The 6 Best CRM for Consultants in 2024

Ever wondered how top consultants keep their client information, schedules, and projects perfectly organized?

The secret lies in a powerful CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system.

For consultants, the right CRM is like having a dedicated personal assistant who never misses a detail, ensuring everything runs smoothly, and nothing slips through the cracks.

In this blog, I’ll take you through the 6 best CRMs specifically tailored for consultants. Whether you’re a solo consultant or part of a big company, these tools can help you streamline your operations, improve client relationships, and ultimately grow your business.

Stick around to discover which CRM could transform your consulting business!

Which Is the Best CRM for Consultants?

Here’s a quick look at my top three picks from the list:

Option: 1 BIGContacts

A highly affordable and customizable tool with robust features like activity timelines, automated drip emails, sales pipeline, and easy contact management.

Option:2 HoneyBook

Perfect for managing client bookings and projects, it enhances productivity with tools for invoicing, contracts, and streamlined client communication.

Option: 3 Capsule CRM

Great for simple and effective client relationship management, providing an intuitive interface, task management, and detailed client histories.

Comparison Table of Best Consultant CRM

Top 6 CRM for Consultants

To compile this list, I have assessed each tool’s ease of use and scalability, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of consultants. My evaluation includes my personal experiences, insights from reputable reviews, and feedback from industry peers.

1. BIGContacts – Best for contact management & email marketing for small & medium businesses

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In my experience, BIGContacts has been a lifesaver for managing my contacts and email marketing efforts. This CRM for consultants and small businesses has features that make organizing client interactions a breeze.

I found it incredibly easy to store all customer information in one accessible place. The software offers custom fields, task management, email tracking, and customizable sales pipelines, which have streamlined my workflow significantly.

I also liked the automated reminders that kept me on top of my tasks. With BIGContacts, creating segmented contact lists and personalized email campaigns is simple. It ensured my communications were always targeted and effective.

This consulting CRM’s native integration with QuickBooks is a bonus. It allowed me to view transaction details directly within contact records, making financial management much more efficient.

What You’ll Like:

• Capture, manage, and segment contacts using lists, tags, custom fields, and grouping options
• Detailed view of all interactions with each contact with the Activity Timeline feature
• Web form integration to collect leads and their relevant information with ease
• Easy integration with tools like Quickbooks, Gmail, and Outlook for overall productivity

What You May Not Like:

• A Stable internet connection is needed for optimal tool performance
• Updates are helpful but may require users to learn new features or changes constantly

Pricing:

• Forever free plan for 100 contacts.
• Paid starts at $9.99/month.

2. Accelo – Best for Client Management

Image source: Productive.io

I found Accelo to be an incredibly powerful CRM, especially for consultants. One of the standout features was its ease of managing client relationships. The platform offers integrated project management, time tracking, and billing.

I particularly liked how Accelo allows you to automate regular tasks, freeing up more time to focus on clients. The real-time dashboards and reports give a clear view of project progress and financial health, which is crucial for consultants managing multiple projects.

The client portal is great, offering transparency and improving client communication. Accelo truly stands out as one of the best CRM tools for consultants, making client management easy and efficient.

What You’ll Like:

• Easy integration with G-Suite for email and calendar sync
• Impressive client portal for collaboration, quote acceptance, and invoice viewing
• Automatic email and appointment imports
• Time management with hour logging and tracking features

What You May Not Like:

• Separate contact creation for multiple email addresses for one person
• Lack of features like reallocating tasks, meetings, or time entries

Pricing:

• Custom pricing.

3. Mimiran – Best for Lead Management

Image source: G2

When I used Mimiran, what stood out for me was its focus on making lead management seamless. It is specifically designed for consultants, which makes it a perfect fit if you’re in this industry.

One feature I found invaluable was proposal automation. This tool not only saved me time but also increased my conversion rates. The integrated lead magnets and website visitor tracking made it easy to capture and engage leads.

