Opencrm.co.uk Review

Based on looking at the website opencrm.co.uk, it presents itself as a UK-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system designed to help businesses manage sales, customers, contacts, finances, events, projects, and tickets. The site emphasizes its UK roots, promising UK data storage and UK support, which can be a significant draw for businesses operating within the United Kingdom. It positions itself as a comprehensive solution, claiming to offer all the features of its rivals at a fraction of the cost, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. However, a strict review reveals some areas where the website’s presentation could be more robust to build maximum trust and provide a fully comprehensive picture, particularly from an ethical standpoint that values clarity, transparency, and a complete representation of a business’s credentials.

Overall Review Summary:

• Company Location and Data Storage: Explicitly states “UK company, UK data, UK support.” This is a strong point for UK-based businesses.
• Pricing Transparency: Claims “Simple per user price” with all features included and no upfront annual commitment. £39 per month is quoted.
• Key Features Highlighted: Full customer journey, unrivalled customer support, syncs with Microsoft 365, Google, Outlook, integrates with Xero, Sage, Jotform, Zapier, 2TB storage per account.
• Trial Availability: Offers a “Free Trial” prominently.
• Customer Testimonials: Includes one testimonial from “John Graham, Distinctive Publishing.”
• Blog/News Section: Features recent blog posts, indicating active content generation.
• Missing Information for Full Trust: Lacks immediate visibility of a clear “About Us” section with company history, leadership team, or detailed mission/vision. No readily apparent privacy policy or terms of service linked directly in the footer or prominently on the homepage, beyond cookie consent. Detailed security measures beyond “UK data” are not elaborated on the homepage. Absence of industry certifications or awards mentioned to bolster credibility.

Best Alternatives for Ethical CRM Systems:

1. Salesforce Sales Cloud
   • Key Features: Comprehensive sales automation, lead management, contact management, forecasting, reporting, mobile access, vast app exchange marketplace.
   • Price: Varies significantly based on edition and number of users, typically starting from around £20-£25 per user/month for basic editions, scaling up significantly for enterprise features.
   • Pros: Industry leader, highly customisable, extensive integrations, robust reporting, scalable for businesses of all sizes.
   • Cons: Can be complex to set up and manage, higher pricing for advanced features, potentially overwhelming for small businesses initially.
2. Zoho CRM
   • Key Features: Lead and contact management, deal management, workflow automation, analytics, AI assistant (Zia), omnichannel communication, customisation.
   • Price: Offers a free edition for up to 3 users; paid plans start from around £10-£12 per user/month, with various tiers.
   • Pros: Affordable, strong feature set for the price, good for small to medium businesses, part of a larger ecosystem of Zoho products.
   • Cons: Some users report a steep learning curve, customer support can be inconsistent, certain advanced features might require higher-tier plans.
3. HubSpot CRM
   • Key Features: Free basic CRM, sales hub, marketing hub, service hub, content management system (CMS), operations hub, email tracking, meeting scheduling.
   • Price: Basic CRM is free; paid “Hubs” (Sales, Marketing, Service, etc.) vary widely, starting from around £40-£45 per month for starter bundles.
   • Pros: Excellent free version, user-friendly interface, strong integration with marketing and service tools, great for inbound strategies.
   • Cons: Paid plans can become expensive quickly as you add features and users, some advanced features are limited in lower tiers.
4. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales
   • Key Features: Lead and opportunity management, sales forecasting, customer service, field service, marketing automation, deep integration with other Microsoft products.
   • Price: Starts from around £48 per user/month for basic sales functionalities, with more advanced options at higher prices.
   • Pros: Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, robust enterprise-grade features, highly scalable, good for organisations already heavily invested in Microsoft.
   • Cons: Can be complex to implement and customise, higher price point, potentially overkill for very small businesses.
5. Pipedrive
   • Key Features: Sales pipeline management, lead management, activity tracking, customisable dashboards, mobile apps, integrations with popular business tools.
   • Price: Starts from around £12.50 per user/month, with higher tiers offering more features.
   • Pros: Highly visual and intuitive sales pipeline, excellent for sales teams focused on deal progression, easy to use, good reporting.
   • Cons: More sales-centric, may lack broader CRM features for customer service or marketing automation compared to more comprehensive systems.
6. Capsule CRM
   • Key Features: Contact management, sales pipeline, task management, case management, integrations with accounting and email platforms.
   • Price: Offers a free plan for up to 2 users; paid plans start from around £15 per user/month.
   • Pros: Simple and easy to use, good for small businesses, clean interface, UK-based company (though data storage details should be verified for specific needs).
   • Cons: Less feature-rich than some larger competitors, limited customisation options, not ideal for very complex sales processes.
7. Insightly CRM
   • Key Features: CRM, project management, marketing automation (with add-ons), lead routing, workflow automation, customisable dashboards.
   • Price: No free plan; paid plans start from around £25-£30 per user/month.
   • Pros: Good blend of CRM and project management, strong integration capabilities, scalable for growing businesses, decent reporting.
   • Cons: Can be more expensive than some entry-level options, user interface might feel less intuitive to some compared to simpler CRMs.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

0.0 0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews) Excellent0% Very good0% Average0% Poor0% Terrible0% There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one. Your review Your overall rating Select a Rating5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star Title of your review Your review Your name Your email This review is based on my own experience and is my genuine opinion. ​ Submit Review

Amazon.com: Check Amazon for Opencrm.co.uk Review Latest Discussions & Reviews:

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

[ratemypost]

OpenCRM.co.uk Review & First Look: A UK-Centric CRM Solution

Upon a thorough examination of opencrm.co.uk, the immediate impression is one of a focused, UK-centric CRM provider. The website clearly articulates its core value proposition: a comprehensive CRM system built for UK businesses, promising local data storage and support. This is a significant factor for many organisations in the United Kingdom, particularly those dealing with sensitive customer data or subject to specific regulatory frameworks like GDPR. The emphasis on “UK company, UK data, UK support” is reiterated multiple times, suggesting this is a cornerstone of their brand identity.

