4.
What hidden costs should I account for?
With a good CRM provider, you shouldn’t find any hidden costs. But many of the enterprise-size CRM providers charge considerably more for the same features you’d get from a smaller one. Here are some of examples:
Similar functionality but at very different prices
You’ll find that CRM software can deliver similar features. But you might be surprised at the price differences. For example, Salesforce Maps costs $75 per user per month. Workbooks’ mapping costs $10 per user per month. There aren’t many differences in the functionality of the two – Workbooks gives you the ability to set latitudes and longitudes. And you don’t need to pay extra for Google API.
Adding on expensive apps
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the apps you need before signing your contract. Some CRM packages come packed with features and you’ll find you won’t need many apps on top of that. Others require you to pay for each app per user which can add up quickly. You may also find that some salespeople will push certain apps based on their targets and not necessarily your needs so do your research ahead of any meetings.
Functionality that’s only available in expensive editions
If you want test databases, with some providers you have to buy a more expensive edition. This means it can cost double to get sandboxes with some of the bigger CRM providers vs the smaller ones. And it means paying for additional functionality you probably don’t need. As of 2024, the cost for this is £132 or $165 per user per month for Salesforce's Enterprise edition. At Workbooks, they’re included in every edition as standard – because we know most people need them.
Make sure you review multiple CRM providers and compare costs for features
It’s important to take every cost into consideration when you’re working out your budget for a CRM. Do your research on the features you need, then compare providers on costs for those features. The time you put in up front could save you a lot of money in the long run.
