Top 10 CRM software for your freelance business

It takes more than expertise to succeed as a freelancer; you also need to pay close attention to your clients and their needs. As professionals who develop tools and solutions for freelancers, we know the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) software in streamlining communication with clients, managing finances, and facilitating effective project management. According to WebFX, Companies that use CRM systems have seen a 17% increase in lead conversions, a 16% boost in customer retention, and a 21% improvement in agent productivity.

But how do freelancers find the CRM tool that best fits their needs from among the many available?

Choosing the ideal CRM is akin to hiring a personal assistant who knows your business. It’s about finding software that is an extension of you - capturing client details, tracking project timelines, and ensuring you stay on top of your game. With a plethora of choices out there, the decision can be overwhelming. That's where Workee experts come in. We've done the research, sorted through the features, read the snarky reviews, and crunched the numbers to bring you this curated list of the top 10 CRM tools for your freelance business. Dive in to discover which one could be your game-changer.

Let’s begin!

What is a CRM system?

Investopedia defines Customer relationship management (CRM) as the principles, practices, and guidelines an organization follows when interacting with its customers. In other words, it refers to those principles and practices an organization engages in client transactions to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for all parties involved. On the other hand, a CRM system is software that automates the CRM process. 

Salesforce defines a CRM system as a technology for managing all your company’s relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers. The goal here is simple: Improve business relationships to grow your business. A CRM system helps companies stay connected to customers, streamline processes, and improve profitability. Later on, we will review some of the best CRM systems for your freelance business.

Features of an effective CRM system

So, as part of guiding you on how to select an effective CRM system, these are some of the features to look out for as you select go shopping for a CRM system:

1. Contact management

This comes first, probably because it is critical for your business. An efficient system must have a contact management system that stores customer information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other relevant customer data.

2. Lead management

An efficient CRM system helps a business track and manage leads throughout sales. This feature makes monitoring progress, assigning tasks, and forecasting sales easy.

3. Sales pipeline management

An efficient CRM system provides tools to manage your sales pipeline, allowing your business to track deals, monitor stages in the sales process, set reminders, and generate sales forecasts. This feature will assist you in improving your conversion rates.

4. Reporting and analytics

They provide reports and analysis to help you gain insights into customer data, sales performance, and other key metrics. These features help identify trends, evaluate team performance, and make data-driven decisions.

4. Task and activity management

CRM systems enable businesses to assign tasks, set reminders, and schedule activities related to customer interactions. This feature helps organize and prioritize work to ensure timely follow-ups and customer engagement.

5. Customer service and support

This is like a holy grail among great CRMs. They all have customer service and support features like ticket management, case tracking, and knowledge bases. These functions help resolve customer issues efficiently and provide quality support, thereby improving customer management.

6. Integration and collaboration

An efficient CRM integrates with other business tools and platforms, such as email clients, marketing automation software, and productivity suites. This integration streamlines workflows, enhances data accuracy, and enables seamless team collaboration.

7. Mobile access

Another key feature that an Ideal CRM should have is a mobile application or responsive interface that allows users to access customer data and perform tasks on the go. This feature improves flexibility, which is a great consideration for freelance businesses.

8. Customization and scalability

A good CRM system allows freelance businesses to customize the application to align with specific business requirements and processes. It should also be scalable to accommodate growth and changing needs, as freelance businesses always seem to evolve.

Top 10 CRMs for your freelance business

Here is a rundown of ten top CRM systems to enable you to manage your freelance business.

1. Workee

If you’re a freelancer or an independent professional who works by appointment, Workee offers features that make it suitable for your CRM needs. It offers a variety of features including, client management features, finance management tools, contact managements ,jobs and project management features, and integration capabilities that enable users to manage and organize client information.

Workee is a top choice because it’s not just a CRM but a suite of vital tools everyone needs to manage their business effectively. With Workee, you get a free no-code website, an accounting hub, a booking and scheduling function, etc.

Pros of using Workee

• Workee offers an all-in-one solution that can help every freelancer manage clients and work. They include client management, personal website creation, booking and scheduling, projects and jobs management, video conferencing, finance management, Workee AI, and Integrations.

