CRM Showdown: 6 Best CRMs for Digital Agencies

Are you juggling spreadsheets, sticky notes, and random email threads to manage your agency's clients? If you aren't capitalizing on a powerful CRM tool to manage your digital marketing business, you’re missing out on massive growth opportunities. For digital agencies and freelance SEO strategists who want to be successful in 2024 and beyond, a CRM isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a necessity.

 

What’s a CRM System for Digital Agencies?

A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a centralized software platform that enables digital agencies to streamline client interactions, marketing campaigns, sales processes, and project management. By consolidating vital information and automating routine tasks, CRM software enhances client communication, optimizes sales pipelines, and enables data-driven decision-making, ultimately driving agency growth and profitability.

How Digital Agency CRMs are Different 

Digital agency CRMs go beyond the basic contact management and sales tracking features of standard CRMs. They are tailored to address the unique workflow and project-centric nature of agency operations. 

Their stand-out features include robust project management tools for tracking tasks, deadlines, and budgets, and time tracking and invoicing capabilities for accurate billing. Collaboration features like shared calendars, file storage, and communication tools facilitate seamless teamwork. Additionally, digital agency CRMs often integrate with marketing automation platforms, allowing agencies to track leads, nurture prospects, and measure campaign effectiveness. Some CRMs even offer client portals for enhanced transparency and collaboration.   

6 Best CRM Platforms for Digital Marketing Companies

Selecting the right CRM platform is a critical decision for any digital agency. It's essential to consider factors like the size of your team, your budget, the specific features you need, and the scalability of the platform as your agency grows. To help you make an informed choice, we've rounded up the 6 best CRMs that cater specifically to the needs of digital agencies. Let’s dive right in!

1. DAXRM

The CRM Built for Digital Agencies

DAXRM is a relatively new player in the CRM space, but it's quickly making a name for itself among digital agencies, simply because it is specifically designed to meet their unique needs.  With robust features for project management, time tracking, and client portals, combined with a gentle learning curve, make this all-in-one CRM platform just perfect for most digital marketing companies.

Key Features for Digital Agencies

• Project Management: Create and manage projects with task boards, timelines, and customizable workflows.
• Resource Management: Allocate resources efficiently, track team availability, and forecast project needs.
• Client Portal: Provide clients with a secure portal to access project updates, deliverables, and invoices.
• SEO Tools: The platform offers rank tracking, keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and competitor analysis features.
• Time Tracking: Track billable hours, monitor project progress, and generate accurate invoices.
• Invoicing: Connect to your marketing software and create professional invoices, automate recurring billing, and track payment status within the CRM.
• Custom Reporting: Create custom reports with the drag and drop report builder.
• Integrations: Connect with essential agency tools like Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google My Business, Facebook, Instagram, Microsoft Ads and more.

Advantages

• Agency-Centric Design: DAXRM understands the unique challenges faced by digital agencies and offers tailored solutions.
• Intuitive Interface: The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, minimizing the learning curve.
• Scalability: DAXRM can adapt to the needs of agencies of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises.
• Client Collaboration: The client portal promotes transparency and improves communication with stakeholders.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Access detailed reports to track project progress, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions.

Limitations

• Limited Third-Party Integrations: While DAXRM integrates with essential tools, its library of integrations is not as extensive as some other CRMs.
• Smaller User Base: Being a relatively new platform, DAXRM may not have the same level of community support as more established CRMs.

Pricing

• Basic: Free for up to 5 client accounts
• Essential: $25 per month
• Add Ons: $50 per month for the rank tracker and $30 per month for Xero integration

2. Monday.com

The Visual Work OS

If you're a fan of intuitive interfaces and visual project management, monday.com might be the perfect fit. This platform is a flexible work operating system that includes a CRM, a work management system, and a Dev section to manage development projects.  Although not designed specifically for digital agencies, the platform offers a variety of customizable features to help teams collaborate, track progress, and stay on top of deadlines.

Key Features for Digital Agencies

• Visual Boards: Customize your boards to mirror your agency's unique workflows.
• Views: Gain diverse perspectives on your work with various views like Kanban, Gantt charts, and calendar views. 
• Dashboards: Create real-time dashboards that display key metrics and project overviews.
• Integrations: Connect monday.com with your agency's essential tools, like Slack, Gmail, and Adobe Creative Cloud, ensuring seamless communication.
• Automations: Automatically assign tasks, send notifications, and update project statuses, allowing your team to focus on high-impact work.
• Apps Marketplace: Expand the functionality of monday.com with a wide range of apps tailored for various use cases, from time tracking and invoicing to advanced reporting and analytics.

