Keep Your Organize Your Customer’s: Your Secret Weapon for Success

Hey there, fellow hard worker! You’re building your business, sweat and all. You’re probably juggling jobs, estimates, and keeping track of a crew (or maybe you’re a one-person show for now). Here’s the thing: Organize Your Customer’s Like a Pro, and they will be happy and keep the wheels turning.

But how do you remember who needs that leaky faucet fixed next door, or that awesome client who loved your drywall magic? Enter your customer information, like a digital toolbox to keep track of everyone you work for.

Think of it like this: you wouldn’t grab the wrong wrench for a job, would you? Keeping your customer info clean is just as important. Here’s why:

• No More Mix-Ups: Imagine calling Mrs. Johnson for a roof repair, only to find out she wanted the basement flooded (hopefully not!). Clean info means you reach the right person, every time. No wasted time, just happy customers.
• Land More Jobs: Remember that client who raved about your work? Easy access to their info lets you send a quick “thank you” or a special offer on their next project. Plus, it reminds them you’re the go-to person for the job.
• Finish Faster: No more digging through a pile of papers or endless phone calls. Clean info lets you find what you need in a flash, saving you time to focus on what matters – doing great work!

So, How Do You Organize Your Customer’s and Keep your CRM Clean at the Same Time?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a fancy degree. Just a few simple tips:

• Phone a Friend (Your Phone): After a job, grab your phone and quickly note down the customer’s name, contact details, and a brief description of the work done. This takes seconds and saves you a headache later.
• Ditch the Scribbles: Invest in a simple notebook or app specifically for customer info. Leave the loose scraps of paper for grocery lists (unless you need a reminder to grab some duct tape for that next project!).
• Be a Detective: Before a job, take a quick look at your notes. Refresh your memory and see if there’s anything you can do to personalize the service. It shows you care!

Bonus Tip: Get your crew on board. Encourage them to jot down notes after a job, or even snap a quick pic of the completed work (with the customer’s permission, of course!). Teamwork makes the dream work, and keeping track of customers is no different.

By keeping your customer info clean, you’re building a powerful tool for your business. It helps you deliver better service, land more jobs, and ultimately, build a reputation as the reliable, skilled pro everyone wants on their side. Now go out there and show them what you’re made of!

Organize Your Customer’s like a Pro: Your Secret Weapon for Success (Continued)

Alright, so we’ve established that when you Organize Your Customer’s information you will be more successful But let’s face it, sometimes the thought of “organizing” conjures up images of filing cabinets and endless paperwork. Don’t worry, that’s not what we’re about. Here’s how to keep your customer info system simple and effective, even if you’re more comfortable with a hammer than a keyboard:

Organize Your Customer’s by Choosing the Right Tool

First things first, you need a system that works for you. Here are some options:

• The Classic Notebook: A trusty notebook is a great low-tech solution. Dedicate a section to customer details, including name, contact information, project details, and any notes about specific needs or preferences.
• The Digital Organizer: There are a variety of free and paid apps specifically designed for customer relationship management (CRM). These can be a powerful option, especially as your business grows. Look for apps that are easy to use and offer features like contact management, scheduling, and even invoicing. Seamless plug, Selling lane is only $9 per month and gives you everything you need to Organize Your Customer’s like a pro
• The Spreadsheet Hero: If you’re comfortable with spreadsheets, it can be a good option to organize your customer data. Create a spreadsheet with columns for customer names, contact information, project details, and notes. You can even use color coding to categorize different types of jobs.

Making it Stick: Simple Habits for Lasting Impact

Here are some easy-to-implement habits that will keep your customer information system running smoothly:

• The Post-Job Debrief: After completing a job, take a few minutes to jot down the customer’s name, contact details, a brief description of the work done, and any key points to remember for future interactions.
• The “Thank You” Power: Send a quick email or handwritten note thanking the customer for their business. You can even use this as an opportunity to update your records if you missed any details during the initial debrief.
• The “Follow-Up” Advantage: For repeat customers, make a note in your system for a future follow-up call or email to see if they require any additional services. This shows you care and can lead to more work.

Bonus Tip: Picture-Perfect Records

With the rise of smartphones, taking pictures of completed projects has become a breeze. With the customer’s permission, capture a quick image of your work. This can be helpful for future reference, especially if the customer requires additional services related to the same project.

Building Relationships: The Real Payoff

Remember, organized customer information isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about building strong relationships. By keeping track of details and preferences, you can personalize your service and demonstrate that you value their business. This fosters trust and loyalty, turning customers into repeat clients and advocates for your services.

