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Simple CRM systems for small businesses
Keep track of your contacts, conversations and opportunities in one place. A practical guide to choosing and using a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system.
What is a CRM?
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system helps you store and organise contact information, track interactions and manage opportunities so you can build stronger relationships and grow your business.
Store
Keep all your contacts in one place
Track
Log conversations and follow-ups
Grow
Turn opportunities into customers
Why use a CRM?
Stay organised
No more lost emails, spreadsheets or sticky notes.
Save time
Quickly find information and see the next steps.
Provide a better service
Keep track of customer history and preferences.
Support business growth
Identify opportunities and nurture leads until they convert.
Popular invoicing software (comparison)
| CRM | Best for | Key features | Free plan | Paid plans from (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HubSpot | Small businesses and beginners | Contact management, deals, email tracking, forms | Yes (limited) | £15/month |
| Zoho CRM | Growing businesses | Contacts, pipelines, automation, reports | Yes (limited) | £12/month |
| Pipedrive | Sales-focused teams | Visual pipeline, activity tracking, email integration | No | £14/month |
| Monday.com | Teams who want flexibility | Custom workflows, contact management, automation | Yes (limited) | £8/month |
| Capsule | Sole traders and very small businesses | Simple contact management, tasks, email integration | Yes | £12/month |
Prices are approximate and may change. Check each provider’s website for the latest details.
Key features to look for
Contact management
Store key details and interaction history.
Task and reminder tools
Keep on top of follow-ups and deadlines.
Sales pipeline
Track leads and opportunities.
Email integration
Send and log emails directly from the CRM.
Mobile access
Manage your contacts on the go.
Automation
Save time with automated tasks and workflows.
How to choose the right CRM
Think about your business needs now and in the future.
- How many contacts do you have (or expect to have)?
- Do you need sales pipeline tracking?
- Will you use it on mobile?
- Do you need email integration?
- Is a free plan or low-cost option available?
- Will it be easy for you (and your team) to use?
- Can it grow with your business?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a system that’s more complex than you need
- Not keeping your data up to date
- Ignoring mobile access
- Skipping the setup process
- Not using it consistently
- Forgetting about data protection (GDPR)
- Not checking the cost when your needs grow
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