Ever noticed those smooth roads and driveways in your neighborhood? They don’t just magically appear. There’s a whole industry behind it, and it’s called the asphalt and seal coating industry. And guess what? There’s a cool job in this field where you can make good money. It’s called a sales estimator.

Seal coating is a popular way to protect and extend the life of asphalt driveways and parking lots. It works by creating a barrier that protects the asphalt from the elements and prevents it from cracking and crumbling.

Starting a seal coating side gig can be a great way to make extra money. The business is relatively easy to start and operate, and there is high demand for seal coating services.

What’s a Seal Coating Sales Estimator?

A sales estimator is like a detective. They look at a project, figure out what materials are needed, how many people will work on it, and how long it will take. Then, they tell the customer how much it will cost. It’s a super important job because if they get it wrong, the company they estimate for can lose money.

“Seal coating is one of the best ways to protect and extend the life of your asphalt driveway or parking lot.” 

– Bob Vila, Home Improvement Expert

Benefits of a Seal Coating Side Gig:

• Low overhead costs: The main overhead costs associated with a seal coating side gig are the cost of equipment and materials. You can start small and purchase equipment as needed.
• Flexible schedule: A seal coating side gig is a great way to earn extra money without having to commit to a full-time job. You can work evenings and weekends, or on your own schedule.
• High demand: There is high demand for seal coating services. Homeowners and businesses need to seal coat their asphalt every few years to protect it and extend its lifespan.

1. Master the Basics

Before you can excel, you need to understand the fundamentals:

• Materials: Know the types and grades of asphalt, sealants, and other materials. Understand their costs and appropriate applications.
• Labor: Familiarize yourself with the workforce required for different projects and the associated labor costs.
• Equipment: Be aware of the machinery used, their operational costs, and maintenance expenses.
• Travel Time, how long does it take to get there? Can all your team arrive at the same time?
• Production Rates and materials, we recommend you check weekly with the suppliers to verify that the price has not sharply risen or plummeted. Different times a year have different effects on the price of the product, example if you’re in the middle of the fall season when everybody’s getting seal coated before winter, the supplier may increase the rate.
• Set up / clean up time, make sure to factor in the amount of time it takes to set up the equipment, and to clean up after the job. Underestimating here can really hurt your profits, especially since seal coating can be dirty work. If the seal coating company does not take precautions to protect areas that are not being sealed coated.

2. Invest in the Right Tools for the Job

Simple, business software, such as Selling Lane, can help you manage your customers with its CRM, keep track of your tasks with its built in task manager, and get you directions to the job. But more than that, it can provide a website for customers to find you, invoicing software, to get paid faster, and you can tag your customers to help you flow them through the process from lead to sold. We think it’s a must-have for any small business, especially a start-up.

Measuring wheel: This tool is used to measure the area of the asphalt that will be seal coated. Although the measuring tool built into your iPhone can also do a decent job, but there is risk, sometimes old-school methods are the best.

3. Continuous Learning

The construction industry is ever-evolving. Stay updated with the latest techniques, materials, and best practices. Attend workshops, webinars, and industry conferences.

4. Build a Network

Relationships matter. Connect with contractors, suppliers, and other industry professionals. A strong network can lead to referrals and more job opportunities.

5. Offer Consultation Services

Leverage your expertise by offering consultation services. Help clients understand the best materials for their needs, the importance of regular maintenance, or how to extend the lifespan of their asphalt installations.

6. Diversify Your Services

Don’t limit yourself to just asphalt and seal coating. Explore related services like striping, crack filling, or drainage solutions. The more you offer, the more opportunities you have to earn.

7. Prioritize Customer Service

A satisfied client is likely to refer you to others and come back for future projects. Ensure clear communication, provide accurate estimates, and be transparent about potential additional costs.

8. Understand Your Market

Know the going rates in your area. While you don’t want to undersell your services, overpricing can drive potential clients away. Find a balance that reflects your expertise and the market demand.

9. Manage Your Finances

Keep track of your expenses, from software subscriptions to travel costs. Efficient financial management ensures you’re pricing your services profitably.

10. Promote Yourself

Having an online presence is crucial. You can create a professional website using companies like Selling Lane, where you get full business software including the website for one low price. Or use companies like Squarespace, a dedicated website creation, tool, where you pay monthly, but can build something a lot more extensive. I’ve always been a fan of getting to the point though, showing customers what you offer and providing away for them to contact you. Simple is usually the best.