• User-friendly interface with easy navigation and intuitive design.

• Offers great customer support.

• Workee can be integrated with various other tools and apps, enhancing its functionality.

• Workee provides a free version for freelancers or small businesses just starting.

• Affordable paid plan with greater benefits and accessibility.

Cons

1. There are not as many CRM features as some other platforms.

2. Salesforce

Salesforce CRM is one of the global most widely recognized customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. Salesforce offers a broad suite of business applications focused on customer service, sales, marketing, and more. It operates on a cloud-based, multi-tenant architecture, which means immediate access to upgrades and the latest features without any software installation.

Pros of Salesforce

• Cloud-based platform for easy accessibility and scalability.

• Customization options to align with unique business workflows.

• Seamless integration with third-party applications and systems.

• Mobile accessibility for on-the-go access and productivity.

• Strong support and community resources are available.

Cons of Salesforce

• Costly subscription fees and additional charges for advanced features.

• Complexity in customization and configuration, requiring technical expertise.

• Limited offline functionality without an internet connection.

3. HubSpot

HubSpot CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform designed to help businesses manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. It's part of HubSpot's sales, marketing, and customer service tool suites.

Pros of HubSpot

• User-friendly interface with easy navigation and intuitive design.

• Free pricing tier available for small businesses or those on a budget.

• Integration with other HubSpot tools for seamless marketing and sales alignment.

• Robust contact management and organization capabilities.

• Excellent customer support and resources available.

Cons of HubSpot

• Advanced features and functionalities are only available in paid plans, which can be costly for some businesses.

• Dependency on internet connectivity for cloud-based access.

• Integration limitations with certain third-party applications.

• Training and onboarding may be required for users unfamiliar with the platform.

4. ZOHO CRM

Zoho CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to help businesses of all sizes manage sales, marketing, and customer support processes. As part of the broader Zoho suite of business applications, Zoho CRM offers integration with other Zoho products, enhancing its functionality and ensuring seamless workflows across various business functions.

Pros of ZOHO

• Feature-rich CRM platform with comprehensive tools for managing sales, marketing, and customer relationships.

• Customizable interface and workflows to align with specific business needs.

• Affordable pricing plans with options for businesses of all sizes and budgets.

• Integration capabilities with various third-party applications for seamless data flow.

• Mobile accessibility for on-the-go productivity and access to customer data.

Cons of ZOHO

• The user interface can be overwhelming or less intuitive for some users.

• A learning curve may be required for users unfamiliar with the platform.

• Advanced features and functionalities may be restricted to higher-priced plans.

• Limited offline functionality without an internet connection.

5. Agile CRM

Agile CRM is a comprehensive cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) solution tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. It seamlessly integrates sales, marketing, and service functions into one unified platform, enabling businesses to automate tasks and improve efficiencies across their operations.

Pros of Agile CRM

• User-friendly interface for easy navigation and utilization.

• Seamless integration with popular third-party tools and software.

• Mobile app for convenient access on the go.

• Advanced automation capabilities to streamline workflows and increase efficiency.

• Customizable templates and workflows to suit specific business needs.

• Affordable pricing plans for businesses of various sizes.

Cons of Agile CRM

• Limited customization options for highly specific business requirements.

• Pricing plans may not be suitable for small or budget-conscious businesses.

• Potential integration challenges with certain third-party tools.

6. PipeDrive CRM

Pipedrive is a sales-focused customer relationship management (CRM) tool designed to help sales teams manage leads, track communications, and close deals. With its user-friendly interface and focus on pipeline management, Pipedrive aims to ensure that sales teams can see their progress and zero in on their objectives.

Pros of PipeDrive CRM

• Focuses on managing sales pipeline effectively.

• User-friendly interface for easy navigation and usage.

• Customizable pipelines and templates to fit specific workflows.

• Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies deal tracking and progress monitoring.

• Provides a clear overview of deals and tasks for efficient management.

• Provides mobile app for convenient access on the go.