Taking it to the Next Level:

As your business grows, you might consider investing in a more robust CRM system. However, the simple methods outlined above will serve you well in the initial stages. Remember, the key is consistency. A few minutes spent after each job to update your system will pay off significantly in the long run.

So, there you have it! Keeping your customer information organized doesn’t require fancy degrees or complicated systems. By implementing these simple tips and habits, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful business with happy customers at the core. Now go out there, show them your skills, and let your organized customer info give you the edge you deserve!

Let’s be honest, most CRMs aren’t built with small businesses in mind. Selling Lane is different. It’s designed with unparalleled ease of use, putting the power of streamlined customer management in your hands – no technical expertise required We like to Call it “The Easy CRM”

Your customers expect fast, personalized service. But delivering that experience can be tough when you’re bogged down by complicated tools. Selling Lane CRM’s intuitive design lets you focus on what matters – building relationships that drive your business forward.

Why Ease of Use is Essential for Small Businesses

• Quick Adoption: Lengthy training or complicated setups discourage your team. Simple CRM means everyone’s up and running quickly, maximizing the value from day one.
• No Tech Headaches: You’re the expert in your business, not IT. Intuitive CRM means you don’t need a tech degree to manage customer data and streamline processes.
• Increased Efficiency: Time spent wrestling with software is time not spent on sales, client work, or strategy. Easy-to-use tools boost productivity across your team.
• Empowered Employees: When tools are simple, employees feel confident using them. This leads to better customer experiences and improved data accuracy.

How Selling Lane CRM Delivers on Simplicity

• Intuitive Interface: Selling Lane features a clean, uncluttered dashboard. Key information is readily accessible, reducing time spent searching for what you need.
• Easy to set up workflow: Customize your sales pipeline or add fields to contact forms with a few clicks – no coding knowledge required.
• Step-by-Step Guidance (Video): In-app tutorials and a helpful knowledge base provide support when needed, smoothing the onboarding process.
• Mobile-First Design: Manage your business on the go. Selling Lane’s mobile app ensures critical customer information is always at your fingertips.

Real-World Examples: Easy CRM

• Service Business Example: A landscaping company owner replaces messy spreadsheets with Selling Lane. Now, scheduling jobs, sending estimates, and tracking crew availability takes minutes, not hours.
• Freelance Example: A freelance designer ditches email chaos for leads. Selling Lane’s simple project pipelines and automated reminders keep projects moving and clients delighted.
• Retail Example: A boutique owner uses Selling Lane to create customer profiles with ease. These profiles drive personalized offers and loyalty programs, boosting repeat business.

The Benefits of An Easy CRM: Goes Way Beyond the Software

Selling Lane’s commitment to ease of use doesn’t stop at its interface. Here’s how it translates into value for your small business:

• Affordable Pricing Plans: Transparent, scalable pricing makes CRM accessible, even for the smallest businesses.
• Fast Onboarding: Enjoy a quick setup process and immediate benefit, without expensive consultants.
• Exceptional Support: If you do have questions, Selling Lane’s friendly support team is there to help you get back on track quickly.

Experience the Selling Lane Difference: It’s Not Just Easy, It’s Empowering

Complex CRMs can overwhelm small businesses, leading to underutilized software and wasted resources. Selling Lane CRM breaks that mold. Its intuitive design and simple features unlock the power of customer relationship management without the steep learning curve.

If you’re ready to ditch the complicated tools, streamline your operations, and focus on growing your business, it’s time to discover Selling Lane.

Click Here to Try Selling Lane today and experience the transformative power of simplicity. Start your free trial now!

1. Identify Your CRM Goals

Identifying your CRM goals is like charting a map for a treasure hunt, where the treasure is a thriving, loyal customer base and the map is your strategic plan. It’s about pinpointing exactly what you want to achieve with your CRM system to support your business’s growth and enhance customer satisfaction. For a company like Selling Lane, LLC, this could involve several specific objectives, each tailored to different aspects of customer relationship management. The primary aim could be to improve customer retention rates by 15% within a year by offering more personalized follow-ups and support, thereby deepening relationships and fostering loyalty. Another goal might be to increase the efficiency of sales teams by 25% through better lead management and prioritization, streamlining the sales process from initial contact to close.