Either way, with a business website, you can showcase your past projects, gather client testimonials, and engage on social media platforms.

11. Upselling to Full Blacktop Replacement

Most of the time you’re going to be estimating for seal coating businesses, however, sometimes you’re going to come upon a job that requires Blacktop replacement. Finding these upsell can be a real bonus to your business, because the job goes from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Especially late in the season, Blacktop companies are looking for work to extend the season before the asphalt makers shut down for the winter.

Final Thoughts

Being an asphalt and seal coat sales estimator offers numerous avenues to make money. By honing your skills, embracing technology, and building strong relationships, you can carve a successful and profitable career in this industry. Remember, it’s not just about estimating costs; it’s about providing value to your clients and setting the foundation for long-term success.

Additional Tips:

• Offer discounts for new customers and repeat business.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Guarantee your work.
• Get testimonials from satisfied customers.
• Network with other businesses in your area, such as asphalt paving contractors and home improvement stores.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success in the seal coating business.

Read More:

Why a Seal Coat / Asphalt Sales Estimator Needs a CRM and Invoicing Software?

What the heck is a Blacktop/Seal Coat Sales Estimator?

Everything you need to grow your thriving business. Get higher quality leads, close more deals and manage customers all in one place with Selling Lane CRM Try For Free Get Sellinglane CRM No credit card needed setREVStartSize({c: 'rev_slider_12_1',rl:[1240,1024,778,480],el:[500,400,300,200],gw:[1240,1024,778,480],gh:[500,400,300,200],type:'hero',justify:'',layout:'fullwidth',mh:"0"});if (window.RS_MODULES!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider121"]!==undefined) {window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider121"].once = false;window.revapi12 = undefined;if (window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal!==undefined) window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal()}

In Selling Lane CRM, adding contact tags is like highlighting your customers or companies. It helps you group them by something special or important, making it easier to find them easily. Company tags work the same way, with one advantage, by categorizing the whole company, all of the contacts within the company will also display.

Tags allow you to categorize, highlight, and quickly identify specific attributes or interactions with your customers or the companies you do business with. 

Adding Contacts Tags

• Search for the contact and click into the contacts details
• Click + Tag
• Add a new tag or pick from the pull down
• You can add as many tags as needed to a Contact
• When you search for that tag, it will bring up all contacts and companies with that tag.

Adding Companies Tags

• Search for the Company and click into the companies details
• Click + Tag
• Add a new tag or pick from the pull down
• You can add as many tags as needed to a company
• When you search for a company tag it will bring up all contacts in that company.

Here are some specific tag suggestions for contacts and companies:

Contact Tags:

• Lead type: Lead, prospect, customer, partner, vendor, etc.
• Industry: Finance, healthcare, technology, retail, etc.
• Company size: Small business, medium-sized business, enterprise
• Job title: CEO, CFO, CTO, VP of sales, VP of marketing, etc.
• Location: City, state, country
• Engagement level: Active, inactive, engaged, disengaged
• Source: Website, referral, event, social media, etc.
• Interest: Product A, product B, product C, etc.
• Purchase history: Product purchased, date of purchase, amount spent

Company Tags:

• Industry: Finance, healthcare, technology, retail, etc.
• Company size: Small business, medium-sized business, enterprise
• Location: City, state, country
• Revenue: $1M-$10M, $10M-$100M, $100M-$1B, etc.
• Number of employees: 10-50 employees, 50-250 employees, 250+ employees
• Growth rate: High growth, medium growth, low growth
• Customer segment: Small business, medium-sized business, enterprise
• Products or services: Product A, product B, product C, etc.
• Competitors: Company A, company B, company C, etc.

Short explanation video, how to add contact tags and company tags

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In the sprawling digital jungle of startups, great business software is the trusty machete that clears the path to your organization’s success. It’s the Marvin Gaye of the business world, making operations smoother than a love song, improving efficiency to hit those high notes, and enhancing customer service to win over even the toughest crowds. But hold your horses, not all business software is ready for the big stage. Check out these features that you are going to need.

