Benefits of Salesforce for Small Businesses

Thanks to its user-friendliness, innovation, and scalability, Salesforce has emerged as a go-to CRM software solution for many small businesses. The platform boasts an esteemed reputation for having revolutionised the way organisations manage their customer relationships and operations, and given the number of benefits it offers its users, there can be little wonder why it is so highly regarded. More than 150,000 customers have been drawn to the benefits of Salesforce for their CRM needs, an impressive statistic that shows just how successful the platform has become. 

If you are a small business looking to streamline your day-to-day operations with an affordable and efficient CRM platform, Salesforce has you covered. However, as is the case before purchasing any software product, it is essential that you take the time to familiarise yourself with what Salesforce offers, the various pricing plans, and the best ways of implementing it. In this guide, we will explore all of these topics in detail, and by the end, you’ll hopefully have a better idea of the wonderful things that Salesforce can bring to your business. 
 

5 Benefits of Salesforce for Your Small Business

Salesforce understands that running a small business can be costly and time-consuming, especially in the current climate. Committed to helping smaller organisations to reap the rewards of their platform, Salesforce developed Software Essentials, a version of the software that is tailor-made for small businesses. 

Established in 2017, the Salesforce Essentials service provides all the benefits of Salesforce at a more affordable rate than some of the platform’s other offerings. Here are the key advantages of using Salesforce Essentials: 

1. Boosts Productivity and Efficiency

Running a small company requires plenty of business acumen and innovative thinking, but the reality is there are so many repetitive yet essential tasks that consume a lot of time, such as sending reminder emails, creating tickets in helpdesk systems, and manual record-keeping. 

Salesforce Essentials’ automation tools are designed to take care of these laborious activities, leaving you to focus on important projects that’ll help you take your business to the next level. The platform can automate email communications, aspects of sales processes like opportunity management and deal tracking, and data entry. Without worrying about these repetitive tasks, you can rest assured that your business’ productivity will be boosted. 

2. Smart Recommendations

One of Salesforce’s most impressive features is its smart recommendations feature. This AI-powered capability provides you with insights and suggestions based on your usage and what your business does. When you go to the CRM Analytics homepage, you’ll see AI-generated lists that showcase your most important analytics and the currently trending analytics. Smart recommendations can also assist you in making your marketing campaigns all the more effective and can even give you pointers on how to gain more clients. 

3. Excellent User Experience

Even if you aren’t the most skilled Salesforce user, you’re sure to find Salesforce easy to navigate. A handy feature is the tray on the left side of the homepage labelled ‘Walkthrough’, and this is where you’ll be able to see all the tasks that need completing. The homepage also displays an appointment list and a news feed with announcements and notes from colleagues. You can also personalise your user experience by telling a pop-up wizard about why you are using the CRM, whether for monitoring client transactions or responding to customer queries. The platform is Intuitive and user-friendly, so it won’t take you long to master how to use it.

4. Improves Customer Satisfaction

Salesforce has a wide selection of tools that are tailor-made to ensure outstanding customer experiences. The stats back this up, as figures show that companies who’ve implemented Salesforce CRM have seen a 27% improvement in customer retention rates. You’ll be able to gain an in-depth understanding of your customers' current and future needs by examining metrics such as purchase history, preferences, and interactions via the CRM. Knowing what your customers need before they request it will enable you to personalise their experiences, boosting their satisfaction with your service. Salesforce also has excellent customer service and support features that allow you to provide prompt answers to their queries and concerns.

5. Compatibility with Third-Party Apps

Having a CRM that’s compatible with third-party apps is useful if you wish to gather additional data or enhance workflows. Salesforce Essentials is able to integrate with a wide variety of third-party apps, though not as many as more advanced versions of the software. Compatible apps can be accessed via Salesforce AppExchange, a cloud marketplace that boasts all manner of ready-to-install applications, many of which are specifically built for small businesses. 

Are you a small business looking to hire a professional who can put all of the benefits of Salesforce into action? Our consultants are here to support you, and you can read all about how we help our clients here. 

What Are Some Common Salesforce Costs? 

Salesforce offers a variety of pricing plans designed to suit a range of preferences. While the Salesforce Essentials software is the recommended version for small businesses, you may wish to upgrade to other editions as your company grows. Here are the four customisable CRM editions available to small businesses in the UK: 

• Essentials. The Salesforce Essentials option is the gold standard for small businesses in need of a comprehensive CRM. At the bargain price of £20 per month, this edition includes all of the essential Salesforce services, from contact and lead management to email integration with Gmail and Outlook. While it can only be used by a maximum of 10 people, it is nonetheless the ideal choice for companies with close-knit teams
• Professional. At £60 per month, the Professional edition is a step up for businesses that are expanding their workforce. This version can facilitate an unlimited number of users, and it also comes with all the services you get in the Essentials package and more, such as rules-based lead scoring and sales cycle forecasting.  
• Enterprise. The Enterprise edition will cost you £120 per month, but the higher price reflects the abundance of services you can access. In addition to all the features of the Essentials and Professional options, Enterprise boasts workflow automation, sales team collaboration, advanced reporting, and more. 
• Unlimited. If your business has grown and you’re looking for comprehensive CRM software to suit your needs, the Unlimited Edition is your best option. You’ll gain access to all of the industry-leading services that Salesforce has to offer, as well as 24/7 tech support. Though this is the most expensive option on this list (£240 per month), it’s undoubtedly great value for money. 

You can view all of Salesforce’s pricing plans in detail on the pricing section of their website. Salesforce has a team of reps who can assist you if you have any queries regarding pricing, and you are also welcome to get in contact with one of our outstanding Salesforce recruiters too.