Beyond these, CRM goals should also focus on harnessing data to gain actionable insights. This means setting objectives around the collection, analysis, and application of customer data to refine marketing strategies, tailor product offerings, and predict customer needs before they even arise. For Selling Lane, this could translate into using CRM analytics to identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities, thereby boosting average transaction values by a targeted percentage. By setting clear, measurable goals in these areas, a business can ensure its CRM strategy is not just a concept but a driving force behind achieving tangible outcomes that propel the company forward. Read Full Article on CRM Goals

2. Choose and Easy to Use CRM

Choosing the right CRM for your business is akin to selecting the perfect pair of shoes for a marathon; comfort, fit, and long-term support are paramount. The “right” CRM should feel like an extension of your team, empowering your business without adding unnecessary complexity. For a company like Selling Lane, LLC, with its goal of reaching and managing thousands of customer relationships while aiming for a significant monthly viewership, the CRM chosen must strike a balance between comprehensive functionality and user-friendly design.

First off, simplicity is key. An easy-to-use CRM doesn’t bog down your team with a steep learning curve; instead, it fits seamlessly into your existing processes, enhancing productivity right out of the box. This means looking for a platform with an intuitive interface, straightforward customization options, and responsive customer support. Additionally, it should offer easy integration with the tools your team already relies on, be it email, calendar apps, or customer service software, creating a cohesive ecosystem that centralizes customer information and interactions.

Moreover, scalability cannot be overlooked. As Selling Lane aims to expand its reach, the CRM must be able to grow alongside the business, accommodating an increasing number of contacts, more complex customer journeys, and evolving sales strategies without a hitch. This flexibility ensures that as the company scales, the CRM remains a pillar of support rather than a bottleneck to growth. In essence, choosing the right CRM for Selling Lane involves finding a solution that is not just easy to use but also aligns with the company’s ambitious growth trajectory, ensuring the marathon ahead is run on a path of efficiency, engagement, and expansion. Read Full Article

3. Keep your CRM Data Clean and Organized

Keeping your data clean and organized in your CRM is like maintaining a well-oiled machine; it ensures everything runs smoothly and efficiently, preventing costly breakdowns. For a company like Selling Lane, LLC, where data is the lifeblood of decision-making and customer relationship management, this practice is non-negotiable. Clean data directly translates into more accurate insights, better-targeted marketing campaigns, improved customer service, and ultimately, a more streamlined sales process. It’s the groundwork that supports every strategy aimed at reaching that ambitious target of 20,000 viewers per month.

Start with regular data audits. This involves periodically reviewing the data within your CRM to identify and rectify inaccuracies, duplicates, or outdated information. Implementing standardized data entry practices is crucial here; it minimizes the risk of errors from the get-go. For instance, establishing clear guidelines on how contact names, addresses, and other key details are entered can significantly reduce inconsistencies.

Moreover, leverage the power of automation wherever possible. Many modern CRM systems offer tools that can automatically clean and update records, merge duplicates, or flag data that seems out of place. This not only saves time but also ensures your data remains in top shape with minimal manual intervention.

Organizing your CRM data also means categorizing and segmenting it in a way that aligns with your business goals. For Selling Lane, this could involve segmenting customers based on their interaction history, potential value, or feedback. Such segmentation enables personalized marketing efforts and sales pitches, making your approach more effective and increasing the chances of achieving those viewer targets.

In essence, keeping your CRM data clean and organized is an ongoing commitment that pays off in enhanced efficiency, sharper insights, and more meaningful customer interactions. For Selling Lane, it’s a critical step toward sustaining growth and achieving its strategic objectives. Read Full Article on Keeping Your CRM Data Clean

4. Integrate your CRM with Google Calendar:

Integrating your CRM with Google Calendar is like setting up a backstage pass for your entire team to sync effortlessly with each other’s schedules, ensuring that no beat is missed in the customer relationship symphony. For a business like Selling Lane, LLC, aiming to engage and manage a vast array of customer interactions efficiently, this integration can be a game-changer. It streamlines appointment setting, follow-ups, and reminders, thus ensuring that the team remains in harmony, and every customer interaction is timed to perfection.

Imagine the convenience of directly scheduling meetings from within your CRM and having them automatically populate in Google Calendar, visible across your organization. This not only saves time but also significantly reduces the chances of double-booking or missing meetings. It allows the sales team at Selling Lane to focus more on what they do best – building relationships and closing deals – rather than juggling calendars.

Moreover, this integration facilitates a more personalized approach to customer engagement. With access to an organized calendar view of customer interactions, the team can easily identify opportunities to reach out at the right time, be it for follow-ups, product demos, or simply to check in. This timely interaction can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, which are crucial for achieving Selling Lane’s viewership goals.

Additionally, integrating your CRM with Google Calendar enhances transparency and collaboration among teams. It allows everyone, from sales to customer support, to have a unified view of customer engagements, upcoming appointments, and deadlines. This level of visibility ensures that everyone is on the same page, fostering a more cohesive and efficient approach to managing customer relationships.

