Skyrocket Your Sales by Successfully Leveraging SMS and CRM Integrations

Are you looking for an SMS CRM integration or a CMS platform with built-in texting features to help revolutionize your business communications strategy? You’re not alone.

SMS is quickly becoming one of the best ways to communicate with customers. With SMS, companies can share product details, discounts, sales, and promotional offers with thousands of customers in an instant, benefitting from a world-leading 98% open rate.

SMS also gives your company a way to differentiate itself from the competition, by giving customers an intuitive and convenient way to reach your team when they have questions or need support.

Connecting your SMS system with a CRM platform, ensures you can take your sales, marketing, and customer service strategy to the next level. It ensures teams can rapidly access customer data, to personalize texting templates and campaigns to the needs of different audience groups.

Plus, connecting CRM software with texting applications ensures you can capture communications data more effectively, improving compliance, security, and team efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explain the benefits of combining your CRM with texting tools and explore some of the unique solutions you can use to connect your CRM data with your SMS strategy.

Connecting a CRM with Text Messaging Strategies

There are two primary ways companies can bridge the gaps between a CRM platform and their text messaging strategies. The first option is to use a CRM SMS integration.

This basically means using a service that enables access to APIs to exchange data and trigger actions between the SMS service and CRM. For instance, if you were using Clerk Chat for business messaging, you could use our HubSpot SMS integration, or SMS Salesforce integration to connect the CRM platform you already use to our comprehensive platform.

The alternative option is to look for the best CRM with text messaging capabilities already built in. Some CRM solutions, like Close CRM and Agile CRM offer access to business numbers you can use to communicate with customers via broadcast campaigns, and enable 2-way SMS marketing.

Notably, while using a CRM with SMS eliminates the need to combine and manage multiple different tools, there are some downsides to consider too. Not all CRM solutions that support text messaging will allow you to access different types of business numbers, or “port” your existing business number into the platform.

Additionally, because these platforms aren’t designed specifically for SMS, the features you access might be limited. For instance, you might not be able to customize text messages as comprehensively on a CRM with SMS as you would on a dedicated business texting platform.

The Benefits of Combining your CRM with SMS Tools

Whether you choose a CRM platform with built-in texting capabilities, or you take advantage of cutting-edge integrations, there are various benefits to connecting your CRM and SMS technologies. Linking your customer data platform and SMS solutions can:

• Enhance data accessibility: Bridging the gaps between your CRM and SMS technologies means your team will be able to take advantage of extensive customer data every time they create an SMS campaign or respond to a customer service request. This means you can more effectively personalize every interaction with your customers, using insights to create tailored promotional campaigns, transactional text messages, and more.
• Improve workflow automation: SMS CRM solutions give companies numerous ways to automate common tasks, related to customer outreach and promotion. For instance, you might be able to build SMS workflows using your CRM data that automatically notify customers about upcoming appointments, share order details when a customer makes a purchase, or follow up with customers after they request support.
• Enhance efficiency: Connecting your SMS customer service platform, marketing tool, or messaging system to your CRM platform can improve efficiency. It reduces the need for team members to jump between multiple different apps and tools when they need to research customer information, craft messages, or even update customer profiles.
• Optimize compliance: Linking your CRM and SMS tools ensures you can easily keep track of opt-in and opt-out requests, and avoid falling victim to compliance issues. You can even use additional integrations to ensure you’re storing customer communications data safely and securely for regulatory purposes.
• Transform customer service: With SMS CRM integrations and tools, you can enhance customer service in various ways. Not only can you personalize marketing campaign responses to customer questions, but you can automatically send order updates, information, and reminder texts to customers based on their interactions with your brand.

What to Look for in a SMS CRM Integration or Platform

As SMS continues to gain popularity in business communication, CRM text messaging solutions and SMS integrations for CRM platforms are growing more sophisticated. The top solutions in the market don’t just give you a great way to organize your data, personalize interactions with customers, and boost workplace efficiency.

