Best CRM Software for Distribution Industry

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. It is a software that helps businesses manage their interactions with customers and potential customers. CRM software can help businesses automate sales, marketing, and customer service processes. 

A CRM software that can also help you optimize your distribution channels, streamline your operations, and grow your revenue. But how do you choose the best CRM software for your distribution business? What features should you look for and what benefits can you expect? In this article, we’ll review some of the best CRM software for the distribution industry and how they can help you achieve your business goals.

Here are our picks for the Best CRM in the distribution industry. 

1. CostaRica CRM (The Best Overall), it covers most of the features you will ever want. 
2. Salesforce (Best CRM Management Tool for Businesses)
3. Zoho CRM (Best CRM Tool for Startups)

1. CostaRicaCRM

Look no further than CostaRica CRM to streamline your resources, automate tasks, and enhance client relationships. This CRM software is specifically tailored to meet the needs of your industry, making it the ideal tool for your business.

CostaRica CRM has a proven track record of assisting clients in the distribution industry to achieve significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. You can be part of one of their success stories where the title would be “A food distributor who was able to boost their sales by 25% and decrease costs by 15% through the implementation of CostaRica CRM.”  To take your distribution business to the next level, you need CostaRica CRM. 

Here are some of the features:

• Landing Pages
• WhatsApp Integration
• Cotizations and Formats
• Mobile App
• Lead generation and nurturing from multiple sources
• Document sharing and analysis for contracts and proposals
• Customer retention and satisfaction

Rating: 

Pricing

CostaRica CRM offers various packages at different price points. You may contact info@CostaRicaCRM.com for more information about their services. The best part about the pricing is that you only pay for how much you need.

Pros	Cons
A cloud-based solution, hence, will not require any maintenance or installation. Affordable and suited for small and medium-sized enterprises. Features range from sales and marketing to project and inventory management. Simple and non-elusive UI.	Limited integration option with other tools, such as social media and e-commerce platforms.It can be challenging for document customization.

2. Salesforce

Salesforce CRM offers a cloud-based solution for a comprehensive view of your customers and their orders. With a centralized location, you can easily store, track, and analyze customer and prospect information.

They also enable the automation of your entire order management cycle, from lead to opportunity to order. It also provides effective management and control of promotions based on SKU, product line, and account.

Here are some of the features:

• Personalized experiences
• Can be integrated into the product spectrum of Salesforce
• Tracks the customer journeys
• Get actionable insights and information

Rating: 4.3/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

The pricing of Salesforce CRM depends on the solution and edition you choose, and it ranges from $25 per user/month to $300 per user/month for Sales Cloud and Service Cloud, and $1,250 per user/month account for Marketing Cloud Account Engagement.

Pros	Cons
It is a cloud-based platform that requires fewer IT resources to set up and maintain.They offer products and features for various business needs and industries, such as sales, customer service, marketing, analytics, and more.Provides various channels and resources for customer support.	It is more expensive than some of its competitors.It is a powerful but complicated platform that may require a steep learning curve.It has a user interface that may not be very intuitive or user-friendly for some users.

3. Zoho CRM 

It is hard not to mention Zoho CRM when the topic of CRMs is addressed. They are generally consistent in offering great services and package their services at prices aligned with their product lines. 

Zoho CRM is the go-to choice for more than 250,000 companies, and it has garnered praise from numerous platforms. Its proven track record and positive reviews make it a trusted solution for businesses of all sizes.

Here are some of the features:

• Canvas
• CommandCenter
• Zia
• Zoho CRM Plus
• Zoho Marketplace
• Omnichannel communication
• Invoicing and billing
• Resource Management

Rating: 4.0/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Zoho CRM has five pricing editions, ranging from $0 to $52 per user per month, depending on the features and functionalities you need for your landscaping and gardening business. You can also try Zoho CRM for free for 15 days before you buy a plan.

Pros	Cons
They offer a free plan that includes basic features.It has over 500 extensions available that let you integrate with other apps.It has a clean smartphone interface for mobile CRM	AI features are only available on the top-tier plansReporting can be improved, as some users have reported that it is not very user-friendly or customizable.Customer support can be inconsistent, as some users have experienced delays or unresponsiveness from the support team.