Advantages

• Intuitive Interface: A user-friendly design that makes it easy for team members of all technical levels to quickly get up to speed.
• Flexible Workflows: Tailor workflows to perfectly match your agency's unique processes, ensuring a seamless fit and maximizing efficiency.
• Collaborative Environment: Promote real-time collaboration through shared boards, views, and updates.
• Scalable Solution: As your agency grows, monday.com can easily scale to accommodate your evolving needs.

Limitations

• Can be expensive: The entire range of agency-focused functionality requires a paid subscription, which can be expensive for larger teams.
• Reporting Depth: Some agencies may find monday.com's reporting capabilities less comprehensive than dedicated reporting tools.

Pricing

• Free plan: Coming soon
• Basic: $12 per user per month.
• Standard: $17 per user per month
• Pro: $28 per user per month
• Minimum number of users: 3

3. HubSpot

The Inbound Marketing Powerhouse

HubSpot is a household name in the digital marketing circles. Renowned for its inbound marketing expertise, it offers a suite of tools including a CRM that is particularly well-suited for agencies focused on lead generation and nurturing. It is part of HubSpot's comprehensive marketing, sales, customer service, and operations software suite, which can be a great solution if you need an all-in-one growth platform.

Key Features for Digital Agencies

• Contact Management: Easily manage and organize your contacts, companies, and deals in a central database.
• Email Marketing: Create and send personalized email campaigns, track engagement, and automate follow-ups.
• Marketing Automation: Nurture leads, score them based on engagement, and trigger personalized workflows.
• Sales Pipeline Management: Track deals through your sales process, visualize your pipeline, and forecast revenue.
• Reporting and Analytics: Gain insights into your marketing, sales, and customer service performance.
• Integrations: Connect HubSpot CRM with your other business tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Slack.

Advantages

• Free: HubSpot CRM is free to use, making it a great option for businesses of all sizes.
• Easy to use: Intuitive and easy to learn, even for non-technical users.
• Comprehensive: Offers a wide range of features for businesses looking to grow.
• Scalable: HubSpot CRM can grow with your business.
• Excellent Support: HubSpot is known for its excellent customer support.

Limitations

• Limited Customization: HubSpot CRM is not as customizable as some other CRM platforms.
• Can Be Overwhelming: An exhaustive array of features can be overwhelming for some users.

Pricing

• Free CRM with limited features
• Paid plans start at $15 per seat per month.

4. Insightly

The Modern CRM for Fast-Moving Agencies

Insightly is a modern CRM platform designed to empower fast-moving agencies with speed and efficiency. It unites marketing, sales, and project management functionalities in a single platform, streamlining workflows and enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly.

Key Features for Digital Agencies

• AppConnect Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like lead assignment, follow-ups, and client onboarding.
• Customizable Dashboards and Reports: Gain real-time visibility into key performance indicators (KPIs), track project milestones, and monitor campaign effectiveness with tailored dashboards and reports.
• Pipeline Management: Visualize your agency's sales pipeline, track deal progression, and accurately forecast revenue.
• Lead Routing: Automatically assign incoming leads to the most relevant team members based on predefined criteria.
• Email Marketing Integration: Seamlessly connect Insightly with your agency's preferred email marketing tools to nurture leads, deliver targeted campaigns, and measure engagement.
• Robust Project Management: Plan, execute, and track projects with built-in tools for task management, collaboration, and deadline monitoring.

Advantages

• Modern and Intuitive Interface: A clean, intuitive interface that's easy for all team members to navigate and customize.
• Speed and Efficiency: Insightly is engineered for speed, allowing your agency to quickly access crucial client and project information.
• Workflow Automation: Streamline repetitive tasks and processes, liberating your team to focus on high-value activities.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Gain deep insights into your agency's sales and marketing performance through detailed reports.

Limitations

• Learning Curve: While the interface is intuitive, some team members might require time to fully master the platform's extensive features and customization options.
• Integrations: Although Insightly integrates with many popular tools, some agencies might find the selection limited compared to other CRMs.

