Introduction
👋 Hey there, Breakcolders! Are you ready to crush your sales goals in 2024? If you're part of an agency, you know how important it is to have the right tools to manage your client relationships and keep your team organized.
That's where a CRM comes in. But with over 1000 CRMs on the market, how do you know which one is the best fit for your agency?
🔍 Don't worry, we've done the research for you. We scoured reviews on G2 and Capterra, two of the top software review sites, to find the top CRMs for agencies in 2024. But before we dive into the list, let's talk about why a CRM is essential for your agency's success.
Why using a CRM for Agency?
💰 As Michael Jordan once said (or almost said ahah), "The best sales you make are the ones when you're not selling." And that's exactly what a CRM can help you achieve. By organizing your client data, automating tedious tasks, and providing valuable insights, a CRM can help you focus on building relationships and closing deals.
An agency should have a Sales CRM because it helps them keep track of their customers and leads, which can lead to more sales and higher revenue.
Here's an example:
Let's say you're running a lemonade stand, and you have a notebook where you write down the names and contact information of people who stop by and express interest in buying lemonade.
Without a CRM, it would be hard to remember who these people are and when they said they might come back to buy. But with a CRM, you can keep track of all this information in one place, making it easier to follow up with potential customers and turn them into actual customers.
6 Use Cases of a Modern Sales CRM To Close Deals (For Agencies & Startups)
In more technical terms, a Sales CRM can help agencies:
Increase productivity by automating tasks and streamlining workflows.
Improve communication and collaboration among team members.
Identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling to existing customers.
Analyze data to identify trends and optimize sales strategies.
In short, a Sales CRM is like a lemonade stand notebook on steroids, helping agencies keep track of customers and close more sales.
🚀 Ready to find the perfect CRM for your agency?
Without further ado, let's dive into our top pick for the best CRM for agencies in 2024: Breakcold.
CRM for Agency 1: Breakcold
v🥇 Breakcold is a CRM to build modern B2B relationships, not in 2010. Compare to traditional CRMs, Breakcold allows you to interact with B2B contacts natively inside the CRM not only via Email but also with LinkedIn & Twitter.
Advantages of Breakcold for agencies
✅ you can aggregate the LinkedIn/Twitter posts of your B2B contacts to save time on prospect's research
✅ you can like, comment LinkedIn/Twitter posts & send messages/emails to your B2B contacts in 1 place so you can:
stay top of mind during a deal to win it
bond with existing clients to increase retention, feedback and word of mouth
generate high-value leads with fast personalized outreach
✅ built-in cold email sequences to generate leads
✅ you can assign Virtual Assistants or team members to engage on your behalf
✅ you can create curated feeds of your B2B contacts to engage them as a team
✅ you can turn your traditional CRM into a Social Selling CRM by sending your most valuable leads to Breakcold
The top 1% of online salespeople build the best B2B relationships but they have to open +1000 tabs a day to do so. The other 99% just don't have the time or the energy to do so, Breakcold helps you fix that to join the 1% club.
Hope to see you soon becoming Breakcolders 🧊🔨
Disadvantage of Breakcold for agencies
🚫 Lack of integrations: Breakcold is still a young product so the integrations are very limited compare to traditional CRMs
Pricing of Breakcold
💸 Speaking of pricing, let's break down Breakcold's plans and pricing:
👉 Breakcold CRM plan: $29 per month with unlimited users
👉 Breakcold+ plan: $49 per month with unlimited users
Conclusion on Breakcold
While Breakcold is the youngest CRM for agencies on this list, this weakness is its strength because the CRM software has been designed to close deals in our modern era.
💡 Pro tip: Breakcold has a free plan that allows you to start a free LinkedIn engagement list.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a sales CRM to build B2B relationships faster than ever, then Breakcold is the way to go.
CRM for Agency 2: Close.io
🥈 Close.io is a sales CRM built specifically for startups and SMBs. It's known for its simplicity, user-friendliness, and powerful automation features.
Advantages of Close.io for agencies
Here are some of the advantages of using Close.io for your agency:
✅ Easy to use: Close.io has a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for your team to get started right away. You can customize the pipeline to match your sales process, and the drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to move deals from one stage to the next.
✅ Powerful automation: Close.io's automation features are a game-changer for agencies. You can set up automated email sequences, follow-up tasks, and even make and record phone calls directly within the platform. This saves your team time and ensures that no leads slip through the cracks.
✅ Robust reporting: Close.io provides detailed reports on your team's performance, including metrics like conversion rates, deal size, and lead sources. This data can help you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
Disadvantages of Close.io for agencies
But, like any CRM, Close.io has its drawbacks. Here are a few potential disadvantages to consider:
🚫 Price: Close.io is on the pricier side, with plans starting at $65 per user per month. While the platform's powerful automation features can save you time and money in the long run, the upfront cost may be prohibitive for some agencies.
🚫 Limited integrations: While Close.io integrates with popular tools like Zapier and Slack, it doesn't have as many integrations as some other CRMs on the market. If your agency relies heavily on other software tools, this could be a potential limitation.
