sales data to calculating and then paying commissions.

Common issues with tracking sales commission manually

Without commission tracking software, companies depend on spreadsheets and manual data entry.

There are some common issues companies face when manually tracking sales commissions, such as: 

  • Prone to errors: Manual processes can lead to data-entry errors or mistakes in calculating sales commissions. Spreadsheets aren’t very accurate when calculating complex compensation plans for large teams, and mistakes are often easy to miss.
  • Takes a lot of work: Manually entering sales and commission data is time-consuming because it’s done per person and requires calculations and formulas to be applied. The more employees there are, the more time this process takes when done manually. 
  • Not flexible: A spreadsheet works fine if you have a small sales team and simple commission or incentive programs. However, spreadsheets can’t keep up with larger teams and complex programs as easily.
  • No transparency: There’s no real-time visibility involved in the manual process. Employees only know what they’re getting paid once they see their paycheck. If commissions differ from what they expected, this can lead to lower motivation and internal disputes.
  • No scalability: The point of sales is to grow your business. As your business grows, you need your commission structure and programs to grow with it. There’s only so much a spreadsheet can handle before it gets too complex and costs you extra time and money.

Why automate the sales commission process?

Automating the sales commission process ensures accurate and timely employee work compensation.

On top of that, an automated sales commission system can:

  • Eliminate common errors and double data entry.
  • Reduce time spent on administration.
  • Increase transparency of the commission process.
  • Let you implement various commission structures for individual employees.
  • Increase productivity of finance and sales teams.

With sales commission management software, companies can quickly and accurately track the commission rates of even the most complex commission plan.

When companies accurately pay out employee commissions, it increases trust among the sales and finance teams. In turn, they can instead refocus on increasing efficiency and sales.

What is a sales commission management system?

A sales commission system is management software that helps companies track and manage total sales and employee commissions.

Its primary purpose is to increase sales efficiency through custom reports and sales tracking. 

Let’s look at what a sales commission management system can do:

  • Make incentive programs more flexible and seamlessly add a near-unlimited number of incentive plans and payees. 
  • Track several internal and external payees over various regions or incentive compensation plans.
  • Manage multiple teams and accurately track sales metrics for individual teams.
  • Calculate complex compensation formulas immediately with the sales commission calculation system. 
  • Show detailed audit history and assemble all sales and commission data for effortless compliance.
  • Make commission data visible and easily accessible for employees to see what they’re getting.

Using a sales commission system increases productivity and transparency. In turn, this leads to better performance and more sales. 

When sales reps trust they’re getting paid correctly, they can focus completely on closing deals.

Why do you need a sales commission management system?

You might need a sales commission management system because tracking commissions using a manual process is often prone to errors. 

Problems will likely occur when using outdated systems or manual data entry.

A company could use many different custom compensation plans or incentive programs simultaneously, leading to employees receiving incorrect commissions. 

Commission tracking tools and management systems help companies avoid such errors and improve workplace satisfaction.

Let’s take an in-depth look into why companies could need commission management software.

Build trust in the workplace

When you eliminate errors, visibility increases, and employees trust they’re getting paid correctly, leading to increased trust in the workplace.

But if a sales rep mistrusts that the company will accurately pay them for their hard work, they might do the calculations themselves.

When a sales rep does this, it leads to sales loss and decreased productivity. It also undermines your commission or revenue team’s work and leads to mistrust in the company and unnecessary commission disputes. 

Companies can avoid this by using sales commission management software. Compensation management software is transparent, so sales reps can follow their commission and trust its accuracy. The company also saves money on manually administrating commissions.

Boost employee performance

Sales commission software can motivate sales teams directly by allowing them to monitor their accumulated commission in real-time.

An effective commission platform lets sales reps see what they sold and what that translates to in terms of commission. It even allows employees to see how much they would earn if they reached specific sales goals.

This leads to boosted performance and motivation for the entire team.

Enhance the accuracy of commission payments

A sales commission management system lets administrators easily calculate commission payments while factoring in any incentive and commission plans.

Companies deliver accurate and timely commission payments by accessing real-time data and reporting.

Decrease time-consuming processes through automation

Automation of a commission program eliminates the need for manual commission calculations, saving companies potentially hundreds of hours of work. 

Commission automation allows sales managers and payroll staff to immediately calculate what all employees should be getting. This could depend on flat commission, split commission, multi-tiered plans, or complex commission structures.

How does a sales commission management system work?

A sales commission management system automatically calculates commissions per team member based on sales data and set commission rules. 

Commission management systems include an administrator component and a sales rep or manager component

Admin component

The administrator component makes the administration of commissions easier.

It lets administrators: 

  • Input commission rules and import data from existing accounting or CRM systems into the commission management system.
  • Automatically calculate commissions per payee based on, for example, commission rules and rates (i.e. flat or tiered rates).
  • View and manage commission plans and sales data, and track payees.

Manager and sales rep component

The manager and sales rep component provides visual data that increases the visibility of commission earnings and sales processes. 

On the sales rep side, employees can:

  • View and download sales data from deals credited to the team member.
  • See what payments they can expect, review progress, and check previous statements.
  • Deal with commission disputes by submitting questions and tracking resolutions.

On the manager’s side, they can:

  • Motivate the sales team through things like sales gamification and setting clear goals directly on the platform.
  • Compare data from individual employees, identify commission trends, and review quota attainment.

What are the features of a sales commission management system?

The features of a sales commission management system will vary depending on the software.

However, the best incentive compensation management software should have these key features:

  • Commission calculation: Automatically calculate commission for individual sales reps based on set rules and parameters. 
  • Commission tracking: Track commissions and bonuses with detailed reports on personalized dashboards and monitor whether commission payments meet set commission expectations. 
  • Commission scheduling: Schedule commissions for sales reps and set the frequency of payments. 
  • Incentives: Set rules for incentive payouts and the frequency of such payments.
  • Integration: Integrating existing systems with custom commission tracking systems simplifies commission payouts. It does this by automatically collecting data from those systems and using it to calculate commission. For example, CRM or wholesale distribution systems can both integrate with commission software.

What are the benefits of effective commission management software?

There are a few key benefits of effective commission management software. Those benefits include: 

  1. Eliminate time-consuming data entry: When time-consuming data entry is done instantly through software, it eliminates the need for many employees to spend days or weeks on tedious processes.
  2. Reduce errors: Though Excel spreadsheets can be helpful, it’s difficult to spot mistakes, and there’s more than enough room for human error in commission calculating processes.
  3. Improve transparency: A good commission management system allows employees to see what they’re selling and how much commission they get from their sales. 
  4. Increase sales: When commission software is transparent, sales reps can trust they get what they’re owed. This improves their motivation and leads to increased productivity and sales.

Additionally, commission management software is beneficial because it motivates the sales team by:

  • Providing visibility.
  • Increasing the accuracy of commission statements and payouts.

It also decreases commission processing time, ensuring employee commissions get paid promptly.

Because a commission management solution tracks sales, it also typically includes a sales commission reporting system. This can give the higher-ups detailed insights into sales trends so they can act accordingly.

How to select the best sales commission management system

Selecting the best sales commission system for you requires analyzing pricing, features, and ease of use.

These must meet the requirements of the company’s commission structures and incentive plans. 

  • Pricing: Compare the price to the features you’ll be getting, and consider if it’s worth it. For small businesses with few employees, a budget-friendly or free commission system with only the most needed features will do the job just fine. A more robust solution suits enterprise businesses with large sales teams and complex commission or incentive plans.
  • General features: Commission management software should include commission calculation, tracking, and incentive management.
  • Ease of use: Software worth considering should be user-friendly and intuitive to use – this will help you avoid spending extra time and effort navigating it.
  • Support: The level of support the software offers is essential in case potential problems arise, such as difficulty navigating the software, technical issues, or setup issues. The software provider should offer comprehensive help and support through phone, email, and live chat. 

Questions to ask when choosing a sales commission software

When you’ve narrowed down your options after considering factors like pricing and features, there are some additional questions you could ask.

Some of those questions could be:

  • What are our existing commission plans?
  • What challenges do we face with commission management?
  • What level of automation do we want?
  • How does the software change commission plans, and is there an extra cost for other modules?

Key takeaways

A good sales commission management software will do more than save time. It’s equally beneficial for both operations and sales teams.

Sales reps get a deeper understanding of their commissions and can track their progress, motivating them to perform better. Meanwhile, your operations team gets detailed reporting on sales performance and trends, giving your company valuable insights into sales strategies. 

Your company may need more than just a sales commission system.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive sales and customer solution that can do much more, consider Method CRM. 

Method is the leading platform for sales commission management. This comprehensive CRM solution syncs seamlessly with QuickBooks and Xero, allowing you to manage and track all your commissions, sales, and customer data in one place.

Sales commission management system FAQs

How do you keep track of sales commissions?

You can track sales commissions through a commission tracking spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets. However, with many employees and complex commission structures, switching to a customizable software solution like CRM will save you time and money.

How do you structure a sales commission plan?

There are various structures for a sales commission plan, such as base salary plus commission, straight or tiered commission, gross margin, and relative or absolute commission. 

What is sales commission software?

Sales commission software is a system or program that automates the administration of commissions and incentive plans based on specific rules like team member roles or sales types. It can also provide employees with data on past salaries or future revenue.

Start your free trial of Method CRM now!

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What is a lead generation system? And how could it help

Sales / By

This blog will help you understand the importance of a lead generation system and how it can help scale your business.

What is a lead generation system? And how could it help Read More »

Have you ever wondered what a lead generation system is and why it’s so important for businesses? 

With proper lead generation strategies, you can grow your business, as well as the value of each customer you secure. Generating leads is key for any business, big or small.

What is a lead?

In the marketing world, a lead is a customer who has shown some sort of interest in the product or service you have to offer.

What is a lead generation system?

A lead generation system helps companies expand their customer base and grow sales. 

How do these systems work? They collect information from potential customers from online sources such as forms, websites and emails to generate leads. 

The best lead generation systems feature automation.