Many platforms, like Clerk Chat, also come with advanced number porting capabilities, AI solutions, in-depth analytics, and more. Here are some of the key features you should be paying attention to when you’re comparing text-enabled CRM platforms and SMS integrations.

1. Unified Team Inboxes

Whether you’re using SMS for small business customer service or enterprise-level support, a unified inbox is crucial. Ideally, the integration or platform you use should allow team members to track conversations from start to finish across multiple platforms.

For instance, with Clerk Chat, you can monitor discussions happening via SMS, chat-based platforms like Microsoft Teams, and messaging tools like WhatsApp in the same place. This “unified inbox” makes it easier to preserve context in customer communications and can help you with routing conversations to the right agents, based on their knowledge or experience.

2. Scheduling and Automation Capabilities

The ability to automate text messages and campaigns is another must-have for a great SMS CRM solution. An effective platform should allow you to automatically send text to customers based on numerous different triggers and actions.

For instance, you might want to set up a workflow that automatically sends a reminder text message to a customer about an upcoming event a couple of days before the event takes place. You may use automation to send transactional texts (such as order confirmation messages) to customers after they place a purchase.

Alternatively, you could use automation to rapidly reply to common customer questions with pre-written instructions, guides, and tips. Your SMS solution should also allow you to “schedule” texts to be sent to customers at specific times. For instance, you might want to schedule a message about a new product release to be sent to all customers in a specific group at a certain time.

3. Custom Fields and Contact Lists

Every effective CRM solution should allow you to import data from different locations, create customer profiles, and manage your leads. CRMs with text messaging capabilities, and SMS CRM integrations can take this functionality to the next level.

For instance, with Clerk Chat, you can create dynamic “cohort” groups, with specific profiles for each customer. This can help you keep track of a customer’s previous conversations, contact preferences, and even their location, so you know when to deliver messages based on local time zones.

Clerk Chat also gives you the opportunity to embed unique information into SMS messages with custom fields. This means you can immediately personalize mass messages with a customer’s name, or the date of an upcoming appointment with minimal effort.

4. AI Capabilities

AI tools for customer service, marketing, and sales are becoming incredibly popular. AI tools can help companies segment customers more effectively, surface insights from previous conversations, and make better growth decisions.

AI tools also give you an intuitive way to automate various customer service tasks. For instance, you can use the text message AI assistant in Clerk Chat to automatically respond to customer messages, guide them through an onboarding process, or answer questions instantly.

This functionality allows you to improve your response time to customer queries, deliver 24/7 support, and even save team members time on their day-to-day tasks.

5. Customizable Templates

SMS templates for sales, marketing, and customer service can save businesses a lot of time and effort when it comes to communicating with customers via text. Platforms like Clerk Chat give companies access to various templates for all kinds of transactional, promotional, and support-based messages.

These templates help businesses maintain a consistent tone of voice in their messaging strategies, and ensures they can create campaigns quickly and efficiently. Plus, templates can help you preserve compliance - include the right information (like opt-out links and business details) in every message.

6. Support for Integrations

Whether you’re using a CRM with SMS built-in or an SMS integration for your CRM platform, ensuring that your solutions can also integrate with other technologies is extremely valuable. The integrations you’ll need will vary depending on your tech stack. But some of the most common options you might want to consider include integrations with:

• Other communication platforms, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp.
• Archiving and data storage solutions like Global Relay and Smarsh.
• Ecommerce platforms like Shopify.
• Security tools, such as two-factor authentication platforms.

The Best CRM with Text Messaging Integrations or Features

As mentioned above, there are plenty of CRM platforms available today with integrated text messaging capabilities or support for SMS integrations. The right solution for you will depend on your specific goals, budget, and the existing technology you’re using.

Here are just some of the best options on the market for any company looking to combine their CRM with SMS functionality.