In essence, integrating your CRM with Google Calendar is a strategic move that can streamline operations, enhance team coordination, and elevate the customer experience. For Selling Lane, it’s not just about keeping schedules in check; it’s about leveraging every opportunity to connect with customers in a timely and meaningful way, driving towards that goal of reaching 20,000 viewers per month. Read Full Article on Google Calendar Integration

5. Regularly Train Your Team For CRM Success

Regularly training your team is the keystone in the arch of CRM success, binding together all other strategies and ensuring they work in concert to achieve your goals. For Selling Lane CRM, with its ambitious target of engaging at least 20,000 viewers per month, equipping the team with the latest skills, knowledge, and best practices in CRM use is non-negotiable. It’s about creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring the team is not just familiar with the tools at their disposal but also masters in leveraging them to enhance customer relationships.

This commitment to training ensures that every team member, from sales to customer support, fully understands how to utilize the CRM to its fullest potential. Whether it’s keeping data clean and organized, integrating with tools like Google Calendar for better time management, or utilizing analytics for strategic insights, regular training sessions keep these practices top of mind. Moreover, as CRM technologies evolve, so too do the capabilities they offer. Regular training sessions ensure that Selling Lane’s team remains at the cutting edge, able to take advantage of new features and integrations that can improve efficiency and customer engagement.

Training also fosters a sense of ownership and confidence among team members. When they are well-versed in the CRM system, they are more likely to use it proactively, exploring new ways to enhance customer interactions, streamline processes, and ultimately contribute to reaching the company’s viewership and growth objectives. It turns the CRM from a mere tool into an integral part of their strategy for success.

Tying it all together, regular team training is the catalyst that ensures the CRM strategy is not just theoretically sound but practically effective. It’s about bringing to life the goals of improving customer relationships, enhancing efficiency, and driving growth. For Selling Lane, investing in team training is investing in the very foundation of their ambitious growth strategy, ensuring that the entire team is aligned, capable, and motivated to use the CRM not just as a database, but as a dynamic engine for achieving their vision. Read more about CRM Success

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Are you tired of leads slipping through your fingers? Want to Stop Losing Leads period, end of story? It’s a common frustration for small businesses. You put time and effort into attracting potential customers, but then things fizzle out – missed follow-up calls, forgotten details, and ultimately, lost sales. The solution lies in harnessing the power of your CRM.

What is CRM Software?

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. A CRM system is a tool designed to help businesses centralize their customer data, streamline communication, and track every interaction throughout the sales process so they Stop Losing Leads. Think of it as your organized, always-accessible memory bank for leads and clients.

Why Leads Go Cold (and How CRM Fixes It)

• Scattered Information: Leads come from many sources – phone calls, website forms, social media. CRM gathers everything in one place, so nothing gets overlooked.
• Disorganized Follow-Up: Manual follow-ups are prone to error. CRMs automate reminders, making sure you never miss a crucial call or email.
• Lack of Insight: Without a system, it’s hard to know where leads are in your sales funnel. CRMs create a visual representation, allowing you to focus on the hottest leads.

CRM is Your Sales Superpower

• Nurture Relationships, Boost Sales: CRMs store client preferences and interaction history. This allows for personalized communication that builds stronger relationships – the key to repeat business and referrals.
• Speed and Efficiency: A good CRM saves you hours every week by automating tedious tasks like data entry and scheduling follow-up. This frees up your time to focus on what matters – closing deals.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Analytics dashboards within CRMs provide valuable insights into your sales pipeline, customer behavior, and team performance. Informed decisions lead to better results.

Is CRM Right for Your Small Business?

If you’re struggling with any of these issues, then the answer is a resounding YES!

• You’re missing out on potential sales due to disorganized follow-up.
• Your client data is scattered across notebooks, spreadsheets, and email inboxes.
• You have no clear visibility into your sales process, making it hard to make strategic decisions.

The Easy Way: Choosing a CRM and Stop Losing Leads

The good news is there are CRMs designed specifically for small businesses, like Selling Lane. Look for these essential features:

• Ease of use: No complicated setup. Your team should be using it confidently within days.
• Core Functionality: Contact management, lead tracking, appointment scheduling, invoicing.
• Affordability: Pricing that fits your small business budget.
• Mobile Access: Manage your business from anywhere.

Stop Losing Leads, Start Growing

Investing in a CRM is one of the smartest decisions you can make as a small business owner. It empowers you to provide excellent customer service, build stronger relationships, and ultimately, close more sales.

Ready to try a Selling Lane CRM? Register Now for your Free Trial its easy.