An automated lead generation system is a powerful tool for businesses as it allows you to capture information quickly from your website or other online marketing channels, such as:

  • Contact forms. 
  • Opt-in lists.
  • Registration pages.

This information then comes in handy during sales calls to help you step up your game.

Is lead generation a marketing tool or a sales tool?

At first glance, it can be hard to tell whether lead generation is a marketing tool or a sales tool. This is no surprise as it’s actually a bit of both! 

In terms of how one fits into your sales and marketing strategy, there’s a few things to consider.  Lead generation helps businesses engage with consumers with valuable content and offers in exchange for contact information. 

It does this while helping form a genuine human connection rather than just a one-time sale.

Automated lead generation systems employ tactics such as email campaigns to increase the visibility of your brand and secure new customers. 

Often, your sales team takes over once leads have been created to focus on closing deals and converting leads into customers.

As such, lead generation can be thought of as both a marketing tool and a sales tool. Marketers need to create these leads initially before passing them off to sales teams for follow up.

Why do you need lead generation software?

While lead generation is an important part of sales and marketing, it is time-consuming to manually search for contacts and log each one. 

That’s where lead generation software comes in. 

Here are some reasons to use lead generation software:

  • Reduces your sales and marketing teams’ manual workload.
  • Attracts and prioritizes qualified leads that can actually turn into potential customers. 
  • Updates leads’ contact information automatically.
  • Reduces wasted time and money spent tracking cold leads. 
  • Nurtures leads with less effort.

How does a lead generation platform work?

Every business has its unique approach to lead generation. And so, do lead generation tools. 

Some simplify the sales process for you, while others increase customer engagement. 

Regardless of how you approach it, the main purpose of lead generation is to attract leads and to turn prospects into customers, before your competition does. 

Here are some of the most popular lead generating systems:

  • Gated content such as infographics and ebooks which boost engagement and encourage leads to provide their contact information.
  • Lead scoring to save time and prioritize leads by automatically assigning values. 
  • Lead nurturing tools to collect data for targeting your contacts with personalized messaging. 
  • Lead distribution to pass high-value leads to follow up. 
  • Sales analytics and reporting to see what’s working and what’s not.

What are the features of lead generation software?

Every lead generation system has a unique feature set. Below are the must-have features to watch out for.

Integrations

A good lead generation software integrates with your existing marketing tools. 

This will allow you to share data with your CRM, email apps, and more without having to go back and forth between browsers and platforms. This saves you from inaccuracies as well.

It’s important that any new business apps connect with your lead generation software for the above reasons as well.

Intuitive interface

Even the most powerful software is ineffective if you can’t use it. Your lead generation system should have an interface that’s simple and easy to use. 

A great software system offers multiple training options as well so that anyone on your team can use it without struggling through technical headaches.

Analytics

A good lead generation system offers an all-inclusive analytics and reporting feature. Having up-to-date data is key to make better business decisions and identify areas for improvement.

Customer relationship management

Lead generation is usually included as a feature of customer relationship management (CRM) software. CRMs are excellent ways to nurture customers in your sales pipeline and build a loyal customer base.

For exampler, Method CRM makes it easy for small businesses to automate lead generation, contact management, sales commission payouts, and activity tracking.

What are the benefits of using lead generation tools?

Better qualified leads

Having more leads isn’t always a good thing, especially if most of them are cold leads. You’ll end up working harder with less return. 

That’s where an automated lead generation system works its magic. It uses lead scoring to identify the leads that are most likely to turn into customers.

Lead generating systems figure out who’s really worth your time  by tracking your leads’ activity and engagement with your company.

Save time across the board

An automated lead generating system saves you time. Here’s how.

Your sales efforts become easier since you don’t have to spend time researching leads and chasing cold ones. Instead, you only follow up with prospects that check the right boxes. 

All the guesswork is removed and you’re no longer fishing in murky waters when you have a clear picture of who your best leads are.

Refined marketing tactics

Lead generation software includes powerful analytics and reporting tools that allow you to see how the highest value leads were brought in. 

This way, you can prioritize your time by working on the marketing campaigns that resonated with those leads.

This will reel in even more high-value leads, leading to more customers and less cold leads.

How to select the best lead generation program?

With so many options available on the market today, choosing which software is right for you can be tough.

The best lead generation software depends on the:

  • Size and scope of your business. 
  • Budget constraints.
  • Specific type of leads you handle.

For example, Method CRM has powerful capabilities that suit many business needs. It’s a popular lead management tool because it effectively captures and organizes your leads. 

Rather than passing disconnected spreadsheets and emails back and forth, Method CRM captures prospects automatically through a web to lead form. See how below.

Method CRM also offers powerful integration with QuickBooks and Xero.

Instead of cluttering your accounting data in QuickBooks or Xero with leads, you can manage your information in Method CRM. Then, have leads sync to your accounting software when they become customers. 

Next, Method turns estimates into invoices in just a few clicks. Then, this data automatically reflects in QuickBooks or Xero. 

As a result, your time is no longer consumed by repetitive administrative tasks.

Key takeaways

An automated lead generation system identifies the best qualified leads, so that you can turn more leads into customers. 

If you’re ready to reap the rewards of an automated lead generation system, consider Method CRM. Here’s why. 

A follow up system like Method CRM enhances your sales process with capabilities such as:

  • Web to lead forms to capture and organize leads effectively. 
  • Powerful workflow automation.
  • Two-way, real-time sync with QuickBooks and Xero.

Lead generation system FAQs

How do you create a lead generation system?

Creating and maintaining a successful lead generation system doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following a few key steps, you can get started quickly and achieve great results. 

The first step is to identify target customers — who is your ideal customer and what do they look like? 

Once you’ve identified the target customer, find out where they hang out online and how they like to consume content. 

This will give you an idea of the channels that you should focus on. 

Next, create compelling content that resonates with your target customer base; this could be anything from blog posts, ebooks or webinars!

Once your potential customers are engaging with your content, turn them into leads by providing forms for them to fill out. An automated lead generation system helps with this. 

You can also use existing CRM systems that allow customers to sign up for services or subscribe for notifications. 

Finally, it’s important not to just try once, but “nurture” or continue engaging with both new and existing leads regularly — email campaigns are a great way of doing this.

Which are the 4 steps of the lead generation process?

The lead generation process can be broken down into four steps.

The first step involves an automated lead generation system that collects lead contact information from different sources, including web forms and social media platforms.

Next is lead segmentation, which involves classifying leads into specific market segments or target audiences based demographic, geographic, or psychographic criteria.

After this, conversion tracking takes place. This is when businesses track the efficiency of their lead generation campaigns to monitor which leads are high-value and will convert into sales. 

Lastly, lead nurturing takes place. 

This involves staying in contact with leads through emails or phone calls that foster relationships and increase the chances of turning leads into customers.

Follow these steps in place to create a successful lead generation system that increases your customer base and maximizes profits for your business.

What is an example of lead generation?

An example of lead generation would be content marketing, which involves promoting your business’ message through articles, videos, podcasts, webinars, etc.

This type of strategy helps you reach potential leads who may have an interest in your offerings. Ideally, this lead generation effort sparks conversations that lead to inquiries or conversions.

Accelerate your lead generation with a free trial of Method CRM!

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What is a lead follow up system? And how does it help close deals?

Sales / By

Read this blog to learn how a follow up system can help you close more deals.

What is a lead follow up system? And how does it help close deals? Read More »

Are you looking for a way to close more deals? If so, consider using a lead follow up system. 

A lead follow up system is a set of processes and tools that sales reps use to stay in contact with leads and keep them engaged with the sales process. 

By staying in touch, you continue nurturing the relationship until they’re ready to buy. 

In this article, you’ll learn what a lead follow up system is and how it can help you close more sales. You’ll also discover some of the best follow up systems. 

Let’s get started!

What is lead management?

Lead management is the process of capturing leads, then qualifying and nurturing them to turn them into business opportunities. 

Managing leads can be a complex process as your lead count grows. Having a lead management system in place helps you make the most out of prospects interested in your product or service.

Why it’s all about the follow up

Usually, the salesperson stops interacting with the lead after handling their initial request. 

More often than not, however, your leads are not ready to make a decision on whether to purchase your product or not yet. 

As a result, converting a lead to a customer may not happen instantly. Instead, it could take days, weeks and even months. 

It all depends on the lead’s decision-making process and urgency.

Why follow ups are crucial in sales

As the frequency of follow up on sales leads increases, so do the chances of a successful sale. This is due to several reasons including the fact that constant communication keeps you top of mind for potential customers. 

Plus, more opportunities for future communication opens the door for customers to sway away from hesitation.

“Only 2% of sales are made during the first point of contact. This means businesses stand to lose potentially 98% of their sales leads if they do not follow up.”

— IRC Sales Solutions, 2022. 

How much time does it take to implement lead management?

The most direct path to a sale depends on effective lead management. 

If you manually follow up with leads, it can take a huge chunk of time out of your day, especially if you have a lot of leads. You have to remember to follow up with each of them, and then actually do the follow up. 

From disorganized Excel spreadsheets to losing track of emails sent back and forth, lead management can really become overwhelming and inefficient. 

However, there are lead management systems out there that automate the follow up process for you. These systems allow you to set follow up tasks, so you don’t have to remember to follow up with each lead yourself.

They also automate  actual follow up tasks, such as sending emails or making phone calls. This saves you time, allowing you to focus your energy on other tasks.

Next, let’s answer the question of why you need a lead follow up system.

What’s a lead follow up system?

A lead follow up system is a method businesses to use to track and move leads through the sales cycle. 

Whether your sales leads come to you through referrals, networking events, search engines or social media, you need a system that helps you interact with your leads.

The goal of a lead follow up system is to nudge your prospects towards sales conversions. 

An effective lead follow up system allows you to:

  • Follow up with an interested lead swiftly.
  • Increase revenue and win more deals.
  • Automate your tasks to save costs and hours of work.
  • Invest solely in value-generating activities for your business.

Why automation is the Best way to follow up with leads

Rejections happen when following up with prospects. 

Although it may start to make you feel hopeless and a bit too persistent at times, it’s important not to give up! Instead reframe and focus on finding creative, new ways to connect. 