1. Know Your Ideal Client with Customer Relationship Management:

Having a CRM integrated into your Small Business Software is invaluable, because:

1. Centralized Data: A CRM consolidates customer data, ensuring that all information, from contact details to purchase history, is stored in one place. This makes it easier to access and manage customer interactions and ensures that every team member has a consistent view of each customer.
2. Improved Customer Relationships: By tracking interactions, preferences, and feedback, a CRM allows businesses to understand and anticipate the needs of their customers. This leads to more personalized service, fostering loyalty and enhancing customer satisfaction.
3. Efficiency and Productivity: Automating tasks like follow-ups, data entry, and lead tracking means less manual work. This allows teams to focus on more value-added activities, improving overall productivity.
4. Sales and Revenue Growth: With tools for lead management, sales forecasting, and opportunity tracking, a CRM can help businesses identify potential deals, prioritize leads, and streamline the sales process, leading to increased sales.
5. Data-Driven Decisions: CRMs often come with analytics and reporting tools. These provide insights into sales performance, customer behavior, and marketing effectiveness, enabling businesses to make informed decisions.
6. Enhanced Communication: A CRM ensures that every team member, whether in sales, marketing, or customer service, has access to the same information. This promotes consistent communication both internally and with customers.
7. Cost Savings: Over time, the efficiencies gained from using a CRM can lead to reduced operational costs. Additionally, by improving customer retention, businesses can save on the costs associated with acquiring new customers.
8. Scalability: As a business grows, so does its customer base. A CRM can easily scale to accommodate more customers and more complex sales processes, ensuring that businesses are always equipped to manage their expanding operations.
9. Integration Capabilities: Many CRMs can integrate with other tools, such as email marketing platforms, accounting software, and e-commerce systems. This ensures seamless data flow across different business functions.
10. Enhanced Security: CRMs often come with security features that protect customer data, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and building trust with customers.

Incorporating a CRM into Small Business Software ensures that businesses have the tools they need to manage customer relationships effectively, drive growth, and remain competitive in today’s dynamic business environment.

2. Get found faster with a Business Website Builder:

Having a business website builder integrated into your CRM offers a multitude of advantages:

1. Unified Platform: Instead of juggling multiple platforms, you can manage both your customer relationships and your online presence in one place. This streamlines operations and reduces the learning curve.
2. Data Integration: With a website builder within your CRM, data from your website, such as lead forms or customer inquiries, can be directly integrated into the CRM. This ensures that potential leads or customer interactions from your website are immediately captured and can be acted upon.
3. Consistent Branding: By managing your website and customer interactions in one place, you can ensure consistent branding and messaging. Any updates or changes can be reflected both on your website and in your customer communications seamlessly.
4. Cost-Effective: Instead of paying for a separate website builder and CRM, integrating the two can be more cost-effective. It can also reduce the costs associated with training staff on multiple platforms.
5. Real-time Updates: Any changes or updates to customer data in the CRM can be reflected on the website in real-time, ensuring that the website always displays the most up-to-date information.
6. Enhanced Personalization: With integrated data, you can personalize the website experience for returning customers or leads, showing them content or offers tailored to their preferences or past interactions.
7. SEO Benefits: Some CRM-integrated website builders offer SEO tools, ensuring that while you manage customer relationships, your website remains optimized for search engines, driving more organic traffic.

In essence, integrating a website builder with your CRM not only simplifies operations but also enhances the effectiveness of both your online presence and customer relationship management.

3. Remember everything, with Task Management and Distribution:

Task Management and Distribution within a CRM software is crucial for several reasons:

1. Streamlined Workflow: Efficient task management ensures that every task, from following up with a lead to sending out an invoice, is organized and tracked. This reduces the chances of tasks falling through the cracks and ensures that every customer interaction is timely and relevant.
2. Enhanced Productivity: Distributing tasks among team members ensures that workloads are balanced. When tasks are assigned based on expertise or availability, they are more likely to be completed efficiently and effectively.
3. Clear Accountability: When tasks are assigned to specific individuals or teams within the CRM, there’s clear accountability. Everyone knows their responsibilities, reducing ambiguities and potential conflicts.
4. Real-time Monitoring: With task management features, managers and team leads can monitor the progress of tasks in real-time. This allows for timely interventions if tasks are off-track and ensures that projects stay on schedule.
5. Improved Customer Service: By ensuring that customer-related tasks (like follow-ups or addressing queries) are managed and distributed promptly, businesses can provide better service. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
6. Data-Driven Decisions: Integrated task management within a CRM provides valuable data on team performance, task completion rates, and bottlenecks. This data can inform decisions, helping businesses optimize processes and improve efficiency.
7. Collaboration Boost: A CRM with task distribution capabilities fosters collaboration. Team members can easily share updates, notes, or ask for assistance, ensuring that tasks are completed collaboratively and knowledge is shared.
8. Prioritization: Not all tasks are of equal importance. Integrated task management allows for prioritization, ensuring that critical tasks, especially those directly impacting customers, are addressed first.
9. Reduced Manual Efforts: Automating task management and distribution reduces manual efforts. For instance, certain tasks can be automatically assigned to specific teams or individuals based on predefined criteria, saving time and reducing errors.
10. Scalability: As a business grows, the volume of tasks and the complexity of processes can increase. A CRM with robust task management and distribution capabilities can scale to accommodate this growth, ensuring that businesses remain efficient regardless of size.

