For a start-up, what are the best CRM and marketing automation apps that need the fewest add-ons?

Salesforce.com is hands down the only one I recommend given the easy plug-ins via their AppExchange. Simply put, it plays with all the leading MA tools and email marketing tools.

Here is a list of all the MA vendors that integrate with SFDC:
http://appexchange.salesforce.com/results?type=Apps&keywords=marketing%20auto...

Marketing Automation= Marketo is one I recommend to small-sized businesses. They just announced a small business version- Spark:
http://pages2.marketo.com/marketing-automation-freetrial.html

10 Most recommended MA tools- includes pricing and demo info/links:
http://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/marketing-automation-comparison/

I love Ardath Albee and her blog on everything eMarketing- great for best practices:
http://marketinginteractions.typepad.com/marketing_interactions/sales_tools/

Let us know what you end up with and what you've learned!

Best of luck,
Melissa

Jeff, the first item is whether your client is wed to Zoho. If yes, that may limit your options. My firm focuses on marketing automation and lead gen solutions with experience in MS Dynamics, SFDC, Siebel-OnDemand and Manticore, Marketo, Act-On, Eloqua, Pardot and Loopfuse.

Independent of the sync between the systems (which will be limited by Zoho without custom API programming), my opinion is that Act-On and Loopfuse are the best for smaller companies on a budget. Both offer robust systems that can do way more than your client will probably ever consider. And the price is right. With that said, don't be scared off by the larger players. Some offer nice discounts.

If you would like intros or first hand experience, please reach out.

Cheers,
Mac McConnell
www.bluebirdstrat.com

I would highly recommend using Microsoft's Dynamics CRM. It is available by subscription allowing deployment with few resouces and small cash outlay. Besides it fully integrates with the Microsoft suite of products including VoIP, collaboration, presence, conferencing, etc. No other products offer the depth and breadth of integration like Dynamics CRM. Just about everyone uses Microsoft Outlook in business and Dynamics CRM fully integrates allowing sales organizations to streamline CRM management and thus more likely to have more comprehensive files because of eliminating redundant work for their sales force.

Infusionsoft is what you're looking for. Built specifically for small businesses running into multiple-system chaos. CRM, email marketing, marketing automation, ecommerce, salesforce automation, affiliate management, open API, etc. Their service is worldclass. I believe they have over 7,000 customer accounts (25k users?). www.infusionsoft.com

Also, Marketo announced a small biz MA platform yesterday - Spark. (But it doesn't have CRM).

Good luck!

In regards to Marketo Spark, it nicely integrates with Salesforce.com. However, I would only recommend using Salesforce.com Enterprise or Unlimited with that integration so you can take full advantage of Salesforce.com workflow rules- i.e. field updates that you can automatically update based on certain types of actions, email notifications, etc.

One thing to consider with CRM is where you want to go with it. Salesforce.com allows you to add on and progress. The company is not going anywhere. Personally, I've been in the CRM space for over 10 years and watched companies come and go.y With this it is verimportant to pick a well-known name in my professional opinion- one that can support you now and that will be not just around in 2-3 years, but progressing the tool.

I really appreciate all of your comments. I'm noticing both context comments that help me better understand functionality of solutions I'm familiar with and suggestions regarding solutions that are new to me. Your suggestions have resulted in a new and richer list of options, and we'll be doing research on them and looking at demos. I'll post a note here on the outcome to describe our findings. Again, thank you all so much.

Jeff

Hey Jeff,

I'd recommend looking into something like WORKetc if you want to take the entire scope of operations into account while dealing with as few apps as possible. Does your client need to manage projects or billing?

I ask because WORKetc puts CRM, email marketing, project management, and billing into one web app. It's easy to use, and all integrated at the core; allowing for functionality like attaching items together across your business (for example, attach an invoice, a todo, a timesheet, and a file to a project) and it's also google apps integrated.

Take a look: http://www.worketc.com/online_crm

Michael

By far, the lowest entry cost, the most comprehensive out of the box (including reporting), plug-ins for most web services and easiest to set up is Sugar CRM. You can also build additional modules that meet your business specific reporting and tracking needs.
I am an independent consultant and not affiliated with any CRM vendor.

John Missale

The type of business that you are dealing with and on the basis of your specific business needs, CRM software comparison will definitely make you aware of the best options available in the market. I would recommend CRMnext which is a comprehensive, easy-to-use, hosted customer relationship management (CRM) solution.
It offers following benefits:
- Ensures fast and hassle free roll-out.
- Develop more profitable marketing campaigns.
- Improve pipeline visibility and sales effectiveness.
- Deliver consistent world class customer service.
- Enforce processes with a single-click.
- Ensure better, more informed decision-making

Explore CRMnext..

http://www.crmnext.com/
http://crmsolutions.crmnext.com/

In a word - Venntive. It is a unique complete platform that launched a littlemore than a year ago. Venntive deeply integrates marketing automation, enterprise email marketing tools, surveys, SMS marketing, social media deck, CRM and salesforce automation, event management, and more. But, don't take my unvarnished, biased word for it! Like Sy Sperling of the Hair Club, I'm not just the president, but a customer, as well!

Our pricing is published and we offer a free 30-day trial. Just click that big orange button on the home page at http://www.Venntive.com. And, call me! I love to talk about real-time sales-marketing alignment. (917.445.8637)

Hi Jeff,

Genoo is one of the most full-featured marketing automation and online marketing software company available for the small and midsize business space. In terms of lead capture forms - we've got those and no IT is necessary to implement, except if you need someone to add the HTML/Javascript to a web page. We also have landing pages, email marketing, lead nurturing with automated triggers based on lead activity, lead scoring so you know which leads are most likely ready for a sales conversation, and a full website content management solution to house either a full website, a microsite, or your landing pages - no IT required.

We integrate with Salesforce CRM currently. Pricing starts at $199/mo.

You can check out our website at http://www.genoo.com

Let me know if you'd like to have a conversation - I'd be happy to explore options.

Kim

Whatsnexx is designed to allow the marketer to leverage existing applications in order to influence customer behavior across multiple channels. No need to centralize the data first; no need to replace the applications that you are currently using; no need to spend big bucks on consultants. Time to market is fast and IT involvement is minimal. For more information see Whatsnexx: Rapid Application Development for Marketing Automation, or RAD for MA http://bit.ly/ov6mS4

Hi Jeff,

Borneosoft CRM (http://www.borneosoft.com) offers those that you've mentioned. It's hosted solution and everything is integrated in a single platform. For example, email is full featured Web based (Web 2.0) email and there is no need to have separate mail server.

Contact, calendaring with RSVP and product & sales management, newsletter (for marketing campaign), also leave management (for administrative tasks for office staff) share the same platform.

We put necessary measures for marketing campaign tools (newsletter) so that it complies to anti-spam act. Double opt-in, single click unsubscribe, self-manage subscription, and charts to measure the success of the campaign.

It's hosted solution for $14.90/month for each user. So, you don't need to spend on hardware/software licenses and maintenance/hosting cost.

If you have specific or other requirements, I'd be happy to listen and find solution for you.

Regards,
Luke

Jeff,

As you say, it would make a lot of sense to combine all three processes together.

Really Simple Systems Cloud CRM, www.reallysimplesystems.com, does all three, and unlike Saleforce is easy to use, has mass mailing integrated and is reasonably priced. Multiple winner of Best Small Business CRM systems, too, over all the other names above.

Drop me a note if I can be of more assistance.

Sam