Better yet, automate some, if not all, of your process. 

Here are some of the top benefits of a strong lead follow up system that involves automation.

1. Save time on follow ups

By automating your lead follow up system, leads are instantly handled from the first connection. 

From there, reminders and automated communications flow all the way up until the sale based on the cadence you build. 

Automation eliminates the tedious manual work of setting up each email from scratch and inputting each lead into your system.

2. Extend your reach

While humans are restricted in terms of the amount of hours they can work, automation software offers your business limitless potential. 

This potential is best seen in your customer reach as interactions such as calls and emails are fully automated.

Thanks to an automated lead follow up system, you’ll never have to worry about feeling overwhelmed by your number of leads. 

3. Eliminate human error

Mistakes are removed from the equation with an automated lead follow up system. 

This is because automation follows tasks exactly the way you set them, making sure you never have missed connections or human error when following up. 

What’s more, setting campaigns from the start allows you to analyze your follow up system as a whole, so you can remove redundancies. 

4. Reduce overhead costs

Automation takes the burden of tiresome and time-consuming tasks off your employees’ shoulders. As a result, your employees can use time more efficiently to improve business processes.

Lead management and tracking software

Managing lead records can be done in one centralized database, a lead management and tracking software. 

These help you keep track of leads and manage the process of turning them into a customer.

But the best lead management systems do much more than that. 

They automate many of the tasks associated with lead management, including:

  • Lead capture.
  • Lead segmentation.
  • Lead nurture.
  • Lead scores.

This allows you to focus your energy on selling, rather than on administrative tasks. 

When choosing lead management software for your business, it’s important to consider your specific needs and goals. 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but by carefully considering your options, you can find a lead management system that helps your business close more deals and drive long-term growth.

Best lead follow up systems

There are a lot of different systems out there, and it can be tough to choose the right one. 

However, there are a few things that you should look for in a good lead follow up system. First, it should be automated. This  saves you time in the long run. 

Second, it should effectively keep track of your leads so you can follow up with them quickly. 

Third, it should be easy to use and understand. Fourth, it should be affordable. You don’t want to spend a fortune on a lead follow up system, but you also don’t want to skimp on quality. 

Lastly, it should be reliable. You don’t want a system that is going to crash or lose data. Choose a lead follow up system that meets all of these criteria, and you have success following up with your leads.

It’s up to you to prioritize what’s important when evaluating a CRM, but the top lead follow up systems are listed below!

Method CRM

Method CRM is rated by QuickBooks users as the most powerful lead management system to organize your leads. 

You can manage your leads in Method CRM, which automatically syncs them to QuickBooks once they become paying customers to eliminate double data entry. 

Method CRM makes it easy to nurture your relationships with leads with features such as: 

  • Automated lead collection with web-to-lead form. 
  • Easily sync estimates to QuickBooks with a click. 
  • Online portals to help leads self-serve and approve estimates.

What’s more, you can personalize your sales process in Method CRM to make it exactly how you want. 

Method CRM has three pricing plans:

  • Contact Management: $25 per user per month.
  • CRM Pro: $44 per user per month.
  • CRM Enterprise: $74 per user per month.

Method offers a free trial with no credit card required. Get started with better lead management today!

Pipedrive

Overview of a calendar page on Pipedrive CRM software interface. It shows a lead's account information and recent history of calls.
Image credit: Pipedrive

Next on this list of top lead follow up systems is Pipedrive. Pipedrive provides sales pipeline automation with an easy-to-use interface. 

Some of Pipedrive’s features include:

  • A live overview of what your leads are doing in an in-app center. 
  • Manage leads from your inbox with an email sidebar.
  • Track the source of your leads. 
  • View your leads in multiple drag-and-drop pipelines. 

Pipedrive has four pricing plans:

  • Essential: $14.90 per user per month.
  • Advanced: $24.90 per user per month.
  • Professional: $49.90 per user per month.
  • Enterprise: $99.00 per user per month.

Pipedrive also offers a 14-day free trial.

HubSpot

Photo credit: HubSpot

HubSpot is a top lead management software for growing businesses. It offers an all-in-one solution including marketing, sales, service and operations. 

HubSpot allows you to:

  • Send automated email sequences until leads reply.
  • Digitize all your business leads with a built-in scanner.
  • Track leads with integrated email and website tracking.
  • Manage leads more efficiently with templates from your Gmail inbox.

Pricing:

You can get started for free with HubSpot’s lead management software: Sales Hub. 

If you want more advanced features to automate your sales operations, you can access them via the Starter, Professional, and Enterprise editions of Sales Hub.

The plans are priced as follows:

  • Starter: starts at $45 per month.
  • Professional: starts at $450 per month. 
  • Enterprise: starts at $1200 per month. 

However, it’s important to mention that HubSpot sells its software in bundles or “hubs”. Pricing depends on how many business tools you need, and the final cost can quickly add up.

Salesforce

Photo credit: Salesforce

Salesforce allows you to track all the important information about your CRM leads.  

Some of its features include:

  • Rich activity timeline with a view of the most up-to-date contact information.
  • Automated tracking of calls, meetings and emails.
  • Customizable reports and dashboards.
  • The ability to track marketing campaigns across all channels including social media. 

Pricing: 

Prices start at $25 per user per month, with discounts available for larger teams.  

Salesforce offers four pricing plans:

  • Essentials: $25 per user per month.
  • Sales Professional: $75 per user per month.
  • Service Professional: $75 per user per month.
  • Pardot Growth: $1250 per month for up to 10,000 contacts.

There’s also a free trial available so businesses can try out the software before making a purchase decision.

Monday Sales CRM

Photo credit: Monday CRM

Monday Sales CRM is next on the list, with an intuitive and powerful lead management solution with multiple functions all in one platform. 

  • Import leads through integrations with multiple platforms. 
  • Deals board to track progress of every lead. 
  • Centralized communication to  track interactions with leads. 
  • Send quotes and invoices to clients.

Pricing:

Up to 2 users can use the free version of Monday Sales CRM with limited features. They offer four paid pricing plans, which include:

  • Basic: $10 per user per month.
  • Standard: $14 per user per month.
  • Pro: $24 per user per month. 
  • Enterprise: Contact them. 

You may lean towards using Excel spreadsheets as a way to track sales leads. But when leads start coming in rapidly, and you’re flooded with potential business, you want to make sure no one slips through the cracks. 

This is where Method CRM comes in. It is a popular lead management tool because it captures and organizes your leads in an effective way.

Rather than passing disorganized spreadsheets and emails back and forth, Method CRM captures them automatically through a web to lead form. See an example below.

It also allows you to manage and track the incentives your sales reps earn by selling your product. 

Method CRM’s integration with QuickBooks and Xero is also stellar.

Instead of cluttering your accounting data in QuickBooks or Xero with leads, you can manage your leads in Method CRM and have them sync to your accounting software when they are customers. 

Next, Method quickly turns the estimate into an invoice and reflects that in QuicKBooks or Xero. As a result, your time is no longer consumed by repetitive administrative tasks.

Key takeaways

The main goal of every lead management system is to turn your leads into customers. 

The follow up process can become tough and time-consuming when done manually. 

A follow up system like Method CRM enhances your process with capabilities such as:

  • Custom fields creation to fully capture your leads’ needs and details. 
  • Powerful workflow automation. Two-way, real-time sync with QuickBooks and Xero.

Lead follow up system FAQs

How do you keep track of leads and follow ups?

If you’re in the business of generating leads, then you know how important it is to follow up with those leads in a timely manner. 

While there are many ways to keep track of leads and follow ups, an automated lead follow up system is the best way to manage your sales pipeline. 

By using an automated follow up system, you can stay in touch with your leads without having to invest a lot of time or money.

In addition, automated lead follow up systems usually have built-in CRM features that make it easy to track progress and follow up activities. 

As a result, businesses that use an automated lead follow up system often enjoy higher close rates and improved customer satisfaction.

What are lead tracking systems?

A lead tracking system is a follow up system that is used to track potential customers, or leads. The system is used to follow up with leads to turn them into customers.

Lead tracking systems save businesses time and resources, as they no longer need to manually follow up with each lead.

In addition, lead tracking systems typically provide users with data and insights about their leads, such as: 

  • When a lead was contacted. 
  • What interactions were made.
  • Whether or not the lead converted into a sale. 

This can be valuable for understanding what works and what doesn’t work when following up. 

Overall, lead tracking systems are a helpful tool for businesses of all sizes. If you want to improve your lead follow up process, a lead tracking system is right for you.

What is the main purpose of follow up?

TThe main purpose of follow up is to: 

  • Make sure that no lead falls through the cracks.Build relationships and trust with sales prospects. 
  • Keep your business top of mind for potential customers. 

By staying in touch and providing valuable information, you can build relationships that last, turn one-time buyers into lifelong fans and turn your business into a powerhouse.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that follow-up is always easy. It can be time-consuming and sometimes leads can be difficult to reach. That’s why many businesses choose to use an automated lead follow up system.

Better your lead management with a free trial of Method CRM.

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Top 10 best lead management system software for 2025

Sales / By

Looking for the best lead management system software for 2025? Let this guide help you make an informed decision.

Top 10 best lead management system software for 2025 Read More »

Are you looking for the best lead management system software for 2025? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we’ll discuss some of the best options on the market and what makes them stand out from the competition. 

So, whether you’re a small business owner or just starting out, read on to find out which lead management system is right for you.

What is a lead management system software?

A lead management system software is a tool designed to help generate and nurture leads throughout the sales cycle. 

It helps you track and manage leads from first contact to conversion and provides marketing teams with insights into which campaigns generate the most qualified leads.

Benefits of using a lead management system software

A lead management system software can help streamline your sales process and give you an edge over your competition. Here are some of the benefits of using a lead management system software: 

– Helps you prioritize and manage your leads more effectively.

– Enables you to track your leads throughout the sales funnel.

– Automates repetitive tasks such as sending out follow-up emails.

– Gives you valuable insights into your sales pipeline.

