5 Best CRM for Creatives

So you want answers, and you want em' fast. Here they are:


Quick links for the Best CRM Software

1) Best Overall 🏆

Monday.com

Customize your workflows to track all aspects of the sales cycle, from lead gen to post-sale support.

Read Review

2) Good Plugins🥈

Hubspot

Hubspot is the undisputed king of full-stack marketing software. With solid CRM features.

Read Review

3) Most Features 🥉

PipeDrive

A sales-focused CRM that uses AI to automate repetitive tasks and manage leads and sales.

Read Review


So, you are in the market for a CRM that suits Creatives.

Ideal, because in this article we have our compilation list for our top picks, and we compare the features and pricing for you. 

If you just want the best choice, we’ve added that right at the top of the article as this was what is most requested by our customers. So, that’ll be the “can’t go wrong” option. 

Otherwise, feel free to explore all the options we’ve reviewed on the market to find something that might fit you a little better.

Enjoy the list!

What CRM would you recommend?

In short, It's Monday.com CRM

It's very well rounded, well priced, feature-rich with a large community of support and a very top-notch set of tutorials for every use case. You can't go wrong with Monday.com. It's the software we use with our clients at our ad agency.

“🚀Try Monday.com CRM For Free, It's my favorite webinar software to use and recommend.” -Scott Max

Monday.com is a user-friendly CRM platform that provides advanced solutions with its robust marketing tools. It allows larger companies with complex workflows to perform efficiently and produce nifty results. Monday.com has you covered for your: Service, Sales, CMS, Operations, and Marketing needs.

For more details, read our Monday.com Review.

The Best CRM specifically for Creatives

As a creative business owner, you need to organize your ideas, manage clients efficiently and showcase your work on your profile to attract more leads. A CRM that allows you to push the boundaries of your creativity and lets you manage workload will be the perfect fit for this category. Have a look at the products below to choose the best CRM for Creatives:

1. Creatio

Creatio is defined as a tool that allows the management of each client, in a particular way, at each stage of the life cycle. From the initial origin or lead, through the moment the sale is generated and up to the after-sales service. It has a simple, friendly and responsive interface that, at a glance, allows the particular situation of each client to be conceptualised. In addition, it allows the processes between marketing, sales and customer service to be connected.

Get Started with Creatio🔥

Creatio Features

Creatio is designed; for businesses looking to expedite their sales and marketing services. It enables a seamless transition to the CRM and requires no coding while also providing a marketplace where users can avail templates and relevant applications. You can orchestrate customer journeys with Creatio and maximize the ROI by marketing your product to the right audience.

Here are some central features offered by Creatio:

  • Marketing Plans: It is the hub of all your marketing strategies throughout the years, where you can access each activity, schedule meetings, and sort data. You can create new entries or update the older ones to meet your current requirements. You can also set access permission and distribute the workload among the organization effectively.
  • Website event tracking: Creatio lets you track specific user actions on your website; to help you know the customer preferences and structure your marketing tactics accordingly. You can add commands to remind the customer about the cart items and nurture them towards a potential purchase. You have to enter the unique tracking code into your website’s source code and set the guidelines to get started.
  • Case appraisal: Here, you can access all customer-related queries, assign cases to employees, and import new data from your system. You can access each inquiry to see the relevant details and progress, add new attachments or escalate the incident to a higher authority. It allows you to satisfy the customer by providing a quick resolution.
  • Service Changes assessment: Creatio gives you access to all the recent changes made in the interface and the system. You can see who assigned the work to whom and add notes to inform the responsible entity about the nature of the task. Moreover, you can also sort these changes according to the execution time and priority level.
  • Knowledge base: It is the perfect place for your employees to find educational material regarding the company's working process, plus add new relevant content for other users. As an administrator, you can set access rights and tag the articles to make them easily discoverable.
  • Sales homepage: Here, you get an in-depth analysis of the sales process and recent negotiation activities. You can see how many leads have been; converted or lost and formulate a plan to close more opportunities. Moreover, you can access the sales pipeline through the homepage and group the leads according to the phases.