Pricing of Close.io
💸 Speaking of pricing, let's break down Close.io's plans and pricing:
👉 Basic plan: $65 per user per month, includes all basic features plus email automation, power dialer, and call recording.
👉 Pro plan: $110 per user per month, includes all startup features plus advanced reporting and analytics, outbound dialing, and team management tools.
👉 Custom plan: Custom pricing based on your agency's specific needs, includes all business features plus dedicated support and onboarding.
Conclusion about Close.io
While Close.io may not be the cheapest CRM on the market (if you want all the features, otherwise it starts at $29), it offers a powerful set of features that can help your agency streamline its sales process and close more deals.
💡 Pro tip: Close.io offers a 14-day free trial, so you can test out the platform before committing to a plan.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a sales CRM that's easy to use, has powerful automation features, and provides detailed reporting, Close.io is a top choice for agencies in 2024. While it may be pricier than some other CRMs on the market, its features and benefits can help your agency boost its sales and build stronger client relationships.
Now that we've covered Close.io, let's take a look at another popular CRM for agencies: Pipedrive.
CRM for Agency 3: Pipedrive
🥉 Pipedrive is a popular sales CRM that's known for its visual, intuitive interface and powerful automation features.
Advantages of Pipedrive for agencies
Here are some of the advantages of using Pipedrive for your agency:
✅ Visual pipeline: Pipedrive's visual pipeline makes it easy to see where each deal stands in the sales process. You can customize the pipeline stages to match your sales process and easily drag and drop deals from one stage to the next.
✅ Automation: Pipedrive's automation features help streamline your team's workflow. You can set up automated email sequences, follow-up tasks, and even schedule meetings directly within the platform.
✅ Integration: Pipedrive integrates with a wide range of tools, including Zapier, Trello, and Slack. This makes it easy to sync data between Pipedrive and other tools your team uses.
Disadvantages of Pipedrive for agencies
However, like any CRM, Pipedrive has its drawbacks. Here are a few potential disadvantages to consider:
🚫 Steep learning curve: Pipedrive's interface may take some getting used to, especially if your team is used to a different CRM. This could slow down adoption and make it more difficult to get up and running quickly.
Pricing of Pipedrive
💸 Speaking of pricing, let's break down Pipedrive's plans and pricing:
👉 Essential plan: $15 per user per month, includes all basic features plus email integration, chat and phone support, and 2GB of storage.
👉 Advanced plan: $29 per user per month, includes all essential features plus email marketing, advanced reporting, and 5GB of storage.
👉 Professional plan: $59 per user per month, includes all advanced features plus revenue forecasting, workflow automation, and 100GB of storage.
👉 Enterprise plan: Custom pricing based on your agency's specific needs, includes all professional features plus dedicated support and onboarding.
Conclusion about Pipedrive
While Pipedrive may not have as many features as some other CRMs on the market, its visual pipeline and automation features can help your agency streamline its sales process and close more deals.
💡 Pro tip: Pipedrive offers a 14-day free trial, so you can test out the platform before committing to a plan.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a sales CRM that's visually intuitive and has powerful automation features, Pipedrive is a solid choice for agencies in 2024.
While it may not have as many reporting features as other CRMs on the market, its integration with other tools and affordable pricing make it a popular choice for startups and SMBs.
CRM for Agency 4: Go High-level
Go High-level is a comprehensive sales CRM that's designed to help agencies streamline their sales process and improve their customer relationships.
Advantages of Go High-level for Agencies
Here are some of the advantages of using Go High-level:
✅ Agency-specific features: Go High-level includes a range of features that are specifically designed for agencies, including white-labeling, multi-client management, and automatic client reporting.
✅ Automated follow-up: With Go High-level, you can set up automated follow-up sequences to ensure that leads don't slip through the cracks. This can help improve your team's response time and increase your close rate.
✅ Integrations: Go High-level integrates with a wide range of tools, including Zapier, Stripe, and Mailchimp. This makes it easy to sync data between Go High-level and other tools your team uses.
Disadvantages of Go High-level for Agencies
However, like any CRM, Go High-level has its drawbacks. Here are a few potential disadvantages to consider:
🚫 Complexity: Go High-level can be complex to set up and use, especially if your team is used to a different CRM. This could slow down adoption and make it more difficult to get up and running quickly.
🚫 Pricing: Go High-level is a more expensive CRM compared to others on the market. This may not be a good fit for startups or smaller agencies with limited budgets.
Pricing of Go High-level for Agencies
💸 Speaking of pricing, let's break down Go High-level's plans and pricing:
👉 Standard plan: $97 per month, includes all basic features plus white-labeling, multi-client management, and automatic client reporting.
👉 Pro plan: $297 per month, includes all standard features plus custom domains, advanced automations, and SMS marketing.
👉 Agency plan: $497 per month, includes all pro features plus custom integrations, priority support, and agency-specific features.
