
5 lessons I learned from ex-Salesforce users
The availability and acceptance of SaaS model technologies mean that cloud apps, specifically cloud CRM apps, are big business. As the first to market, Salesforce maintains the majority shareholding. However, the past 16 years have seen it languish in its position as a top dog. What is it they say? Complacency is the enemy of empires.
Here are the biggest failings of the Salesforce model according to our ex-Salesforce customers:
1. Full functionality comes at a hidden cost
Once the cheapest alternative on the market, Salesforce current price points are out of touch with modern-day valuations. Salesforce attests to offering the most comprehensive system on the market. However, full functionality comes at a hefty, hidden price. While a monthly subscription of $25 per user is justifiable, the limited functionality under this plan and the additional expenditure required to make the app functional are deceiving. We have had multiple customers migrate to OnePageCRM for this reason alone; with one solo entrepreneur stating:
“I just couldn’t justify the $1300 dollar monthly spend required to run the system.“
2. Bigger is not always better
At what point does full functionality become too much functionality? Well, it appears Salesforce passed this threshold some time ago. Number two on our list of Salesforce customer grievances—complexity. It seems somewhere along the way, Salesforce lost sight of the core functions of CRM, at the very basic—contact management. If your customers can’t get to grips with the basic functionality of your system, how can they be expected to maximize the potential of the product?
“I recall that Salesforce.com was fairly easy to use 10 years ago and is now very complete but cumbersome.”
3. They’re just not that into you
As a company responsible for breaking the mold, you would hope Salesforce would pride itself on being responsive and supportive of smaller, growing businesses. Though past years have seen Salesforce solely target enterprise accounts with varying success.
“I have been trying to work with Salesforce and they just never followed through with helping me set up.”
4. Salespeople hate Salesforce
The biggest complaint we get from salespeople who have migrated from Salesforce is its usability. After years of building and adding features to a once streamlined system, Salesforce has become the untamed beast of sorts. The power and functionality is there sure, but no one knows quite how to manage it. Salespeople revolt on the basis they spend more time feeding their CRM than their primary job function—selling!
“Sales is the result of actions and interactions with customers, not entering mountains of data. Programs like Salesforce literally train sales reps to hide in their cubicles all day.”
5. Get Sales Done
What’s the #1 functionality salespeople want from their CRM? To help them sell of course! Step forward, OnePageCRM, Salesforce’s, smarter, (better looking) and more agile younger brother. We’ve learnt a lot from our predecessors over the years, making sure to avoid the pitfalls of rapid success.
At OnePageCRM, we’ve built a streamlined system, with core functionality that actually helps you sell more. We pride ourselves on our simplicity, knowing every feature update we introduce is crafted on the feedback of our customers—salespeople. We understand that the secret to sales isn’t charts and graphs, it’s sales actions. That’s why our Next Actions Sales and Action Stream are so effective. What’s more, we offer full functionality from day 1, with no surprise opt-in’s later in the funnel, one system, one price. And what our customers are saying about us?
“Your Next Actions Sales Method is exactly how my sales process works. I would say a 30% improvement since I switched, in fact I make $3,000 to $4,000 a month more with OnePageCRM than before.”
Looking for a proven sales tool to help you close more deals? Sign up for a free 21-day evaluation of OnePageCRM and see how our Next Action Sales method can help you get sales done!
Hi I am close to signing up with One Page Crm, it is tough to leave Outlook, and the office 365 eco system as I have been an outlook user for 20 years. I am thinking about leaving for better tracking of contacts, like calls, emails etc. Also since I use an Android Phone want to keep email on that platform. I have checked around 20 crm, including contactually, insightly, prosperworks, base, agile, solve, bitfenix, zoho, and on an on lol. I am a realtor and want simplicity and tracking of day to day calls. Dont even want a pipeline but love your simple deals just showing amount etc All I want and need! 12 dollar a month pricing and activity is very fair price. Now things are not perfect. I recommend an email merge program, and a way to tell if someone opens an email from you would be nice. Also integration with the new Gmail Inbox.. I am close to signing up, checking to see if when I enter someones phone number with the +1 in front for usa calling will mess up my mighty text app and everything show up in my phone ok for contacts Thanks though for the best crm for what I need to this point
Hi Ron,
Thanks for commenting and for your feedback. Would love to hear how you’re getting on if you need any more assistance: support@onepagecrm.com.
All the best,
Brian
Thanks for introducing the hidden pitfalls of salesforce..
Hi Kim,
Glad you enjoyed the article, just a couple of things to be aware of when choosing a CRM for your business!