For 2017 we are gonna do some things different. Like a CRM!
What do you use, and why?
BlueRidge said
Jan 4, 2017
The closest I come to CRM is a mix of House Call, Mail Chimp and Vista print. There is a lot to this. Part of the two months of "down time" is to see what can help streamline a few things.
I have used them for over 20 years and tried a bunch. I have been using MHelp Desk for 18 months now and I am happy. It has a ton of functions and is extremely customizable. I know a lot of guys in the business use the Customer Factior. It is only 35 bucks a month and is is nice.
i will warn anyone looking for a CRM, that it is only as good as the info you put into it and how much you use it. I have an admin person who spends at least 2-3 hours a day inputting info and sending out info. If you have employees like techs and sales guys they need to be trained and use it properly or else the whole thing gets F'ed up.
Liberty SoftWash said
Jan 4, 2017
We are using CF.
tjteed said
Jan 4, 2017
We use cust factor. They now have an app that techs can use from cell phone.
Bryan P said
Jan 4, 2017
I used Breezeworks last year because it was only 19.99. I actually really like it now that they worked out some bugs. My criteria is that it offers estimates, takes square payments, and syncs with QuickBooks online. I like the scheduling feature and it sends emails to the customer reminding them of the appointment. I'm sure there are others that do all of that and more, but I picked it for the price and it kept me organized. I can turn it off when I dont' need it and because it is synced with QuickBooks I dont lose any customer info.
-- Edited by Bryan P on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 06:28:33 PM
gutterdog said
Jan 7, 2017
It kinda seems seems more people use Customer Factor? Hey Bryan P. I got a sik ass Honda, now, like that too!
gutterdog said
Jan 7, 2017
Main reason why I want a CRM is to remind people when it is time to get their gutters done. It sounds like alot of work. I could delegate it off me.Eventually.
Pinky said
Jan 12, 2017
Bryan P wrote:
I used Breezeworks last year because it was only 19.99. I actually really like it now that they worked out some bugs. My criteria is that it offers estimates, takes square payments, and syncs with QuickBooks online. I like the scheduling feature and it sends emails to the customer reminding them of the appointment. I'm sure there are others that do all of that and more, but I picked it for the price and it kept me organized. I can turn it off when I dont' need it and because it is synced with QuickBooks I dont lose any customer info.
-- Edited by Bryan P on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 06:28:33 PM
Can you put pictures in the estimates?
BlueRidge said
Jan 12, 2017
Pinky wrote:
Bryan P wrote:
I used Breezeworks last year because it was only 19.99. I actually really like it now that they worked out some bugs. My criteria is that it offers estimates, takes square payments, and syncs with QuickBooks online. I like the scheduling feature and it sends emails to the customer reminding them of the appointment. I'm sure there are others that do all of that and more, but I picked it for the price and it kept me organized. I can turn it off when I dont' need it and because it is synced with QuickBooks I dont lose any customer info.
-- Edited by Bryan P on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 06:28:33 PM
Can you put pictures in the estimates?
Breezworks is 16.00 for one user and 24.00 plus 10.00 per user per month. I just looked at their site. Hopefully Bryan has the answer.
I'm using HouseCall at 35.00 mo for start up and it allows attachments. The only problem with all of these is once you get everything in and start using one, it's really hard to switch without having to enter everything in all over again. Find one you think you will like and can learn, see if it has what you need and will need as you grow.
Bryan P said
Jan 12, 2017
No you can't put photos in the estimate in Breezeworks.
tjteed said
Jan 17, 2017
Reach out to Ray at www.AttractWeb.com He does my website and he is now developing custom apps. He has great service. I think his app might work for for services that offers regular services a few times a year
Brandon Vaughn said
Jan 17, 2017
+1 for MHelpDesk. That's what we use
gutterdog said
Feb 14, 2017
Service Monster seem to be catching on. Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??
BlueRidge said
Feb 14, 2017
gutterdog wrote:
Service Monster seem to be catching on. Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??
What does this mean?
"Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??"
gutterdog said
Feb 14, 2017
BlueRidge wrote:
gutterdog wrote:
Service Monster seem to be catching on. Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??
What does this mean?
"Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??"
"Service Monster" and "Send Jim" are 2 CRM's that I've looked at a little bit.
John Aloisio said
Feb 14, 2017
Send Jim is not a CRM. It is old Streetbidder platform, used to send postcards and stuff. We use it.
-- Edited by John Aloisio on Tuesday 14th of February 2017 03:28:05 PM
gutterdog said
Feb 14, 2017
John Aloisio wrote:
Send Jim is not a CRM. It is old Streetbidder platform, used to send postcards and stuff. We use it.
-- Edited by John Aloisio on Tuesday 14th of February 2017 03:28:05 PM
Oh, OK. I havent looked much yet. Constant Contact is offered at a discount through my hosting. Is that worth looking into?
John Aloisio said
Feb 15, 2017
I use constant contact And it is easy to use and worth the money.
Jacob Hittler said
Mar 27, 2018
I'll revive this thread.
I found a free version of a CRM that might work for those guys who are operators and just starting out that don't want to spend money monthly yet on something more sophisticated.
I found a free version of a CRM that might work for those guys who are operators and just starting out that don't want to spend money monthly yet on something more sophisticated.
We've been looking at this in the office. It looks pretty good so far.
