The Ringy Blog

5 Reasons You Should Implement CRM Phone Integration For Your Business

Written by Ringy | Jan 28, 2022 11:56:00 PM

"You have seven missed calls."

Something no sales rep wants to hear ever.

You work hard all day calling your prospects, remembering their kids' birthdays to establish a meaningful bond, trying to solve all their problems…

And bam. Leave your desk for half an hour and the opportunity is gone.

This was an everyday gamble for salespeople in the nineties. We have to cut them some slack though - CRM phone integration wasn't a thing back then.

But what's your excuse?

Because, back in the future where remote work is mainstream and clients expect your constant availability, mobile CRM is the only way to keep up.

Not to mention improving your sales.

But that's just a convenient side effect of using a CRM with a built-in VoIP phone. So if you're not already taking advantage of this 21st-century sales commodity, let's make a deal:

We show you the ropes, and you thank us when your reps start closing deals like no tomorrow.

Definition of CRM Phone System Integration

CRM phone integration means you don't have your workspace in one area and your calling, SMS, emailing, and other vital sales functions in a whole separate place.

Integration generally means just that: everything synced together.

Shared client database. Time-saving systems. The ability to access every feature you need in the same place.

No double paperwork, and certainly no physical paper to be worked.

Essentially, it's a phone system that's connected to your CRM and works over the internet, with a bunch of perks like remote sales, click-to-call dialing, and agent coaching to name a few.

And from a business perspective, it's the only way to go.

Look, maybe you're a bit apprehensive because you're used to landline phones.

But here's some perspective: landlines have been around since 1876. That's before we had four-wheeled cars, toilet paper, or Coca-Cola.

Surely we've been able to come up with better telephony solutions by now?

You could get a CRM phone integration. Or you could go a step further and get the best and brightest for todays' modern businesses: a VoIP CRM.

What is CRM with VOIP?

A CRM with a built-in internet phone is like a landline on steroids. Better, faster, and helps you get more done because of advanced features beyond simply calling.

Here are some features that our CRM with VoIP software offers:

VoIP feature

What it does

1. Remote calling, texting, and video

Ringy allows you to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, and even conduct video calls directly from your Ringy CRM interface. This means you can stay connected with your customers anywhere, anytime, without relying on a traditional landline phone system.

2. Call recording

Capture important details from client interactions, ensuring a thorough understanding of customer needs and allowing for continuous improvement in communication strategies.

3. Call tracking

Ringy CRM enhances your call tracking capabilities, allowing you to monitor and analyze calls directly within your CRM system. This feature enables you to gain insights into customer interactions, track communication trends, and measure the effectiveness of your outreach efforts.

4. Local ID

With Ringy's VoIP integration, you can customize your caller ID to display local numbers, enhancing the chances of customer engagement. Local ID helps build trust with clients and prospects, increasing the likelihood of answered calls and successful communication. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses targeting specific geographic areas.

5. Progressive dialing

Streamline your outbound calling process with Ringy's progressive dialing feature. This CRM phone system integration optimizes the calling workflow by automatically dialing numbers and connecting agents to live calls. It minimizes downtime between conversations, maximizing your team's efficiency and allowing them to focus on meaningful customer interactions.

6. Drip campaigns

Our CRM facilitates automated drip campaigns through its VoIP integration. Create targeted and personalized communication sequences that align with customer journeys. From follow-up calls, text messages, or video messages, drip campaigns helps nurture leads, engage existing customers, and drive sales.

7. AI Tools for SMS

Integrate artificial intelligence into your SMS communications with Ringy. Leverage AI tools to analyze customer responses, automate replies, and personalize messaging. This feature enhances the efficiency of your SMS campaigns and ensures that your messages resonate with the intended audience.

8. Cloud VoIP

Ringy's VoIP integration operates on a cloud-based infrastructure, providing scalability, reliability, and accessibility. Enjoy the benefits of cloud VoIP, including reduced infrastructure costs, seamless updates, and the ability to scale your communication capabilities as your business grows.

Pretty impressive, but you'll need more concrete results than vague “improvements,” right?