Also read, “These are the worst CRMs for Small Business.”

The idea of using tags in your CRM to categorize things in our lives is not a new concept, libraries and automotive parts departments have been using them for decades. And software companies only recently started adding tags to help us sort through our contacts.

What are tags? Tags are a powerful tool that can help you organize and manage your customer data in CRM. By tagging your contacts and companies, you can create custom categories and filters that make it easy to find the information you need

Here are seven awesome uses for tags in CRM:

1. Segment your customers and companies:

Use tags to segment your customers based on their interests, demographics, or purchase history. 
When it comes to marketing, one size does not fit all. By using tags in your CRM, you can create highly targeted call and email campaigns that speak directly to the interests and needs of specific customer groups.

For instance, tagging customers as “Return Buyers” or “Interested in Tech” or “Old School” allows you to send personalized emails with curated products or services that they are more likely to purchase. This segmentation leads to higher engagement rates, more conversions, and a marketing strategy that resonates on a personal level.

Suggested Segments for Interests, Demographics and Purchase History

• Demographics: Age, gender, location, income, education level, occupation, etc.
• Interests: Product categories, brands, hobbies, etc.
• Purchase history: Products purchased, date of purchase, amount spent, etc.

Use case: A clothing retailer uses tags to segment their customers by age and gender. This allows them to send targeted email campaigns to different customer groups.

2. Track your Sales Pipeline with Tags in Your CRM

Use tags to track the stage of each deal in your sales pipeline. This will help you stay organized and identify any potential bottlenecks. Time is money, and in the world of sales, knowing where to focus your time is crucial. Tags like ‘High Value’ or ‘Urgent Follow-Up’ can help your sales team prioritize leads that are more likely to close or require immediate attention. This ensures that high-potential opportunities are never missed and that your team is always working efficiently towards the most profitable outcomes.

• Sales pipeline stages: Lead, prospect, qualified lead, opportunity, closed won, closed lost, etc.
• Sales Pipeline Priority: Hot, Cold, Urgent, High Value, etc.
• Sales Time: This month, Next Month, Jan Deal, etc.

Use case: A software company uses tags to track the stage of each demo they give. This allows them to identify which demos are most likely to convert into paying customers.

3. Identify opportunities: 

Use tags to identify opportunities for cross-selling and upselling. For example, you can tag customers who have purchased a certain product with a tag for a complementary product.

Use case: A computer retailer uses complementary product tags to identify customers who have purchased a laptop. They then send these customers targeted emails with offers on laptop accessories.

4. Use Tags in your CRM to Improve customer service

Why add the additional expense of a separate support ticket manager such as Zendesk when you can add support tags to your customers and keep it all in one place.

Use tags to identify customers who need special attention. For example, you can tag customers who have had a negative experience or who have opened a support ticket.

Every interaction with a customer is an opportunity to learn and improve. By tagging interactions such as ‘Support Call’ or ‘Product Feedback’, you can keep a detailed record of how customers engage with your business. This data is invaluable for understanding customer behavior, improving service, and making informed decisions about product development and customer support strategies.

Listening to your customers is key to product improvement. By using tags like ‘Feature Request’ or ‘Bug Report’, you can categorize customer feedback and ensure that it reaches the right teams quickly. This organized approach to feedback management accelerates the improvement cycle and demonstrates to your customers that their input is valued and acted upon.

Customer support tickets: Open, closed, unresolved, high priority, etc.

Use case: A telecommunications company uses tags to identify customers who have had a service outage. They then contact these customers to apologize and offer a resolution.

5 Use Tags in Your CRM to Create Instant Reports

Use tags to generate reports on your sales, customer service, and marketing campaigns. This information can help you make better business decisions.

Collaboration is essential in any business, and tags can play a pivotal role in ensuring everyone is on the same page. You could create quick reports using tags such as ‘Needs Review’ or ‘Awaiting Approval’ clearly communicate the status of tasks and projects within your team. This clarity helps prevent bottlenecks, ensures tasks are completed in a timely manner, and fosters a collaborative environment where everyone understands their responsibilities.

Graphic: A report showing sales data for different customer segments.

Use case: A used car lot uses tags to track customer satisfaction. They then generate a report on customer satisfaction by salesperson and dealer location.

6. Managing Event Attendees with Tags

Events are a great way to connect with customers and prospects, but managing attendees can be a logistical nightmare. Tags like ‘Webinar Attended’ or ‘Trade Show Guest’ can help you keep track of who has engaged with your events, allowing for effective follow-up and nurturing of those relationships. This targeted approach ensures that the momentum from your events is not lost and that potential leads are pursued appropriately.