Creatio Pricing

Creatio allows you to customize the plan, so you only pay for the services you require. There are three tools available in Creatio: Marketing, Sales, and Service. To get a quote, Fill in the relevant details. You also have to add a “Support package” to get technical assistance from the Creatio team. You can opt for a “Basic”, “Business”, or “Premium” plan, which cost 5%, 12%, and 20% of the subscription package, respectively.

2. HubSpot

HubSpot is one of the best known CRM tools in the world, and one of the undisputed references in the field of inbound marketing. Hubspot's CRM functionality allows you to manage all marketing and sales activities as you see fit. For example, it allows us to group by campaigns that generate detailed reports of metrics on the real return on investment in the entire conversion funnel experienced.

In addition, it is a complete CRM tool that is completely free of charge. 56,500 customers in more than 100 countries trust HubSpot for their growth.

Get Started with HubSpot🔥

Hubspot Features

Hubspot is a user-friendly CRM platform that provides advanced solutions with its robust marketing tools. It allows larger companies with complex workflows to perform efficiently and produce nifty results. Hubspot has five modules: Service, Sales, CMS, Operations, and Marketing, so you can include them in the package as per your business requirements.

Here are some impressive features available on Hubspot:

  • SEO Tools: Hubspot is one of the few CRM services that provide SEO-related analysis for your website's content. Once you integrate your business website with Hubspot, it automatically scans it and recommends better optimization. Alternatively, you can paste your website's URL and get an SEO report.
  • Content creation tools: You can create new blog posts for your website and edit the existing ones by simply integrating the website with CRM. Hubspot records all comments and edits made to the original content, so you are always in touch with the changes. Moreover, you can use the editor to start a new blog and add relevant images.
  • CPQ Functionality: Every business needs to create quotations for products or services to assist sales reps in negotiations. Hubspot allows you to do it inside the CRM with its “Quotes Tool”. You can add unit price, discount offers, conditions, regulations terms, or any other information that will benefit the buyer and sales process.
  • Campaigns Tools: Hubspot has several relevant automation tools that enable smooth interaction with clients and organize workflow. You can make posts on social media, send customized emails and run paid search campaigns to get leads on potential customers. It is one of a kind collection with all the necessary marketing tools and a great addition for larger businesses. 
  • Contact Attribution Reporting: Hubspot can help your management team understand the latest trend related to customers' sales processes and identify the sources that influenced their decision. You can customize the attribution parameters to get different insights into your business and recognize the market-making activities.
  • Data Quality Automation: It allows you to automate properties like; time, date and add new automation to manage the incoming leads swiftly. Hubspot will follow all the pre-entered instructions and give a reminder every it finds a promising opportunity.

Hubspot Pricing

Hubspot offers you the option to create a customized subscription plan by adding the required services. Alternatively, you can choose from the existing bundles and get a general subscription. The “Starter” plan costs $45/month and offers fundamental marketing and sales features. The “Professional” plan starts at $1600/month with advanced marketing tools and customer service software. The “Enterprise” plan offers all available features of Hubspot and is priced: at $4000/ month, with the price set to go up to $5000/month From December 1, 2021.

3. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a tool quite similar to Salesforce, integrated by different tools and functionalities that you can use according to the needs of your company. It has a number of free options and paid PRO versions, which you can evaluate according to your needs. One of its great advantages is that it can be integrated with a multitude of other tools that are not necessarily complementary to its use.

Get Started with ZohoCRM🔥

Zoho CRM Features

Zoho CRM is a robust software that fulfills all your business requirements, from closing the deal and managing company data to collaborating with your colleagues. It provides CRM solutions according to the niche and size of your organization for an ideal sales experience which makes it one of the most coveted CRM tools in the market. Zoho CRM thrives in solving unique business scenarios with a quick turnout time and produces compelling results.

