Apr 16, 2009

Hw does an eCRM decrease the price of performing remote sales?

The internet can offer a business the opportunity to cut the cost associated with customer service, increase customer satisfaction, and personalize marketing customization. These needs are often met as previous business tools become incorporated into the World Wide Web. Customer Relationship Managers, or CRMs, are one example. When a CRM is used in conjunction with the Internet it is known as an eCRM.

CRMs are often hosted on a company’s server that companies using it pay for each month or year. These hosted CRMs are accessed by the internet and become eCRMs. All customer relationship management systems include the processes and activities an organization uses to track and organize their contacts. The challenge a CRM has to face is being able to access the information and offer the communication on the right topic, in the right amount, at the right time that the customer needs.

The internet provides many facets by which the eCRM can accomplish its task. Websites and web pages become important sources for leads in a customer relationship manager. Many company websites contain web forms. These forms collect personal information and are voluntarily filled out and submitted by visitors who often are interested in buying the company’s product or service. If a CRM was not connected to the internet, a sales agent would have to wait for an email notifying him that the web form had been completed, impute that telephone number into the CRM manually, and wait for it to be brought up for a sales rep to call.

Alternatively, an eCRM can be set up to work with the web forms on a company site. As these web forms are submitted, the customer relationship manager captures the lead. The software can accomplish this within seconds of the form being submitted, and sales agents can follow up with the prospect immediately. Lead management solutions built into the CRM push the newly captured lead to the top of the call list. The contact that filled out the web form may realistically be called within minutes of submitting their information over the web. Such a rapid response not only impresses potential customers, but it also ensures that the lead is contacted before a competitor is able to, or before his or her interest fades. This fast response rate is one way that the use of an eCRM increases sales.

Remote sales is often less expensive than face to face sales. The use of telephony business solutions like a Customer Relationship Manager, especially an eCRM, increases the difference in price between the two practices even more.