Use Case: A Towing Software company, uses tags to track opportunities from each of the trade shows they attend, such as the Baltimore tow show, or Orlando Tow show. This way they can pull up two tags, 1 “opportunities” and 2. “Orlando Tow Show” and work those leads as a group.

7. Collaborate with your team: 

Use tags to collaborate with your team members on deals and customer relationships. For example, you can tag a team member in a note or task to keep them updated.

Use case: A real estate team uses tags to track the status of each property listing. They then tag team members in notes and tasks to keep everyone updated on the progress of each listing.

Final Thoughts:

These are just a few of the many ways that you can use tags in CRM. By using tags effectively, you can organize your customer data, improve your sales process, and provide better customer service.

In conclusion, tags in your CRM are more than just labels; they are powerful tools that can transform the way you interact with customers, manage your sales pipeline, and collaborate as a team. By leveraging tags effectively, you can create a more organized, efficient, and customer-centric business.

I hope this blog post has given you some ideas on how to use tags in CRM to improve your business. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below. And I hope you’ll consider Selling Lane’s Tag Manager as your favorite choice for small business software.

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In today’s tech-savvy world, having a company without a business website can be like driving out of state without directions. While some businesses manage to carve out a niche without an online presence, there are unseen hurdles that might be slowing them down. And quite frankly, the reasons for not having a business website are diminishing every year, especially with companies like Selling Lane offering free websites with their CRM small business software

It’s not the 1950s, where relationships were built at parties and toasters were your only appliance. To compete today, you have to have a Business website, so you can still have those parties and let your business grow online while you’re chatting with friends.

Still not convinced? Let’s explore some of the challenges you might face when you don’t have a website to showcase your offerings.

1. Not having a Business Website, is Like Being Invisible in the Online World

Imagine a customer searching for a product or service you offer, but they can’t find you online, so, they shop your competitor instead. In the absence of a business website, companies miss out on a massive pool of potential customers who scour the internet for their needs. Your business becomes a hidden gem that only a few local customers might know about, while a vast ocean of potential remains unexplored.

2. You Cannot Depend on Referrals in a World with Diminishing Loyalty.

As the years go by, depending solely on referrals is becoming problematic, as customers become less loyal. And I don’t mean to be cruel when I say this, but your older clients are dying off.

When General Motors use the line, this is not your father’s Oldsmobile. They were not wrong because they were noticing a trend where younger clients were not buying Oldsmobile anymore. The result, they no longer exists because they were too slow to evolve with the times.

3. Your Credibility will Take a Hit without a Business Website

When consumers hear about a business, one of the first things they do is check it out online, look at ratings, and then make the decision to call or fill in a form. A well-designed website is often seen as a credibility marker, just like having a clean showroom or when you pull up to a job site with a new truck.

Without a website, potential customers might question the legitimacy of your business, wondering why it lacks an online presence in a digitally dominated era. When they hop on your site and see customer testimonials and product listings, along with smiling staff members, they will want to do business with you.

4. Communication Gaps and Google Business Listings

Your Business Website serve as a 24/7 communication channel between your business and potential customers. Without it, you miss out on an opportunity to communicate your offerings, values, and stories to a wider audience. Customers might struggle to find essential information like your contact details, operating hours, and services, which can lead to missed business opportunities.

Even if they go to your Google Business Listings or Google Maps, many times the very next step is for your potential customer to click on the business website listing and see your offerings. So, if you don’t have a business website connected to Google, you just don’t have the credibility your company deserves. We see a time and time again, where older businesses neglect their business website and as a result, their credibility diminishes overtime. If you’re looking to leave a legacy to your children, get your website up-to-date.

5. No Business Website? You’re at a Competitive Disadvantage

While you’re operating without a website, your competitors with an online presence are likely attracting customers that might have chosen you. A business website allows you to showcase your unique selling points, attract potential clients, and compete on a larger scale, both locally and beyond.

Meanwhile, your competitor is getting leads from his site, so it’s working for him even when his business is closed. How does that seem fair?

6. Limited Marketing Opportunities Without an Online Presence

Without a business website, your marketing strategies might be confined to traditional methods, which are often more costly and have a limited reach. For example a simple postcard mailer can cost $100 per thousand mailed with a 1% return on investment, meanwhile the website included with Selling Lane, only costs $6 per user and has on average a 140% return on investment

A website acts as a versatile platform where you can showcase your portfolio, share customer testimonials, and even establish a blog to share your expertise and attract organic traffic.