Pricing

Insightly offers three pricing tiers to cater to different needs:

• Plus: $29 per user per month
• Professional: $49 per user per month
• Enterprise: $99 per user per month

5. Freshsales

The AI-Powered Sales CRM

Freshsales CRM, developed by Freshworks, is an AI-powered platform designed to optimize sales processes and boost revenue for businesses across the board, including digital marketing agencies. With a focus on automation, pipeline management, and personalized client engagement, Freshsales equips agency sales teams with the tools to secure deals efficiently and nurture client relationships.

Key Features for Digital Agencies

• AI-Powered Lead Scoring: Prioritize and target high-potential leads based on engagement levels.
• Intelligent Workflows: Automate repetitive tasks, such as lead assignment, follow-up emails, and client onboarding.
• Conversational AI Chatbots: Engage potential clients on your agency's website in real-time, qualify leads, and even schedule introductory meetings automatically.
• Built-in Phone and Email: Make calls, send emails, and track all client interactions directly within the CRM.
• 360° Customer View: Gain a holistic understanding of your clients, encompassing their contact details, interaction history, project preferences, and even social media activity.
• Sales Analytics and Forecasting: Track your agency's sales performance, identify trends in client acquisition and retention, and accurately forecast future revenue.

Advantages

• Intuitive Interface: Freshsales offers a clean, user-friendly interface that's easy for all team members to navigate, regardless of technical expertise.
• AI-Powered Features: Harness the power of artificial intelligence to automate mundane tasks, intelligently prioritize leads, and personalize client interactions for maximum impact.
• Omnichannel Communication: Engage with clients seamlessly across various channels – email, phone, chat, and social media.
• Integrations: Connect Freshsales with your agency's existing tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Slack.
• Scalable: Whether you're a boutique agency or a large firm, Freshsales is designed to adapt to your agency's size and evolving needs.

Limitations

• Advanced Features: While Freshsales offers robust functionality, some advanced features, such as custom reporting and complex workflow automation, might require a deeper understanding of the platform to fully utilize.

Pricing 

• Free Plan: Basic features for to three users
• Growth: $9 per user per month
• Pro: $39 per user per month
• Enterprise: $59 per user per month

6. SEMrush

The All-in-One Marketing Platform with CRM Capabilities

While not a dedicated Customer Relationship Management platform, SEMrush does include features that can be valuable for digital agencies in managing client projects and campaigns. It is a comprehensive marketing platform that offers a wide range of tools for SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media, competitive research, and project management. 

Key Features for Digital Agencies

• Position Tracking: Track keyword rankings for your clients' websites across different search engines and locations.
• Backlink Analytics: Analyze your clients' backlink profiles, identify opportunities for link building, and monitor competitor backlinks.
• Marketing Connectors: Integrate with Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google My Business, Facebook Ads, and other popular marketing platforms to streamline campaign management and reporting.
• Marketing Automation: Automate PPC campaign management, content marketing workflows, and social media scheduling.
• Custom Reporting: Create white-label reports to showcase your agency's results to clients.
• Client Management: Collaborate with clients on projects, share reports, and manage access permissions.
• Project Management: Track project progress, assign tasks, and set deadlines for your team.

Advantages

• All-in-One Platform: SEMrush offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions.
• Robust Reporting: Generate detailed reports on SEO, PPC, content, and social media performance to demonstrate the value you bring to clients.
• Agency-Specific Features: SEMrush includes features like client management and white-label reporting that cater specifically to the needs of agencies.
• Large Knowledge Base: Access a vast library of resources, including webinars, tutorials, and blog posts, to learn how to get the most out of the platform.

Limitations

• Learning Curve: SEMrush is a powerful platform with many features, which can make it overwhelming for new users.
• Affordability: SEMrush can be expensive for smaller agencies, especially if you need access to all the features.

Pricing 

• Pro: $139.95 per month
• Guru: $249.95 per month
• Business: $499.95 per month

Finding the Perfect CRM for Your Agency

The CRMs we've explored, from the versatile customization of Monday.com to the AI-powered insights of Freshsales, each bring unique strengths to the table. When choosing a CRM for your digital agency, consider factors such as your team's size, budget, preferred workflow style, and specific project management needs.

Remember, the ideal CRM is the one that empowers your team, streamlines your processes, and ultimately helps you deliver outstanding results for your clients. Invest in a CRM that truly understands the caveats of digital agency work, and you'll unlock a new level of efficiency, collaboration, and growth.