The homepage quickly presents a compelling narrative, highlighting that OpenCRM aims to do “everything that our rivals do, for a fraction of the cost.” This aggressive positioning against market giants like Salesforce is a bold claim, and while the site lists a competitive price point of £39 per month per user with no upfront annual commitment, a deeper dive into the features is necessary to ascertain the full value. The user journey on the homepage is straightforward, offering clear calls to action for a free trial and to “watch our video,” which are standard practices for SaaS businesses.

From an ethical perspective, a website’s transparency about its operations and offerings is paramount. While OpenCRM is clear about its pricing and location, a complete and detailed “About Us” section that includes the company’s history, leadership team, and a more comprehensive mission statement would further enhance trust. This kind of transparency allows potential customers to understand the company’s ethos and long-term vision, which is crucial for a relationship-based software like CRM. Similarly, readily accessible links to comprehensive privacy policies and terms of service are essential, beyond just cookie consent, to assure users about data handling and contractual obligations.

The website does a good job of presenting key benefits such as “Full customer journey,” “Unrivalled customer support,” and various integrations. The inclusion of a blog section, showcasing recent articles, suggests an active and engaged company that is committed to providing valuable content to its audience. However, the depth of information on critical aspects like data security protocols (beyond merely stating “UK data”) and service level agreements (SLAs) for their “unrivalled customer support” could be expanded directly on the homepage or via easily navigable links. This level of detail is often sought by businesses making a significant software investment.

opencrm.co.uk Features: Unpacking What’s on Offer

OpenCRM positions itself as an all-encompassing solution, stating it can “manage your sales, customers, contacts, finances, events, projects and tickets.” This broad scope suggests a powerful platform designed to handle various aspects of business operations, moving beyond just sales and marketing to include project management and customer service functionalities. Tourlane.co.uk Review

Core CRM Functionality

The core of any CRM lies in its ability to manage customer relationships effectively. OpenCRM highlights:

• Full Customer Journey: This implies the system can track interactions from initial lead generation through sales, post-sale support, and ongoing customer engagement. This holistic view is critical for businesses aiming to provide consistent and personalised customer experiences.
• Sales Management: While not explicitly detailed on the homepage, the mention of “manage your sales” indicates features for tracking leads, opportunities, quotes, and potentially sales forecasting.
• Contact and Customer Management: Centralised databases for contacts and customer accounts, likely including detailed profiles, communication history, and related activities.
• Finance Management: This is a noteworthy inclusion. While not a full accounting system, it suggests capabilities to track invoices, payments, and financial interactions related to customers, which can be immensely helpful for cash flow management and sales reconciliation.
• Project Management: The ability to “manage… projects” indicates task assignment, progress tracking, and potentially resource allocation within the CRM, enabling a more integrated approach to client work.
• Ticket Management: This points to a customer service component, allowing businesses to log, track, and resolve customer issues efficiently, improving support quality and response times.

Integration Capabilities

In today’s interconnected business environment, software integrations are non-negotiable. OpenCRM boasts connectivity with popular platforms:

• Microsoft 365, Google, and Outlook Sync: This is vital for seamless communication and productivity. Businesses heavily reliant on these ecosystems will find the ability to sync emails, calendars, and contacts directly with their CRM highly beneficial.
• Xero, Sage, Jotform, Zapier, and more: The inclusion of accounting software like Xero and Sage suggests robust financial data integration, reducing manual data entry and improving accuracy. Jotform integration is useful for capturing leads and data via web forms directly into the CRM, while Zapier opens up a vast array of potential integrations with thousands of other applications, significantly extending OpenCRM’s capabilities.
• 2TB of Storage Per Account: This is a substantial amount of storage, particularly for businesses dealing with large volumes of documents, media, or detailed customer records. It alleviates concerns about data limitations as a business scales.

User Experience and Accessibility

The claim that users can “access all of our features no matter what your budget” and “wherever you are, whenever you want” implies a focus on accessibility and a tiered pricing structure that doesn’t gate essential functionalities behind higher paywalls. This transparency in feature availability is a positive ethical point, preventing bait-and-switch tactics. While not explicitly mentioned, a modern CRM would typically offer mobile applications to facilitate access on the go, crucial for sales teams and remote workers.

Overall, the feature set appears robust, covering key aspects of CRM, project, and service management. However, for potential users, deeper insights into specific functionalities—such as detailed reporting capabilities, customisation options, and automation workflows—would further solidify its appeal. The absence of specific examples or screenshots illustrating these features directly on the homepage could lead to some guesswork for prospective clients.

