Can I build my own CRM in Excel?

Yes, you can, but it's very difficult to collaborate with people. Instead, let's try to use the no-code tools to build an online CRM system.

How to build a CRM system from scratch? 2024 Secret Reveals

Customer Service

Has anybody said to you that the secret to a successful business lies in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system? Believe me, it is totally true. Many experts have agreed with this conclusion. When companies build a CRM system, there are a range of things to consider

Thus, if you are a beginner or even a professional, and want to dig deeper into customer relationship management, let’s get through this article.

It certainly gives you a holistic picture of CRM, in particular, better insights to build a CRM system from scratch that goes beyond your expectations.

How to Build A CRM System from Scratch in 2024 | Secret Reveals

What is the CRM System?

CRM stands for customer relationship management, so a CRM system can be easily defined as a software that aims to enhance the relationship between the company and customers, leading to business prosperity.

A good CRM system should be able to help companies clearly communicate to multiple types of customers in different methods to deliver outstanding service with higher efficiency.

Who Uses a CRM System?

CRM system is not a new technology, it was first used in the industry of customer relationship management during the early 1980s. Initially, it started as a digital Rolodex, primarily aimed at tracking customer interactions and storing contact information.

Over the years, these systems evolved significantly, integrating with various business processes and expanding their functionalities to include sales force automation, marketing automation, customer service management, and analytics.

Nowadays, almost all companies, small to large entities, in all industries, utilize CRM systems to learn about customer behaviors and trends to improve customer satisfaction, leading to a better customer retention rate. As the modern market is customer-centric, the CRM system will only become more critical.

What is the CRM System and who should use it?

Three Main Types Of CRM System

To better build a CRM system, individuals and companies should pay attention to its classification as each type represents different characteristics and address different problems, as well as serve different industries.

In particular, there are 3 types of customer relationship management software that you can use for your business: operational CRM, collaborative CRM, and analytical CRM.

However, today CRM software doesn’t just specialize in one type of CRM system but usually are designed to handle multiple types of CRM systems at the same time.

	Operational CRM	Collaborative CRM	Analytical CRM
Definition	Focuses on automating and streamlining customer-facing business processes.	Enhances communication and collaboration among departments and external stakeholders.	Analyzes customer data to gain insights into behavior, preferences, and trends.
Best for	Organizations that have a linear sales process with repetitive tasks in operations.	Businesses need cross-departmental coordination and communication.	Companies relying on data-driven decision-making.
Examples	Sales prospecting; Pipelines management	Communication channel management; Workflow automation	Sales data; Financial data; Marketing data
CRM Software	HubSpot CRM Zoho CRM	Microsoft Dynamics 365 Salesforce	SAP CRM Adobe Experience Cloud

Pros And Cons Of CRM

When you learn to build a CRM system, you might encounter all kinds of difficulties. Though CRM is an amazing solution, it doesn’t guarantee to solve every problem, whether they are from the software itself or the customers themselves.

Besides acknowledging its advantages, it is vital to anticipate some limitations that you might face, including:

The CRM Pros

Automating routine tasks and workflows
Providing detailed customer data, leads to better strategic planning and forecasting
Facilitating coordinated efforts across departments
Improving response times to centralize customer information for better service
Tracking sales and supporting targeted marketing campaigns

The CRM Cons

Building and implementing a CRM system can be costly, complex, and time-consuming
The effectiveness of a CRM system relies heavily on the quality of the data inputted
Ensuring all team members are trained and comfortable using the system can be difficult
Handling and securing sensitive customer data requires stringent security measures.
Managing and interpreting large volumes of data can be overwhelming

How To Build a CRM System from Scratch?

If you are going to create a CRM system for small businesses cost-free, you might consider using the below options:

Using Google Sheets as a CRM

You can absolutely build a CRM system with Google Sheets. The more you dig into it, the more surprising functions you explore.

There are some pre-made templates from Google Sheets that you can use instantly and customize along the way. In addition, it goes the same way to create a CRM in Excel.

Using Appalloy to Make CRM System

No-code builder apps are a trend recently where anyone can build whatever kind of app for your purpose quickly, even building customer relationship management.

AppAlloy is the top of things like this where you can build your own CRM system free. AppAlloy allows users to create powerful and visually appealing applications directly from a Google Sheet.

With its drag-and-drop interface, AppAlloy makes it simple to design, build, and deploy apps for specific business needs. No doubt, it truly lowers initial investment compared to custom-built solutions.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a CRM System? Check out top 5 CRM platforms to be used in 2024

Top 5+ CRM Platforms in 2024

When a business becomes larger and more complex, considering inclusive CRM software sounds essential. However, it can cost a huge budget, usually, the total cost can fall in the range between $1000 and $10,000 a month, even more. Here, we’ve specially picked for you, and highlighted its features and prices:

Salesforce - Industry Leader in CRM: It consistently ranks as the top CRM solution in numerous industry reports. You can start a Basic plan from 36 USD /month with unlimited customizable pipelines, contacts, boards, and viewers.
HubSpot CRM - Best for Marketing Integration: It offers a robust free tier, making it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses. You can start with a free plan with basic features, or upgrade to a Starter plan for 15 USD /month/seat.
Zendesk Sell - Best for Customer Support Integration: This all-in-one CRM software provides a unified solution for sales and support teams. You can start at 19 USD /month/agent of the Small Team plan with unlimited pipelines and sequences.
Nimble - Best for Social Media Integration: It’s particularly popular with small businesses and startups, allowing businesses to manage contacts and build relationships across multiple social media platforms. You can try it for free or switch to the premium version for just 24.9 USD /month/seat.
SugarCRM - Best for Customization: It’s known for its flexibility and robust feature set, including predictive analytics, suitable for businesses with unique CRM needs. You can choose the Professional plan with 52 USD /month/user.

FAQs

Can I build my own CRM in Excel?: Yes, you can, but it's very difficult to collaborate with people. Instead, let's try to use the no-code tools to build an online CRM system.