Zoho CRM vs EngageBay CRM: Which is a better fit?

Nicole D.: My name's Nicole. I'm the owner and founder of Nicole Du Guay Coaching & Consulting, and I give Zoho CRM a four out of five. Prior to using Zoho CRM, I've tried a number of different CRM platforms, and Mindbody Online is an example and a couple of other ones. And I found that Zoho CRM, although the other platforms have ... Some are more specific for specific industries. Having tested a number of them, I just find that I like the integration and the versatility of Zoho CRM a lot better. The number one reason that I decided to try Zoho CRM was because I was already using Zoho Meetings and I liked the idea that I can integrate my calendar and my booking system and have it directly linked to my meetings platform that I was already using. Zoho CRM was a little bit challenging at first. It does take a little bit of time to find your way around the platform, but once I was familiar with it, it was actually really easy to get the hang of and get into using it. I would recommend that anybody wanting to use Zoho CRM take some time just to look at all the other integrations that you're already using and wanting to use and actually consider combining your accounts into the Zoho platform because I did find that if you had platforms like MailChimp, for example, that was separate, it actually ... Even though you can make it work, it actually is just easier if you keep everything in the Zoho family, which I would recommend.

Kurt: Hi guys. My name is Kurt. I am a licensed insurance agent with American Income. I am self-employed, so it's just myself. I would give EngageBay a five-star rating. Awesome program. I've actually used multiple CRMs. I have a pretty diverse background in sales, including working as a business development manager for a company. But the most recent CRM before EngageBay was Zoho. Reality was that was just not meeting the needs of what I wanted out of it for what I was paying for between the scheduling, the calendar links, and just the overall flexibility of the program. EngageBay met those needs. I use EngageBay to do a lot of text and email communications where I'm sending out my calendar links so people can schedule directly with me. That was one of the huge features. The other feature that was really critical for me was effective tracking of my clientele, combined with just that ability to have everything there in one spot, both the marketing and the sales. When I made the decision to go with EngageBay, I had been looking at a lot of different CRM options. One of the challenges, going into life insurance sales is a new business venture for me, so I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on a CRM in the beginning, even though it's really critical to have a CRM that can grow with you as your business grows. A lot of times that means they spend a lot of money. I think, ultimately, the decision for me with EngageBay was it was inexpensive to start out and I don't see any real limitations to the growth potential with it as I've been using it. Getting started was actually really easy with EngageBay. They actually give you a checklist to go through as you log in of things to do to get it set up, so that was great. The only, I guess, real challenge with getting started is some of the features, particularly the email templates, are a little complex. They do have some good help tutorials for that as well. I did have to talk with them on chat a few times. But overall, really easy to set up. I guess thinking about advice for somebody that's going to get EngageBay, I would tell you to do your homework first and look into reviews, look into what specifically you want from a CRM. I would say of the CRMs I used, it is definitely one of the most expansive CRMs I've used in terms of its abilities to do different things. They call themselves the all-in-one suite. For me, that all-in-one feature really has been a huge benefit. It allows me to do all the different things I want with a CRM, but I would say make sure it goes deep enough in the areas that you're looking for. If you're looking for super in-depth customer tracking, this may or may not be what you want. I would say make the decisions of what you need from your CRM first.