Solar industry has been on the rise since the early 2000s’. Companies are trying to gain as many customers as they can in order to develop and carve out a piece for their own of this emerging market. In order to do so many have employed techniques such as solar CRM that helps them better understand their clients’ profile and how to approach them in order to boost sales. But which solar software is the best solar software out there?
What Is Solar CRM?
As in any industry, client relations are of vital importance in order to keep ahead of the competition. This is why people in the solar industry are using more and more solar CRM software in order to help them manage and develop their businesses. But what is CRM for solar energy all about? Well, as in any other industry this software helps companies nurture their leads and get more clients by efficiently canvasing potential clients and creating specialized profiles, which are then matched to the right sales agents. CRM is used in all areas of the solar industry, from production straight and distribution and all the way into direct sales towards end clients. This is why these kinds of CRM tools include features such as:
• scheduling tools,
• to-do lists and reminder alerts,
• engaging and simple to use proposal generators,
• integrated eSignature options,
But all of this is for the clients’ part of your job. What about managing your crews out in the field? The solar CRM software allows every team leader or company owner to keep track of every bit of every job he has going on. From inventory to multiple task completion reports and even to invoicing and scheduling, the software generates detailed reports and useful documents that can help any good leader prioritize his work, gain more clients and ultimately earn more money.
In order to reach the most leads possible and to offer the best experience possible for each lead, CRM software for solar energy comes in handy. This lets you see complete profiles of each individual client and even lists compiled according to specific criteria. You can use these powerful tools to give yourself and your team the knowledge needed to ensure the best client service experience. You don’t need to carry around heavy notepads or fumble around for a sticky note that had a phone number on it. All you have to do is log in and see when your next meeting is or what were the specifications from that last e-mail from the client. And the best thing is that you, or anybody who you want, can have instant access to all this information.
How to Choose the Best Solar Software to Boost Your Sales?
There are many developers out there trying their best to come up with the best solar software to help you boost your sales. The hard part is choosing the one that you really need. This is no easy task to do, especially if you are a rookie and just want what’s best for your company and employees. As with any choice to be made, research is key and going online and looking for tips is the perfect place to start. But don’t just jump at the very first website that advertises this type of software. Try and see past the glamour of the web design and see if the software offers some, preferably all, of the following features:
• Customer Relationship Management - Although this is actually the name of the product you are looking for, try and see this feature as a way of actually managing your leads effectively. Any software that claims to be the best solar software on the market should help you get deep insight into your customer profile and the best ways in which to engage them.
• Scheduling tools and calendars - A basic function any solar software should have if the scheduling and calendar one. This is usually done by integrating other apps into the dashboard of the software. Also, it should be easy to read and easy to use by everybody on your team.
• Project Management - Any good CRM software for solar businesses should have project management tools. This means that by using them you could see all your past and upcoming jobs, budgets and teams of workers.
• Work Orders - This feature requires simplicity in its’ working. You don’t need something overly complicated in order to keep track of all your employees or their status. Also, the feature can be helpful with reminders about upcoming jobs and supplies needed.
• Budget tools - These tools should be integrated in order to help any company leader better understand what each phase of a project costs and how to better manage finances. You could also use it to compare costs with other jobs and create detailed reports.
• Contract generator - Helps solar company leaders instantly generate or change documents with just the push of a button. This helps when you’re under pressure and want to impress a client.
• eSignature – Saves you valuable time which you can use in order to find more clients and earn more money. Not to mention that it is legally binding.
• Billing & Online Payments - Creating custom invoices and sending them out. Also helps with keeping track of payments done using credit cards.
• Time Sheets – Easily create them and use them to keep track of your employees and the jobs they are assigned to. Time sheets automatically include the jobs your employees are assigned to.
• Branding tool – Maybe the most important part of any solar software is the possibility of putting your own personal touch on each and every screen, e-mail, document or dashboard field. You can customize it with your own logo, color or anything you might want people to associate with you and your company.
• Inventory tool- Keep track your inventory and your material costs for every job or even for every phase of a job.
• Subcontractor tool - Easily contact your subcontractors and even pay them online.