4. Hubspot CRM

HubSpot offers a comprehensive solution to help businesses effectively engage with their customers across various channels, including websites, third-party platforms, and physical stores. 

With HubSpot, you can navigate the complex landscape of customer communication and discover the most effective strategies to reach and connect with your target audience. You can use HubSpot’s free CRM tools at no cost, with up to 1,000,000 contacts and no limits on users or customer data.

Here are some of the features:

• CRM Database
• Customized Dashboard
• Task Management
• Email Marketing
• Built-in Analytics
• ROI Analytics
• Lead Capture Tools

Rating: 4.4/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

HubSpot has a free plan that you can use with limited features and support. If you need more functionality and assistance, you can upgrade to one of the paid plans, starting from $50 per month.

Pros	Cons
It is a well-designed product which is easy to use. It has excellent built-in support.It is an all-in-one platform	It can be expensive.Limited customization option is available. Has a complex pricing structure.It takes effort to set up and use HubSpot

5. Freshsales

Freshsales, now known as Freshworks, is a popular CRM software ideal for any type of business. It’s simple to utilize and includes all the features you’ll need to optimize conversions.

It has a great dashboard that allows you to access contact management, reports, emails, phone calls, and other services. There are also mobile applications if the easy web-based interface isn’t enough.

Here are some of the features:

• Web Integration
• Visual Sales Pipeline
• Sales Forecasting
• AI Insights
• Marketing segmentation

Rating: 4.0/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

The pricing starts at $12.00/month for a user, which includes all the key features. 

Pros	Cons
AI-powered contact and deal scoring features that help prioritize leads based on their engagement and likelihood to convert.Built-in email, phone, chat and telephony features that enable seamless communication with customers across multiple channels.A highly customizable and flexible platform that allows users to tailor dashboards and automation to their specific needs and preferences.	Some users report slow response times or unresolved issues.Limited functionalities compared to some competitors, such as integrations, advanced analytics, social media monitoring and gamification.Some users report bugs and glitches in the software, such as sync issues, data loss or slow loading times.

6. Oracle NetSuite CRM

Oracle NetSuite CRM seamlessly integrates within the NetSuite platform, encompassing ERP, financials, analytics, and more. This comprehensive suite empowers distributors to streamline their operations, enhance accuracy, and boost customer satisfaction. By leveraging a unified system that covers the entire distribution lifecycle, businesses can optimize efficiency and achieve greater success.

Here are some of the features:

• Cloud-based ERP
• Detailed reporting and analytics
• Lead management and marketing automation
• Equipment management

Rating: 4.0/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Oracle NetSuite CRM comes with a minimum $999 monthly licensing fee, plus a per-user fee that starts at $99 per month. The final price depends on a variety of factors, such as your company’s size, industry, number of users and required add-ons and customizations.

Pros	Cons
It is versatile and can be customized to meet your business needs and preferences with its SuiteCloud features.It easily integrates with other tools such as Salesforce, Shopify and more.Oracle NetSuite CRM offers robust reporting capabilities and role-based dashboards that can help you make data-driven decisions.	The CRM does not offer a free trial.It can be overwhelming and complex to learn and use.It requires you to schedule a consult for pricing and does not disclose its pricing information publicly.

7. NetHunt CRM

NetHunt CRM is a Gmail-based CRM that helps you manage your sales and marketing processes from your inbox. With its seamless integration with Gmail, it automates the organization and updating of your contacts and deals, saving you valuable time and effort. Additionally, you can easily segment your contacts based on important criteria like territory, product, partner, or salesperson for personalized targeting and improved sales strategies.

Here are some of the features:

• Contact Management
• Deal Management
• Opportunities Management
• Multi-Pipeline Support
• Saved Filters
• Data Import and Export
• Call Logging
• Meeting Note-Taking

Rating: 4.4/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

NetHunt CRM pricing starts at $10 per month for one user (Solopreneur plan). The Small Business plan costs $25 per month for 2-5 users, and the Growing Business plan costs $100 per month for 6-10 users. 

Pros	Cons
A simple, easy-to-understand, yet customisable interface.Customisable customer cards and fields, including the ability to create required fields. A fully-fledged CRM system that integrates with Gmail seamlessly.	Some users have reported that call logs and google chat integration are missing.It still has ample room to grow by going beyond working only with G Suite apps.Email marketing functionality can be improved.