1. Clerk Chat: The Ultimate SMS CRM Solution

Clerk Chat isn’t a CRM platform, it’s a comprehensive business messaging solution that combines everything companies need for text-based communications into a flexible, integration-friendly solution. Not only does Clerk Chat enable one-click integrations to platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, and Microsoft Purview, but it works with Zapier too.

This means you can essentially enable Clerk Chat’s SMS features on any CRM platform. Clerk Chat also integrates with tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Webex, to help unify your teams. Plus, it works seamlessly with archiving tools like Smarsh and Global Relay.

Beyond giving you all the tools you need to create SMS templates, automated campaigns, and AI-powered text strategies, Clerk Chat also supports two-way messaging, and allows companies to choose from a wide range of business numbers to use in their campaigns.

Beyond that, you also get shared inboxes, a comprehensive contact management system with dynamic cohorts for enhanced personalization, and in-depth analytics.

Pros:

• Support for all types of SMS workflow automation
• Mass messaging, scheduled text, and two-way conversations
• Integrated AI for intelligent customer service
• In-depth reporting capabilities
• Dynamic lists for contact organization
• Wide range of flexible, customizable templates
• Integrations with dozens of business tools

Cons:

• Requires Zapier webhooks for certain integrations

2. HubSpot CRM: The Most Scalable CRM with SMS Integration Options

HubSpot is an excellent CRM and digital hub for sales, marketing, customer service and product teams. The platform gives businesses access to a huge range of solutions that help with automating and personalizing marketing strategies, gathering customer data, and segmenting audiences.

Although HubSpot doesn’t have any built-in texting capabilities, it integrates with a wide range of solutions for SMS in business communications, like Clerk Chat. It can also connect seamlessly with email platforms, collaboration tools like Slack, and scheduling tools.

Plus, HubSpot gives companies access to AI assistants, robust reporting and analytical features, and live chat capabilities too. There’s even a free plan available for beginners, and cost-effective paid subscription options starting at just $45 per month.

Pros:

• Excellent deal, contact, and task management features
• Integrations with a wide selection of business tools
• Custom reporting capabilities
• Extensive support for workflow automation
• Built-in AI capabilities
• Plenty of features for companies using SMS for sales, marketing, and customer support
• Excellent scalability

Cons:

• The free plan is very limited
• No built-in texting capabilities

3. Pipedrive CRM: Best Sales-Focused CRM Solution

Pipedrive is one of the most popular CRM solutions for small and mid-sized enterprises looking for ways to optimize their sales pipeline. This intuitive and user-friendly platform helps companies to automate tasks, track customer conversations, and create personalized marketing campaigns.

You also get access to in-depth analytics, AI tools, and a wide range of integrations with other business platforms, such as ecommerce platforms and project management tools.

Pipedrive isn’t a CRM with SMS functionality built in. You can’t create and manage text message campaigns within the platform itself as standard. However, you can integrate the solution with business messaging solutions, like Clerk Chat.

Through integration, you’ll be able to enable instant access to SMS for sales, marketing, and customer service groups. Plus, you can use Zapier to create workflows that combine the functionality of multiple business apps and tools.

Pros:

• Excellent sales and email marketing automation
• Easy-to-use mobile and web-based app
• Broad selection of integration options
• Wide range of powerful premium add-ons
• Excellent reporting and analytical tools
• AI functionality on high-level plans

Cons:

• No built-in texting capability
• Plans can be expensive if you want to take advantage of add-ons

4. Zendesk: Best AI-Powered CRM

Like many of the top CRM solutions available today, Zendesk doesn’t offer SMS functionality as standard. However it does integrate directly with platforms like Clerk Chat to enable SMS for ecommerce, marketing, sales, and customer service.

What sets Zendesk apart from any other CRM with SMS integration options, is its huge selection of advanced features. Every plan comes with support for multiple communication channels (email, chat, voice, and social messaging). You also get a state-of-the-art ticketing system, in-depth analytics and dashboards, comprehensive workflow automation tools, and customizable AI agents.