OpenCRM.co.uk Pros & Cons: An Impartial Assessment

Every software solution has its strengths and weaknesses, and OpenCRM is no exception. A balanced look at its offerings, based on the website’s presentation, helps paint a clearer picture for potential users. Djjaysonfife.co.uk Review

Pros

• Strong UK Focus: For businesses operating within the United Kingdom, the explicit commitment to “UK company, UK data, UK support” is a significant advantage. This addresses concerns about data sovereignty, compliance with UK regulations (like GDPR), and potentially offers more accessible customer support due to time zone alignment and local understanding.
• Transparent Pricing: The quoted price of £39 per month per user with no upfront annual commitment and the promise of “no hidden fees; no surprise paywalls” is highly appealing. This clarity makes budgeting simpler and instils confidence that businesses won’t encounter unexpected costs for essential features.
• Comprehensive Feature Set: OpenCRM claims to manage sales, customers, contacts, finances, events, projects, and tickets. This breadth of functionality suggests a single platform solution, reducing the need for multiple disparate tools and simplifying workflows. The inclusion of 2TB of storage per account is also a generous offering.
• Key Integrations: Compatibility with Microsoft 365, Google, Outlook, Xero, Sage, Jotform, and Zapier ensures that OpenCRM can slot into existing business ecosystems, facilitating data flow and automation. Zapier integration, in particular, opens up a vast array of possibilities for connecting with other software.
• Free Trial Availability: Offering a free trial is a standard and ethical practice, allowing prospective customers to test the system’s suitability for their specific needs before making a financial commitment.
• Active Blog Section: The presence of a regularly updated blog indicates an active company that is engaged with its industry and provides valuable content, potentially including tips, updates, and insights into CRM usage.

Cons

• Limited Public Transparency on “About Us”: The homepage doesn’t prominently feature a detailed “About Us” section that includes company history, key personnel, or a clear mission statement. While the UK focus is stated, deeper insights into the company’s background can build greater trust and credibility, especially for a long-term software investment.
• Lack of Detailed Security Information: While “UK data” is a strong point, the website does not elaborate on specific data security measures, certifications (e.g., ISO 27001), or disaster recovery protocols on the homepage. This information is crucial for businesses handling sensitive customer data.
• Absence of Public Service Level Agreements (SLAs): While “unrivalled customer support” is promised, there’s no immediate information on response times, availability hours, or defined service levels. For mission-critical software, knowing the guaranteed support parameters is vital.
• Sparse Customer Testimonials/Case Studies: Only one customer testimonial is prominently displayed. While it’s positive, a wider range of testimonials, case studies, or success stories from diverse industries would provide more social proof and illustrate the software’s impact on different business types.
• Limited Visual Demonstration of Features: Beyond the general descriptions, the homepage lacks detailed screenshots or interactive demos (other than the video call-to-action) that visually demonstrate the user interface, specific dashboards, or workflows. This can make it harder for potential users to quickly grasp the system’s usability and depth without signing up for a trial.
• No Explicit Mention of Mobile App Functionality: While implied by “wherever you are, whenever you want,” dedicated mobile app availability and features are not explicitly highlighted, which is a key consideration for many modern businesses.

opencrm.co.uk Alternatives: Exploring Other Ethical CRM Options

When considering a CRM system, it’s wise to evaluate various options to find the best fit for your specific business needs, budget, and ethical considerations. The market for CRM software is vast and competitive, offering solutions tailored for everything from small startups to large enterprises. Here are some of the top ethical alternatives to OpenCRM, focusing on those with strong reputations for reliability, comprehensive features, and transparent business practices, which align with ethical principles. These alternatives also cater to a global audience, including the UK market.

• Salesforce Sales Cloud

  • Description: The undisputed global leader in CRM, Salesforce offers a vast ecosystem of products for sales, service, marketing, and analytics. Sales Cloud is specifically designed to help businesses manage leads, opportunities, accounts, and contacts, providing powerful automation, forecasting, and reporting tools. Its cloud-based nature ensures accessibility from anywhere.
  • Why it’s an alternative: Salesforce provides a highly scalable and customisable platform that can grow with your business. While often perceived as more expensive, its breadth of features and integration capabilities are unmatched. Many businesses see it as a long-term investment that provides a comprehensive view of customer interactions.
  • Key Consideration: The sheer number of features can be overwhelming for smaller businesses, and implementation often requires expert assistance.

• Zoho CRM

  • Description: Zoho CRM is part of a larger suite of business applications offered by Zoho Corporation. It provides robust tools for sales force automation, lead management, contact management, sales forecasting, and analytics. Zoho is known for its affordability and comprehensive features, making it a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Why it’s an alternative: Zoho CRM offers a powerful and cost-effective alternative. Its free edition for a limited number of users allows businesses to start without upfront costs. The ecosystem of Zoho apps (e.g., Zoho Books for accounting, Zoho Campaigns for marketing) offers seamless integration if you choose to adopt more of their products.
  • Key Consideration: While feature-rich, the user interface might take some getting used to for new users, and its customer support can sometimes be inconsistent.