We got you. How about these numbers:

  • 65% of sales reps that use a phone CRM achieve their sales targets. In comparison, just 22% of people with desktop CRM's only hit those targets
  • Mobile CRMs increase sales team productivity by 50%
  • Businesses that use mobile apps experience a 74% increase in customer satisfaction, 87% improvement in sales, and 73% improvement in business efficiency

It adds up. But we're just getting started.

5 Reasons to Use CRM Phone System Integration

We love them, use them, and provide them to businesses like yours. And below are just some of the main ways a CRM phone system integration makes a difference.

1. Improve Customer Service

When your CRM system is integrated with your phone system, your sales and customer service representatives have instant access to all of the relevant customer information they need, such as contact history, purchase history, and support tickets. This allows them to provide more personalized and efficient service to your customers.

For example, suppose a customer calls in with a question about a recent order. In that case, your representative can quickly pull up the order details and answer the customer's question without having to put them on hold or transfer them to another department.

It's a win-win situation:

They are happy you're available, and you're better at your job because you can provide a better, more personalized service.

That would explain the increase in customer satisfaction we see with Ringy.

Source

2. Easier Access to Customer Data and Real-Time Calling Data

CRM phone system integration gives you a single place to view all of your customer data and call data. This makes it easier to track your sales pipeline, identify opportunities, and improve your customer service.

You can use your CRM system to generate reports on the number of calls your team is making, the average call duration, and the number of calls that are converting into sales. You can also use this data to identify areas where your team can improve, such as reducing the number of abandoned calls or increasing the average call duration.

Things like call times, duration, and the number of interactions will be automatically entered in real-time. You can also jot down or sometimes even transcribe other notes directly from your calls.

This is a sales game changer.

At the end of the day, you're left with a huge database you can easily filter and scan when you need it most: both before and during each call.

This will make you look professional and dedicated to your clients.

And that look is always in style. ;)

3. Increased Efficiency and Productivity

Efficiency is the backbone of any successful business. CRM phone integration streamlines workflows by allowing your team to make calls directly from the CRM platform. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple applications, saving valuable time and reducing the risk of errors. The integration of phone numbers within the CRM ensures that calls are logged and associated with the respective customer records, providing a centralized and organized communication history.

These things add up.

Having them done for you frees up big chunks of time so you can focus on getting better at selling and getting more of it done each day.

4. Improved Communication and Team Performance

So we mentioned how a CRM with phone integration gives you all this data on your dashboard in real time. However, eliminating manual data input is not the only perk of this feature.

CRM phone system integration can also help to improve communication and collaboration between your sales and customer service teams. For example, when a customer calls in, your CRM system can automatically route the call to the appropriate representative based on the customer's contact information and purchase history. This ensures that the customer is always speaking to the right person and that their needs are being met quickly and efficiently.

Real-time reporting gives you a bird's eye view of your company. It helps you make great decisions quickly and prevent problems before they even happen.

But CRM analytics also help you measure your company's performance and know exactly where you need to tweak your sales pipeline.

Metrics are important. So delegate the math to a robot and keep improving the results.

5. Introduce Automation to Your Calling Workflow

The integration of CRM with VoIP software opens the door to automation possibilities. You can implement features such as call logging, call recording, and automatic updating of customer records. This not only saves time but also ensures data accuracy.

Automation also allows you to set reminders for follow-up calls, ensuring that no customer falls through the cracks and improving the overall efficiency of your calling workflow.

You save on human labor, telephony services, and on time you'd otherwise spend doing what a machine can do for you.

Plus, you actually sell more with all the extra client calls you get to make.

Think about it. You're way more efficient. You're not dialing, flipping through pages of client data, trying to remember the previous conversation, or figuring out who you need to call next.

All of this is done for you and for less money than the traditional option.

We know you love a good deal and this is definitely it: CRM's average ROI is around $8.71 per dollar spent.

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a VOIP CRM Software

Keep these six considerations close to your chest when picking a CRM VoIP and you'll be sure to get a solid deal.

1. Pricing

When you're weighing out VoIP CRM software pricing, what you need to consider isn't only the pay-to-play.

You need to see how the pricing stacks up to the features you get and the results they can bring you.

And that will depend on what comes in the package.