Organic traffic is customer searches online, for example “Best Driveway Sealers” results in your driveway sealing business coming up on the search. This is critical to your success, because something like 80% of all customers start their decisions, by performing a Google search.

7. You Think a Business Website is too Expensive

In the past, you were correct, because business websites cost thousands and were extremely hard to launch. Now there are free services that offer excellent free sites. Even Selling Lane includes a Free Integrated Business Website in their CRM, so you don’t have to pay at all.

Why is an integrated website so important? Because it allows you to make changes to your software that reflect automatically on your website, so you don’t need two separate teams to manage your business for example, if your sales team decides to make changes to products, those changes reflect on your website instantly. This is exceptionally useful, especially for solopreneurs who are doing everything themselves?

My final thoughts

While traditional business methods have their own charm, your competitors will take advantage of you without a business website. Why give them the opportunity to challenge the business you built?

A website is more than just an online presence; it’s a tool that enhances visibility, credibility, customer interaction, and competitive edge, propelling your business towards broader horizons.

In the context of these challenges, platforms like Selling Lane offer a fantastic solution. Not only does it provide a robust CRM to streamline your business operations, but it also offers a feature to create your own business website, ensuring you sail smoothly through the digital world, reaching customers far and wide. So, why stay invisible when you can shine online?

Selling Lane includes, CRM, Retention, Invoicing, Business Website, Task Manager, QR Code Business Cards and much more.

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John, or “Super Mario” as his kids call him, is a solo plumber with a dream of growing his business. He started out small, but quickly gained a reputation for being reliable, honest, and affordable. With a toolbox in his truck and a passion for providing top-notch service, John had all the makings of a successful entrepreneur. His customers loved him, and he was soon getting more jobs than he could handle, and working with just Penn and paper he asked the age-old question could he use a CRM instead of paper?

Challenges:

• Difficulty keeping track of leads
• Difficulty managing sales pipeline
• Difficulty closing deals

How the CRM system improved the sales process:

• Tracking leads: The CRM system helped the business owner to track leads more easily by providing a central place to store lead information, such as contact information, interests, and purchase history.
• Managing sales pipeline: The CRM system helped the business owner to manage their sales pipeline more effectively by providing visibility into all stages of the sales process.
• Closing deals: The CRM system helped the business owner to close more deals by providing tools for automating tasks, such as sending follow-up emails and scheduling appointments.

Benefits of switching to a CRM system:

• Increased sales
• Improved customer service
• Saved time

Sometimes the Details That Stop Businesses From Growing

However, he found himself struggling with the administrative side of running a business – managing customer relationships, scheduling appointments, and finding opportunities for upselling. John knew that he needed to get organized if he wanted to continue growing his business. He had been using paper to track his invoices, customers, and jobs, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. He decided to try a simple CRM system instead.

“Opting for a CRM instead of paper was a groundbreaking decision for this old school plumber. LOL”

“Can a CRM Really Help a Plumber Like Me?”

Enter Selling Lane, an easy yet innovative CRM and small business tool, designed to convert you from paper and enhance customer relationships. JOHN found that we offered a 31-day free trial, so he took a stab at converting himself from paper to a CRM. Needless to say, for him, Selling Lane was a Tipping Point for my business

John was hesitant at first, but he quickly realized that the CRM could help him find things faster. It was easy to use, and it helped him to stay organized and on top of his business. He was able to track his customers more effectively, close more deals using menu selling, and provide a better customer experience. Simply because he was more organized.

Testing 1 2 3, Well actually 31 Day Trial of CRM Instead of Paper

With the new free site included with Selling Lane, he was able to upgrade his customer experience, and within six months, John’s business had grown by 20%. Mostly with customers, he’d never heard of before, and we’re not referred to him. This was like an augmentation to his existing referral-based business. Because of having a CRM and not trying to keep everything in his head, he was able to hire an assistant (his niece), and he was finally able to take some time off for himself. Even on his fishing trip, he was able to send a last-minute invoice, and keep an eye on inbound leads from the smartphone app. He was grateful for the CRM system that had helped him to achieve his goals.

“I can’t work without Selling Lane, it’s like having a digital helper on the job with you at all times.”

-John aka Mario

Example of How an Easy CRM System Helped John Expand His Business:

One day, John received a call from a new customer who needed a leaky faucet fixed. John scheduled the appointment, but in the car, he realized he didn’t have the customer’s address. He panicked, thinking that he would have to call the customer back and ask for the address again. But then John remembered he had Selling Lane. He logged in and found the customer’s information easily, clicked the map link and was on his way.