• HubSpot CRM

  Smartpetdevices.co.uk Review

  • Description: HubSpot offers a renowned CRM platform that forms the foundation of its integrated suite of marketing, sales, and customer service tools. Its free CRM provides essential features for contact management, deal tracking, and task management, making it an excellent starting point for businesses. The paid “Hubs” expand functionality significantly.
  • Why it’s an alternative: HubSpot’s free CRM is an unparalleled entry point for businesses looking to manage customer relationships without initial investment. It’s highly intuitive and integrates seamlessly with its marketing and service offerings, making it ideal for companies adopting an inbound methodology.
  • Key Consideration: While the free version is great, scaling up with paid HubSpot Hubs can become quite expensive as you add users and advanced features, potentially surpassing the cost of other comprehensive CRMs.

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales

  • Description: Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an enterprise-grade suite of intelligent business applications that helps run your entire business. Dynamics 365 Sales focuses on sales automation, lead nurturing, opportunity management, and customer service. It offers deep integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365 and Power BI.
  • Why it’s an alternative: For businesses already heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, Dynamics 365 provides seamless integration and a familiar interface. It offers robust capabilities for large organisations with complex sales processes and requires a high degree of customisation.
  • Key Consideration: Dynamics 365 can be complex to implement and manage, often requiring professional services for setup and ongoing maintenance. Its pricing structure can also be intricate.

• Pipedrive

  • Description: Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM designed with ease of use at its core. It emphasises visual sales pipelines, allowing users to track deals through various stages intuitively. It’s ideal for sales teams looking to streamline their sales processes, manage leads, and track activities effectively.
  • Why it’s an alternative: Pipedrive excels in its simplicity and focus on sales pipeline management. If your primary need is to boost sales productivity and visualise your sales process, Pipedrive offers a clean and efficient solution without unnecessary clutter.
  • Key Consideration: While excellent for sales, Pipedrive might lack the broader CRM features (e.g., extensive customer service modules, marketing automation) that more comprehensive systems offer.

• Capsule CRM

  • Description: Capsule CRM is a simple, smart online CRM designed for small businesses. It helps manage contacts, sales pipelines, and customer service cases efficiently. Its clean interface and straightforward functionality make it easy to adopt, and it integrates with various popular business tools.
  • Why it’s an alternative: Capsule CRM is a solid choice for small businesses seeking a straightforward and user-friendly CRM without overwhelming features. Its focus on simplicity and core CRM functions makes it easy to implement and manage, allowing businesses to get up and running quickly. It also has a free tier for small teams.
  • Key Consideration: It may not be suitable for larger businesses with complex sales processes or extensive integration requirements, as its feature set is more streamlined.

• Insightly CRM

  • Description: Insightly offers a CRM platform that combines customer relationship management with project management and marketing automation capabilities. It aims to provide a unified view of customers across sales, marketing, and project delivery, making it suitable for businesses that also manage projects for their clients.
  • Why it’s an alternative: Insightly’s unique blend of CRM and project management makes it a strong contender for service-based businesses or those where project delivery is tightly linked to customer relationships. It helps streamline workflows from sales to project completion.
  • Key Consideration: While comprehensive, the learning curve can be steeper than simpler CRMs, and some advanced features might require higher-tier subscriptions.

How to Cancel opencrm.co.uk Subscription: Understanding the Process

Based on the general practices of SaaS (Software as a Service) providers and what’s implied by OpenCRM’s pricing model (“no need to make an up front annual commitment”), cancelling a subscription to OpenCRM.co.uk would typically follow a standard procedure. While explicit instructions are not detailed on the homepage, most ethical subscription-based services provide a clear and straightforward cancellation process. Allbreedsgrooming.co.uk Review

Typical Cancellation Steps

1. Access Account Settings: The first step is usually to log in to your OpenCRM account. Within the user dashboard or profile, there is almost always a “Settings,” “Account,” “Billing,” or “Subscription” section.
2. Locate Subscription Management: Within the settings, you would look for options related to managing your subscription, plan details, or billing information. This is where you’d expect to find a “Cancel Subscription” or “Change Plan” button.
3. Follow On-Screen Prompts: Upon initiating cancellation, the system might ask for a reason for cancellation (for feedback purposes) or offer options to pause the subscription. It’s crucial to follow all prompts to ensure the cancellation is fully processed. You may receive a confirmation email.
4. Data Export (If Applicable): Before cancelling, it’s highly recommended to export all your data from the CRM. Ethical CRM providers typically offer data export functionalities (e.g., CSV files) to allow users to retain their information before their account is fully deactivated. While the website mentions 2TB of storage, it doesn’t explicitly state data export procedures.
5. Review Terms and Conditions: It is always prudent to review the full Terms and Conditions or Subscription Agreement, which would typically be linked in the website’s footer. This document would detail the official cancellation policy, including any notice periods required or conditions for refunds (though with a monthly commitment, prorated refunds are less common).

Important Considerations

• Notice Period: While OpenCRM mentions no upfront annual commitment, some monthly subscriptions might still require a notice period (e.g., 7 or 30 days) before the next billing cycle to avoid being charged for the subsequent month. It’s vital to check their detailed terms.
• Data Retention: Understand what happens to your data after cancellation. Does OpenCRM retain it for a certain period before permanent deletion, or is it immediately purged? This is a key ethical consideration regarding data privacy.
• Confirmation: Always ensure you receive a clear confirmation of cancellation, either directly within the application or via email. Keep this record for your files.
• Contact Support: If you encounter any difficulties or cannot find the cancellation option within your account, contacting OpenCRM’s customer support directly is the next step. Their “unrivalled customer support” claim should mean this process is smooth.

