Tag: CRM System
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A CRM That Starts Simple — and Opens the Door to Something Better
🧠 CRM is a mindset.
That phrase has shaped the past month of my work and life — and it’s now the driving force behind a project I’ve just launched: a fully functional, easy-to-use CRM built on something you already know how to use — a spreadsheet.
This is the story of how it came to life, what I built around it, and why it exists.
Back to Basics: The CRM Problem Most People Face
Let’s be honest — most CRM systems are overkill at the start.
They promise automation, dashboards, integrations, AI—but for many small teams and solo operators, it quickly turns into overwhelm. Subscriptions pile up. Setup drags on. Features sit unused. And the real goal — building better customer relationships — gets lost.
So I asked myself:
What’s the simplest, cleanest starting point for someone who just wants to get their customer data organized?
The answer? A spreadsheet. One that’s structured like a CRM. And one that’s yours to keep.
What I Built — and Why
I’ve been researching CRMs obsessively (100+ hours, easily), exploring tools like Breakcold and Brevo. But I always come back to the same principle: use open source where you can, build your own if needed, and only in rare cases rely on another subscription.
That principle led me to:
- Build my personal site on WordPress
- Use the open-source CRM Twenty as my backend
- And when existing form plugins didn’t cut it, I created my own: a custom Twenty CRM WordPress plugin to connect submissions directly to my CRM
It’s still in beta, but it gets the job done — no bloat, no fluff.
The Video: A Tool to Build Trust
I didn’t want to just throw a download link out into the world. I wanted to speak directly to the person on the other side. So I made a video — simple, honest, and personal.
After testing tools like Riverside, Loom, and Screen Studio for Mac (all good but ultimately not the right fit), I came full circle to something open-source and powerful: OBS. Big shoutout to Beata, who’s been preaching OBS long before I finally listened.
The video was shot using OBS and lightly edited in Final Cut Pro. I kept it minimal because the message was clear enough: this spreadsheet helps you start tracking leads, contacts, and deals — and sets you up to upgrade later, without losing your data.
The Landing Page: A Different Kind of CTA
Most lead magnets ask for your email.
I didn’t.
I built a landing page that reflects how I work: no email collection, no spam, just connection. If you want the spreadsheet, you leave your name and either your phone number or LinkedIn. That’s it.
The idea is simple: if CRM is about relationships, it should start with trust.
Final Push (And a Personal Note)
Today is May 29 — a public holiday in Portugal. My family’s at the beach. I’m in the office, finishing this.
Because launching this mattered.
Not just to check a box, but to share something useful. Something small but real. Something that helps others get started — or restarted — on their CRM journey.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by CRM tools, or if you’ve been putting off building your system, start here.
This spreadsheet is yours to use, adapt, and grow from.
And if you want to talk shop, swap ideas, or rethink your approach — I’m just a message away.
🧠 CRM is a mindset.
And sometimes, that mindset starts with a spreadsheet. -
CRM Systems for Startups & SMBs: From Spreadsheets to Salesforce (and Everything in Between)
Let’s face it: when it comes to Customer Relationship Management (CRM), the choices can feel overwhelming — especially for startups and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). There’s an entire galaxy of tools promising to streamline your sales, automate your follow-ups, and make your customers love you even more.
But let me tell you a little secret first:
Your CRM might already live in a humble spreadsheet.Yes, you read that right.
For many businesses, the first “CRM” is nothing more than an Excel sheet or a Google Sheet tracking names, email addresses, and deal stages. And guess what? That’s perfectly okay in the early days. It’s lean, it’s flexible, and — let’s be honest — it’s practically free.But as your business grows, that spreadsheet starts to groan under the weight of your ambitions. That’s when it’s time to graduate to tools designed to help you scale, automate, and make smarter decisions.
The CRM Landscape for Startups and SMBs (2025 Edition)
1. Zoho CRM
Affordable, flexible, and feature-rich — Zoho CRM is the Swiss Army knife for SMBs. It covers lead management, automation, and analytics, all with an easy onboarding curve. Plus, its free plan makes it an accessible starting point.
2. HubSpot CRM
If you love free stuff (who doesn’t?), HubSpot CRM is hard to beat. It offers robust features at zero cost — including email tracking, contact management, and sales pipelines. It’s intuitive, integrates with your favorite tools, and is particularly popular among startups.
3. Pipedrive
For sales-driven teams, Pipedrive is a fan favorite. Its visual pipeline approach makes it easy to keep your deals moving. It also offers automation and reporting without overcomplicating things.
4. Monday CRM
Need something that bends to your will? Monday CRM, built on the famous Work OS, lets you customize your sales workflows and dashboards however you like. Great for teams who want flexibility.
5. Freshsales
Freshsales shines with features like lead scoring and email tracking. It’s user-friendly and especially suited for teams that want to boost both sales and marketing efforts.
6. Salesforce
The big player. The heavyweight champion. Salesforce offers everything — but at a premium. Best for startups that are scaling fast and need enterprise-level features (and have the resources to match).
7. Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM
If your team lives and breathes Microsoft 365, this CRM fits like a glove. It’s powerful, customizable, and integrates natively with the Microsoft ecosystem.
8. Twenty CRM (The Open-Source Rebel)
For tech-savvy teams who want full control, Twenty CRM is a game changer.
Open source, self-hosted, and developer-friendly, it offers Kanban views, APIs, custom objects, and zero vendor lock-in.
If you want your CRM to grow with your unique workflows — and avoid subscription fees — Twenty CRM might be your best bet.
Quick CRM Cheat Sheet
CRM System Best For Free Plan Key Features Zoho CRM Affordability & customization Yes Automation, lead mgmt, analytics HubSpot CRM Free tier & integrations Yes Sales pipelines, email tracking Pipedrive Visual sales pipelines No Pipeline mgmt, automation Monday CRM Custom workflows No Sales dashboards, forecasting Freshsales Sales & marketing automation No Lead scoring, email tracking Salesforce Advanced features, scaling No Full suite, analytics, custom workflows Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft integration No AI insights, automation, Office 365 sync Twenty CRM Open-source, self-hosting Yes Custom objects, APIs, Kanban & table views
Final Thoughts (and a Nudge)
Choosing the right CRM isn’t about finding the shiniest tool — it’s about picking the system that fits your stage, team, and tech skills.
Sometimes that’s a simple spreadsheet,
Sometimes it’s HubSpot or Zoho,
And sometimes it’s Twenty CRM or Salesforce, especially if you want to push boundaries.But here’s the golden rule:
CRM is not just a tool — it’s a mindset.
Whether you track customers on sticky notes or in a highly automated cloud platform, what matters most is that you actually follow up, nurture, and build real relationships.
