Choosing the right sales platform can transform your business operations, boost efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. The wrong choice, however, can lead to inefficiencies and frustrated teams. Here’s a quick guide to help you make the best decision:
Understand Your Needs: Identify your sales goals, team size, and operational complexity. Ensure compatibility with your existing tools like CRM, ERP, and marketing systems.
Key Features to Look For: Prioritise ease of use, integration and reliable vendor support. Look for cloud-based solutions that grow with your business.
Compare Platforms: Evaluate order management, integration capabilities, reporting tools, and mobile access. Analyse pricing structures, security features, and compliance standards.
Implementation Tips: Set measurable goals, test with a small team, gather feedback, and plan for integration and training. Develop leaders in your sales team, they become invaluabe as you roll out.
Don't believe the hype: Talk to existing customers of potential vendors, their feedback can be invaluable.
Step 1: Understand Your Business Needs
To choose the right platform, start by pinpointing your specific sales challenges and priorities. This will help you focus on what truly matters.
Define Your Business Priorities
Think about your measurable sales goals - like boosting efficiency or improving customer engagement. Also, factor in team size, growth plans, and how complex your operations are. These details will guide you in choosing the features and integrations that align with your business.
Review Your Current Tools
Make sure the platform you choose works well with your existing systems, like:
- CRM tools for managing contacts and tracking leads
- ERP systems for order processing and financial management
Consider Team Size and Complexity
Pick a platform that can grow with your team and handle increasing operational demands. Assess how comfortable your team is with technology to ensure the platform is easy to use and encourages adoption. The best solution will balance robust features with simplicity, ensuring both usability and a strong return on investment.
Step 2: Key Features to Look for in a Sales Platform
Once you've identified your business needs, it's time to focus on the features that directly address those priorities.
Support for Business Growth
Opt for platforms that can grow alongside your business. Cloud-based solutions are a great choice as they can handle increasing data and user demands. Prioritise platforms that offer options to scale - whether it’s adding advanced analytics, expanding functionality, or accommodating more users.
Integration with Existing Systems
Make sure the platform works smoothly with your current tools, like your CRM and ERP. This ensures data stays in sync and operations run efficiently. Ask vendors for demos to confirm their platform’s compatibility with your setup.
Ease of Use for Sales Teams
Your team needs a platform they can adopt quickly. Look for features like an intuitive interface, offline support, and rich reporting tools. The right balance between functionality and ease of use will help your team stay productive.
Reliable Vendor Support
Good vendor support is crucial. This includes onboarding help, quick response helpdesk, and regular updates to keep the platform running smoothly
With these features in focus, you’ll be ready to compare platforms and find the one that fits your business best.
Step 3: Compare Popular Sales Platforms
Now that you’ve identified the key features you need, it’s time to dive into evaluating different sales platforms to find the best fit for your business.
Compare Features and Tools
Start by using a framework to compare platforms like IntelliBrand, which includes tools for order capture, CRM integration, and PowerBI reporting. Focus on these categories to make an informed decision:
Once you’ve assessed the features, move on to reviewing the pricing structures to ensure the platform aligns with your budget.
Step 4: Steps to Start Using Your Chosen Platform
Once you've picked the right platform, the next step is making sure it’s set up effectively so you can get the most out of it.
Set Clear Test and Gather Feedback Goals and Metrics
Define specific, measurable goals that tie directly to your business objectives.
Test and Gather Feedback
Start with a pilot program involving a small team. Use surveys and reviews to gather feedback and track how the platform is being used. This will help you spot and fix any issues before rolling it out to everyone, making the full implementation much smoother.
Plan for Integration and Training
Make sure the platform works seamlessly with your existing tools. This might include automating tasks like updating customer data or accessing inventory in real time. Create a training program tailored to your team’s needs, breaking down complex features into easy-to-follow steps
Conclusion: Steps to Choose the Best Sales Platform
When selecting a sales platform, focus on integration, scalability, and usability. Look for tools that connect effortlessly with CRM and ERP systems, enabling a unified workflow. Make sure the platform can grow alongside your sales volume, team size, and operational needs, while offering the training resources you’ll need for a smooth rollout.
