Cloud CRM and small businesses in the era of hybrid work

Transitioning to a hybrid work model is a challenge for businesses of all sizes, but it can be especially hard for small companies, where time and resources are often scarce. Nevertheless, small business owners who decide to invest time in the implementation of a cloud CRM solution will surely rip the benefits, unlocking new levels of flexibility and productivity.

CRM και Cloud

CRM is the backbone of every small business, since it renders customer lists in Excel spreadsheets and records obsolete. CRM solutions monitor every customer interaction a business has, offering visibility to the entire team regarding customer needs and making sure that nothing slips through the cracks. CRM solutions that support marketing automation drive customer communication, thus enabling businesses to automate personalized messages. Many small business owners already rely on on-premise CRM systems to organize their operations. With a cloud solution though, employees will be able to access the operational benefits of CRM wherever they may be.

Security, reliability, peace of mind

Cloud applications are designed for business continuity and disaster recovery. While, in theory, every business – regardless of its size – should have an adequate backup solution in case of data loss, this often proves too expensive for small businesses and the partners they use to manage their IT infrastructure. With cloud technology, even the smallest businesses can enjoy a secure backup solution that will help them save time and avoid a big initial investment.

Always up to date

Traditional IT systems require continuous software and hardware upgrades. For SMBs, this approach entails an overwhelming cost and workload every three to five years. Cloud solutions, on the other hand, are entirely hosted by the respective vendors, which means they are the ones responsible for their maintenance, bug fixes and troubleshooting. Without any burden on their IT department (or any additional cost), small businesses can have the latest technology at their disposal, whether their team is working from home or at the office.

Better integration

Cloud-based applications are designed to work seamlessly with one another. Most cloud-based CRM solutions offer integrations that allow applications commonly used by small businesses, such as QuickBooks, Calendly and Microsoft Outlook, to easily communicate with each other. When working together, these tools create a business operations hub that is accessible and easy to navigate for all employees, no matter where they are.