The AI agents are particularly impressive, enabling companies to scale their customer service strategy with bots that can respond quickly to customer queries with personalized messages and insights.

Plus, you can access a range of add-ons and integrations for Zendesk too. Options range from the Zendesk workforce management add-on to integrations for Slack, Microsoft Teams, and more.

Pros:

• Support for multiple communication options
• Advanced analytics and dashboards
• Thousands of apps and integrations
• Integrated AI tools on all plans
• Exceptional customer support and service
• State-of-the-art ticketing system

Cons:

• Slightly expensive pricing
• No built-in SMS features

5. Zoho CRM: Most Customizable CRM with SMS support

If you’re searching for an ultra-flexible CRM with text messaging capabilities, Zoho is a fantastic choice. This feature-rich cloud-based CRM offers access to a huge range of features, such as a developer platform, ticketing tools, and omnichannel communication capabilities.

Users can rent a local number or use an existing SMS-enabled number to send text messages to customers at scale with incredible ease. However, while Zoho CRM supports mass messaging in a range of countries, you can only access two-way texting in Canada and the US.

Like most of the top CRM solutions, Zoho supports integrations with a wide range of business tools, and includes access to a fantastic AI assistant. Plus, you’ll be able to take advantage of dozens of customizable reports and dashboards for tracking crucial metrics.

Zoho also integrates with Clerk Chat, so if you decide you want to take your messaging strategy to the next level, you can combine the two platforms in a couple of clicks.

Pros:

• Excellent omnichannel communication options
• Intuitive dashboard, ideal for beginners
• In-depth analytics and reporting tools
• Comprehensive customization options
• Local number rental and number porting
• Robust integration marketplace

Cons:

• Limited two-way texting solutions
• No support for comprehensive SMS campaigns

6. Keap CRM: Excellent Automation Capabilities

Keap is one of the most popular CRM solutions with SMS for retail industry companies and growing businesses. This platform comes with all of the standard CRM capabilities you’d expect, such as contact segmentation options, automation builders, and sales pipelines.

You’ll also gain access to a solution that allows you to build automated text messaging and email marketing campaigns. Plus, you can track the results of every SMS campaign with in-depth dashboards, deliverability reports, and insights.

The Keap platform also features a lot of robust compliance features, helping you to protect and secure communications data at scale. However, it’s worth noting that certain features of this platform are only available to certain users. For instance, you can only create automated text campaigns or send bulk texts in the US.

However, you can always choose to integrate the Keap CRM with SMS platforms like Clerk Chat, if you want to unlock more advanced functionality worldwide.

Pros:

• Excellent contact segmentation capabilities
• Support for automated text and email campaigns
• Built-in compliance and security features
• Customizable in-app opt-in options
• Pre-built templates for messaging strategies
• Fantastic personalization options

Cons:

• Limited SMS capabilities outside of the US
• Extremely limited free plan

Clerk Chat: The Best SMS CRM Solution

While there are numerous CRM platforms that offer text messaging capabilities, or integrate with existing SMS solutions, most have limitations. Even a leading CRM with SMS built-in might not give you all the automation capabilities, number options, and compliance features you need.

Fortunately, Clerk Chat offers a unique solution. Clerk Chat is more than just an SMS platform that can integrate with virtually any CRM solution. It’s a full business messaging system, offering access to AI, analytics, automation, and even contact management tools (like dynamic cohorts).

Clerk Chat makes it easy to invest in personalized text messaging marketing strategies, allowing you to draw on data and create customized campaigns with AI support. Plus, it doesn’t just integrate with CRM software. Clerk Chat works seamlessly with a host of collaboration tools, ecommerce platforms, workforce management systems, and even archiving tools for SMS compliance.

If you’re looking for the easiest and most effective way to build on your CRM platform with SMS capabilities, Clerk Chat is the ultimate solution.

Contact us today to learn more about our integration options or unique business messaging software.