While the website promotes flexibility with no annual commitment, a direct link to their cancellation policy or a more explicit mention of the process on the homepage would enhance transparency, aligning with the highest ethical standards for SaaS providers.

How to Cancel opencrm.co.uk Free Trial: Steps and Best Practices

OpenCRM prominently offers a “Free Trial,” which is a common and highly beneficial practice for SaaS companies. It allows potential users to experience the product firsthand before making a financial commitment. Cancelling a free trial typically involves a straightforward process, though specific details might not be on the homepage.

Key Steps to Cancel Your Free Trial

1. Access Your Trial Account: Log in to your OpenCRM free trial account. The login portal should be the same as for a paid subscription.
2. Look for Trial Status or Account Settings: Within the trial dashboard, there is usually a section indicating the trial’s expiry date or status. Alongside this, navigate to “Account Settings,” “Billing,” or “Subscription” within your profile.
3. Find the Cancellation Option: You should find an option to “Cancel Trial,” “End Trial,” or “Do Not Convert to Paid Subscription.” Sometimes, a trial simply expires if you don’t provide payment details, but it’s always best to explicitly cancel to avoid any potential automatic conversion.
4. Confirm Cancellation: The system might ask for feedback on why you’re cancelling. Provide honest feedback if you wish, then confirm the cancellation. You should receive an immediate on-screen confirmation and/or a confirmation email.
5. Check for Payment Information: Ensure that no payment details were entered or stored during the trial if you intend to cancel. If payment details were required to start the trial, verify that they are removed upon cancellation to prevent automatic charges.
6. Data Export: Even during a free trial, you might have entered valuable data. Before the trial ends or you cancel, look for an option to export any data you might want to retain. This is a good practice for all software trials.

Best Practices for Free Trial Management

• Note the Expiry Date: When signing up for any free trial, immediately note the expiry date. Set a reminder a few days before it ends to decide whether to continue or cancel.
• Understand Auto-Conversion: Some free trials automatically convert to paid subscriptions if not cancelled. While OpenCRM’s pricing model hints at flexibility, it’s crucial to verify their specific trial terms for auto-conversion.
• Review Trial Terms: Always read the specific terms and conditions associated with the free trial. These will outline any limitations, data retention policies post-trial, and the exact cancellation procedure.
• Avoid Entering Sensitive Data: Unless absolutely necessary for testing, be cautious about entering highly sensitive or proprietary information into a trial account, especially if the data handling policies aren’t fully transparent.
• Provide Feedback: If prompted, provide constructive feedback during cancellation. This helps the company improve its product and services, benefiting future users.

By following these steps, users can ensure a smooth and clear cancellation of their OpenCRM free trial, preventing unwanted charges and managing their data responsibly. This approach aligns with ethical practices for managing digital subscriptions.

opencrm.co.uk Pricing: A Look at the Investment

OpenCRM’s pricing model is presented with a clear focus on simplicity and transparency, a refreshing approach in a market often plagued by complex tiers and hidden costs. The website proudly states: “Simple per user price Our pricing structure gives you all our features with no need to make an up front annual commitment.”

Key Pricing Details

• £39 per month per user: This is the headline price point visible on the homepage. This single, per-user monthly fee simplifies budgeting significantly for businesses.
• All Features Included: The promise that this price grants access to “all our features” is a strong ethical positive. It means businesses don’t need to worry about being upsold to higher tiers to access essential functionalities, which can be a common frustration with other CRM providers. This removes the risk of “paywalls for stuff you thought was included.”
• No Upfront Annual Commitment: This offers considerable flexibility. Businesses can subscribe on a month-to-month basis, allowing them to scale up or down users as needed without being locked into a long-term contract. This is particularly appealing for startups or businesses with fluctuating team sizes.
• Competitive Positioning: The website directly compares itself to rivals like Salesforce, stating it offers similar functionalities for a “fraction of the cost.” While “fraction” is subjective, £39 per user per month is indeed significantly lower than the starting enterprise-level costs of major global CRM players. For instance, Salesforce Sales Cloud’s Professional Edition, which is often considered a standard for growing businesses, starts at £75 per user per month (billed annually).

Ethical Implications of Pricing

The transparent and flexible pricing model adopted by OpenCRM aligns well with ethical business practices. Heinzschumi.co.uk Review

• Fairness: By offering all features at a single price point per user, OpenCRM avoids discriminatory pricing where larger companies might receive better rates or smaller companies are denied access to critical tools.
• Predictability: The fixed monthly cost per user makes financial planning straightforward, preventing unexpected expenditures.
• Accessibility: The month-to-month option makes the software more accessible to businesses with tighter budgets or those that prefer not to commit to long contracts, reducing financial risk.

What to Verify

While the pricing appears transparent, potential users should still investigate:

• Minimum User Requirements: Is there a minimum number of users required to start? (Most SaaS platforms have a minimum of 1).
• Volume Discounts: While not mentioned, some providers offer discounts for a higher number of users. This would be a question for their sales team.
• Add-on Costs: Although “all features” are promised, it’s worth checking if there are any optional add-ons, integrations (beyond the ones listed), or premium support tiers that come with extra costs. However, the homepage language suggests this is unlikely for core functionality.
• Payment Methods: What payment methods are accepted?