As a result, investing in a lead management system software can help you close more deals and grow your business.

What are the components of an ideal lead management system software?

There are a lot of lead management system software programs out there. But what separates the best from the rest? Here are some key components of an ideal lead management system software:

– It should be easy to use and intuitive. Inputting and managing data should be a breeze, so you can focus on selling, not data entry.

– It should provide real-time insights. This gives you up-to-the-minute information on your leads, so you can prioritize and follow up accordingly.

-It should offer features to automate repetitive tasks, such as emailing leads or sending them reminders about upcoming events.

– It should offer a free trial. The best lead management system software allows you to get a good feel of the program before you buy it. 

– It should also be easy to add new leads and import existing ones from other sources. 

Lead management system software can help you close more deals and grow your business. When choosing a program, make sure it has the key components that will make it easy to use and effective.

How we chose the best lead management system software

Below is a list of the top 10 lead management system software of 2025. Each of the following has unique features that improve your business to make it more efficient. 

We chose the best lead management software based on their:

  • Features.
  • Price. 
  • Pros and cons. 

What’s important when evaluating a lead management system depends on you and your business needs, but the top ones are listed below to help guide you!

The 10 best lead management system software

Here are the best lead management system software:

1. Method CRM

Key Features

Method CRM is rated by QuickBooks users as the most powerful lead management system to organize your leads. 

You can manage your leads in Method CRM, which automatically syncs them to QuickBooks or Xero once they become paying customers to eliminate double data entry. 

Method CRM makes it easy to nurture your relationships with leads with features such as: 

  • Automated lead collection with web-to-lead form. 
  • Easily sync estimates to QuickBooks or Xero with a click. 
  • Online portals to help leads self-serve and approve estimates.

What’s more, you can personalize your sales process in Method CRM to make it exactly how you want. 

Pros

  • Ease of use and integration.
  • Unlimited customization.
  • Reusable email, report and transaction templates.
  • Convert estimates into invoices in a few clicks.
  • Several third-party integrations such as Gmail, Zapier, and Outlook.

Cons

  • Only available in English. 

Pricing

Method CRM has three pricing plans:

  • Contact Management: $25 per user per month.
  • CRM Pro: $44 per user per month.
  • CRM Enterprise: $74 per user per month.

Method offers a free trial with no credit card required. Get started with better lead management today!

2. Pipedrive

Overview of a calendar page on Pipedrive CRM software interface. It shows a lead's account information and recent history of calls.
Photo credit: Pipedrive

Next on this list of top lead follow up systems is Pipedrive. Pipedrive provides sales pipeline automation with an easy-to-use interface. 

Key Features

Some of Pipedrive’s features include:

  • A live overview of what your leads are doing in an in-app center. 
  • Manage leads from your inbox with an email sidebar.
  • Track the source of your leads. 
  • View your leads in multiple drag-and-drop pipelines. 

Pros

  • Affordable paid plans. 
  • Unlimited customizable sales pipelines. 
  • All plans include machine-learning powered sales assistants. 

Cons

  • Free plans are not available. 
  • Most plans have limited custom fields and reports. 
  • Phone support is only available on the highest tier.

Pricing

Pipedrive has four pricing plans:

  • Essential: $14.90 per user per month.
  • Advanced: $24.90 per user per month.
  • Professional: $49.90 per user per month.
  • Enterprise: $99.00 per user per month.

Pipedrive also offers a 14-day free trial.

3. Zendesk

Screenshot of the Zendesk Sell dashboard,
Image credit: Zendesk

Zendesk Sell streamlines your sales workflow by working through routine tasks efficiently with lead management system features such as:

Key Features

Some of Zendesk’s features include:

  • Sales reporting and analytics metrics on pre-built dashboard.
  • Email sync, alerts, templates and automatic tracking. 
  • Connect all apps to Zendesk marketplace with one click.

Pros

  • User-friendly and easy to navigate. 
  • Ability to set triggers to track incoming events. 
  • Extensive time tracking options. 

Cons

  • Costly for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • The number of options are overwhelming to new users. 

Pricing

Zendesk Sell has three pricing plans:

  • Zendesk Sell Team: $19 per user per month.
  • Zendesk Sell Growth: $49 per user per month. 
  • Zendesk Sell Professional: $99 per user per month.

4. HubSpot Sales

HubSpot product shot
Image credit: HubSpot

Key Features

HubSpot is a top lead management software for growing businesses. It offers an all-in-one solution including marketing, sales, service and operations. 

HubSpot allows you to:

  • Send automated email sequences until leads reply.
  • Digitize all your business leads with a built-in scanner.
  • Track leads with integrated email and website tracking.
  • Manage leads more efficiently with templates from your Gmail inbox.

Pros

  • All-in-one platform for marketing, sales, and customer support.
  • Easy to use and can be used as a CMS for content marketing or website building.
  • High quality tools across the board.

Cons

  • Free version offers very limited features.
  • The prices increase steeply as your business grows.
  • Lacks flexibility of customization.

Pricing

You can get started for free with HubSpot’s lead management software: Sales Hub. 

If you want more advanced features to automate your sales operations, you can access them via the Starter, Professional, and Enterprise editions of Sales Hub.

The plans are priced as follows:

  • Starter: starts at $45 per month.
  • Professional: starts at $450 per month. 
  • Enterprise: starts at $1200 per month. 

However, it’s important to mention that HubSpot sells its software in bundles or “hubs”. Pricing depends on how many business tools you need, and the final cost can quickly add up.

5. Act! CRM

Photo credit: Act! CRM

Act! CRM is one of the best lead management software for small to medium businesses that are seeking solutions with easy-to-use marketing tools. 

Key Features

Some of the features Act! CRM offers include:

  • Ability to design email templates. 
  • Easily create, track and send emails. 
  • Trigger actions that save time in your sales efforts. 

Pros

  • Savings and affordable premium account. 
  • Tight integration with Microsoft Outlook for emails. 
  • Highly customizable CRM and flexible deployment. 

Cons

  • Weak report-building feature. 
  • Slow customer service response time. 
  • Lacks advanced functionality needed as your business grows. 

Pricing

The following pricing plans are available: 

  • Starter: $12 per user per month.
  • Professional: $25 per user per month.
  • Expert: $50 per user per month.
  • Act Premium: $37.50 per user per month.

6. Zoho CRM

Zoho Screenshot
Photo credit: Zoho

Key Features

Zoho’s CRM lead management system moves your leads through the sales pipeline with proper follow up and unique features:

  • Scoring rules to prioritize sales leads for faster conversions.
  • Omnichannel communication including webinars to communicate with leads. 
  • Convert leads into from live chat windows on your website. 
  • Scan business cards and QR codes through app. 

Pros

  • Fully customizable dashboard and interface.
  • Includes sales, marketing, and service functionality.
  • Free trial available. 

Cons

  • Customization is challenging
  • No spam prevention on web forms
  • Onboarding assistance costs extra

Pricing

Zoho CRM allows users to choose from four pricing plans:

  • Standard: $19
  • Professional: $33
  • Enterprise:
  • Ultimate: $47

7. Freshsales

Overview of a "Leads" page on FreshSales CRM software interface. It shows a lead's account information and recent history of calls.
Photo credit: FreshSales

Freshsales (formerly known as Freshworks) is another top CRM lead management that can transform your selling experience with its powerful features.

Key Features

  • Map your unique sales process with contact lifecycle stages. 
  • Enrich your contacts and accounts with their public information automatically.
  • Auto-assign leads to handpicked salespeople. 

Pros

  • Clean and simple interface.
  • Multi-currency and multi-language for localized sales. 
  • Extensive reporting functionality.
  • Good customer service options including AI assistant.

Cons

  • Fewer customization options than competitors.
  • Few social media integrations.
  • Strict limit at 1000 for marketing action.

Pricing

Freshsales offers four pricing options:

  • Free: $0 per user per month. 
  • Growth: $18 per user per month.
  • Pro: $47 per user per month. 
  • Enterprise: $83 per user per month.

8. ActiveCampaign

Photo credit: ActiveCampaign

Active campaign provides a CRM lead management system that keeps your entire sales process moving smoothly with the following features:

Key Features

  • Auto-send a personal 1:1 email to every new lead you get. 
  • Trigger Dynamics contacts and emails after you book an appointment.
  • Automatically create a Salesforce contact on a page visit. 
  • Easy to build automated campaigns and customize them.

Pros

  • Powerful and versatile email builder. 
  • Great email deliverability. 
  • Wide range of features for advanced users. 

Cons

  • Long wait time for customer service. 
  • Advanced features can be hard to wrap your head around. 

Pricing

The following pricing plans are offered:

  • Lite: $9 per user per month. 
  • Plus: 49 per user per month. 
  • Professional: $149 per user per month. 
  • Enterprise: Contact them.

9. noCRM.io

Photo credit: NoCRM.io

NoCRM.io provides a simple and effective CRM lead management system to work with on a daily basis.

Key Features

  • Each lead is always assigned a next action to prevent leaky sales pipelines.
  • Completely customizable sales funnel. 
  • Visual sales pipeline to see where exactly your leads are in your sales cycle. 
  • Ace sales leads calls with Sales Script Generator. 

Pros

  • Affordable and unique pricing model. 
  • Simple and intuitive interface.
  • Multiple lead creation options including card uploads. 
  • User-friendly and effective task management. 

Cons

  • Weak reporting feature. 
  • Not very flexible with third-party programs. 

Pricing

NoCRM.io includes adaptive pricing options that include:

  • Starter kit: $10 per user per month. 
  • Sales experts: $20 per user per month. 
  • Dream team: $32 per user per month.

10. Monday Sales CRM

Photo credit: Monday CRM

Key Features

Insert product shot with image credit below here 

Monday Sales CRM is next on the list, with an intuitive and powerful lead management solution with multiple functions all in one platform. 

  • Import leads through integrations with multiple platforms. 
  • Deals board to track progress of every lead. 
  • Centralized communication to  track interactions with leads. 
  • Send quotes and invoices to clients.

Pros

  • Able to automate any workflow. 
  • Extremely easy to customize. 
  • All plans come with 24/7 support. 