He was able to get to the appointment on time, and he fixed the faucet quickly and efficiently. The customer was very impressed with John’s professionalism, especially that he was able to send a link to pay invoice right from his phone. The customer paid immediately and John was on his way later. John told me that the customer told his friends and neighbors about John’s plumbing business, which generated another lead for a new home build, which is one of the dream jobs of a plumber?

John’s story is just one example of how a CRM system can help a small business to grow. If you are a small business owner, I encourage you to try an easy CRM system. It could be the best decision you ever make for your business. Using a CRM instead of Paper is a game changer

Menu Selling Was a Breakthrough Decision for John’s Plumbing Business

As mentioned above, the real turning point for John was Selling Lane’s unique Menu Selling feature. By presenting a menu of his plumbing services to clients on his Samsung tablet, John could effectively upsell and cross-sell his services. Customers could see all the services he offered and choose the ones that best suited their needs. This interactive approach led to a better customer experience and increased sales.

I showed up at a customer’s home, who wanted me to repair an outdoor faucet that had frozen over the winter. Using Selling Lane’s Menu Upselling System, I was able to upsell them to add another hydrant faucet at the opposite end of the house, and also add a device that prevents banging when the water pipes are shut off too quickly. This is called a water hammer arrestor, just a great device to attach to your washing machine specifically.

John

Growth in Just a few Month

In just a few months, John saw a significant increase in his revenue. But more than that, he was able to build strong, lasting connections with his customers. He was no longer just a plumber; he was a trusted service provider who understood his customers’ needs and provided exceptional service.

I love the way I am now the customer’s consultant, not just their plumber. With Selling Lane I don’t have to upsell, I can just show them options, and they upsell themselves.

Today, John is a thriving entrepreneur with a growing team. He credits Selling Lane for not just transforming his business, but also for helping him make meaningful customer connections. And as he continues to grow his business, he knows Selling Lane will be there, supporting him every step of the way.

This is the power of Selling Lane – it’s not just about customers or revenue; it’s about helping entrepreneurs like John build successful businesses and meaningful customer relationships.

3 Reasons Why John Thinks You Should Use an Easy CRM instead of Paper

1. “First off, with Selling Lane’s CRM, I’ve eliminated the mess of lost or misplaced papers. Everything’s digital, organized, and at my fingertips. No more frantic searches for a client’s details or job history.”
2. “Secondly, it’s a game-changer for scheduling and invoicing. I get reminders for follow-ups, and invoicing is a breeze. No more late nights trying to remember which job was done when and for how much.”
3. “Oh, and I can’t forget about the website builder! Before Selling Lane, I didn’t even have a proper online presence. Now, I’ve got a professional-looking website that attracts more clients and showcases my plumbing services. It’s like having a 24/7 digital storefront without any of the hassle.”

The jump to using CRM instead of paper is a paradigm shift for my business.

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In the fast-paced world of small businesses, time is a precious commodity. With a multitude of tasks vying for attention, effective time management becomes a critical skill for success. It’s not just about working harder; it’s about working smarter.In small businesses, where resources can be limited, time becomes an invaluable asset. Every minute counts, and how you choose to spend your time can significantly impact your business’s growth and profitability. Effective time management can lead to increased productivity, better decision-making, and improved work-life balance.Despite its importance, managing time effectively can be a challenge. Small business owners often wear multiple hats, juggling various roles and responsibilities. This can lead to a reactive approach, where urgent tasks take precedence over important ones. The result? Key strategic activities may be neglected, and stress levels can rise.The idea for Selling Lane was born out of my own experiences as a serial entrepreneur. Having founded several software companies, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges small businesses face. I wanted to create a solution that would simplify operations and support growth. Drawing on lessons learned from past ventures, Selling Lane was designed with the needs of small businesses at its core.So, how can small businesses master time management? Here are a few strategies:

1. Prioritize Tasks: Not all tasks are created equal. Use a system like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance. This can help you focus on what truly matters.
2. Delegate: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks that can be handled by others. This frees up your time to focus on strategic activities that require your expertise.
3. Use Technology: Leverage tools and software to automate routine tasks. For instance, a platform like Selling Lane can integrate CRM, billing, and travel logistics, saving you valuable time.
4. Set Clear Goals: Having clear goals can help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary tasks. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to make them more achievable.
5. Take Breaks: Contrary to what you might think, taking regular breaks can actually improve productivity. It can prevent burnout and keep your mind fresh.

Time management is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. By prioritizing tasks, delegating, leveraging technology, setting clear goals, and taking breaks, small businesses can make the most of their time and drive their success.

Remember, time is a non-renewable resource. Once spent, it can’t be regained. So, make every minute count. Your business’s success depends on it.