Web-based CRM has come on very strongly as a viable alternative to on-premise CRM. This is great news for SMBs who earlier could not afford on-premise CRM because of its prohibitive costs.
Some of the advantages of a web-based CRM system:
- A tremendous cost saving as you pay only for what you use besides you are not required to maintain an IT team, you can also free precious real estate which would otherwise be used for placing servers and other hardware.
- A great opportunity for SMBs to test the CRM waters before adding more functionalities and modules. SMBs can explore business ideas that they were earlier unable to execute because of poor information on sales and marketing opportunities
- Greater scope to close deals and resolve customer queries by the field staff that remains connected to the database via the internet
- Smooth and inexpensive integration of a lot of customer-data that hitherto had been lying in discrete databases
- Perhaps the biggest advantage of CRM for SMBs is that it gives them a platform to compete with businesses that operate on a larger scale with larger budgets
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Web design trends of 2010
1. More White Space
Most websites on the Internet try to make use of every single space that’s available on the page. There’s the left hand navigation bar, the right hand navigation bar, the footer, the header, and of course the main content.
But many websites are now taking another approach. They are trying to put in more white space and focusing on their main message. It’s a great way to get your visitors to relax and listen to what you’re trying to say.
It’s easy on the eyes and also gives your visitor the opportunity to learn more.
2. Big Header or Leading Images
definitely stand out more than words. While it’s your words that help you communicate with your visitors, the images allow the viewer to really take in the whole experience.
They can immediately get what kind of idea you’re trying to present to them and it will help them focus in on finding what they’re looking for on your site.
3. The Magazine Layout
All of us are used to reading magazines. They’re filled with interesting articles with beautiful images, lots of sub headings, and lots of quotations set under a sleek, glossy page. Many websites are using the magazine approach to present their content.
Since we are accustomed to the magazine layout, it is more inviting to read and dig into the content and website. The format also stands out from the other websites devoted to delivering content in the standard format.
4. Social Media Sites and Icons
By now, all your favorite blogs and content sites have icons where you can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and MySpace. Although most of us are already familiar with this trend, it’s still becoming more popular. Many more sites are adding social media sites and icons to help connect with their readers.
It’s not uncommon to see icons that allow you to digg content, subscribe to RSS feeds, add them to your social bookmarking profile, and more. There are even icons to add them to sites that are not as popular as the big social networking sites we’re familiar with.
5. Big Introduction Blocks
Rather than leave the visitors to figure out what you’re about, why not tell them in one big paragraph? That is what many websites are doing. They either state what their site is about or what kind of services they offer in a few short sentences in the header or right below the header.
If you’ve gotten a lot of criticism from your visitors about not being able to figure out what you’re about, then maybe it’s time you try this web design format to see how it works.
6. Hand Drawn Style Illustrations and Sketches
These types of graphics really stand out and catch attention. Your visitors will really appreciate the artwork and it will set you apart from every other site in your industry.
7. Websites Designed for Mobile Phones
Smart phones are becoming more and more popular. So it’s important for you to make sure that your site is compatible for smart phones to cater to your demographic that use these phones to browse the Internet.
Most websites on the Internet try to make use of every single space that’s available on the page. There’s the left hand navigation bar, the right hand navigation bar, the footer, the header, and of course the main content.
But many websites are now taking another approach. They are trying to put in more white space and focusing on their main message. It’s a great way to get your visitors to relax and listen to what you’re trying to say.
It’s easy on the eyes and also gives your visitor the opportunity to learn more.
2. Big Header or Leading Images
definitely stand out more than words. While it’s your words that help you communicate with your visitors, the images allow the viewer to really take in the whole experience.
They can immediately get what kind of idea you’re trying to present to them and it will help them focus in on finding what they’re looking for on your site.
3. The Magazine Layout
All of us are used to reading magazines. They’re filled with interesting articles with beautiful images, lots of sub headings, and lots of quotations set under a sleek, glossy page. Many websites are using the magazine approach to present their content.
Since we are accustomed to the magazine layout, it is more inviting to read and dig into the content and website. The format also stands out from the other websites devoted to delivering content in the standard format.
4. Social Media Sites and Icons
By now, all your favorite blogs and content sites have icons where you can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and MySpace. Although most of us are already familiar with this trend, it’s still becoming more popular. Many more sites are adding social media sites and icons to help connect with their readers.
It’s not uncommon to see icons that allow you to digg content, subscribe to RSS feeds, add them to your social bookmarking profile, and more. There are even icons to add them to sites that are not as popular as the big social networking sites we’re familiar with.
5. Big Introduction Blocks
Rather than leave the visitors to figure out what you’re about, why not tell them in one big paragraph? That is what many websites are doing. They either state what their site is about or what kind of services they offer in a few short sentences in the header or right below the header.
If you’ve gotten a lot of criticism from your visitors about not being able to figure out what you’re about, then maybe it’s time you try this web design format to see how it works.
6. Hand Drawn Style Illustrations and Sketches
These types of graphics really stand out and catch attention. Your visitors will really appreciate the artwork and it will set you apart from every other site in your industry.
7. Websites Designed for Mobile Phones
Smart phones are becoming more and more popular. So it’s important for you to make sure that your site is compatible for smart phones to cater to your demographic that use these phones to browse the Internet.
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