8. Kapture CRM

Kapture CRM is a cloud-based platform that integrates various communication channels, including email, calls, chat, social media, and messaging apps, into a single universal inbox. This comprehensive solution simplifies the management of customer interactions, ensuring that businesses can effectively handle all communication from one centralized location.

As it goes for any other CRM,  you need to invest in training, change management and continuous improvement to ensure the successful adoption and utilization of Kapture CRM.

Here are some of the features:

• Calendar Management
• Call Center Management
• Campaign Management
• Contact Management
• Customer Portal
• Email Marketing
• Lead Management
• Lead Scoring

Rating: 4.3/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Kapture CRM offers trial/premium subscriptions with paid plans starting from $29.00/month. Kapture CRM doesn’t offer any free plans, but a trial that allows you to try the solution before opting for a paid subscription.

Pros	Cons
It is easy to use.Support is there for your account.They provide a great API.	It can be expensive for small businesses.The mobile app can be improved.The reporting feature can be improved.

9. OneHash CRM

OneHash is designed to boost your sales growth, automate your work processes, and provide you with insightful analytics. With its intuitive interface and user-friendly design, you can easily navigate through its functionalities and make the most out of its capabilities.

This CRM has garnered the trust of over 5000+ companies, and its accolades and recognition from various platforms speak volumes about its effectiveness. What sets OneHash apart is its innovative approach as the world’s first FaaS (FOSS-as-a-service) CRM, providing an affordable solution that caters to businesses of all sizes.

Here are some of the features:

• Accounting
• Asset Management
• Attendance Management
• Capture Leads from Twitter/Facebook
• Cloud Computing
• Email Marketing
• Lead Management

Rating: 4.4/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

$99 per month for 10 users, you can also upgrade to the Plus plan for $249 per month for 30 users. The Pro plan costs $549 per month for 500 users and comes with a dedicated account manager. 

Pros	Cons
It has a user-friendly interface. It has a high level of customization. It has more affordable pricing compared to the market.	It has limited integrations available. Limited features compared to other products in the market.Limited support when you get an issue.

10.  iCRM

iCRM, short for intelligent customer relationship management, is a software solution designed to efficiently manage customer data, interactions, and transactions across various channels and touchpoints. It enables businesses to effectively track and analyze customer interactions to enhance relationship management.

In a nutshell, integrating iCRM with other essential systems is a game-changing move for distributors. It empowers them to optimize their supply chain, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions that drive success. With iCRM, distributors can unleash their full potential and thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Here are some of the features:

• Sales Automation
• Marketing Automation
• Support Automation
• User Privilege
• Reports and Dashboard
• Scalability

Rating: 2.0/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

The pricing of iCRM is not provided by the vendor on their website, but you can request a price quote from them.

Pros	Cons
Helps in managing customer data effectively.Improves customer satisfaction.Helps in tracking sales and marketing activities	It can be expensive. It requires training, which can be time intensive.It requires your output in customization.

What is CRM for Distribution Industry?

 A distribution CRM is also a software tool for managing customers as well as products in a centralized location. This type of software comes with monitoring and reporting functionalities that help distributors manage customer information, track product orders, generate invoices/quotes, and automate marketing efforts. CRM for distribution companies is a software tool that can manage customers and products, as well as provide features like CRM & Sales Dashboards, CRM & Sales Reports, order processing, pricing optimization, and supply chain visibility. CRM in the distribution industry manages different goals and requirements than the generic CRM software shared across many industries. For example, wholesale distributors’ business success measures are based on efficient and effective inventory movement.

How CRM can be used in Distribution Industry?

CRM can be used in the distribution industry to manage customers and products, as well as provide features like Sales Dashboards, Sales Reports, order processing, pricing optimization, and supply chain visibility. CRM can help distributors with a disciplined process, using data and metrics to guide effort and measure success, and manage opportunities across a sales process. CRM can also optimize customer relationship management and the performance of sales managers in the field.

What are the advantages of CRM for the Distribution Industry?

Some of the advantages of CRM for the distribution industry are:

• It can help distributors manage customer information, track product orders, generate invoices/quotes, and automate marketing efforts.
• It can provide dashboards of customer data, integrated contact management and call planning tools, and pipelines for managing opportunities across a sales process appropriate to each distributor’s business objectives.
• It can enable growth with personalization and new business models by delivering relevant content and personalized offers to customers.