• Offers a free trial to explore the CRM before committing.

Cons of PipeDrive CRM

• Limited customization options for pipeline and workflow beyond provided templates.

• Reports and analytics may not be as comprehensive or customizable as desired.

• Customer support can be inconsistent in terms of response time and effectiveness.

• Pricing plans may not be suitable for small or budget-conscious businesses.

7. Freshsales CRM

Freshsales is a robust CRM software designed to provide businesses with a comprehensive view of leads and customers throughout the entire sales process, from initial interaction to closing the deal. It offers a range of advanced features, including automated lead capturing, automatic lead enrichment, predictive contact scoring, lead nurturing, and detailed profile analytics.

Pros of Freshsales

• Automated lead capturing and enrichment.

• Predictive contact scoring for efficient lead prioritization.

• Effective lead nurturing capabilities.

• Rich profile analytics for data-driven insights.

Cons of Freshsales

• Customer support response time and effectiveness may vary depending on your subscription plan.

• The learning curve for new users may be steep.

• Some users may experience occasional performance issues or slow loading times.

8. Apptivo CRM

Apptivo CRM is a versatile cloud-based customer relationship management tool that caters to businesses of all sizes. It's part of Apptivo's suite of business applications, which includes invoicing, project management, and more. Apptivo CRM emphasizes customization and integration, making it adaptable to various industries and use cases.

Pros of using Apptivo

• Offers modules for sales, marketing, customer support, and more.

• Integrates with popular third-party tools and software.

• Provides mobile app for on-the-go access.

• Affordable pricing plans for businesses of various sizes.

• Offers a free trial to explore the CRM before committing.

Cons of using Apptivo

• Some users may find the learning curve steep, especially if they are new to CRM systems.

• It might not be able to support your freelance business needs as it grows into a big business.

9. Folklore CRM

This is a user-friendly and adaptable software solution that simplifies contact management. It goes beyond managing customers and prospects, allowing you to incorporate contacts such as entrepreneurs, experts, and lawyers into a centralized database.

Pros of Folklore

• Simplifies contact management with a user-friendly interface.

• Ability to add notes, personal information, and tags to contacts.

• Seamless integration with G-Suite enhances productivity.

• Provides a centralized database for easy access to interactions with contacts.

Cons Of Folklore

• Folklore’s sales and marketing reporting capabilities are limited in scope.

• Integration with other tools and software is still lacking.

10. Monday

Monday is a comprehensive work management software that caters to freelancers seeking to streamline their client data for improved communication. Users can leverage customizable charts with a free platform to effectively manage and visualize various sales, marketing, and administrative activities or projects.

Pros of Monday

• All-in-one work management software for freelancers.

• Centralized client data for improved communication.

• Free plan available for cost-effective usage.

• Customizable charts for managing and visualizing sales, marketing, and administrative activities.

Cons of Monday

• Difficult to track time and expenses.

• Limitations in its mobile app, especially for iPhone users.

11. Less Annoying CRM

Less Annoying CRM lives up to its name by offering a user-friendly and uncomplicated tool. The contact management page provides a clear overview of essential information, such as notes, files, tasks, and pipeline details, all conveniently displayed alongside the contact's information. The integrated calendar ensures seamless synchronization with the pipeline for efficient planning.

Pros of Less Annoying CRMStraightforwardd CRM tool.

• User-friendly interface for easy navigation and usage. The contact management page has a clear overview of notes, files, tasks, and pipelines.

• Integrated calendar for seamless planning and scheduling.

• Email integrations and easy contact importing features.

• Ability to export contact details and associated notes.

Cons of Less Annoying CRM.

• Integration capabilities may be limited or require additional development work.

• Mobile app functionality and user experience may have room for improvement.

• The learning curve for new users may be minimal, but experienced users may find it lacking advanced capabilities.

Bottom Line

Leveraging CRM software can make a tangible difference in interacting with clients, managing projects, and ultimately growing your business. Take the Next Step with Workee now. Don't leave your success up to chance. Let Workee transform how you manage client relationships and elevate your freelance game today.