CRM Systems for the Construction Industry

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems are designed to help companies manage everything to do with customer acquisition, retention, and service. A good CRM software solution will help both the sales and marketing teams understand what their customers need at each stage of their interactions and make it easier to collect, analyze, and report relevant data.

Some people think of CRM systems as being relevant only in the retail world, but they are mistaken. Companies across all industries, including the construction industry, can benefit from investing in this essential type of software. Read on to find out about the top qualities to look for in a CRM system for the construction industry.

Flexible Management of the Sales Pipeline

In some industries, the sales pipeline always looks the same. In the construction industry, that’s not always the case, so it’s important to have flexible ways to manage sales in ways that are relevant to the type of company. A good Bulk materials CRM, for example, will allow sales teams not just to record essential customer data but also to pin the locations of construction opportunities for further review.

Full Integration

Most CRM solutions offer software integrations. The issue here is choosing one that can be seamlessly integrated with other tools commonly used in the construction industry. For material suppliers, that often means creating quotes in a CRM that can then be used to schedule orders using the company’s dispatch system. For new home builders, it might be more important to be able to send work orders developed in the CRM to the appropriate subcontractors for fulfillment.

Ease of Use

It’s not uncommon for the user interfaces of general-purpose CRMs to become cluttered with messy data. While it’s nice to have access to a full range of analytics tools, having too much of a good thing isn’t helpful. Simple, easy-to-learn visual interfaces that have fewer features but a better design are preferable to overly complicated, painfully slow ones that require multiple clicks to accomplish anything.

Data Collection and Analysis

CRM software used in any field needs to be able to collect, store, and retrieve data. It should also be equipped with AI capable of complex analytics. Otherwise, business owners will find their CRMs struggling to catch up to company growth.

Mobile Friendliness

Construction industry professionals need to be able to access software solutions on the go. A good CRM system is no exception. Users should be able to complete all basic functions from the mobile app, including the creation of quotes, the recording of customer interactions, and the tracking of project performance.

Don’t Settle for Less

All areas of the construction industry can be competitive in today’s climate. There’s still more demand for housing than there is supply, and contractors can only work as fast as material suppliers can come up with the concrete, lumber, and other goods required to complete projects.

No matter where businesses operate within the construction industry, it’s important not to settle for less than the best in CRM software.