Virtual open houses, digital closings, conversations from behind face masks — what productivity looks like for real estate agents this summer covers new terrain for all of us. All June, Inman surveys the New Productivity: the tools, skills and insights needed to make it work now.
Have suggestions for products that you’d like to see reviewed by our real estate technology expert? Email Craig Rowe.
The choices brokers and agents have in customer relationship management software (CRM) continue to enrich the industry.
Some choose enterprisewide solutions that cover the gamut of business needs with CRM being only one. Others avoid the time and commitment of brokerage-level installs, opting to let agents operate autonomously.
Ask around, and you’re sure to hear some, or all, of the following names:
All of these names offer a smart array of features, ease of use, and their own special blend of marketing and business productivity.
But what about the ones that might not make the initial list? Is it worth looking beyond what so many others use?
Yes, it is. Here are five CRMs that are definitely worth checking out.
1. Cloze
This web and mobile-forward software champions sphere-of-influence marketing, neglecting multimedia marketing. It’s a vibrant, exceptionally well-thought-out way to capitalize on all of the other business tools used to manage, communicate and move your business forward. This is a solution for keeping relationships, not necessarily creating them.
Highlights:
- Industry-leading user experience
- Hands-off efficiency
- Wide range of integrations
- For teams and individuals
2. SkylerAI
Whereas Cloze dazzles with modern looks and functionality, SkylerAI wins with business book smarts. It’s added new marketing features recently, but its value is in the depth of its automated follow-up. It was one of the first such systems to leverage intelligent workflows, and it remains one of the best at it.
Highlights:
- Predictive outreach
- Tracks competitor interactions in public media
- Automated follow-up activities and recommendations
- Lead to property matching
3. Onjax PureAgent CRM
Like some of the bigger systems, Onjax offers IDX websites. But its PureAgent CRM’s proprietary video email and very cool funneling of Facebook Live events into branded landing pages are a couple of its unique highlights.
Yet, this CRM relies heavily on the agent to create systems, action plans and drip campaign. Its founder told me that too much focus on branding and marketing “is not CRM.”
Highlights:
- Video email
- Virtual tour events
- IDX search-embedded email
- Unlimited lead source integration
- Writer’s note: Review pending
4. Buffini Referral Maker CRM
Yes, you’ve likely heard of Brian Buffini. But did you know his company builds very good software, too? Referral Maker is all about leveraging who you know and how you can be better at knowing more people. The coaching discipline pulses through the code of this solution, and you don’t have to be part of the coaching program to buy and use it, but members are provided a discount.
Highlights:
- Delete relationship feature
- Heavy focus on follow-up
- Relationship ranking
- Auto-surfaces most important tasks
5. SquadVoice
Technically not a CRM. Instead, this is way to seriously empower your CRM. This data-powered bolt-on probes your databases with a wide net of public and private data tentacles, feeling around for who is showing signs of emerging into the market. Each recommended contact comes with a report of activity showing why you need to reach them.
Highlights:
- Nationwide network of assigned data analysts
- Per-contact history reports
- Lead source effectiveness ratings
- Refund per lead that doesn’t convert
It’s highly recommended to carefully choose the technology products you engage with, especially your CRM. There’s so much out there and so much they do. Determine first what you do best in real estate, then find technology to make that process better.
Additional resources
- If you’re looking for a new CRM for your brokerage or team, be sure to check out Inman’s Handbook on how to launch your brokerage’s most critical software — the CRM.
- If you’re looking for a new CRM for yourself, read “Looking for a CRM? 15 features you should know.”
- If you simply want to get to know your CRM better, look into “Learn to love your CRM: 11 simple daily tasks to master.”
Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe
Craig C. Rowe started in commercial real estate at the dawn of the dot-com boom, helping an array of commercial real estate companies fortify their online presence and analyze internal software decisions. He now helps agents with technology decisions and marketing through reviewing software and tech for Inman.