Overall, OpenCRM’s pricing strategy appears to be a major selling point, emphasising simplicity, predictability, and a comprehensive feature set at a competitive monthly rate, making it an attractive option for UK businesses seeking a straightforward CRM solution.

opencrm.co.uk vs. Salesforce: A Direct Comparison

OpenCRM directly pits itself against Salesforce, stating, “It’s way better than Salesforce, Open CRM does everything that I want for my business and more.” This bold claim warrants a direct comparison based on what is visible and generally known about both platforms.

Key Differences and Similarities

1. Market Positioning & Target Audience:

   • OpenCRM.co.uk: Positions itself as a UK-centric, cost-effective, and simpler alternative, particularly appealing to UK small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that value local data storage and support. Its £39/user/month pricing suggests a focus on accessibility and bundled features.
   • Salesforce: A global enterprise giant, Salesforce caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to Fortune 500 companies. It offers an extensive ecosystem of products beyond just CRM (e.g., Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, Commerce Cloud), making it a comprehensive business platform.

2. Feature Depth & Ecosystem: Mspackaging.co.uk Review

   • OpenCRM.co.uk: From the website, it covers core CRM functions like sales, contacts, projects, tickets, and finance. It integrates with common tools like Microsoft 365, Google, Xero, Sage, and Zapier. The promise of “all features” at one price point implies a unified offering.
   • Salesforce: Offers unparalleled depth in sales, service, marketing, analytics, and more. Its AppExchange is a marketplace with thousands of third-party integrations. Salesforce’s customisation capabilities are virtually limitless, allowing businesses to tailor the platform precisely to their unique and complex workflows.

3. Pricing Structure:

   • OpenCRM.co.uk: Simple: £39 per user per month, month-to-month, all features included. This is highly transparent and predictable.
   • Salesforce: Complex: Pricing varies significantly by edition (Essentials, Professional, Enterprise, Unlimited) and product (Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, etc.). Starts from around £20-£25/user/month for basic Essentials but quickly scales to £75-£300+/user/month for professional and enterprise editions, often billed annually. Additional costs for advanced features, add-ons, and extensive customisation are common.

4. Customisation & Scalability:

   • OpenCRM.co.uk: While not detailed, typically simpler CRMs offer less extensive customisation than enterprise platforms. However, the integrated features suggest it might be highly functional out-of-the-box for typical business needs.
   • Salesforce: Unrivalled in customisation. Businesses can build entirely custom applications, automate complex workflows, and integrate with almost any system. This allows for massive scalability and adaptation to intricate business requirements, making it suitable for companies with thousands of users and highly specific processes.

5. Support & Community:

   • OpenCRM.co.uk: Promises “unrivalled customer support” and “UK support.” The UK focus might mean more personalised and accessible support for UK businesses.
   • Salesforce: Offers extensive support options, including online knowledge bases, community forums (Trailblazer Community), and various paid support tiers. Its vast global user base means a wealth of online resources and a strong community for peer support.

Ethical Considerations in Comparison

• Transparency: OpenCRM’s pricing transparency is a strong ethical point, contrasted with Salesforce’s more complex, tiered pricing which can sometimes lead to “surprise” costs as businesses scale or require more features.
• Accessibility: OpenCRM’s month-to-month payment and lower initial cost make it more accessible to smaller businesses. Salesforce, while having an Essentials edition, often requires a larger budget for its full potential.
• “Way Better” Claim: The testimonial on OpenCRM’s site stating it’s “way better than Salesforce” is a bold marketing statement. While it might be “better” for a specific user’s needs due to its simplicity, cost, or UK focus, it’s important to recognise that “better” is subjective. Salesforce offers a depth and breadth of features that many large enterprises require and that a simpler, single-tier CRM might not match. The ethical approach here is to acknowledge that different solutions serve different needs.

In essence, OpenCRM appears to be a strong contender for UK-based SMBs seeking a straightforward, affordable, and locally supported CRM solution with integrated features. Salesforce, on the other hand, remains the go-to for enterprises and rapidly scaling companies that require the most comprehensive, highly customisable, and globally supported CRM platform, willing to pay a premium for that power.

Data Management Central: The Importance of a CRM System

The OpenCRM website highlights a crucial aspect of modern business operations: “Is your CRM system an integrated part of your team? … When implemented correctly, your CRM system acts like another member of your team. A ‘virtual team member’ who is entirely dedicated to data management and keeping everyone else on track.” This analogy beautifully encapsulates the profound importance of a CRM system, especially in an era driven by data and customer relationships. Airkool.co.uk Review

The Role of CRM in Data Management

A CRM system fundamentally serves as a central repository for all customer and prospect information. Before CRM, data was often siloed in spreadsheets, disparate databases, or even individual employee inboxes. This fragmentation led to:

• Inconsistent Data: Different departments or individuals might have conflicting or outdated information about the same customer.
• Lost Opportunities: Without a centralised view, sales teams might miss follow-up opportunities, and customer service might lack context on past interactions.
• Inefficient Processes: Manual data entry and information searching consume valuable time, reducing productivity.