Cons

  • The UI has too much information which confuses users.
  • Recurrent performance issues. 

Pricing

Up to 2 users can use the free version of Monday Sales CRM with limited features. They offer four paid pricing plans, which include:

  • Basic: $10 per user per month.
  • Standard: $14 per user per month.
  • Pro: $24 per user per month. 
  • Enterprise: Contact them.

Which lead management system software should you use?

With so many options, it can be hard to choose which software is right for you. A few key factors to keep in mind include features, cost, and ease of use. 

Your specific priorities and business needs will help guide you in making a decision.

If you’re looking for affordable options for example, you may want to consider CRM lead management systems like Act! CRM which offers savings and adaptive pricing plans. 

Method CRM also offers affordable pricing plans. It tends to be a popular lead management tool because it captures and organizes your leads in an effective way. 

If lead generation is your priority, you’ll find that Method CRM is your best bet!

Rather than passing disorganized spreadsheets and emails back and forth, Method CRM captures them automatically through a web to lead form. See an example below.

What’s more, it allows you to manage and track the incentives your sales reps earn by selling your product. 

Method CRM’s integration with QuickBooks and Xero is also stellar.

Instead of cluttering your accounting data in QuickBooks or Xero with leads, you can manage your leads in Method CRM and have them sync to your accounting software when they are customers. 

Next, Method turns the estimate into an invoice and reflects that in QuicKBooks or Xero. As a result, your time is no longer spent on repetitive administrative tasks.

Key takeaways

The main goal of every lead management system is to turn your leads into customers.

The best sales lead management system is one with features that best suit your business needs.  

A lead management system like Method CRM enhances your process with capabilities such as:

  • Custom fields creation to fully capture your leads’ needs and details. 
  • Powerful workflow automation. Two-way, real-time sync with QuickBooks and Xero.

Lead management system software FAQs

Which is the best lead management software?

With so many lead management system options available, it can be hard to know which one best meets your needs. 

The best lead management software depends on the size and scope of your business, budget constraints, and the specific type of leads you’re handling.

Ultimately, you need one that provides personalized experiences with a range of features and capabilities to best suit your needs.  

By doing so you’ll make sure that any sales lead management system will best maximize ROI from any money spent.

How do you build a lead management system?

Building your best lead management system takes planning and trial-and-error— but having thoughtful processes in place will pay off in the long term!

These are some important processes to consider:

  • Collecting, tracking, and organizing leads efficiently.
  • Being informed on best practices for connecting with leads in innovative ways. 
  • Capturing leads from a variety of sources across multiple platforms like social media, email campaigns, website forms, etc.
  • Keeping the data safe and secure by tracking contacts in an organized CRM software. 
  • Managing this data throughout their journey in your lead funnel.
  • Compiling reports on the effectiveness of your campaigns by recording how leads land at each funnel stage.

Is lead management part of CRM?

Lead management is an important part of any CRM system, since the best sales leads are arguably those that come from customer relationships.

To get the best results, it’s important to choose the best lead management system for your needs. 

While this will depend heavily on individual preferences and circumstances, some of the best sales lead management systems combine data tracking with automation tools for efficient task and contact management. 

Having a reliable lead management strategy embedded into your CRM is essential for sustained success.  

With careful consideration and planning, you can enjoy all the benefits of an effective CRM-lead relationship.

Better your lead management with a free trial of Method CRM.

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QuickBooks for subcontractors: The importance of a subcontractor CRM

CRM, QuickBooks / By

To ensure peak productivity, anyone who manages subcontractors should make use of CRM.

QuickBooks for subcontractors: The importance of a subcontractor CRM Read More »

Whether you’re an independent or specialty contractor, if you subcontract your jobs, you need an efficient system to keep track of your subcontractors.

For peak productivity, that system should include a CRM. 

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • What is a subcontractor CRM.
  • How to enhance QuickBooks for subcontractors.
  • Why you need a QuickBooks subcontractor CRM.

What’s more, you’ll discover your choices for the best CRM for subcontractors to strengthen your business and boost your success.

Sick of missing invoices and other data in QuickBooks?

See Method’s two-way sync

What is a subcontractor CRM?

CRM stands for customer relationship management. A CRM is a tool to track your customers and improve your relationships with them.

As a result, you gain better customer satisfaction.

Using software allows for strong CRM habits by providing features that take the work out of customer relationship management. 

A subcontractor CRM, in particular, is made for the nuances of subcontractor jobs.

Let’s take a look at why every subcontractor needs a CRM.

Why use subcontractor CRM software for your construction business

There are various ways a CRM transforms how you run your subcontracting business, from simplifying payments to improving QuickBooks for subcontractors. 

Here are some of the top benefits you can look forward to with a CRM for subcontractors. 

Stay on top of jobs

As a subcontractor, you often find yourself balancing several different jobs. So keeping track of your different projects becomes a job in itself.

The good news is that a CRM allows you to keep track of more than just your customer relationships. The right CRM also simplifies the way you keep track of jobs.

When you no longer have to spend time tracking jobs, you free up time to focus on building your customer relationships.

Collaborate from anywhere

A subcontractor CRM keeps all your information in one place, making it easy to manage and even easier for your workers to pull up the information they need when they need it.

For example, subcontractor software with a sales cloud empowers your sales team to pull up customer information in a flash so that they never miss a beat. 

A CRM may improve QuickBooks for subcontractors by ensuring your accounting information is always up-to-date, regardless of where you access it. 

Take the convenience one step further by choosing subcontractor software with a mobile app. A mobile app puts your entire business in your hands, so you never miss a beat. 

Track business performance

For optimal business growth, you must keep tabs on how your business is doing at all times. The best way to do that is through regular reporting.

CRM software with reporting features can pull relevant customer data and present them clearly and concisely.

These reports:

  • Show you trends within your customer base and business.
  • Inform new sales strategies to promote business growth. 

It’s a bonus if your CRM allows specifically for QuickBooks subcontractor reporting so that you can use your most important data. 

Get paid faster

One of the top benefits of a contractor CRM is that it can streamline your invoicing.

With your invoice contacts already in your software, sending prompt invoices can be as simple as pushing a button.

Processing payment can be just as simple. 

Better yet, some subcontractor CRMS integrate with popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks. This allows you to create a system to ensure that all of your important information is up to date. 

Let’s take a closer look at how contractors can leverage QuickBooks and their CRM.

QuickBooks for subcontractors: Useful CRM features

As far as accounting software goes, many agree that QuickBooks is best for construction projects. The same goes for contractors.

While contractors commonly use QuickBooks for their accounting, QuickBooks alone can only bring your business so far. For optimal efficiency, it’s best to use QuickBooks and a CRM together to operate your business. 

Here are the features with which a CRM can improve your QuickBooks workflow:

  • Sync your information between your CRM and QuickBooks.
  • Additional native integration to create a full system.
  • A place to store your leads outside of QuickBooks to keep your accounting clean.
  • Scheduling features for improved project management. 
  • The ability to customize QuickBooks to tailor it to your business.

With all this new information on subcontractor CRMs, it’s time to choose the best solution for your business.

Best contractor and subcontractor CRM comparison

When choosing a CRM for your subcontracting business, be sure to consider the following:

  • The needs of your contracting business.
  • Your current workflows and processes.
  • The software you already use. 

Each of these elements contributes to the type of CRM that best fits your subcontracting business.

To help you out, below are our 5 CRM solutions for subcontractors.

While all these sync with QuickBooks, some integrate with the popular accounting software better than others.

Method CRM

Method CRM is not only one of the best subcontractor CRMs. It is the best way to improve QuickBooks for subcontractors.

Thanks to Method’s two-way QuickBooks sync, when you update QuickBooks, it will automatically show in Method and vice versa.

Whether you use QuickBooks Online for contractors or stick to QuickBooks Desktop, Method’s two-way sync ensures that data flows where and when it needs to. 

Beyond that, Method’s customization capabilities and native integrations allow you to turn your QuickBooks contractor CRM into an all-in-one system for your business. And if you’re debating between Xero vs QuickBooks for contractor needs, don’t worry! Enjoy all of Method’s features on either accounting software.

Key features

  • Lead management so only paying customers show in QuickBooks.
  • Add custom fields to personalized forms. 
  • Convert estimates to invoices in a few clicks. 
  • Customize reports for accurate data analytics. 
  • Mobile app for real-time updates. 

Pros

  • QuickBooks integration for up-to-date data flow.
  • Empower your customers with a self-service portal. 
  • Unlimited customization to create your perfect solution.
  • Native integrations with Google Calendar, Outlook, Zapier, and more. 

Cons

You must be a QuickBooks or Xero user to use Method. What’s more, the solution is only available in English. 

Pricing

Method’s pricing starts at $25 per month per user. You can also sign up for a free trial.

Method CRM lets you run your business, your way.

Watch it in action

Insightly

Image credit: G2

Insightly is a CRM with simple features, perfect if you’re not looking for bells and whistles. 

Popular amongst Google and Office 365 users, Insightly gives you one place to manage your customers, sales, and data. 

With an assortment of project management capabilities, Insightly is a good choice as a first CRM for subcontractors.

Key features

  • Integrated project management tools. 
  • Lead routing to allow prospects to follow up promptly. 
  • The ability to build custom apps. 
  • Over 250 app integrations. 

Pros

  • Convert won opportunities into projects. 
  • Advanced lead management tools. 
  • Schedule reports to be regularly emailed to your team.

Cons

Insightly’s customization capabilities are limited when it comes to dashboards and reporting. 

Pricing

Insightly’s pricing starts at $29 per user per month.

HubSpot

HubSpot product shot
Image credit: HubSpot

Next on the list of the best subcontractor CRMs is HubSpot, which offers basic CRM functions to boost your everyday processes.

This software solution is separated into different “hubs” to address variousaspects of your business, including: 

  • Marketing.
  • Sales.
  • Service.
  • Operations.

You can mix and match these hubs, but marketing, sales, and service are often bundled together for a comprehensive business solution. 