What I liked the most was how the CRM adapted to my workflow, syncing emails, contacts, and calendar events without any manual input. The detailed reporting and analytics provided valuable insights into my sales pipeline, helping me make informed decisions.

What You’ll Like:

• Integrated lead magnets to qualify leads on the website
• Customizable proposals and contracts
• Contact tagging and reminders for follow-ups
• A dedicated client portal to access information and communicate efficiently

What You May Not Like:

• Lacks in-depth analysis in the report’s section
• Limited integration with third-party apps

Pricing:

• Starts at $49/user/month with a 14-day free trial.

4. HoneyBook – Best for Task Automation

Image source: HoneyBook

I found HoneyBook to be incredibly effective for managing my consulting business.

The client management capabilities impressed me the most, which allowed me to keep all client communication and project details in one place. Additionally, the proposal and contract management features made it easy to create, send, and track client documents.

The invoicing and payment tracking system was seamless, significantly improving my cash flow management. With HoneyBook, I could also set up automated reminders for clients, ensuring timely responses and payments.

What You’ll Like:

• Email integration with Gmail centralizes all business outreach
• Informative training resources make it easy to learn how to use the system effectively
• Integrated invoicing and payment processing for easy billing
• Automatic email reminders for client actions and follow-ups if emails aren’t opened

What You May Not Like:

• Inconsistent mobile app functionality as compared to the web-based application
• Lack of international time zone options in the online scheduling tool

Pricing:

• Starts at $8/month.

5. NetSuite CRM – Best for Sales & Marketing Automation

Image Source: Novutech

When I explored NetSuite, I found it to be a suitable CRM for small consulting firms. Its extensive features for sales and marketing automation make it a powerful tool for managing client relationships.

One of its unique aspects is its ability to provide a 360-degree view of customer interactions, which helps build stronger customer relationships.

I liked the advanced forecasting reminders and scheduling automation features, which helped me make informed decisions. The integration with other NetSuite products ensures a seamless workflow across various business functions.

Its marketing automation capabilities offer email campaigns, lead nurturing, and ROI tracking. In my experience, the tool’s customization options allow consultants to tailor it to their specific needs, enhancing productivity and client satisfaction.

What You’ll Like:

• Add-on apps and NetSuite Connectors for tailored integrations with tools like Zendesk and Magento
• Bank Feeds that link bank accounts for up-to-date balances and Automated Clearing House (ACH) capabilities within NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
• Search functions’ saving functionality for quick access
• Automated email reminders save you from missing out any important client communications

What You May Not Like:

• Occasional slow performance when dealing with large data sets
• High technical expertise is needed to customize the system

Pricing:

• Custom pricing.

6. Capsule CRM – Best for Email Marketing

Image source: Capsule CRM

Capsule CRM is a top CRM for consultants because it integrates email marketing seamlessly into your workflow.

I found that the tool’s ability to manage contacts and track communication was particularly useful. Capsule CRM offers a simple interface, making it easy to use even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

The integration with popular email services like Gmail allows you to send, track, and optimize your email campaigns without leaving the platform.

Plus, Capsule CRM’s customization options helped me tailor the CRM to fit my specific consulting needs, enhancing client interactions and project management.

What You’ll Like:

• QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Xero integration for email and accounting
• Document storage feature for contracts, proposals, invoices
• Creation of a standard selling process by the ‘tracks’ feature with predefined tasks for following up on business opportunities
• Organization of contacts using tags

What You May Not Like:

• Google Workspace integration incurs glitches, especially for calendars, tasks, and two-way syncing
• Limited integration options with third-party apps beyond popular email services

Pricing:

• Free plan available for up to 2 users and 250 contacts. Paid starts at $18/user/month.