A well-implemented CRM addresses these challenges by:

1. Centralising Data: All customer data—contact details, communication history (emails, calls, meetings), purchase records, support tickets, preferences, and more—resides in one accessible location. This creates a single source of truth for every customer interaction.
2. Ensuring Data Consistency and Accuracy: By standardising data entry and providing a unified view, CRM helps maintain high data quality. Automated data capture from web forms (like Jotform, as mentioned by OpenCRM) further enhances accuracy and reduces manual errors.
3. Facilitating Information Sharing: Sales, marketing, and customer service teams can all access the same up-to-date customer information, fostering collaboration and ensuring a consistent customer experience across all touchpoints. For example, a customer service agent can instantly see a customer’s purchase history and previous support issues, enabling faster and more informed resolutions.
4. Enabling Data Analysis and Insights: With centralised and structured data, businesses can leverage reporting and analytics tools within the CRM to gain valuable insights into customer behaviour, sales trends, marketing effectiveness, and service performance. This data-driven approach supports strategic decision-making. According to a 2022 report by Statista, the global CRM market size was valued at $63.9 billion, underscoring the widespread adoption and critical importance of these systems.
5. Supporting Compliance: For businesses in the UK, having data stored locally (as OpenCRM promises) and managed systematically within a CRM can significantly aid in complying with data protection regulations like GDPR, by making it easier to track consent, manage data access requests, and ensure data security.

CRM as a “Virtual Team Member”

The “virtual team member” analogy holds true because a CRM automates many routine tasks that would otherwise require human intervention, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value activities:

• Automated Data Entry: Integrations with email, calendars, and web forms reduce the need for manual input.
• Workflow Automation: CRMs can automate tasks like sending follow-up emails, assigning leads, creating tasks, and updating deal stages, ensuring that no lead falls through the cracks.
• Reminders and Notifications: Proactive alerts for upcoming meetings, pending tasks, or neglected leads ensure that sales and service teams stay on track.
• Reporting and Forecasting: The CRM provides real-time data on sales performance, customer satisfaction, and project progress, acting as an always-on analyst for the business.

In essence, a CRM system, when correctly implemented, becomes the backbone of a business’s customer-centric strategy. It not only manages data but actively facilitates better customer relationships, drives sales, and enhances overall operational efficiency, transforming scattered information into actionable intelligence.

Why Do It When You Can Automate It? Tips from a CRM Project Manager

The OpenCRM blog post, “Why do it when you can automate it? – Tips from a CRM Project Manager,” touches upon a fundamental principle of modern business efficiency: automation. As a CRM Project Manager would understand, the true power of a CRM extends beyond mere data storage; it lies in its ability to streamline operations, eliminate repetitive tasks, and free up human capital for more strategic endeavours. Arracing.co.uk Review

The Power of Automation in CRM

Automation within a CRM system transforms manual, time-consuming processes into seamless, efficient workflows. This doesn’t just save time; it reduces human error, improves consistency, and ensures timely responses.

• Lead Nurturing: Instead of manually sending follow-up emails to new leads, a CRM can automate email sequences based on lead source, engagement level, or specific actions. For example, if a lead downloads a whitepaper, the CRM can automatically send a series of relevant content pieces over the next few days.
• Sales Process Automation: From lead assignment to opportunity progression, a CRM can automate stages of the sales cycle. When a lead moves to a qualified stage, the CRM can automatically assign it to the appropriate sales representative and create a new task for them to follow up.
• Customer Service Workflows: When a new support ticket is raised, the CRM can automatically categorise it, assign it to the correct department or agent, and send an automated acknowledgment email to the customer. For common queries, automated responses can be triggered, reducing agent workload.
• Data Updates: CRMs can automatically update customer records based on interactions (e.g., logging email opens, website visits) or integrations with other systems (e.g., updating payment status from an accounting system like Xero).
• Reporting and Analytics: Instead of manually compiling reports, a CRM can generate automated daily, weekly, or monthly reports on sales performance, customer satisfaction, or marketing campaign effectiveness, delivering insights directly to stakeholders’ inboxes.

Practical Automation Tips from a CRM Project Manager’s Perspective

A CRM Project Manager’s role, as described by Leah Tombling in the OpenCRM blog, is to “understand the processes a company has and suggest ways to manage these within their CRM system. From their sales cycle all the way to the end.” This involves identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for automation.

1. Map Out Your Current Processes: Before automating, clearly document your existing sales, marketing, and service processes. Identify every step, every decision point, and every manual action. This helps pinpoint exactly where automation can have the most impact. For instance, if a sales rep consistently forgets to send a welcome email after closing a deal, that’s a clear automation opportunity.
2. Start Small and Iterate: Don’t try to automate everything at once. Begin with high-impact, repetitive tasks that cause significant friction or errors. Implement small automations, test them rigorously, gather feedback, and then refine or expand. This iterative approach minimises disruption and allows for learning.
3. Define Clear Triggers and Actions: For every automation, clearly define the “if-then” logic. What specific event (trigger) will initiate the automation, and what actions will the CRM perform in response? Examples:
   • Trigger: New lead submits web form (Jotform integration).
   • Action: Create new contact in CRM, assign to sales queue, send automated welcome email, create task for sales rep.
   • Trigger: Deal stage changes to “Closed Won.”
   • Action: Update customer status, send invoice notification to finance, create onboarding task for customer success.
4. Leverage Integrations: As OpenCRM highlights, integrations with tools like Zapier are goldmines for automation. These connectors allow you to automate workflows across different software applications, creating a seamless flow of information and actions that would otherwise require manual data transfer or task switching. For example, automatically adding a new CRM contact to your email marketing list.
5. Train Your Team: Automation is only effective if your team understands and trusts it. Provide thorough training on how automated processes work, how they benefit the team, and how to interact with the system when automations are in play. Address concerns and gather user feedback to fine-tune the system.
6. Monitor and Optimise: Automation isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. Regularly monitor the performance of your automated workflows. Are they achieving the desired outcomes? Are there any unintended consequences? Use CRM analytics to track the efficiency gains and make adjustments as needed. A 2023 McKinsey report estimated that 60-70% of current tasks could be automated by existing technology, highlighting the vast potential yet to be unlocked by businesses.