Bryan P said
Mar 27, 2018
I still use Breezeworks, but I no longer use it for invoicing. My new bookkeeper scolded me because the "sync" kinda messed up my quickbooks. I use the CRM for estimates and scheduling, but I invoice and receive payments in Quickbooks Online. It's working well.
BlueRidge said
Mar 28, 2018
Bryan P wrote:
I still use Breezeworks, but I no longer use it for invoicing. My new bookkeeper scolded me because the "sync" kinda messed up my quickbooks. I use the CRM for estimates and scheduling, but I invoice and receive payments in Quickbooks Online. It's working well.
I have been back and forth with these systems. I tried Jobber for a while, it was good but needed some small changes that would have made a big difference. They don't seem to care. I went back the HCP because a few things work better and the app is real easy for the guys in the field.
We have found that even though these CRM's "work with" QB, it can really make a mess so nothing is tied to QB.
As far as Send Jim/Radius Bomb. We signed up last year too late to give it good try. We will be using the 5 around with some follow up.
Zach Maynard said
Mar 28, 2018
The Customer Factor, they have added tons of features! They will soon be adding a review feature, employees can use the time clock. auto email campaigns etc. Super cheap too.
Brian C Jackson said
Mar 28, 2018
Were on the Customer Factor..
gutterdog said
Mar 28, 2018
I played with a couple online cloud things, not a total CRM. I went with Speed Invoice. I carry a tablet everywhere now.
Jim Prom said
Apr 1, 2018
Thanks for the input John, are you still using them?
gutterdog said
Apr 2, 2018
CRM's, computers, tablets.... Here is a pic of what we have done. Some guys like putting their tablet on a stand in the truck, and some don't. I haven't played with this yet, just now starting.
We finally switched to Customer Factor. We have used House Call Pro and Jobber for years now. Both lack some important and needed features and any mention falls on deaf ears. CF seems to have everything we need, easy to get to on the phone and a much better price tag that the others.
For 2017 we are gonna do some things different. Like a CRM!
What do you use, and why?
The closest I come to CRM is a mix of House Call, Mail Chimp and Vista print. There is a lot to this. Part of the two months of "down time" is to see what can help streamline a few things.
CRM Beginners Guide
I have used them for over 20 years and tried a bunch. I have been using MHelp Desk for 18 months now and I am happy. It has a ton of functions and is extremely customizable. I know a lot of guys in the business use the Customer Factior. It is only 35 bucks a month and is is nice.
i will warn anyone looking for a CRM, that it is only as good as the info you put into it and how much you use it. I have an admin person who spends at least 2-3 hours a day inputting info and sending out info. If you have employees like techs and sales guys they need to be trained and use it properly or else the whole thing gets F'ed up.
I used Breezeworks last year because it was only 19.99. I actually really like it now that they worked out some bugs. My criteria is that it offers estimates, takes square payments, and syncs with QuickBooks online. I like the scheduling feature and it sends emails to the customer reminding them of the appointment. I'm sure there are others that do all of that and more, but I picked it for the price and it kept me organized. I can turn it off when I dont' need it and because it is synced with QuickBooks I dont lose any customer info.
-- Edited by Bryan P on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 06:28:33 PM
Can you put pictures in the estimates?
Breezworks is 16.00 for one user and 24.00 plus 10.00 per user per month. I just looked at their site. Hopefully Bryan has the answer.
I'm using HouseCall at 35.00 mo for start up and it allows attachments. The only problem with all of these is once you get everything in and start using one, it's really hard to switch without having to enter everything in all over again. Find one you think you will like and can learn, see if it has what you need and will need as you grow.
No you can't put photos in the estimate in Breezeworks.
Reach out to Ray at www.AttractWeb.com He does my website and he is now developing custom apps. He has great service. I think his app might work for for services that offers regular services a few times a year
Service Monster seem to be catching on. Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??
What does this mean?
"Also Send Jim. Any thoughts on those??"
"Service Monster" and "Send Jim" are 2 CRM's that I've looked at a little bit.
Send Jim is not a CRM. It is old Streetbidder platform, used to send postcards and stuff. We use it.
-- Edited by John Aloisio on Tuesday 14th of February 2017 03:28:05 PM
Oh, OK. I havent looked much yet. Constant Contact is offered at a discount through my hosting. Is that worth looking into?
I use constant contact And it is easy to use and worth the money.
I found a free version of a CRM that might work for those guys who are operators and just starting out that don't want to spend money monthly yet on something more sophisticated.
www.Yardbook.com
We've been looking at this in the office. It looks pretty good so far.
I have been back and forth with these systems. I tried Jobber for a while, it was good but needed some small changes that would have made a big difference. They don't seem to care. I went back the HCP because a few things work better and the app is real easy for the guys in the field.
We have found that even though these CRM's "work with" QB, it can really make a mess so nothing is tied to QB.
As far as Send Jim/Radius Bomb. We signed up last year too late to give it good try. We will be using the 5 around with some follow up.
Thanks for the input John, are you still using them?
CRM's, computers, tablets.... Here is a pic of what we have done. Some guys like putting their tablet on a stand in the truck, and some don't. I haven't played with this yet, just now starting.
We finally switched to Customer Factor. We have used House Call Pro and Jobber for years now. Both lack some important and needed features and any mention falls on deaf ears. CF seems to have everything we need, easy to get to on the phone and a much better price tag that the others.