Task Management and Distribution in a CRM software is not just a feature—it’s a necessity. It ensures that businesses operate efficiently, team members collaborate effectively, and customers receive the best possible service.

4. Give Customers Choices with Menu Selling:

Choice menu selling within a CRM software offers a structured approach to presenting products or services to potential customers. Here’s why it’s essential:

1. Personalized Customer Experience: Choice menu selling allows businesses to present tailored options to customers based on their preferences and needs. This personal touch enhances the customer experience, making them feel valued and understood.
2. Streamlined Sales Process: Instead of overwhelming customers with every available option, choice menu selling presents a curated selection, making the decision-making process more straightforward and efficient for the customer.
3. Increased Sales Opportunities: By presenting a menu of choices, businesses can showcase a range of products or services, increasing the chances of upselling or cross-selling. Customers might opt for a higher-priced option when they see the value it offers in comparison to other choices.
4. Clear Communication: Choice menus provide clarity. Customers can easily understand the differences between options, whether it’s in terms of features, benefits, or pricing. This transparency builds trust and reduces the chances of misunderstandings.
5. Data Collection and Analysis: With choice menu selling integrated into a CRM, businesses can collect valuable data on customer preferences and choices. This data can inform future product development, marketing strategies, and sales approaches.
6. Consistency in Sales Approach: Choice menus ensure that every salesperson presents options in a consistent manner. This uniformity ensures that all customers receive the same quality of service and information, regardless of who they interact with.
7. Efficient Training: For businesses with a rotating sales team or new hires, choice menu selling provides a structured approach that’s easy to teach and implement, ensuring that even new team members can hit the ground running.
8. Enhanced Customer Engagement: Interactive choice menus, especially digital ones, can engage customers more effectively. They can visually compare options, leading to a more informed and confident purchase decision.
9. Reduced Decision Fatigue: Too many choices can overwhelm customers, leading to decision paralysis. A well-structured choice menu simplifies the selection process, reducing decision fatigue and increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
10. Feedback Loop: Based on customer selections and feedback, businesses can continuously refine their choice menus, ensuring they remain relevant and aligned with customer needs and market trends.

In summary, choice menu selling in a CRM software is not just a sales tool—it’s a strategic approach that enhances customer experience, boosts sales opportunities, and provides valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. It ensures that businesses remain customer-centric, agile, and competitive in a dynamic market.

5. Get Paid Faster with Invoicing and Link to Pay

Invoicing and link-to-pay functionality within a CRM software can significantly enhance a business’s efficiency and customer experience. You should be able to link to Venmo Paypal, CashApp, Apple Pay and Google Pay and even your own bank if needed. Here’s why it’s crucial:

1. Streamlined Payment Process: Integrating invoicing and link-to-pay directly within the CRM means businesses can generate and send invoices instantly after a sale or service is completed. This reduces the time between service delivery and payment.
2. Improved Cash Flow: With the ease of link-to-pay, customers are more likely to make payments promptly. Faster payments lead to better cash flow, which is essential for the financial health of any business.
3. Enhanced Customer Experience: Customers appreciate convenience. By providing a direct link to pay, you’re offering a seamless, hassle-free payment experience. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
4. Reduced Administrative Burden: Automated invoicing and payment links mean less manual data entry and fewer errors. This not only saves time but also reduces the administrative burden on staff.
5. Centralized Financial Data: Having invoicing integrated with the CRM allows businesses to have a centralized view of both customer interactions and financial transactions. This holistic view can provide valuable insights for sales forecasting and financial planning.
6. Secure Transactions: Modern link-to-pay solutions often come with built-in security features, ensuring that customer payment information is processed securely, building trust with your clients.
7. Automated Follow-ups: If a payment is overdue, the CRM can automatically send reminders to customers, reducing the effort required for follow-ups and increasing the likelihood of timely payments.
8. Customization and Branding: Integrated invoicing often allows businesses to customize invoices with their branding, giving a professional look and feel that aligns with the company’s identity.
9. Real-time Updates: As soon as a customer makes a payment through the link, the CRM can be updated in real-time. This ensures that sales and finance teams always have up-to-date information on payment statuses.
10. Environmental and Cost Benefits: Digital invoicing reduces the need for paper invoices, leading to cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.
11. Easy Reconciliation: With all financial transactions linked to customer profiles in the CRM, reconciling payments becomes more straightforward, reducing discrepancies and ensuring accurate financial reporting.

In summary, integrating invoicing and link-to-pay functionality in a CRM software is not just a matter of convenience—it’s a strategic move that can lead to improved financial performance, enhanced customer relationships, and streamlined operations. It ensures that businesses can focus on growth while offering an optimal payment experience to their customers.

Those Are The Essentials

These five dazzling features – think of them as the five Horsemen of the Software Apocalypse – will have you managing customers like a charming maître d’, optimizing routes like a five-star Uber driver, distributing tasks like a seasoned quarterback, and boosting sales through menu selling like a celebrity chef.

Brace yourself for not just an uptick in your operations, but a full-on renaissance. A flood of streamlined operations and a wave of growth that will make a surfer giddy. So, strap in, hold on to your hats, and let’s rocket your business into the stratosphere. Over and out!

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How to Edit Keywords on the website builder included in Selling Lane.

When you are adding keywords to Selling Lane’s Website Builder, remember to put commas between the keywords. This will make each of them separate in the eyes of the Google search engines, for example, “blacktop sealing, pothole repair,”

Example of how to add keywords in the website builder included in Selling Lane

It’s super simple to add keywords to selling lanes website builder. We highly recommend. don’t mess this step because it is incredibly important, because it helps Google and Bing in Yahoo find your website.

 

What is The Website Builder Included in Selling Lane?

We realize that most small businesses don’t have a website, especially when they initially start up. So we include a comprehensive business website feature in Selling Lane, when you are a Selling Lane member. The website builder, allows you to post images, describe your products, list your phone numbers and social sites,  and very easy steps.

Example Keywords by Business Type,

Every business is slightly different, and you know your business Best. Before you begin picking keywords, ask yourself, what would people do if they were searching for the things you do. For example, if I am looking for a plumber at one in the morning, I might search “plumbing service open 24 hours”

Here are three examples of keywords by business.

• Search for the company
• Once found, click on the company or added it from scratch
• Then click add contact on the right-hand side
• Add the additional contact and you’re good to go

below is a brief video explaining the process mentioned above.

Short explanation video, how to add additional context to a company

• First step is always to search for the customer first to make sure that you already haven’t added him or her into the CRM.
• After you’ve searched and found the customer, the software will automatically allow you to add first name last name, etc.
• Once the basic details are in, go back in and tweak the customer, adding details like cell phones, additional email, addresses, physical addresses company, names, and titles at the company.
• Once you’ve added the company, you can edit that information and add more details such as business address, business URL, etc.

below is a brief video explaining the process mentioned above.

Short explanation video, on how to add a company and customer

• Go to Selling Lane CRM : http://sellinglane.com/
• Click on the Sign-In menu item:

• Use the Sign in with Google button or
• log-in with your email and password
• and you’re done

Short explanation video, on how to Sign Into Selling Lane

Hey there, small business owners! 🚀 We get it. Running a business is no small feat, especially when you’re juggling customer relationships, managing tasks, and trying to keep everything organized. But what if we told you there’s a tool that can lighten the load and won’t break the bank, an affordable CRM software for Small Business? Enter the world of Selling Lane CRM solutions, specifically crafted for startups and growth businesses like yours!

Why We Focused on Being the Affordable CRM Software for Small Business?

