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!