Nov
5

By CommenceCRM

Why Digital Marketing Agencies Need To Implement a CRM System

Rear view of young man in casual wear holding hand on the back of the head and working while sitting at the desk

It seems like there’s a brand new marketing tool being released every year. With so many options out on the market, how do you know what’s right for your company? Digital marketing agencies can use anywhere from two to ten apps to help them out with tasks. But is it really necessary to have that many softwares and apps?

A CRM (customer relationship management) software is a powerful tool that can be leveraged by digital agencies of all sizes. So, how can a CRM platform be beneficial to marketing agencies? With just one software, you can acquire and track new leads, foster relationships, and manage projects.

In this article, we explain why digital marketing agencies should consider getting a CRM system, and how it could help your agency become its best version yet.

What Tools Do Digital Marketers Use

Digital marketing agencies use a myriad of services and softwares for their day to day operations. From chatting up clients to planning the next campaign, specialized tools are the lifeline of any digital agency.

  • Search and social media analytics: Content marketing is the primary strategy of most digital marketing agencies. In order to track the success of their videos, blogs, pictures, and social media interactions, they use analytics to understand how audiences are responding to their posts. From Google Adwords to the Facebook analytics, digital marketers rely on data for decision making.
  • Email automation systems: Social media might be a new way of life, but digital marketers still leverage the power of email marketing. With email optimization tools, marketers can now track emails based on opens, click-through rates, bounce rates, and replies. Functional email automation systems also allow marketers to create campaigns and send them out to leads and clients automatically and without fail.
  • Project management apps: Juggling multiple projects and campaigns can easily lead to disorganization. Project management apps like Asana and Slack help agencies stay organized and connected. With real-time updates on projects, deadlines, and progress, project managers can stay on top of their projects wherever they are. This also allows better coordination and cooperation among team members.
  • Lead tracker: The sales funnel is more marketing-oriented than it is sales oriented. A couple decades ago, a customer would rely on the sales team to make a decision. Nowadays, marketers are able to influence customer decision making just through content alone. Lead trackers built on sites, landing pages, and social media pages are a great way to keep track of interested prospects.
  • Document storage: Marketing teams are no longer chained to their desks. With cloud-based software, they can create, launch, and analyze a campaign whenever, wherever. That’s where cloud-based document storage comes handy. From style guides to content templates to blog posts, teams can share resources with each other and access it remotely.

Marketing Tools: Useful Or Excessive?

On average, digital marketing agencies use at least two tools to perform everyday tasks. While these tools are crucial in achieving goals and driving results, it can be confusing and time-consuming to shift from one app to another. At some point, switching between different software can slow down the sales process and make a digital agency less efficient.

Not to mention that premium tools don’t come cheap. Enterprise-level marketing agencies might have no problems paying hundreds of dollars a month on tools, but it might be a different story for small to medium-sized agencies.

When it comes to multitasking, sometimes less really is more. If you’re running a digital agency and are looking for a software partner that can perform the fundamental tasks of most digital marketing tools, then consider getting a customer relationship management software instead.

How CRM Can Help Digital Marketers

What Is a CRM?

A CRM (customer relationship management) software is a holistic platform that allows agencies to manage customer data. To the uninitiated, it might seem like a CRM software might be useful to every industry except digital marketing, but this could not be further from the truth.

If you strip down a CRM system to its bare essentials, it performs the same functions that digital marketers are looking for in a tool, without the cost of paying for three to five different apps a month.

Benefits of Using a CRM

1. Real-Time Dashboard

Digital marketing agencies need to stay on top of their campaigns, no matter what. One of the most basic but essential features of the CRM is a real-time dashboard. Some CRMs even offer customizable dashboards so team members can access the information they need at a glance.

On top of this, CRMs have project management features that allow team members to track, edit, and manage projects in real-time. It’s an easy way to incorporate more collaboration within and among teams.

2. Marketing Automation

Writing, sending, and tracking emails all take time. This can easily add up to hours gone for your company. With a CRM software, it’s easier to get in touch with clients through automatic email campaigns. The email scheduling feature ensures they are sent out without fail.

3. Track Sales Pipeline

Managing leads and clients is one of the biggest time sinks in a business. One of the best selling points of CRMs is the ability to manage leads and track their progression through the pipedrive. CRMs tie in email marketing and other business inputs so potential clients automatically get moved through the funnel.

4. Relationships Management

Fostering relationships with existing users, possible leads, and other profitable individuals for the company doesn’t have to be confusing. An agency can use CRM software to keep track of social media perception and online reviews and inquiries in real-time. Because everything is stored in your CRM software – from purchasing data to buyer history to preferences – customer service becomes one of the strongest points of your company.

What to Look for In a CRM Software

Is it compatible with your business?

Your software doesn’t have to be extremely creative – it just has to be compatible with your company. You don’t have to pay for extra features if you’re not going to use them. Before signing on a software, sign up for a test run to see how compatible it is with your agency.

Can you access it remotely?

What’s the point of paying for a powerful tool if you can’t access it anywhere? Look for a CRM platform that seamlessly converts to mobile use. It’s a great way to stay creative, manage relationships, and stay on top of projects on the go.

Is it easy to implement?

More than anything else, your chosen software should be compatible with your creative team. Again, it’s important to schedule a test run so its users can actually decide if it works for them or not. Additionally, look for CRMs that are flexible when it comes to integration. You don’t want to end up ditching Gmail, Facebook, Adwords, and all the other stuff you’re using now to accommodate a brand new tool.

Supercharge Your Digital Marketing Agency

Assign everyday tasks to your CRM and get more time to do stuff that actually matters. With CRM as your partner, you can focus on the creative aspects of agency work. Get in touch with us to learn more about your options, and how your digital marketing agency can benefit from a CRM platform. Try a free demo today.

Archives