For example, you may pay less for one CRM than another, only to realize you ended up choosing the more expensive option because crucial features like free outbound SMS weren't included in the deal. So you had to pay extra.

Always think about what you need and the total cost of all the features you're getting with each CRM.

2. Mobile access

Mobile VoIP is a huge deal because it lets you work from anywhere, anytime. And as a salesperson, you know how vital that is.

Miss a call, and your leads won't think twice about calling your competitor instead, like:

Source

And just like that, you lose an opportunity because your competitor answered first.

Having a mobile CRM means you never skip a beat, your customers are happier, and you're way more efficient in the long run.

3. Lead management

This is where you'll save serious time. Did you know that salespeople don't spend most of their day selling?

Yep. Most of it actually goes to entering client data, sending emails, and doing other admin tasks instead. Only one-third is spent actually calling customers.

Lead management can flip that script for you:

  • It's automatically organized and easily scannable
  • The risk of losing client data is significantly reduced
  • You can create and automate calling schedules so you don't waste time
  • It's super easy to add new data as you build rapport and have it on hand

Lead management simply isn't one of those things you have to actively think about these days. So remember to look for tagging, filtering, scheduling, and qualifying options in your CRM phone system.

4. Real-time reporting

Big deal alert! Real-time reporting is crucial for sales success.

Every time your reps get on the phone with clients, it's an opportunity for you to measure many of your business tactics and optimize key points going forward.

As we already mentioned, smart VoIP CRM can show you:

  1. Individual performance of each salesperson
  2. Revenue projections
  3. Win/lose rates
  4. Sales projections

Ideally, the best sales software will present this data on a custom dashboard so all the important numbers are visible in real-time.

That way you can make quick informed decisions and enjoy being right all the time.

You're welcome!

5. Advanced calling features

So what other super cool features can you get with a phone integration?

Good question. Honestly, if you're gonna get a CRM phone system, go all the way. Don't miss out on these little miracles:

  • Power or progressive dialing
  • Coaching calls
  • Call tracking and recording
  • Advanced automation
  • Free minutes and text

So we've already mentioned how progressive dialing lets you blast through your calling list more efficiently and call tracking and recording help you optimize the sales pipeline.

And, to be fair, all of these play into the same goals.

Save time. Reduce errors. Sell more.

Coaching is a cool feature that lets you secretly be in contact with a sales rep while they're on a call with a client, allowing you to guide them in real time and provide better feedback.

So very useful.

And automation? Everyone will have some level of it.

But the best VoIP CRM software will automate admin and lead organization as well as marketing and some sales tasks, so keep an eye out for that.

6. Support

We'll never shut up about customer support because that's literally your last resort to fixing problems. And someday, somehow, things will eventually go wrong.

If you got to a point where you need to contact help, it means you already tried solving it yourself and didn't really get anywhere.

And this is where customer support can be your saving grace or absolute worst nightmare.

So before you go off into the world, galavanting with the first CRM you get your hands on, consider how much and what type of support you need.

24/7 access is always your best bet. But if you have a solid tech crew in-house, maybe you could do with less. Think about it.

The best providers will leave the options open.

Top 5 CRM with VOIP in the Market

Ringy

Source

Yes, that's us. Ringy is the all-around best option you'll find for sales.

Because Ringy doesn't only focus on sales. With this CRM, you get an all-encompassing automation system that covers aspects of your sales calls, admin tasks, organization, and drip campaign marketing.

And that all together slices your workload in half.

Think of your problem as a health issue. If you went to a doctor, you wouldn't want to get a medicine that treats only the symptoms or fixes your headache at the expense of your liver.

Because it's not like that solves anything - it's still all your body. You'd want a whole, sustainable solution that gets you better overall.

And that's what Ringy does for your business. Here are some of the reasons that make Ringy worthwhile when contacting your clients.

Features

Description

Seamless Communication

Ringy integrates seamlessly with VoIP, enabling users to make and receive calls directly within the CRM platform. This integration ensures that all call data is automatically logged and associated with the relevant customer records, fostering a unified communication environment.

Enhanced Customer Insights

With Ringy, you have instant access to real-time customer data during calls. As a call is initiated, the CRM platform retrieves and displays relevant customer information, empowering the team to deliver personalized and informed interactions.