Key features

  • Segment your contacts to stay organized. 
  • Live chats and chatbots for support services.
  • Dashboard with a simple user interface.

Pros

  • HubSpot Academy with educational resources.
  • HubSpot has a large marketplace with integration options. 
  • A team inbox for easy collaboration. 

Cons

While HubSpot has a free limited version, you may soon outgrow it. HubSpot is more expensive than other CRM options. 

Pricing

After the free version, HubSpot’s next plan starts at $45 per user per month, billed annually.

JobNimbus

Image credit: JobNimbus

JobNimbus is a CRM specially built for contractors. This software takes your subcontracting business to the next level by organizing, automating, and tracking your work.

With features that simplify all aspects of your business, from estimates to billing, you can trust that all your information is all one place to access when you need it the most. 

Key features

  • Mobile app to access your business anywhere you go.
  • Construction estimate template for less paperwork. 
  • The ability oy create digital invoices. 

Pros

  • Caters to several industries, from roofing to concrete. 
  • Accept payments and collect customer signatures from the app. 
  • Automation features such as task assignment and payment reminders.

Cons

JobNimbus has a steep learning curve, and the resources to help with that curve are limited.

Pricing

JobNimbus does not have pricing on its website. You must request a quote.

Jobber

Software Jobber
Image credit: Jobber

Jobber is a solution that caters to those in the field service industry, which makes it an optimal choice for contractors of all kinds. 

Jobber connects your people on the field to the office team, so everyone’s always on the same page.

Key features

  • Real-time scheduling and dispatching
  • Invoice creation and billing. 
  • Automatic reminders for customers. 

Pros

  • Easy user interface. 
  • Mobile app for access to schedules, notes, and other information.
  • Hands-off approach with a self-service client hub.

Cons

Jobber may not be the best QuickBooks subcontractor CRM as some users express frustration with the sync.

“Jobber doubles the same customer’s info, making it difficult to adjust, edit, or change the description of a product/service from Jobber.”

— ImproveCleaning Business via QuickBooks.

Pricing

Jobber has three pricing plans:

  • Core: $49 per month up to 1 user.
  • Connect: $149 per month up to 7 users.
  • Grow: $299 per month up to 30 users.

Bottom line: Why you need a subcontractor CRM

Having a CRM for your subcontracting business improves all aspects of your operations.

Moreover, a CRM that works with accounting software such as QuickBooks allows you to enhance QuickBooks’ features and bring all of your workflows together. Whether you’re looking for a way to improve QuickBooks for construction contractors or want a way to manage your customers better, a CRM is your solution.

Subcontractor CRM FAQs

What is a subcontractor CRM?

A subcontractor CRM simplifies how you manage your customers, sales, and overall business. They do this with features such as job scheduling, quick invoicing, payment processing, and integrations with other popular subcontractor tools such as QuickBooks. 

What are the benefits of a subcontractor CRM?

The benefits of a contractor CRM depend on your business needs and the type of software you choose. However, you can expect general benefits such as better control over your business processes, saving time by automating repetitive tasks, and improved collaboration between your team members. 

How should subcontractors be set up in QuickBooks?

To set up subcontractors in QuickBooks, you must set them up as a vendor through a series of steps. However, setting up your subcontractors in this way can lead to errors. You’re better off opting for CRM software either made with QuickBooks for subcontractors in mind or that you can personalize to fit your business processes.

Take your subcontracting business to the next level with a free trial of Method CRM!

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This image shows two people sitting at a desk with a laptop and a report on its surface.

What is the QuickBooks customer history report?

QuickBooks / By

This article will teach you how to run a detailed QuickBooks customer sales history report and its benefits.

What is the QuickBooks customer history report? Read More »

Besides being one of the top accounting software programs, QuickBooks offers many helpful business management features.

One such feature is the QuickBooks customer history report.

This article will teach you how to run a detailed QuickBooks customer sales history report and its benefits.

How to run a customer sales history report for one customer in QuickBooks

When you need the transaction history of one specific customer, QuickBooks can help. You can run a customer sales report that will provide information on all purchases and payments made by that customer.

The QuickBooks customer history report is a valuable tool for assessing your business’ performance and identifying trends in customer spending.

It can also help you determine which products or services are most popular with your customers so you can plan future marketing efforts accordingly.

Here’s how QuickBooks Online Advanced, Essential, and Plus users can generate the report:

  1. Go to the “Reports” tab in QuickBooks and select “Sales by Customer Detail”.
  2. Select “Customize”, and click “Rows/Columns” to open the dropdown menu to select the details to include in the report and which order they’ll appear in.
  3. Make sure to check the boxes for “Customer” and “Product/Service”.
  4. Click “Run Report”.

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See how Method does it all

To pull up a customer’s sales or transaction history in QuickBooks Desktop, follow this instead:

  1. Go to the “Reports” tab and look up “Transaction Detail by Account”.
  2. Enter the desired “Report period” and choose “Group by Customer”.
  3. Click “Run Report”. You can also customize and filter the information shown by selecting or deselecting data fields.

That’s it! Now you know how to run a QuickBooks customer history report.

With the information in this report, you can uncover spending patterns and identify high-value customers to target with special promotions.

Can I have a report that shows sales by customer and product in QuickBooks?

Yes, you can. QuickBooks provides a customer history report that displays customer sales data, including the products they purchased and how much they paid.

To generate the report, follow the steps outlined in the above section.

You can customize the report’s time frame and select the fields you want to display, such as customer name and product. The report will also include summary totals for each customer and product.

Once you’ve personalized the report, you can save or print it for future reference.

Getting started: Get a QuickBooks customer sales history report in Method

With QuickBooks’ customer sales history report, you can:

  • Assess your business performance. 
  • Identify trends in customer spending. 
  • Determine which products or services are most popular with your customers.

Method CRM provides an excellent alternative for QuickBooks users that don’t have access to the feature or want to generate more comprehensive reports.

Get started with your free trial of Method!

QuickBooks customer history report FAQs

How can I run a report showing payments received during a specific time for selected accounts?

To generate a report of payments received within a specific time frame for selected accounts, use the “Transaction List by Customer” or similar report. Customize the date range and apply filters to include only the desired accounts. This ensures you capture all relevant payment data, even if linked to invoices outside the specified period.

How do I print a customer’s transaction list in QuickBooks Online?

To print a customer’s transaction list, access the “Transaction List by Customer” report or navigate to the customer’s profile in your accounting software. Filter by transaction type, status, and date range as needed, then use the print or export option to generate a physical or digital copy of the list.

Can I create a report of customers with no recent sales activity?

Yes, you can create such a report by running a “Sales by Customer Summary” report and customizing it to include customers with zero sales within your specified timeframe. Use advanced filters to display rows with zero activity and export the data for further analysis if needed.

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Man on a computer at a desk with a graph next to him.

QuickBooks audit trail and transaction history: All you need to know

QuickBooks / By

Curious about the QuickBooks audit trail? Learn about its purpose and how to use the audit log in QuickBooks Online and Desktop.

QuickBooks audit trail and transaction history: All you need to know Read More »

Monitoring your transaction history in QuickBooks is an important step to ensure the accuracy of your financial records. So you might be wondering, where is the audit log in QuickBooks Desktop?

In this blog post, you will learn:

  • How to check transaction history in your QuickBooks Desktop account.
  • Benefits of the QuickBooks audit trail.
  • How to view the Transaction Journal Report.
  • To use a QuickBooks CRM to manage transaction data more efficiently

Let’s walk you through the steps to find and view your QuickBooks transaction history so that you can keep better track of your finances.

Need an easier way to keep your QuickBooks data up-to-date?

Try Method’s two-way sync

What is the audit log in QuickBooks Online?

QuickBooks accounting software records all your financial transactions in the audit log. The audit history view gives the accountant a history of updates made to your records such as supplier name changes or transaction times and amounts.

This is useful, as the audit log:

  • Offers insights into transaction histories.
  • Provides a detailed history of all changes.
  • Allows for tracking of user activities.
  • Is essential for monitoring data modifications and helps in ensuring financial integrity.
  • Can be exported for external analysis.
  • Shows the invoices and sales receipts you’ve sent.

But where is the audit log in QuickBooks Desktop? While it’s known as the audit log in QuickBooks Online, Desktop calls it an audit trail.

QuickBooks audit trail purpose

The QuickBooks audit trail ensures financial accuracy by tracking every transaction and modification in QuickBooks Desktop. It provides a detailed history of each transaction, including edits, deletions, and creations. This tool ensures accuracy by monitoring who made changes to company files and when.

This drives:  

  • Transparency. 
  • Accountability. 
  • Discrepancy detection.

How to use the audit log in QuickBooks Online

To access the audit log, sign in as an admin.

  1. Go to “Settings” and click on “Audit log.”
  2. Select the “Filter” option. 
  3. Use the fields in the tab to filter by “User,” “Date,” or “Events.”
  4. Click “Apply.”

You can review up to 150 records at a time with the QuickBooks audit log. 

Where is the audit log in QuickBooks Desktop?

So, where is the QuickBooks Desktop audit log report? Desktop’s version of the audit log is called the “Audit Trail.” To find the Audit Trail in QuickBooks Desktop, browse the left side of your QuickBooks dashboard. The audit log location in the menu is located in the “Reports” section under “Audit Trail.”

Audit log QuickBooks Desktop: Why it’s important

The QuickBooks Desktop audit trail is a valuable tool for several reasons. It helps you: 

  • Detect unauthorized transactions.
  • Simplify the audit process. 
  • Ensure financial accuracy.

As you may expect, your QuickBooks audit log is especially important during audits, as it provides a clear and unaltered record of user activity, which ensures compliance and financial transparency.

How to use the QuickBooks Desktop audit trail

To use the QuickBooks Desktop audit trail, follow these steps: 

  1. Log into QuickBooks Desktop and choose “Reports” on the left-hand menu.
  2. Select “Audit Trail” under the “Company & Financial” section.
  3. From here, you can customize your report by selecting specific dates or transaction types to view in more detail.
  4. When finished customizing, click “Run Report” and review the results of your query.

The audit log provides information about who created, modified, or deleted each original transaction and when it occurred.

