How Funnel CRM Stack Up Against Spreadsheets-converted

Keywords: Cloud CRM solutions, CRM for Agencies
Funnel Blog
How Funnel CRM Stack Up Against
Spreadsheets?
The spreadsheets are a free and popular way to organize data. Even in this digital age, many businesses
still fancy spreadsheets and use them to create reports, track sales, and customer data. The problem is
spreadsheets have many disadvantages. For instance:
• They don’t let you track customer relationships.
• You have to maintain multiple sheets to record different kinds of data.
• And all your data is spread across separate devices and sales representatives.
Owing to these inadequacies, more and more businesses are turning to cloud CRM solutions or
customer relationship managers as either they are losing sales or failing to keep their customers and
prospects happy. The cloud-based CRM is aiding organizations store all their information in one place so
they can view reports and track their sales staff’s activities with ease.
Still wondering if you need a CRM or spreadsheet?
Let us tell you how a CRM for agencies or businesses is better than spreadsheets.
• Lead Gathering for Sales
Back in the old days, this was done by sales reps. They go through phone directories and then settle in
for a long session of cold calling to convert leads into customers. And when they were not on the phone,
they were roaming around and knocking on doors to introduce themselves and their products.
The worst part was, they used to record all this information in spreadsheets. Though times may have
changed, a high percentage of sales reps and businesses are still using spreadsheets to maintain
customer data rather opting for an appropriate system.
So why on earth sales businesses aren’t getting rid of spreadsheets?
For some, change is scary. These people prefer to use a solution they are comfortable with because it’s
less intimidating for them than thinking about learning a new software. However, those familiar rows
and columns cannot organize, track and nurture leads for you. As a result, people using spreadsheets are
likely to miss out on the advantages that only cloud CRM solutions like Funnel CRM are capable of
providing.
Not only Funnel CRM allows users to organize, track and nurture leads but also help them capture leads
in their sleep. Thanks to its simple form builder, you can create and add a web contact form into your

website without technical knowledge. In case, you know your way around HTML, you can create your
own form that matches with the markup and styling of your website.
This feature alone has allowed Funnel CRM to change the rules of the game, for the better. Because
many salespeople are often found complaining about losing leads in their messy spreadsheets or
inboxes.
• Reduces Manual Data Entry
Salespeople hate manual work. It’s not because they deserve some special treatment, it’s because the
admin work slows down hunter-style salespeople. Also, it makes sense because it isn’t their primary job
and it works against their task—sales. So every minute spent on entering data in spreadsheets is less
time selling.
If you want to your sales team to sell more, then equip them with the right tool. I’m telling you this
because there are many cloud CRM solutions out there that claim to speed up your sales process with
automation but their users are required to manually enter customers’ information in order to create
their profiles. But Funnel CRM is looking to change that forever.
With smart automation, Funnel CRM has made it super easy for salespeople to grow and maintain their
customer database. The CRM for agencies automatically captures your contacts’ basic information they
have entered into your contact form and use it to create their profile. On top of it, it lets you update this
information whenever you like.
Now that’s what you call a smart solution. A CRM that actually automates manual work. This can only be
done by a team that knows what are the pain points of salespeople.
• Keep all Your Information in One Place
If you are leveraging spreadsheets to track your sales business, not only it will require you to maintain
multiple sheets to track all your data, but you also have to use scattered solutions to keep your business
going. You have to manage a separate:
• Contact sheet
• Sales data
• Emails
• Notes and more
Funnel CRM, on the other hand, brings all your work-related data to one place. You won’t have to dig
through multiple spreadsheets, customer interactions, or file folders to find your desired information.
The cloud CRM solution can hold the content of dozens of spreadsheets.
Most importantly, it will eradicate the need to use scattered solutions and gather your sales team
around a single suite of software that integrates different tools, data, and processes. In addition, you
will be sure that the information is accurate when it is updated and housed in one place.

You won’t need to pull individual reports or cross-reference sheets to have the complete picture of your
sales funnel and business.
• Get a Chronological History of Your Interactions with Each Contact
By far this is the most important function of a cloud CRM solution. With Funnel CRM, you can track
every interaction with potential as well as existing customers without having to switch between
different spreadsheets or losing track of old data. Typically, a sales rep have to delete their last call note
in order to add the latest interaction. This results in losing valuable data.
Funnel CRM have resolved this issue for you by keeping a chronological history of your interactions with
each contact without sacrificing clarity or past notes. When you have all the notes, emails and meeting
minutes in one place you will be in a better position to sway your prospects. Plus, it will save you ample
time and effort as you won’t have to copy or paste necessary information.
• Access Your Data on the Go
Another significant advantage of using Funnel CRM is it seamlessly integrates with other apps such as
Gmail. The integration lets you auto-sync your business data and makes the CRM more travel-friendly
too. Since you can use it to sign into the app via mobile.
Furthermore, when you receive a reply to a notification or message you have sent from Funnel CRM in
your inbox, you can reply to that message directly from Gmail. The best part is your reply will not only
be sent to the contact, but a copy of it will also appear in your Funnel CRM.
Now, this can prove really handy, especially when you are on the move and want to send a quick reply
to a prospect without signing into your cloud CRM solution. A timely follow up with a hot lead will
drastically increase your chances to close a deal.
Spreadsheets, however, aren’t that travel-friendly. You cannot view them via mobile. Plus, you have to
wait until you get back to your workplace to update data. In the meantime, if you forget what you need
to update you are more likely to lose a hot lead.
But, a customer relationship management software can sync across users and devices and allow you to
stay connected to your database no matter wherever you are. Most importantly, you won’t have to wait
for the day to end to make notes or get back to your office and access those spreadsheets.
• Reach Customer Service in Seconds
If you are maintaining your data in spreadsheets, you probably need to hire an Excel expert to help you
pull reports or have your team trained. With Funnel CRM, you can get help in a blink of an eye because
24/7 live support is always there to assist you.
For instance, if you want to customize your account, doesn’t know how to import data, or how a specific
feature works the support is there to help you at every step of the way. They will talk you through the

workflows and show you how you can gather leads, build contact forms, send a winning business
proposal, and more.
Unfortunately, all this isn’t available when you are using spreadsheets.