Here’s a wide range of features offered by Zoho CRM:

  • Canvas design studio: Every business has different requirements, so it's weird why you should not be able to personalize your software experience. Zoho CRM allows users to makeover their homepage, tabs and menu bar with Canvas design studio. You can add aesthetic background to your CRM software and work efficiently by placing the frequently accessed; tabs on your homepage.
  • Journey orchestration: Zoho CRM allows users; to create flowcharts that will determine the next step in the customer journey depending upon the response. Zoho Command Centre provides a unique interactive experience to potential clients and existing customers by analyzing the customer’s intentions.
  • Omnichannel: Zoho CRM integrates all of your communications sources in one platform and smoothens proceedings with incoming leads. Moreover, you can hold web conferencing, set up service portals and live chat, collaborate with colleagues, and get real-time updates within the Omnichannel.
  • Sales Enablement: Zoho CRM provides surfeit options for sales tools and lets you conduct every sales-related activity with comfort. It increases visibility into the client interactions and empowers your business portal by constantly adhering to the pre-entered commands. You can prioritize specific leads, get alerts regarding opportunities and build up a document library to assist the sales rep in negotiations.
  • Performance management: Zoho CRM allows you to set targets for your employees to provide added motivation and track their performance with the SPM tool. You can also classify clients according to region, budget, and services required. Moreover, it lets you deal with multiple currencies and see exchange rates that can bolster your business.
  • Developer platform: Zoho CRM’s developer platform helps you make custom solutions; for your business needs without much coding. You can integrate and unify your data from various applications, create automation, and run deluge codes to configure the CRM. It’s a perfect platform to help your developers get familiar with CRM services and build exciting products.

Zoho CRM Pricing

Zoho CRM offers subscription plans for every business, whether small, medium, or large.

The ” Standard” plan is priced: at ₹1300/month/user. It offers custom dashboards, multiple pipelines, and 1 canvas design creation.

The “Professional” plan is priced: at ₹2100/month/user. It offers SalesSignals, validation rules, and inventory management.

The “Enterprise” plan is priced: at ₹3000/month/user. It offers CommandCenter, a Multi-user portal, and advanced customization.

The “Ultimate” plan is priced: at ₹3200/month/user. It offers Enhanced feature limits, Zoho Analytics, and 25 customizable canvas designs.

Small businesses can opt for “Bigin” by Zoho, priced at ₹550/month/user.

There’s also a free edition of Zoho CRM which offers essential management tools.

4. amoCRM

The specialization, and the detail that makes it peculiar, of amoCRM is the messaging. Thanks to its technology it adds a complete set of messaging applications to its arsenal, allowing it to respond quickly to potential customers and generate more sales. You can identify the progress of each potential customer, get a preview of the task status and get an overview of the overall sales status. It also has a mobile app.

Get Started with AMoCRM🔥

amoCRM Features

amoCRM stores contact information regarding potential customers and leads, allowing businesses to increase their clientele base. It offers a plethora of options to simplify the tasks related to sales and marketing; while also providing analytical tools to keep track of every lead.

Here’s a list of features that you can use inside amoCRM:

  • Pipeline: It allows you to arrange leads based on how advanced the negotiations are. Whenever you create a new lead, it gets added to the “Initial Contact” section and can be moved; to further stages later on. Also, you can use the Digital pipeline to add lead sources like messaging applications, Email addresses, and Web forms, which will automatically move any inquires on the added source to the “Incoming Leads” section.
  • Salesbot: It gives an automated response to all inquiries and is customizable so you can pre-enter the instructions. Salesbot is a great tool to engage with potential customers during off-hours and is accessible in every section of the Pipeline.
  • Analytics: It provides a detailed assessment of all sales leads with an option to filter out the results you don’t want to see. You can check the Win-Loss record of every sales rep and generate client reports with the advanced filter options. Moreover, you can see what happens to negotiations at various stages and get a detailed analysis, which forecasts your future sales.
  • Digital Pipeline: It saves you the trouble of cold-calling by automatically nurturing the client towards making a purchase and keeps you in touch with the latest advancements. You can add automated actions such as email responses or social media advertisements to every stage and set a reminder to call the client if the negotiations move swiftly. 
  • WebForms: You can create web forms on amoCRM without any programming knowledge and customize every detail; as per your company's requirements. This webform will integrate amoCRM with your website and move every submission to the “Incoming leads” section.
  • Business Card Scanner: It's a great tool to automatically add client information to the leads: from business cards. All you need to do is click an image of the card, and the system will automatically add it to the “Leads” section after recognizing it.
  • Collaboration: Some of your business partners or employees may not use amoCRM, so for such instances, you can communicate through Lead cards by sending mail. The receiver will get a link that redirects to the lead card and gives access to the amoCRM.

amoCRM Pricing

amoCRM has 3 pricing options available depending on your requirements: Base Plan, Advanced Plan and Enterprise Plan. The Base plan offers intrinsic features and is priced: at $15 per month; The Advanced subscription is worth $25 per month and offers added benefits like widget creation, whereas The Enterprise Plan allows you to use amoCRM to its maximum capabilities: and is worth $45 per month. All these prices are applicable only for a subscription period of 6 months or longer.

5. Monday

The Monday software is extremely simple, with pre-defined templates for all kinds of situations, allowing you to start with the one that suits you best. It also gives you the ability to use the columns to display all the information you need at any given time. Monitoring the time for each task, keeping track of who is in charge of what, marking locations, adding text, numbers, links, and much more.

Get Started with MondayCRM🔥

Monday Features

Monday integrates client emails, collects leads with forms, and refines marketing campaigns through scrupulous analysis that greatly enhances your relationship with clients and creates more business opportunities. It’s an easy-to-use platform that simplifies organizational tasks for sales and marketing teams.

Here are some features that make Monday a unique CRM:

  • Software development: Monday provides templates to help your technical team quickly organize tasks, find bugs and improve iterations. You can add indicators to let the team know what you are working on and analyze the resource allocation. Every project has a specific ID that can be used; to track it among other tasks. Clients will automatically be alerted once the error is solved to reduce downtime and keep customers updated.
  • HR structuring: Monday lets users manage recruiting process and track employee progression through its HR tools such as Applicant Tracker, Employee Engagement, Attendance Tracker, Recruitment Tracker, and Vacation Tracker. You can boost the team spirit of your employees by creating specific goals and giving constructive feedback on their work.
  • Inventory Management: Businesses can record product and asset details while setting automation to get regular updates about sales and inquiries. You can create new templates to match the company's requirements and integrate Monday with other applications to make the tasks easier. Moreover, Monday generates a unique QR code for each product so your clients can coherently buy the inventory.
  • Marketing and Creative attributes: Monday can bridge the gap between creative thinking and marketing strategies by merging them into a single platform. You can create visualizations on campaign effects, share ideas and create personalized operations to make information accessible for employees.
  • Sales operations: Monday offers CRM customization to make the leads attainable and manage all opportunity stages at a single interface. You can see the combined effect of marketing and sales campaigns to make adjustments accordingly. Moreover, businesses can centralize the available data for ease of use and synchronization of operations.
  • IT workspace: You can add educational content for new recruitments to learn skills faster and ensure quality work. Monday lets you set access permissions for tasks and strictly follows security protocols to prevent cyber attacks on your CRM database. You can integrate IT tools and put technical work in order on Monday.

Monday Pricing

Monday CRM offers 4 pricing options depending upon your business size and requirements.

“Individual” plan is free of cost and lets users record work-related activities. 

“Basic” plan is priced at $10/month for a single user and offers 5GB storage along with customer support.