Note: After September 30, 2024, Intuit will no longer sell QuickBooks Desktop (except Enterprise versions) to new U.S. subscribers.

QuickBooks Desktop audit trail report Enterprise solution

Like the Desktop version, QuickBooks Enterprise also lets you generate an audit trail report. 

  1. Click on “Reports” in the top menu bar, then select “Account and Taxes.”
  2. Choose “Audit Trail.”
  3. Select “Customize Report” on the report screen. 
  4. Navigate to the “Filter” tab and locate “Transaction type.” 
  5. Select “Invoice” and click “OK.”
  6. Apply date filters as needed. 

How do I view a deleted QuickBooks transaction history?

Your deleted transaction history is located in the ‘Reports’ section under ‘Audit Trail’.

Select the date range from the drop-down menu to find your deleted transaction history.

If you want to view the details of a particular transaction, just click it.

You can also use the “Find” and “Sort” features available in QuickBooks Desktop to refine your search results and find what you are looking for faster.

How to check transaction history in QuickBooks audit trail

Now that you can answer, “Where is the audit log in QuickBooks Desktop?” you can view your detailed transaction history report with ease.

This lets you see:

  • Where charges originated from.
  • What user made changes.
  • When transactions took place.
  • The number of transactions reported.
  • Issues related to financial activities.

The transaction history in QuickBooks offers a complete overview of your financial activities. Users can track changes to individual transactions, such as payments, invoices, and sales. This helps users identify discrepancies and track any unauthorized changes. By accessing the transaction journal, you can get a detailed snapshot of all entries.

Where can I find it?

Here’s how to view your transaction history:

  1. Open the desired transaction. 
  2. Click on “More.” 
  3. Choose “Audit history” to access the Audit Trail. 
  4. For a detailed view, click “Show all,” or for a comparison, click “Compare.”  

Wish you could get more from QuickBooks? Method makes it possible.

See for yourself

Audit log QuickBooks Desktop benefits

The audit log provides an extra layer of security to your financial records by monitoring changes in QuickBooks.

It also helps with:

  • Troubleshooting an issue.
  • Ensuring accuracy when entering transactions or recording estimates.
  • Letting you examine and provide evidence for reporting on finances or taxes.

View the Transaction Journal report in QuickBooks Desktop

Purpose of the Transaction Journal report

The Transaction Journal report in QuickBooks Desktop helps you monitor financial transactions with more detail.

It provides information about:

  • All transactions that have taken place.
  • Who entered or modified them.
  • When they were created or modified.
  • How much money was involved.

How to access and use the Transaction Journal

  • Navigate to “Reports” on the left-hand menu.
  • Choose “Company & Financial” under “All Reports.”
  • Select “Transaction Journal” from the list.
  • From here, you can customize the date range and transaction types to view them in more detail.
  • When finished customizing, click “Run Report” to review the results of your query.

By following these steps, you can easily check your QuickBooks transaction history.

How to customize transaction reports in QuickBooks Desktop

QuickBooks Desktop offers robust customization features for users seeking to refine their transaction history in QuickBooks. Customizing reports lets you:

  • Apply filters.
  • Modify columns.
  • Tailor the report layout to suit specific needs.

By filtering data by customers, vendors, or transaction types, you can obtain a more focused view of their transaction records. Adjusting the date range or transaction categories allows you to analyze trends and discrepancies effectively.

To start customizing a report, go to “Reports” from the menu, choose the one in question, and click “Customize Report.” Here, you can add or remove columns to display key information, such as payment methods or account details, making your transaction history in QuickBooks easier to navigate. This feature also lets you save customized reports for future reference, enhancing your reporting efficiency.

How to read the QuickBooks audit trail report

Here’s how to read the audit trail QuickBooks Desktop report:

A screen capture of the audit trail report in QuickBooks Desktop. The "From" and "To" dates at the top of the screen are surrounded by a red box.

Image credit: Intuit

1. From the header menu at the top of the screen, select “Reports”, navigate to “Accountant & Taxes”, and choose “Audit Trail.”

2. The audit trail QuickBooks Desktop report can be filtered by date and user. At the top of the Report Screen, you can enter the dates where you want to view your transaction history by clicking in the “From” and “To” fields.

3.. In the “Filter” tab, choose “Transaction Type” on the left side of the screen. From here, you can filter your audit trail report by specific criteria.

4. To further filter your audit trail report, select “Customize Report” on the Report Screen.

Reviewing this regularly ensures your financial data remains accurate and audit-ready, especially during preparation of your business taxes or compliance checks. You can also export the QuickBooks audit trail for legal or auditing purposes.

Activities and access levels

Note: this setting is a feature exclusive to certain QuickBooks versions: Enterprise, Enterprise Accountant, and Accountant.

Do you have a user unable to access reports? In this case, it’s only accessible to certain users based on your company preferences.

You can edit user roles in the settings menu under ‘Company Activities’:

1. Select the following fields: “Company” > “Users” > “Set Up Users and Roles”

2. Navigate to “Role List,” then click “New.”

3. You can select from the action column what activities each user has access to, as well as their access level.

This helps your team avoid asking: “Where is the audit log in QuickBooks Desktop?”

How to customize your QuickBooks audit trail report

There are several customization options available for your QuickBooks audit trail report. 

  1. Select “Reports” in the top menu bar, then click “Account and Taxes.”
  2. Click “Audit Trail.”
  3. On the report screen, click “Customize Report.”
  4. Access the customization screen to modify your report with:
    • Headers and footers. 
    • Filters. 
    • Display features. 
    • Fonts and numbers.

A better approach: Gain a rich customer and QuickBooks audit trail history with Method

QuickBooks’ audit trail is useful to show user activity tracking and financial activity during any event date and time. However, the longer the paper trail, the larger your QuickBooks data file grows.

If your QuickBooks accounts are slowing down, chances are that your audit trail file is too large for your computer to handle.

The good news is that Method offers a more comprehensive approach.

Method is an all-in-one customer relationship management (CRM) solution tailored for QuickBooks users.

It helps you gain a rich and detailed view of your customers and transaction history. With Method, you can:

  • Segment your customers by key characteristics.
  • View how much a customer spends across product categories and time.
  • Keep track of all your customer interactions.
  • Leverage report customization.
  • Let your customers self-serve and make payments with a web portal.

Recap: How to check transaction history in QuickBooks Desktop

The audit log (or audit trail) and Transaction Journal report let you check transaction history in QuickBooks Desktop.

These reports provide information about who created, modified, or deleted a particular transaction and when it occurred.

Now that you can answer the question, “Where is the audit log in QuickBooks Desktop?” you can think about how you can improve your QuickBooks experience.

For a more comprehensive view of customer and transaction data, use Method — the all-in-one CRM solution tailored for QuickBooks users.

Audit log QuickBooks Desktop FAQs

Does audit trail elimination affect QuickBooks?

Audit trail elimination affects QuickBooks by speeding up your QuickBooks browser window time. You can eliminate your audit trail by condensing your data into a single journal entry, or by using third-party software to remove it completely.

However, both of these options will not let you examine the details of your transaction history data, such as past checks. An alternative option is the “Condense Data” feature, which removes the audit trail while still letting you view the details of the affected transaction linking to your history.

How do business owners use the audit trail report regularly?

Because the audit log is regularly updated with every transaction or change, it is frequently checked during financial audits by business owners. It’s a great way to learn from previous numbers and grow your business.

The audit report is available for review by administrators and requires specific permissions to view. Keeping accessibility to your finances to a minimum is a smart call for security reasons.

How do you use audit trails for multiple-user access?

If you have multiple users with access to your QuickBooks Desktop account, turning on the audit trail is an important way to keep track of who makes what changes in QuickBooks. 

You can use audit trails to see who performed each action, increasing accountability when it comes to fixing mistakes with reversal actions, for example. Automate your invoicing, estimates, and approval workflows with Method.

See how Method makes your customer and transaction history crystal clear. 

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a hand placing gold candles that read '2022' against a pink background.

2022 year in review: The top 7 Method moments

Method News / By

2022 has been filled with moments of joy and spectacular growth for Method! In this blog, we recap our highlights.

2022 year in review: The top 7 Method moments Read More »

2022 has undoubtedly been an exciting year here at Method! We’ve seen spectacular growth and celebrated many wins along the way. Here’s a recap of the top 7 moments this year.

1. Our growing Method team

Method team members sitting at a football stadium with blue chairs and smiling at the camera.

Although 2022 presented a challenging economy for many companies; Method saw a growth in numbers.

We worked hard to expand our team, inviting 37 newbies onboard. We’re finishing the year strong with 85 employees to support our customers better.

This hard work paid off, as our efforts gained us several acknowledgments. More on this below. 

2. Being recognized with best-in-class awards

Thanks to our amazing customers and Method:Partners, we were able to climb our way to the top! Method was given the Momentum leader badge in Spring 2022 and Summer 2022.

Momentum refers to products in the Leader tier in the Momentum Grid® that rank in the top 25% of their category’s products by their users. This is something we were proud to accomplish this year!

According to G2, we also continue to be leaders in the CRM category. We’re honored to have been recognized for our commitment to helping small businesses grow. Let’s see what else we can achieve in the coming year!

A badge which reads 'Momentum Leader Summer 2022' against a light blue background

3. Taking our product to the next level

The teams at Method were hard at work this year. From doing more user interviews than ever to shipping updates fast and furiously, 2022 was one for the books.

We celebrated exciting new product updates, and the following were rated as our partners’ favorites:

4. Supporting our local community

At Method, we’re committed to giving back. And this year, we took things a step further! Here’s how.

We began our partnership with Kelly at Troop, to create meaningful social impact for local causes.

Engaging our team this way raised our awareness of the issues faced by our community.

Methoders vote for where and how we want to make an impact every month. In return, we got to see and feel our connection to the charities we supported.

Here’s a part of the team wrapping gifts to participate in the Christmas toy drive for children at Homes First.

Method team wrapping Christmas gifts in an office and smiling at the camera.