Read More: List of Best Capsule Alternatives

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation of products or tools chosen for this article follows an unbiased, systematic approach that ensures a fair, insightful, and well-rounded review. This method employs six key factors:

1. User Reviews / Ratings: Direct experiences from users, including ratings and feedback from reputable sites, provide a ground-level perspective. This feedback is critical in understanding overall satisfaction and potential problems.
2. Essential Features & Functionality: The value of a product is ascertained by its core features and overall functionality. Through an in-depth exploration of these aspects, the practical usefulness and effectiveness of the tools are carefully evaluated.
3. Ease of Use: The user-friendliness of a product or service is assessed, focusing on the design, interface, and navigation. This ensures a positive experience for users of all levels of expertise.
4. Customer Support: The quality of customer support is examined, taking into account its efficiency and how well it supports users in different phases – setting up, addressing concerns, and resolving operational issues.
5. Value for Money: Value for money is evaluated by comparing the quality, performance, and features. The goal is to help the reader understand whether they would be getting their money’s worth.
6. Personal Experience / Experts’ Opinions: This part of the evaluation criteria draws insightful observations from the personal experience of the writer and the opinions of industry experts.

Boost ROI With the Right CRM for Consultants

Selecting the right CRM for consultants is crucial for effective client management and business growth. Look for cost-effective options that cater to your unique needs, offering essential tools for client communication and contact management with a contact management software.

Investing in a scalable CRM solution ensures smooth growth alongside your business and prevents disruptions caused by switching systems as your client base expands.

Before making a commitment, take advantage of free trials, like the 15-day free trial offered by BIGContacts. Test the CRM’s features to ensure it meets your current requirements and can accommodate future growth.

With the right CRM for consultants, you can streamline operations and devote more time to delivering exceptional service.

Learn More About the CRM for Consultants

What is a CRM for consultants?

A CRM for consultants is a tool designed to help consultants manage client relationships, streamline communication, and organize contact information.

It provides features such as client contact management, email integration, task tracking, and sales pipeline management. A CRM for consultants allows you to easily track interactions with clients, schedule follow-ups, and keep all client-related information in one place.

This not only improves efficiency but also helps build stronger client relationships. With the right CRM, consultants can focus more on delivering high-quality service and less on administrative tasks.

What features should you look for in the best CRM for consultants?

When choosing the best CRM for consultants, look for features that enhance client management and streamline operations. Key features include:

• Contact Management: Organize and track client interactions and details.
• Task and Project Management: Keep track of tasks, deadlines, and project progress.
• Email Integration: Connect with popular email services for seamless communication.
• Customizable Dashboards: Customize your workspace to suit your specific needs.
• Sales Pipeline Management: Visualize and manage your sales process.
• Reporting and Analytics: Generate insights to improve decision-making.
• Mobile Accessibility: Access your CRM on the go.
• Integration with Other Tools: Ensure compatibility with essential tools like accounting software.
• Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like data entry and client follow-ups to save time and increase efficiency.

These features help consultants manage their business efficiently and effectively.

Why do you need a CRM for your consulting firm?

A CRM is essential for every business and for each type of business their are multiple CRM option available, like crm for restuarant, crm for hotels, crm for accountants, etc. For consulting firm it centralizes client information, streamlines communication, and improves organization. With a CRM, you can track interactions, manage leads, and maintain detailed client histories, ensuring no important details are missed.

It enhances productivity by automating routine tasks and providing insights into client behavior, helping you make informed decisions. Additionally, a CRM supports collaboration among team members, ensuring everyone has access to up-to-date information.

Here’s a video that will help you understand the impact of CRM on your business’s ROI:

How to choose the best consulting CRM?

Choosing the best consulting CRM involves considering several key factors. First, identify your specific needs, such as client communication, project management, and lead tracking.

Look for a CRM that offers customizable features to match your workflow. Ensure the CRM integrates well with tools you already use, like email and accounting software. Scalability is crucial, so choose a solution that can grow with your business.

Evaluate the user interface for easy usability and provide adequate support and training resources. Finally, take advantage of free trials to test the CRM’s functionality and ensure it meets your requirements before committing.