Efficient Workflow

Ringy streamlines the calling workflow through automated call logging. Calls made or received are automatically recorded and linked to the respective customer records, reducing manual data entry and ensuring that communication history is accurately maintained.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Our CRM offers robust call analytics and reporting features. Users can gain insights into call performance, track trends, and assess team productivity. This data-driven approach allows businesses to make informed decisions, optimize calling strategies, and continuously improve their customer engagement efforts.

With unparalleled automation, seamless mobile experience, and all the sleek features you could ever need, this CRM is like a pocket sales assistant.

Pricing: $109/month.

*Pricing as of November 2023

Salesforce

Source

Salesforce is known for its customizable CRM with comprehensive reports.

It'll help you keep track of all the little details and optimize your sales performance no matter the industry and business size. Which makes it a pretty safe bet.

And to make sure you get how everything is supposed to work, Salesforce really invests a lot of energy into producing helpful content like blogs, videos, and demos.

Source

It offers all the standard features you'd need from a VoIP CRM like:

  • Call management
  • Tracking, recording, and scripting
  • Cataloguing/categorization

But keep in mind that workflow automation, advanced reporting, and 24/7 support only come with higher pricing tiers.

Pricing: $25-$330 per month/per user.

*Pricing as of November 2023

Pipedrive

Source

Pipedrive has a fairly simple interface on desktop or mobile.

The app itself is robust and takes a bit of getting used to, but this is balanced by great customer support that can help you get started on the right foot.

We also love its customization options.

With this VoIP CRM, you can create your own sales pipeline and fill out the fields with your own information.

This combined with decent email automation and deal management makes Pipedrive a sweet choice for companies of all sizes.

We mentioned not all automation is the same. And, in this case, Pipedrive doesn't offer all the side benefits like drip campaigns. So you may need another tool for marketing.

However, the tonnes of integrations it offers definitely help make up for it.

Pricing: $11.90-$74.90 per month, per user.

*Pricing as of November 2023

Zoho CRM

Source

Zoho CRM is another unique CRM with VoIP offerings in the market. It offers a wide range of features and integrations, including a built-in VoIP solution, email marketing, and social media management tools. This makes it a good option for businesses that need a comprehensive CRM solution with a wide range of features.

Some of the key features of Zoho CRM's VoIP solution include:

  • Call recording and transcription
  • Automatic call logging
  • Real-time lead scoring
  • IVR (interactive voice response)
  • Call queues
  • Call routing
  • Conference calling

Zoho CRM offers a free plan for up to 3 users, which includes access to all of its features, including VoIP. Paid plans start at $18/month per user.

*Pricing as of November 2023

Bitrix24

Source

Bitrix24 is a unique CRM with VoIP offerings in the market because it is an all-in-one platform that includes a wide range of features, such as a CRM, VoIP, email marketing, task management, and more. This makes it a good option for businesses of all sizes, as it can help them streamline their operations and improve their customer relationships.

Some of the key features of Bitrix24's VoIP solution are:

  • Call recording and transcription
  • Automatic call logging
  • Real-time lead scoring
  • IVR (interactive voice response)
  • Call queues
  • Call routing
  • Conference calling

Bitrix24 offers a free plan for unlimited users, which includes access to all of its features, including VoIP. Paid plans start at $61/month.

*Pricing as of November 2023

Conclusion: CRM With VoIP Is the Way Forward

It's time to get back into the future.

Your company has been relying on crappy landlines for far too long, and come on. WhatsApp can only get you so far.

What you need is a sophisticated system with advanced calling functions.

Imagine: instead of keeping separate notes, client data, and pressing buttons like no tomorrow, you have a unified base that does the work for you:

  • Gives you remote and constant access
  • Superior call quality
  • Pulls info from your centralized database
  • Sends automated drip SMS and email messages
  • Saves you so. much. time.

Don't fight a losing battle. CRM phone integration will make your life much simpler and bring in more $$$.

The only question left is, which one will you go for?

We suggest you take Ringy for a spin if you want to get your money's worth of monthly calls, texts, and automated drip campaigns all in one place.