Conclusion about Go High-level
While Go High-level may not be the most affordable CRM on the market, its agency-specific features and comprehensive automation capabilities can help your agency increase efficiency and boost sales.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a CRM that's specifically designed for agencies and includes a range of comprehensive features, Go High-level may be the best choice for your agency in 2024. However, if you're on a tight budget or don't need all of the agency-specific features, Breakcold, Pipedrive or Close.io may be better alternatives to consider.
CRM for Agency 5: Nimble CRM
Let's wrap up our list with Nimble CRM, a popular option for agencies looking to improve their sales processes and customer relationships.
Nimble CRM is a cloud-based platform that combines CRM, contact management, and social media integration into one easy-to-use tool.
Advantages of Nimble CRM for Agencies
Here are some of the advantages of using Nimble CRM:
✅ Contact management: Nimble CRM makes it easy to manage your contacts, including automatically pulling in data from social media profiles. This can help your team stay up-to-date on the latest information and better personalize their outreach.
✅ Social media integration: Nimble CRM integrates with popular social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, allowing your team to engage with leads and customers directly from the platform.
✅ Customizable pipelines: With Nimble CRM, you can create customizable pipelines that align with your agency's specific sales process. This can help improve visibility and ensure that everyone on your team is on the same page.
Disadvantages of Nimble CRM for Agencies
However, like any CRM, Nimble CRM has its drawbacks. Here are a few potential disadvantages to consider:
🚫 Limited features: Compared to other CRMs on the market, Nimble CRM has limited features and integrations. This may not be a good fit for larger agencies with more complex sales processes.
🚫 Pricing: Nimble CRM is priced on the higher end compared to other CRMs, which may not be ideal for smaller agencies with limited budgets.
Pricing of Nimble CRM
💸 Speaking of pricing, let's break down Nimble CRM's plans and pricing:
👉 $29.90 per user per month
Conclusion on Nimble CRM
While Nimble CRM may not have as many features as some of the other CRMs on our list, its contact management and social media integration capabilities can help your agency better personalize outreach and engage with leads and customers.
If your agency values these capabilities and is willing to invest in a higher-priced CRM, Nimble CRM may be a good choice for your agency in 2024.
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the best CRM for your agency in 2024, there are many factors to consider, including your agency's specific needs, budget, and sales process. Breakcold, Close.io, Pipedrive, Go High-level, and Nimble CRM are all strong contenders, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
By carefully evaluating each CRM and taking advantage of free trials, you can find the CRM that's best suited for your agency's needs and help your team close more sales in 2024.
Which CRM is the best fit depending on your agency type?
Now that we've covered the advantages and disadvantages of four top CRMs for agencies, let's take a closer look at which CRM might be the best fit for different agency scenarios.
Scenario 1: Digital marketing agency with less than 10 employees
The only salesperson is the founder.
If you're a digital marketing agency with a small team and a limited budget, Breakcold CRM might be the best choice for you.
Scenario 2: SEO agency with more than 20 employees
3 salespeople in the team.
If you're an SEO agency with a larger team and more salespeople, Pipedrive or Breakcold might be a better option for you. Pipedrive's customizable pipelines and sales-focused features can help your team stay organized and close more deals. Plus, with more salespeople, you'll likely need more robust features to manage leads and sales.
Scenario 3: Lead generation agency with 40 employees, virtual assistants to manage the CRM
If you're a lead generation agency with a larger team and virtual assistants to help manage your CRM, Go High-level might be the best choice for you. Go High-level's marketing and automation features can help you streamline your lead generation processes, while its customizable dashboard can help virtual assistants manage leads more effectively.
CRM used by famous agency owners
Of course, these scenarios are just examples, and the best CRM for your agency will depend on your specific needs and budget. When it comes to using a sales CRM, even some of the biggest names in the agency world have turned to these tools to help streamline their sales processes and drive growth.
CRM used by the agency VaynerMedia
👉 Gary Vaynerchuk: Founder and CEO of VaynerMedia, Gary Vaynerchuk is a well-known advocate for using sales CRMs to improve sales processes and drive growth.
In an interview with SalesHacker, he shared that his agency uses a custom CRM built on Salesforce, allowing his team to manage their pipeline and track performance metrics.
CRM used by the agency Moz
👉 Rand Fishkin: Founder of SEO agency Moz and current CEO of SparkToro, Rand Fishkin has also spoken about the importance of using sales CRMs. In an interview with Entrepreneur, he noted that Moz uses HubSpot CRM to manage their sales pipeline and track their progress toward revenue goals.
CRM used by the agency DigitalMarketer
👉 Ryan Deiss: Founder and CEO of digital marketing agency DigitalMarketer, Ryan Deiss has credited his agency's success in part to their use of a sales CRM. In an interview with CRM Buyer, he shared that his team uses Infusionsoft to manage their pipeline, track leads, and automate their sales process.
These are just a few examples of agency owners who have found success using sales CRMs. By adopting these tools, they have been able to streamline their sales processes, improve lead management, and ultimately drive growth for their agencies.