When we started our company, the owners cleared out their 401(k)s and reinvested their children’s college funds to get started, knowing that their dream was a good idea. The risk was high, but the reward could be higher, and when we started, we were looking for affordable tools to help us grow our business. And quite frankly admired companies that had start a pricing that was affordable and sustainable for the long run. That’s why we decided to give a 31 day free trial and then keep it at $6 a month per user, if you wanted all the features, the whole thing only costs $12 a month.

We also believed strongly that, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) isn’t just a fancy tech term. It’s your new best friend in business. Imagine having a super-organized assistant who keeps track of all your customer interactions, manages your appointments, and even helps you with invoicing. That’s what a good CRM does – it organizes your chaos into a streamlined, manageable process.

Mary Barra, the trailblazing CEO of General Motors, eloquently stated, “Do not confuse activity with productivity.” This nugget of wisdom is not just applicable to the automotive industry, but resonates profoundly with small businesses in various sectors. In the context of utilizing a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, her words take on a special significance. A CRM doesn’t merely facilitate a hive of activity; it ensures that every action taken is a deliberate, strategic step towards tangible growth and enhanced customer satisfaction.

When every minute counts, the distinction between mere activity and genuine productivity becomes pivotal. A well-implemented CRM, like Selling Lane, doesn’t just offer a platform for organizing customer data and scheduling appointments. It becomes a strategic partner, aligning every customer interaction, every follow-up, and every service delivery with the broader goals of the business. It ensures that the time and resources invested are not just keeping the wheels turning but are propelling the business forward, creating satisfied customers, and fostering sustainable growth. In essence, it translates the hustle and bustle of daily operations into a symphony of strategically aligned, customer-centric activities, embodying the essence of true productivity.

Affordability Meets Functionality of an Affordable CRM for Small Business

But let’s talk money. Small businesses often operate on tight budgets, and every penny counts. That’s where affordable CRM solutions, like Selling Lane, come into play. With plans starting at just $6 per user per month, you get access to a plethora of features designed to elevate your business without elevating your costs.

Selling Lane: Your Pocket-Friendly Powerhouse

Selling Lane isn’t just a CRM; it’s a holistic solution designed with small businesses in mind. From easy scheduling and route optimization to effective customer relationship management and innovative menu selling features, it’s packed with tools to propel your business forward.

Free Business Website: Elevate Your Online Presence

In the digital era, having an online presence is not just an option but a necessity. With Selling Lane, you get a free business website that’s not only sleek and professional but also SEO-enhanced to ensure you get found by potential customers online. Your services, products, and unique offerings are showcased in a vivid gallery, while a map and directions guide customers straight to your door. Engaging call-to-action forms convert visitors into valuable leads, and a dedicated section to highlight your team and customer testimonials builds trust and credibility in your brand. Plus, with easy links to your social and rating sites, you ensure your business is connected and reviewed positively.

Menu Selling: Simplify Choices, Maximize Sales

Selling Lane takes a unique approach to upselling and cross-selling through its innovative Menu Selling feature. This feature allows you to present a digital menu of your services and products to clients, simplifying their choices while maximizing your sales opportunities. For instance, while discussing a particular service, you can effortlessly introduce related services or products, transforming potential indecision into lucrative upselling or cross-selling opportunities. It’s not just selling; it’s enhancing customer experience by providing them with easy, straightforward choices and solutions tailored to their needs.

Easy CRM: Streamline Customer Interactions

Managing customer interactions, nurturing leads, and fostering loyal relationships become a breeze with Selling Lane’s Easy CRM. It’s designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring that you can manage your customer interactions without getting bogged down by complex processes. From the first interaction to ongoing communications, the CRM ensures every touchpoint with your customers is recorded, organized, and easily accessible, enabling you to build and maintain relationships that not only satisfy but delight your customers, steering your business towards sustainable growth.

Easy Task Management: Turn Chaos into Clarity

In the realm of task management, simplicity and efficiency are king. Selling Lane’s Easy Task Management adheres to the principles of Getting Things Done (GTD), providing tools that help you streamline, prioritize, and execute tasks with utmost efficiency. It turns the potential chaos of juggling various tasks into a clear, organized, and manageable workflow. Every task, from the most critical to the routine, is tracked, managed, and executed seamlessly, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and every opportunity is capitalized upon.