“Standard” plan is worth $12/month for a single user and offers additional collaboration tools. 

“Pro” subscription costs $20/month for an individual and offers chart view along with time tracking.

 “Enterprise” plan is made specifically for large businesses and includes quality security features. You can contact support to get a quote on the “Enterprise” package.

Importance of a Tailored CRM for Creatives

In the fast-paced world of creative industries, having a tailored Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can make all the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Unlike standard CRMs that cater to a wide array of industries, a tailored CRM for creatives addresses the unique challenges and workflows that design professionals encounter daily. From managing multiple client projects to fostering collaboration among team members, a specialized CRM can streamline operations and enhance productivity.

Streamlined Workflows

Creative projects often involve various phases, from initial concept discussions to final delivery. A tailored CRM allows creative teams to create workflows that reflect their specific processes, ensuring that every step is tracked and managed effectively. By automating routine tasks such as scheduling meetings, tracking deadlines, and managing client communications, creatives can focus more on their craft rather than getting bogged down by administrative burden.

Enhanced Client Management

For creatives, client relationships are paramount. A tailored CRM provides tools for effective client management, including contact segmentation, interaction tracking, and personalized communication strategies. This capability allows design teams to better understand their clients' needs, preferences, and behaviors, enabling them to craft targeted marketing campaigns and maintain strong, engaged relationships. By centralizing client information, creatives can easily access historical data and insights that inform their project decisions.

Collaboration and Transparency

Creative projects often require input from multiple team members, making collaboration essential. A CRM designed for creatives fosters an environment of teamwork by enabling shared access to project data, task notifications, and visual pipeline overviews. With features like document sharing and approval workflows, team members can collaborate seamlessly, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and reducing the chances of miscommunication.

Flexibility and Customization

Every creative agency is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. A tailored CRM offers the flexibility and customization options that allow agencies to adapt the system to their specific needs. Whether it’s custom fields for client data or personalized reporting templates, having a CRM that molds to your workflow can significantly improve the user experience and overall efficiency.

Why use a CRM at all?

Customer service and efficient sales procedures are the lifeblood of every business. You need to assist your representatives adequately. So they can provide efficient solutions and gain the loyalty of clients. Using several tools to manage different departments can create confusion among your employees and damage your chances of securing a lead.

With a CRM, you can unify all operations within a single platform to ensure everyone is on the same page. It ensures your employees get the necessary help to complete a task and automatically updates the status in the database upon completion. CRM is crucial to scale your services and gain valuable insights into your business ventures.

Why should Creatives use a CRM?

Creative professionals often struggle to maintain productivity throughout the day. Inspiration can strike anytime, So you need to ensure you have everything in place whenever you get an idea as it'll allow you to focus on getting the job done.

Tracking clients and keeping them happy is an absolute priority for creative professionals. Customer retention shows how happy your clients are with your services and the best way to go about it is to maintain efficient engagement.

Relationship management is more than just keeping track of clients' email and phone numbers. CRM does an incredible job in helping creative professionals map out customer journeys, absolutely transforming the way you run your business.

When you think about the client experience and calendaring, it is a nightmare finding a program that's tracking your client's booking and acquired services. CRM integrates with your system's calendar. So that you have access to the schedule, and they are completely in sync at all times.

Showing up on a client and not having all the relevant information or having to log into some convoluted website to find the details you need can make you come across as a bad professional.

CRM organizes data, segmenting it according to the customer profiles. It gives access to the data and ensures you provide a quality customer experience.

CRM for Creatives, A Summary

Creative professionals need a system that doesn't compromise artistic qualities for productivity or management. CRM allows you to create notes, organize business data and stick to schedules. So you can focus on every task.

Creatio offers an optimized solution for creative professionals to manage sales pipelines and maintain efficient, scalable operations. It is our suggested pick for a CRM that suits Creatives. Visit the website to get started.