Zoho Corporation, a global giant in software development, has been a trailblazer in providing business solutions that cater specifically to the nuanced needs of various industries. Their latest offering, Bigin by Zoho, is a Customer Relationship Management platform that is designed for small and medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their sales processes. This comprehensive review aims to provide sales professionals with an in-depth understanding of how Bigin could revolutionize their sales funnel.
Introduction
Bigin debuted as a more specialized and accessible CRM compared to its siblings in the Zoho CRM suite. Released with the core mission of simplifying sales pipeline management and sharpening sales activities, Bigin’s approach focuses on user-friendly features that enhance productivity and aid strategic decision-making. For businesses opting for streamlined management over complex navigation, Bigin stands as a beacon in the crowded sea of CRM software.
What is Bigin?
Bigin is an intuitive CRM system designed with the small business owner in mind. It packs a powerful punch in terms of functionality and features while maintaining an easy-to-use interface. Unlike other CRMs that cater to larger enterprises, Bigin’s simple and effective design makes it the perfect fit for teams where agility trumps complexity. Its suite of tools encompasses everything from lead management to pipeline optimization, presenting a comprehensive solution to elevate sales strategies.
Who Uses Bigin?
Sales professionals who are part of budding startups or small firms in diverse industries have found a home in Bigin. Its scalable nature means it can grow with your business, accommodating additional features and team members as required. From B2B to B2C, and encompassing various sectors such as real estate, retail, SaaS, and more, Bigin has the versatility to complement different sales models and organizational structures.
Bigin Deployment Options
Flexibility is key for a growing business, and Zoho understands this well. Bigin offers deployment options that suit businesses at every growth stage. Whether you prefer the straightforwardness of cloud-based solutions, the security of on-premises deployment, or the balance of a hybrid model, Bigin ensures you can adapt without sacrificing your preferred approach to IT infrastructure.
Bigin Vendor
Zoho Corporation is renowned for its innovative suite of business, productivity, and collaboration applications. With a focus on AI-driven solutions for enhanced business processes, Zoho’s products are trusted by over 60 million users worldwide. Bigin’s seamless integration with other Zoho services and third-party apps, backed by Zoho’s reputation for robust support, makes it a standout choice in the CRM market.
Features & Functionalities
Sales professionals will find an impressive array of features within the Bigin ecosystem. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the tools that Bigin equips you with to conquer your sales mountain:
Drag & Drop
A simplistic yet powerful function that allows for quick rearrangement of sales pipeline stages, ensuring that the software adapts to your process, not the other way around.
Opportunity Management
Insightful data tracking within the sales pipeline, helping users to identify and capitalize on the most profitable opportunities.
Reporting & Statistics
Robust reporting tools and real-time analytics that provide holistic views of your sales performance and future projections.
Sales Pipeline Management
A visual representation of your sales process that helps track the buyer’s journey, leading to more informed next steps and better overall revenue management.
Activity Dashboard
A centralized hub that tracks all sales activities, giving you a snapshot of what’s happening without the need to switch screens or tabs.
API
Open API architecture for integrating with existing software and developing custom applications, ensuring that Bigin can fit flexibly into your existing tech stack.
Contact Database
A comprehensive database to store all information related to prospects and customers, fostering effective relationship management.
Mobile Access
An application designed for mobile usage, allowing sales professionals to stay connected and productive on the go.
Reminders
Always stay on top of important tasks with the reminder feature that ensures no opportunity slips through the cracks.
Contact Management
Detailed individual and organizational profiles, enabling personalized engagement strategies and streamlined contact tracking.
Lead Management
A systematic approach to capturing, tracking, and nurturing leads to increased conversion rates and streamlined outreach efforts.
Pipeline Management
Customizable sales stages align with your business model, ensuring a more accurate representation of your sales cycle.
Calendar/Reminder System
An integrated calendar and reminder system to schedule and keep track of important appointments and follow-ups.
Customizable Fields
Tailor data inputs to capture the information most relevant to your business’s sales process and reporting needs.
Interaction Tracking
Insightful history records of customer interactions to deliver context-rich sales conversations and targeted follow-ups.
Lead Generation
Holistic lead capturing and scoring mechanisms to generate high-quality leads and ensure effective lead-to-customer conversions.
Quotes/Estimates
Generation of professional quotes and estimates that can be directly linked to opportunities and won deals.
Campaign Management
Set up and track sales campaigns, complete with multichannel management capabilities and detailed reporting functionalities.