What are the disadvantages of CRM for the Distribution Industry?

Some of the disadvantages of CRM for the distribution industry are:

• It can be costly and complex to implement and maintain, especially for small and medium-sized distributors who may not have the resources or expertise to do so.
• It can require a lot of data entry and integration with other systems, such as ERP, inventory, accounting, etc., which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
• It can pose security and privacy risks if the customer data is not protected properly or if it is shared with unauthorized parties.

What CRM practices should Distribution Industry avoid?

Some CRM practices that distributors should avoid are:

• Deploying CRM software without a well-defined plan, strategy, or objective can result in squandered time, resources, and finances, while also causing confusion and frustration among users.
• Forcing users to adopt CRM software without proper training, incentives, or support. This can result in low user adoption, resistance to change, and poor data quality.
• Neglecting to integrate CRM software with other critical systems like ERP, inventory, and accounting can result in data silos, duplication, inconsistency, and a limited scope of functionality and benefits from the CRM software.
• Ignoring customer feedback and preferences. This can make distributors lose touch with their customer’s needs, expectations, and satisfaction levels, as well as miss out on opportunities for cross-selling and upselling.

What is the role of CRM in Distribution Industry?

The role of CRM in distribution industry is to help distributors manage their customer relationships and interactions more effectively and efficiently. CRM software can provide distributors with various benefits, such as:

• Managing accurate customer contact information and history across channels.
• Managing sales pipeline or territory results through effective opportunity tracking.
• Providing data for coaching by sales managers and for management decisions.
• Improving handling of leads and prospects and executing marketing programs through sales teams.
• Optimizing product mix sold to customers and delivering relevant content and personalized offers.

How much does a Distribution Industry CRM software cost?

The cost of CRM software for distribution industry depends on various factors, such as the number of users, the features and functionality, the level of customization and integration, and the type of deployment (cloud or on-premise). The prices can be broken down into three tiers: 

• Low-tier: This is suitable for small and medium-sized distributors who need basic CRM features. This tier ranges from $7 to $25 per user per month.
• Mid-tier: This is suitable for larger and more complex distributors who need more advanced CRM features. This tier ranges from $39 to $99 per user per month. 
• High-tier: This is suitable for enterprise-level distributors who need the most comprehensive and customizable CRM features. This tier ranges from $125 to $1,250 per user per month.

What are the things to consider in a Distribution Industry CRM software?

There are many things to consider when choosing a CRM software for distribution industry, such as:

• Your goals: You should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with CRM software, such as increasing sales, improving customer service, or expanding business models.
• User experience: Finding the right CRM software is crucial for your business. Look for a solution that prioritizes ease of use, intuitiveness, and user-friendliness. By doing so, you can ensure higher levels of user adoption, satisfaction, and productivity among your team.
• Mobility: You should look for a CRM software that is accessible from any device, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
• Integrations: By having a CRM that integrates effortlessly with your existing tools, you can streamline processes and enhance productivity across the board.
• Reporting/analytics: You should look for a CRM software that can provide you with insightful reports and analytics on your customer data, sales performance, marketing campaigns, etc.

Do Distribution Industry Need a CRM?

Yes, distributors need a CRM software to manage their customer relationships and interactions more effectively and efficiently. CRM software can help distributors with various aspects of their business, such as:

• Improving the handling of leads and prospects and executing marketing programs through sales teams.
• Optimizing product mix sold to customers and delivering relevant content and personalized offers.
• Becoming a proactive, insight-driven wholesale distributor and driving growth and loyalty by expanding business models.

Do other industries need CRM?

Yes, Distribution is not the only one which gets to reap the benefits of CRM. A CRM can be used in any business where a consumer is there.  Some of the industries that use CRM software include financial services, manufacturing, software and technology, and food and beverage. In healthcare, CRM is a system or software that uses data from various sources to provide a comprehensive view of patients and their interactions with healthcare providers. It aims to improve customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability by managing and enhancing relationships and communication. In the finance industry, CRM concentrates on the management of consumer relationships. It is described as a system utilized to handle customers relationship and enhance the lead conversion rate.