Easy Invoicing: X2 Your Payment Times

Navigating through the billing and invoicing process should not be a complex maze. Selling Lane’s Easy Invoicing feature ensures that you can send out invoices and receive payments swiftly and securely. It’s designed to turn your invoices into instant payments, significantly speeding up your customer payment process and enhancing cash flow. With a streamlined billing process, you ensure that your business operates smoothly, and financial management becomes not a hurdle but a facilitator of your business’s financial health and sustainability.

And the cherry on top? A 31-day free trial to get you started on your journey towards organized, sustainable growth.

Conclusion: Small Investment, Big Returns

Investing in an affordable CRM software for small business like Selling Lane isn’t just a cost-effective decision. It’s a strategic move towards building a more organized, efficient, and customer-friendly business. As Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, wisely stated, “If you don’t give people a chance to fail, you won’t innovate.” So, take a chance, innovate your processes, and watch your business flourish with the right CRM by your side.

Ready to take the plunge into a world where organization meets affordability? Start your free trial with Selling Lane today and unlock the doors to seamless, scalable business management.

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Customer relationship management (CRM) software is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes improve their sales, marketing, and customer service operations. But let’s be real, CRM can be a bit of a beast to tame and full of CRM Mistakes.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”

– Lewis Carroll

That’s Why it’s Important to Avoid These Common CRM Mistakes:

1. Not having a plan. Before you jump into CRM especially Selling Lane, take some time to think about your business goals and how CRM can help you achieve them. What specific problems are you trying to solve? What processes do you want to automate? Once you have a clear plan, you can choose the right CRM system for your needs and develop a plan for implementation.
2. Ignoring the end users. Your sales reps and customer service reps are the ones who will be using the CRM system on a daily basis, so it’s important to get their input on what they need and how the system should work. This will help ensure that the system is adopted and used effectively.
3. Not training users properly. Once you’ve implemented your CRM system, don’t just throw your team to the wolves. Provide them with adequate training, so they can learn how to use the system effectively and get the most out of it.
4. Not entering data regularly. CRM software is only as good as the data that’s entered into it. Make sure to enter customer data regularly and accurately. This will ensure that you have a complete and up-to-date view of your customers and their interactions with your business.
5. Not using the system to its full potential. Many businesses only use CRM software for basic tasks, such as contact management and lead tracking. But CRM software can be used for a variety of other tasks, such as sales pipeline management, opportunity forecasting, and customer segmentation. Take the time to learn about all the features of your CRM system and how you can use them to improve your business.
6. Not integrating CRM with other systems. CRM software can be integrated with other systems, such as marketing automation software and e-commerce platforms. This integration can help you automate workflows and streamline your business processes.
7. Not reporting on CRM data. CRM software can generate a variety of reports that can be used to track your progress and identify areas for improvement. Take the time to review your CRM reports regularly and use them to make informed decisions about your business.
8. Not keeping data up-to-date. As your business grows and changes, it’s important to keep your CRM data up-to-date. This includes removing outdated data and adding new data as it becomes available.
9. Not using CRM for customer service. CRM software can also be used to improve customer service. For example, you can use CRM to track customer support tickets and interactions. This can help you provide better customer service and resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
10. Not measuring the ROI of CRM. It’s important to track the return on investment (ROI) of your CRM system. This can be done by tracking key metrics such as sales, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. By measuring the ROI of your CRM system, you can determine whether or not it’s paying for itself.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

– Peter Drucker

Bonus tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your CRM system. Try different features and see what works best for your business. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from your CRM vendor or other CRM users.

By avoiding these common CRM mistakes, you can set yourself up for success.

QuickBooks and CRM are two essential software tools for small businesses. QuickBooks helps you manage your finances and accounting, while Selling Lane’s CRM helps you manage your customer relationships, tasks, link to pay, Free Business website, menu selling tools and much more. Together, these QuickBooks and CRM can help you run your business, improve your efficiency, and grow your customer base.

Do I Need Both QuickBooks and CRM for Your Small Business?

So, do you need both QuickBooks and CRM? If you want to streamline your operations, improve your efficiency, and grow your business, then using both of these tools is a good idea. However, if you’re on a tight budget or only have a small number of customers, then you may be able to get away with using just Selling Lane CRM, because it includes Invoicing and Link to Pay, which is a key ingredient of Quick Books.

Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not you need a CRM:

• How many customers do you have? If you only have a small number of customers, then you may be able to manage your customer relationships with pen and paper. However, if you plan to grow, then a CRM can help you find customers and sell more of them.
• What kind of customer relationships do you have? Every relationship with a customer is fragile, and needs to be nurtured to turn that customer into a raving fan and ultimately a long-term, multi-time buyer. A CRM can help you to track and manage the different stages of the sales funnel, including having products on your Business Website (included in Selling Lane), Menu selling when in front of your customers and provide better long term support.
• What is your budget? CRMs can range in price from a $6 dollars per month (that’s Selling Lane’s price per user) to hundreds of dollars per month. So, it is important to choose a CRM that fits your budget and needs.

If you’re still unsure whether or not you need a CRM, I recommend that you sign up for our 31 free trial and see if it is right for you.

Why Small Businesses Need QuickBooks:

• Accurate financial reporting: QuickBooks helps you track your income and expenses, create invoices, and generate financial reports. This accurate financial information is essential for making informed business decisions.
• Tax preparation: QuickBooks can help you prepare your taxes by automatically calculating your deductions and generating tax forms. This can save you time and money, especially if you file your own taxes.
• Time savings: QuickBooks automates many time-consuming accounting tasks, such as invoicing and bill pay. This frees up your time, so you can focus on other important aspects of your business.

Why Small Businesses Need Selling Lane CRM

Selling Lane CRM is a customer relationship management (CRM) system that is specifically designed for small businesses. It is a cloud-based CRM, which means that you can access it from anywhere with an internet connection, including your smartphone. Selling Lane CRM is also very affordable, making it a great option for small businesses on a budget.

Here are some of the reasons why small businesses need Selling Lane CRM:

• To track customer interactions. Selling Lane CRM helps you to track all of your customer interactions, including phone calls, emails, and social media messages. This information can be used to improve your customer service and sales process.
• To manage leads. Selling Lane CRM helps you to manage your leads by tracking their progress through the sales funnel. This information can be used to identify and nurture your most qualified leads.
• To provide customer support. Selling Lane CRM helps you to provide customer support by tracking customer support tickets and providing feedback to your customer support team. This information can be used to improve your customer support process and reduce the number of support tickets you receive.
• To generate reports. Selling Lane CRM generates a variety of reports that can be used to track your sales performance, customer satisfaction, and other important metrics. This information can be used to make informed decisions about your business.

In addition to the features listed above, Selling Lane CRM also offers a number of other features that are beneficial for small businesses, such as:

• Contact management: Selling Lane CRM helps you to manage your contacts by storing their contact information, purchase history, and other important information.
• Task management: Selling Lane CRM helps you to manage your tasks by creating and assigning tasks to your team members. This information can be used to track your team’s progress and ensure that tasks are completed on time.
• Sales pipeline management: Selling Lane CRM helps you to manage your sales pipeline by tracking the progress of your deals through the sales cycle. This information can be used to identify and close more deals.
• Business Website: 🚀 Ever dreamt of a digital butler that handles both your CRM and website? Forget juggling platforms; with our snazzy integrated Business Website feature, you’ll have your online mojo and business tools partying together under one digital roof.

Overall, Selling Lane CRM is a powerful CRM system that can help small businesses to streamline their operations, improve their efficiency, and grow their business. If you are a small business owner, I encourage you to consider using Selling Lane CRM. It is a powerful and affordable CRM system that can help you to streamline your operations, improve your efficiency, and grow your business.

Integrate QuickBooks with Selling Lane CRM, Get the Best of Both Worlds

• Use Selling Lane to manage your customers, sales operations, estimates and task management.
• Import your customers into QuickBooks, then use QuickBooks to manage accounting and taxes.
• Let Selling Lane help you with your business website, menu, selling customers, and manage link to pay.
• Import Transactions into Quickbooks, then at journal entries to close out your month.

Examples of How Small Businesses use QuickBooks and CRM Together:

• A retail store uses QuickBooks to track their inventory and sales, and Selling Lane CRM to manage their customer loyalty program and website. They use Selling Lane’s menu selling system to show a menu of products and task management to remember when to reorder supplies.
• A consulting firm uses QuickBooks to track their billable hours and expenses, and Selling Lane CRM to manage their sales pipeline and client relationships.
• A software company uses QuickBooks to track their revenue and expenses, and Selling Lane CRM to manage their customer support tickets and product feedback.

If you are a small business owner, I encourage you to consider using QuickBooks and Selling Lane CRM. These tools can help you to take your business to the next level.