Data Import/Export
Seamless data migration into and out of Bigin, fostering continuity and collaboration across multiple platforms.
Email Management
Integrated email functionality within Bigin, centralizing all communication and enabling efficient email tracking within the CRM.
Marketing Automation
Automate repetitive marketing tasks to free up time for more strategic sales initiatives, driving better customer engagement.
Reporting/Analytics
Comprehensive and customizable reporting tools for deeper insights into sales activities and performance metrics.
Sales Trend Analysis
Trend analysis and forecasting tools that leverage historical data to predict future sales outcomes.
Workflow Management
Customizable workflows that automate mundane tasks, allowing teams to focus on high-impact activities.
Calendar Sync
Seamless synchronization of sales activities across calendars to manage schedules and campaigns effortlessly.
Document Storage
Secure storage for sales-related documents, enabling easy collaboration and sharing of materials.
Task Management
Organize and prioritize sales-related tasks with a streamlined and intuitive task management system.
Customizable Reports
Craft reports that deliver pinpointed insights tailored to your business’s unique sales requirements.
Email Marketing
Built-in tools for effective and targeted email marketing campaigns that are fully integrated with your sales processes.
Sales Reports
Comprehensive and dynamic sales reports that help track performance and make informed strategic decisions.
Third-Party Integrations
Open the door to endless possibilities with integrations to a wide array of third-party business applications.
Social Media Integration
Connect with prospects and monitor trends with social media integrations that enrich your sales strategy.
Alerts/Notifications
Stay informed about important activities and deadlines with real-time notifications on various channels.
Activity Tracking
Detailed logs of all activities in the sales cycle, providing data-driven insights and enhancing accountability.
Email Templates
A library of professionally designed email templates for faster and more effective communication with leads and customers.
Customizable Templates
Tailor Bigin to fit your business’s identity with customizable templates that cover various aspects of the sales process.
Pros & Cons
The remarkable depth and breadth of features in Bigin are balanced by some areas that may fall short for certain users. Here’s a closer look at what to love and where there’s room for improvement:
Pros
- Robust feature set tailored for small to medium-sized businesses
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface that requires minimal training
- Competitive pricing for the value offered
- Integration capabilities that extend Bigin’s functionality beyond CRM
- Cross-platform compatibility that ensures access from any device
Cons
- Limited customization for the most complex sales processes
- Advanced reporting options might not satisfy the needs of larger enterprises
- Support may not match larger CRM competitors in terms of breadth and depth
Popular Alternative: HubSpot CRM Comparison
While Bigin has been making waves with its focused approach to CRM, HubSpot CRM is another formidable player in the market that demands consideration. Here’s how the two stack up in critical criteria:
Starting Price
Bigin offers a free plan and starts at a considerably lower price point. HubSpot’s CRM comes in free as well, but its paid sales hub starts beyond Bigin’s entry-level paid package.
Pricing Options
Both offer tiered pricing with additional modules for enhanced functionality. Here, the decision is aligned with individual business needs and the desired extent of software usage.
Total Features
In terms of pure features, Bigin is an excellent choice for comprehensive sales needs, while HubSpot provides an ecosystem that caters to marketing and service management as well.
Total Integrations
HubSpot boasts a larger number of integrations. This can be a significant factor for businesses already invested in specific tools.
Ease of Use
Bigin is designed for ease of use, from setup through daily operations. HubSpot, in contrast, might require a steeper learning curve, given the broad array of tools.
Value for Money
While Bigin offers significant value, especially to those looking for a dedicated sales CRM, HubSpot’s pricing is justified by its all-in-one marketing, sales, and service ecosystem.
Customer Service
Bigin’s support may not be as extensive as HubSpot’s, which is renowned for its customer service. This could be a deciding factor for businesses heavily reliant on CRM support.
For an in-depth analysis of another cutting-edge software solution, read our next Evernote Teams review.
Conclusion
For sales professionals in small and medium-sized enterprises, the decision between Bigin and its competitors comes down to the specificity needed in a CRM. Bigin shines through with its streamlined approach, rich feature set, and Zoho’s trusted backend. It may not be the largest CRM in terms of the number of features, but it is one of the best for essential sales management.
Businesses should evaluate their requirements and growth strategies as they analyze the pros and cons. Those valuing agility and a sales-focused CRM will find Bigin to be an invaluable asset. The choice of CRM is a critical one for any growing business, and with the right tools at your disposal, your sales team’s potential can be fully realized.