As we move forward in our exploration of digital customization for modern businesses, it's time to delve deeper into the specific tools that make this powerful approach a reality. These tools are not only essential for managing and streamlining your business operations, but they're also critical for staying competitive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape.
From customizable CRM systems and workflow automation tools to customizable website builders and remote customer service platforms, the key tools needed for digital customization provide businesses with the ability to tailor their digital presence to their unique needs and goals. In this second part of our guide, we'll explore each of these tools in detail, highlighting the popular software options available under each category, so that you, as a business owner, can make an informed decision about choosing the tools that are best suited to your business.
Key tools needed for digital customization
1. A customizable CRM
To customize your business digitally, you need a CRM application that can be molded to meet your specific needs. You should be able to add custom fields to capture additional customer data, create tailored workflows to automate tasks, and set up personalized automation rules to trigger actions based on customer behavior. For example, the CRM should allow you to create a custom field to capture the customer's preferred communication channel, and use this information to personalize your communication with them.
Some of the popular options available on the market include:
Zoho CRM
Salesforce
HubSpot CRM
2. Integration with third-party applications
Integration with third-party applications is important for digital customization of your business because it allows you to connect different software tools and services that you use for your business.
For example, if you use a CRM tool to manage your sales and customer relationships, you may want to integrate it with an email marketing tool to automate your email campaigns. By doing so, you can segment your customers based on their behavior and send them targeted messages based on their interests and preferences.
Similarly, if you use an accounting software to manage your finances, you may want to integrate it with your CRM tool to track invoices, payments, and other financial data all in one place. By doing so, you'll get a better understanding of your cash flow, revenue, and expenses, and make more informed decisions about your business.
Some popular integration platforms include:
Zoho Flow
Zapier
Microsoft Power Automate
Make (formerly Integromat)
3. Unified data management
The software your business uses must allow you to collect, store, and manage your business data in a centralized location. By having a unified data management system, you can get a comprehensive view of your business operations, track your performance, and make data-driven decisions.
For example, if you operate an online store, you can use a unified data management tool to track your sales, inventory, customer data, and other business metrics. By doing so, you can get insights into your sales performance, identify trends, and optimize your inventory management.
These tools can also help you automate your business processes by eliminating the need for manual data entry and decreasing errors. For instance, if you use a CRM tool, you can integrate it with your accounting software to sync customer data automatically, generate invoices, and collect payments.
Here are a few popular unified data management tools available on the market:
Zoho One
Salesforce
Tableau
4. Workflow automation
Workflow automation tools can be customized to fit your business needs, allowing you to create workflows that reflect your unique business processes. Some examples of workflows that can be automated include:
Lead nurturing. When a new lead is added to your CRM, you can automatically send them a welcome email, followed by a series of emails that provide information about your products or services.
Order processing. When an order is placed on your website, you can automatically generate an invoice, send it to the customer, and update your inventory.
Customer service. When a customer submits a support ticket, you can automatically assign it to a support agent, track the status of the ticket, and notify the customer when the issue is resolved.
Employee onboarding. When a new employee is hired, you can automatically generate an offer letter, send it for review and approval, schedule training sessions, and create a task list for the new employee.
There are many workflow automation tools available that can be customized to fit your business needs. These are some popular options:
Zoho Creator
Zoho Workdrive
Zapier
IFTTT
5. Customizable website builder
A customizable website builder allows you to create a professional-looking website that reflects your brand and meets your specific business needs. A customizable website builder will include:
Customizable templates. You can choose from different designs, layouts, and color schemes to create a website that appeals to your target audience.
A drag-and-drop interface. An intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to add, edit, and rearrange website elements without any coding or design skills. This makes it easy to create and update your website, even if you have no experience with web design.
Mobile-responsive design. A customizable website builder ensures that your website looks great on any device, including smartphones and tablets. This is crucial as more and more people are using mobile devices to browse the internet.
SEO-friendliness. You can optimize your website for search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find you online.
Some popular customizable website builders available in the market include:
Zoho Sites
Wix
WordPress
6. Custom app development
This feature enables you to create software applications that are attuned to your specific business needs. Some important attributes and advantages of custom app development are:
They're tailored to your business needs. A custom app is designed specifically for your business, ensuring that it meets your distinctive requisites and addresses your specific pain points.
It improves the user experience. A custom app can be designed with your target audience in mind, providing a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for customers and employees to access the information they need and perform the tasks they need to do.
It offers easy scalability. A custom app can be designed to grow with your business, allowing you to add new features and functionality as your needs evolve.
Here are some popular custom app development platforms available in the market:
Zoho Creator
Microsoft Power Apps
Salesforce Lightning
7. Remote customer service
This allows you to provide high-quality customer support to your customers regardless of their location. With remote customer service, your business can offer support via phone, email, live chat, social media, and other digital channels.
Here are some salient features and conveniences of remote customer service:
It improves customer satisfaction. Remote customer service allows you to respond quickly to customer inquiries, providing timely and effective support. This can help improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
It gives you access to a wider customer base. With remote customer service, you can provide support to customers regardless of their location, allowing you to access a wider customer base.
It's cost-effective. Remote customer service is typically more cost-effective than traditional customer service because it requires less overhead and can be staffed by remote agents.
It offers better flexibility. Remote customer service allows you to offer support outside of traditional business hours, providing 24/7 access to support for your customers.
Some popular remote customer service platforms available for businesses include:
Zoho Desk
Zendesk
Freshdesk
The practical solution
On exploring the various key tools needed for the digital customization of your business, it's clear that having a unified solution is the way to go. Using multiple stand-alone software solutions can be inefficient and costly. That's where Zoho One comes in as the obvious solution.
Zoho One is an all-in-one, unified cloud-based software suite that offers over 45+ applications, including all of the key tools needed for digital customization. By adopting Zoho One, the operating system for business, you can customize your CRM, integrate with third-party applications, manage unified data, automate workflows, build customizable websites, develop custom apps, and provide remote customer service all within one platform.
This means that your business can avoid the hassle of having to integrate multiple software solutions, which can result in data silos and potential communication breakdowns. Instead, with Zoho One, you can have all of your data and tools in one place, allowing for streamlined workflows and increased efficiency.
Another advantage of using Zoho One is cost-effectiveness. By choosing an all-in-one solution, you can avoid the high costs of purchasing multiple software. Zoho One offers a competitive pricing structure, with a per-user subscription model that includes all of the applications, making it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.
Wrapping up
So, as we wrap up this second part of our two-part series on the power of digital customization, we hope that we've provided you with valuable insights on the key tools your business needs to stay ahead in today's digital world. Customizable CRM, integration with third-party applications, unified data management, workflow automation, customizable website builder, custom app development, and remote customer service are no longer just nice-to-haves for businesses—they're must-haves. And by taking advantage of Zoho One's digital customization capabilities, you can streamline your operations, provide better customer experiences, and ultimately drive growth and success for your business. Remember, in today's hyper-competitive business environment, embracing digital customization is no longer just a choice—it's a necessity.
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