5. Switching back to in-person events

Along with returning to the office, we saw a return to in-person conferences. Here are some of the top moments for our Methoders: 

  • Reconnecting with everyone at QuickBooks Connect:
Two young men wearing lanyards and standing in front of a neon wall at the QuickBooks Connect event.

  • Meeting existing and potential partners at the Scaling New Heights event:

6. Connecting IRL

With the global pandemic subsiding, Methoders were eager to get to know each other offline. Our awesome People Operations team made this possible with some killer in-person events. 

The first of 2022 was the annual Methoder retreat. The team met up for some fun in the sun at Trinity Bellwoods park. 

Just a few days later, everyone got together for an MLB game at the Rogers Center. The cheers of Methoders resulted in a 8 – 1 win for the Toronto Blue Jays!

Method team members wearing blue hats and Toronto Jays jerseys, while standing in a stadium.

Last year, Method went virtual for Halloween. This year, though, we showed up in full costume for a wicked party, including some fun food and drinks at the office.

Three Method employees in Halloween costumes and face paint standing in front of a large window and smiling, while one man is laying on a desk, grinning.

Not to mention that our very own Alicia Farinacci came in 3rd place in the accounting Halloween costume contest run by Relay.

Check out what critics had to say about her costume below!

Method also had its end of year Holiday Party at The Lodge on Queen, where we had awesome turnout of 90 attendees! 

It was a great opportunity for the team to come together since Method’s last Christmas party was pre-pandemic in December 2019.

The event also gave our many new faces a chance to meet and get a warm welcome here at Method. 

With warm hearts and full bellies, it’s safe to say that the event was a success!

7. Sharing good food and even better conversations with Ritual

Last but not least, Method partnered with Ritual to bring our team together at lunch! 

What could be better than thousands of food options to choose from? Methoders get to skip the wait at restaurants to grab our grub just in time for break!

Here at Method, catching up with the team over lunch on Wednesday has become our ritual. 

Method team members sitting together at a long table and enjoying lunch, while looking at the camera and smiling

As we end the year on a high note, we’re eager to see what 2023 has in store for us. It’s onward and upward from here!

man writing on top of a carton box in front of a van that is loaded with boxes.

Does QuickBooks track inventory?

Manufacturing / By

Automating your inventory tracking process is easy using QuickBooks. Learn how in this blog post.

Does QuickBooks track inventory? Read More »

Tracking your inventory levels plays a vital role in selling. When you do it right, you avoid underselling your stock or running out faster than you anticipate. 

If you use QuickBooks for your accounting needs, you might have wondered about the following questions:

  • Does QuickBooks track inventory?
  • How to do inventory in QuickBooks?

Fortunately, this blog will teach you all you need to know if you want to start leveraging QuickBooks as inventory management software. 

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Does QuickBooks keep track of inventory?

Yes, you can use QuickBooks to keep track of your inventory. Its inventory management features allow you to efficiently manage the tracking, purchasing, and sale of inventory items. This includes counting and tracking multiple quantities with serial numbers or bar codes.

QuickBooks’ inventory management solution helps you:

  • Easily track available inventory on hand.
  • Recalculate prices when including discounts or taxes.
  • Update various reports to reflect new stock levels in real-time.
  • Ensure that users never miss a sale due to low inventory levels.

In short, whether it’s stocks of raw materials or finished products ready for retail sale, QuickBooks has decent tools to aid businesses.

But does QuickBooks track inventory the way manufacturing companies need it to? Let’s find out.

QuickBooks inventory tracking

There are many ways QuickBooks Online simplifies inventory tracking.

On top of keeping an accurate inventory account, QuickBooks also provides detailed insights into what sells and what doesn’t, helping you make better-informed business decisions.

These reports empower you to pinpoint best-selling items with customers and stock more. You can easily adjust daily operations and balance sheets through a real-time inventory sync and, more importantly, improve cash flow. 

How to do inventory on QuickBooks

Managing your inventory lists on QuickBooks Online is simple – here’s what you need to know.

How to manage your inventory in QuickBooks

Before dabbling in QuickBooks’ inventory management systems, you should determine your inventory method.

A few standard inventory methods are:

  • Just-in-Time Management: JIT management only replenishes stock quantities when a customer orders it. This lean production manufacturing strategy frees up cash flow and prevents overstocking.
  • ABC Analysis: This strategy lets businesses prioritize workloads and reduce stock-out chances. ABC analysis divides stock into three categories:
    • Category A contains high-value goods in small quantities. 
    • Category B has lower-value items in higher quantities. 
    • Category C includes the lowest-value goods in the highest amounts. 
  • Materials Requirement Planning: This inventory management strategy plans inventory needs to meet expected customer demands. It lets businesses estimate the labor and materials required to satisfy the supply chain.
  • Economic Order Quantity: EOQ involves ordering the optimal inventory quantity with the lowest overhead costs. Businesses must calculate the amount of inventory required per batch to stay frugal and precise.

Tracking inventory basics

Once you’ve chosen your inventory method, you’ll want to:

  • Identify poorly-selling items and consider leaving these out of your inventory operations.
  • Audit your inventory regularly.
  • Create inventory reports that put your stock into perspective and pinpoint improvement areas.
  • Use cloud-based inventory management software to keep the appropriate point persons in the loop.
  • Perform quality checks to ensure your products are safe and sellable.

Accessing the dashboard

You can access all the information you need through the QuickBooks central inventory dashboard.

There, you can automatically update any inventory item and adjust discrepancies. Through QuickBooks’ cycle count feature, you can track inventory without shutting your warehouse down.

How to add inventory in QuickBooks

Easily add inventory items to QuickBooks by activating the inventory tracker. 

Learn how to add inventory in QuickBooks in a few simple steps:

  1. Navigate to “Account and settings” and click on the “Sales” tab.
  2. Go to “Products and services” and select “Edit”.
  3. Toggle “Show product/service column” under “Sales forms”, enabling quantity and price/rate tracking. 
  4. Click “Track inventory quantity on hand” and save your settings.

There are two ways to add stocks: as part of your inventory or as non-inventory products. The latter might include products you don’t sell, like screws, nuts, and bolts involved in the installation process.

If you sell gift bags, for instance, consider creating bundles to avoid having to track parts individually.

Manual vs automated inventory tracking in QuickBooks

Nowadays, most businesses prefer to use inventory and accounting software to automate their processes. But does QuickBooks track inventory better than a manual process would?

Below are a few insights to help you determine what tracking procedure suits your business best.

Benefits of manual tracking

Businesses that use software like Excel manually track inventory on a budget. This process is better suited for smaller companies with limited inventory.

However, manual upkeep is prone to human error and takes too much time.

Benefits of automated tracking

Thanks to advanced inventory software, brands with sizable inventory can automate processes and reduce human error.

A reliable inventory management tool simplifies stocktaking by informing users of low stock and what items sell best.

How to print inventory labels from QuickBooks

To print inventory labels with QuickBooks Desktop:

  1. Navigate to the “File” tab, select “Tools” and “Print designer”.
  2. Click “Inventory tags” under the “Document type” menu. You can choose to design your tag or go with a templated option.
  3. Then, click “Options” and copy “Selected”. Remove the sample barcode and add a data field or a field group.
  4. Select “BARCODE: UPC” and move around tag elements as needed.
  5. Save your template, and select the “Yes” option if you’d like to make it a default.

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Limitations of QuickBooks inventory tracking

Many businesses turn to QuickBooks Enterprise for inventory management.

Does QuickBooks track inventory? Yes. But despite its key features, QuickBooks lacks functionalities as an inventory management app.

Below are a few of these limitations:

  • QuickBooks Online is not exclusive to inventory management.

While it boasts inventory and accounting features, QuickBooks Online was not designed exclusively for inventory management. Instead, QuickBooks Online functions primarily as accounting software.

  • Human error is not impossible.

Despite its automation capabilities, QuickBooks becomes prone to errors when integrating with other inventory apps.

  • Accurate inventory reports are limited.

You can’t retrieve comprehensive reports, especially if you store inventory data on a different app. These limitations hurt your future forecasts and inventory count.

  • It’s not as scalable as you may think.

Even with QuickBooks Enterprise, users get only 1GB of storage. As your business grows, QuickBooks cannot keep up with all your data and processes.

  • It lacks industry-specific features.

If you need additional inventory features for manufacturing and distribution, you’re out of luck with QuickBooks. Depending on your industry, you’ll likely rely on QuickBooks’ third-party integrations. 

How Method helps with QuickBooks inventory tracking

Despite its limitations, QuickBooks is an excellent way to track inventory for smaller businesses on a budget. It doesn’t require additional software development and easily links to other advanced accounting tools.

Make the most of QuickBooks by integrating it with Method, a full-suite CRM with must-have inventory features for manufacturing-specific businesses.

Method allows users to connect sales and accounting data, and automate managing orders.

This video will teach you about Method’s workflow automation.

Key takeaways

While QuickBooks is an excellent tool for inventory management, it poses some limitations you may have to remedy using other third-party apps.

By now, you should have the answer to the question “does QuickBooks track inventory?”. But if you still intend to use QuickBooks for inventory tracking, keep these takeaways in mind.

QuickBooks provides helpful tools for tracking stock levels, but you’ll need to audit your inventory processes regularly. You can track individual items manually or automatically to avoid human error. You can even print inventory labels with QuickBooks.

But if your business requires extended inventory tracking functionalities, you’ll be better off with a robust integration.

QuickBooks inventory FAQs

What is the best way to track inventory?

The best way to track inventory is with a full-suite inventory management system. With robust software, you receive real-time stock alerts, allowing you to replenish your merchandise as quickly as possible. 

What inventory method does QuickBooks use?

QuickBooks Commerce uses the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, which sells newly acquired goods first. FIFO follows the natural flow of your inventory. Specific jurisdictions sometimes require it, but FIFO is relatively easy to implement.

How does QuickBooks track inventory and COGS?

QuickBooks automatically adds your cost of goods (COGS) to your chart of accounts. Use QuickBooks’ transaction journal report to reflect COGS transactions in real-time each time you sell an inventory item. This feature automatically debits COGS accounts. 

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