By embracing automation within a CRM, businesses can significantly boost productivity, improve data accuracy, enhance customer experiences, and empower their teams to focus on strategic growth rather than routine administrative burdens.

FAQ

What is OpenCRM.co.uk?

OpenCRM.co.uk is a UK-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system designed to help businesses manage their sales, customers, contacts, finances, events, projects, and support tickets, emphasising UK data storage and support.

Is OpenCRM.co.uk suitable for small businesses?

Yes, OpenCRM.co.uk appears suitable for small to medium-sized businesses, especially given its transparent pricing model (£39 per user/month) and the claim that it offers all its features without complex tiers, making it accessible for varied budgets. Sunnylivessupport.co.uk Review

Where is OpenCRM.co.uk’s data stored?

OpenCRM.co.uk explicitly states that its data is held in the UK, which is a key advantage for UK businesses concerned about data sovereignty and compliance with regulations like GDPR.

Does OpenCRM.co.uk offer a free trial?

Yes, OpenCRM.co.uk prominently offers a free trial, allowing potential users to test the system before committing to a paid subscription.

How much does OpenCRM.co.uk cost?

OpenCRM.co.uk costs £39 per month per user, with no upfront annual commitment, and this price includes access to all their features.

Does OpenCRM.co.uk integrate with Microsoft 365?

Yes, OpenCRM.co.uk states that it syncs with Microsoft 365, Google, and Outlook, facilitating seamless integration with common productivity suites.

Can OpenCRM.co.uk integrate with accounting software like Xero or Sage?

Yes, OpenCRM.co.uk integrates with popular accounting software such as Xero and Sage, which can help streamline financial data management alongside CRM functions. Thenutroaster.co.uk Review

What kind of support does OpenCRM.co.uk offer?

OpenCRM.co.uk promises “unrivalled customer support” and specifies that it offers “UK support,” suggesting accessible and responsive assistance for its users.

Does OpenCRM.co.uk have hidden fees?

No, OpenCRM.co.uk explicitly states “No hidden fees; no surprise paywalls for stuff you thought was included,” indicating a transparent pricing structure.

What is the storage capacity offered by OpenCRM.co.uk?

OpenCRM.co.uk offers a generous 2TB of storage per account, which is substantial for document and data storage within the CRM system.

Can I manage projects using OpenCRM.co.uk?

Yes, the website indicates that OpenCRM.co.uk allows users to “manage… projects,” suggesting it includes features for project tracking and management.

How does OpenCRM.co.uk compare to Salesforce?

OpenCRM.co.uk positions itself as a more affordable and simpler alternative to Salesforce, claiming it offers comparable features for a fraction of the cost, particularly targeting UK businesses. Maysparlour.co.uk Review

Is OpenCRM.co.uk accessible on mobile devices?

While not explicitly stated on the homepage, the phrase “wherever you are, whenever you want” implies mobile accessibility, which is standard for modern CRM systems.

What is CRM Jotform integration mentioned on OpenCRM.co.uk?

CRM Jotform integration refers to the ability to automatically create data in your CRM system from web forms created using Jotform, streamlining lead capture and data entry.

How can I cancel my OpenCRM.co.uk subscription?

To cancel your OpenCRM.co.uk subscription, you would typically log into your account, navigate to the “Account,” “Billing,” or “Subscription” settings, and follow the prompts to cancel your service.

Will I be charged automatically after my free trial ends with OpenCRM.co.uk?

While not explicitly detailed on the homepage, standard practice for free trials requires checking their specific terms. It’s best to explicitly cancel your trial if you do not wish to convert to a paid subscription to avoid automatic charges.

Does OpenCRM.co.uk provide reporting and analytics features?

While the homepage doesn’t detail specific reporting features, a comprehensive CRM system like OpenCRM would typically include tools for data analysis and insights into sales, customer interactions, and project performance. Medicaltrawell.co.uk Review

Can OpenCRM.co.uk help with marketing automation?

Although not explicitly highlighted as a primary feature, integration with Zapier allows for connections to various marketing automation tools, and its ability to manage the “full customer journey” suggests support for lead nurturing and segmentation.

Is OpenCRM.co.uk GDPR compliant due to UK data storage?

While storing data in the UK can aid GDPR compliance, full compliance also depends on the company’s internal data processing policies, consent management, and security measures. Users should verify these details in their privacy policy.

What industries is OpenCRM.co.uk best suited for?

Based on its general features for sales, customer management, projects, and tickets, OpenCRM.co.uk appears suitable for a wide range of industries, particularly those within the service sector, consultancies, or any business that manages customer relationships and projects.

Thecornerhousestroud.co.uk Review