How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Digital Marketing Agency

Finding the best CRM software for digital marketing agencies can be a challenging task with so many options on the market today.

The right CRM platform helps agencies manage client relationships, sales opportunities, marketing campaigns, reporting, and more – ultimately boosting productivity and profitability.

This article will discuss the top 10 CRM solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of digital marketing agencies.

We’ll explore the key features, benefits, and pricing of the leading CRM tools like HubSpot, Pipedrive, Copper, and others.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to switch CRM providers, use this guide to help choose the best CRM software that aligns with your agency’s size, budget, and requirements.

Key Takeaways:

1. Evaluate integrations with other software platforms and tools used by your agency for seamless connectivity.

2. Consider capabilities like project management, email marketing, and reporting to support your core marketing needs.

3. Assess collaboration features like shared workspaces, client portals, and task assignment to enable teamwork and communication.

4. Look for flexibility and customization to match the unique workflows and processes of your agency.

5. Check mobile apps and access to enable productivity on the go for remote teams.

6. Compare pricing tiers to find a solution that aligns with your budget as your agency scales.

1. Understanding CRM Software for Digital Marketing Agencies

What is CRM software?

CRM (customer relationship management) software is a technology platform designed to help businesses manage client and customer relationships, sales, marketing campaigns, and overall operations.

For digital marketing agencies, CRM software serves as a central hub to oversee projects, track campaign results, communicate with clients, manage workflows, and more.

The core functionality of CRM systems includes:

• Contact management
• Lead and opportunity tracking
• Project collaboration
• Email marketing
• Marketing automation
• Reporting and analytics
• Forecasting tools
• Customer support

Robust CRM platforms tailored for digital agencies also provide features like:

• Creative team/resource management
• Time tracking
• Billing and invoicing
• CRM mobile apps
• Social media management
• Forms and surveys
• And more

Importance of CRM for Digital Marketing Agencies

An effective CRM is critical for digital marketing agencies for several reasons:

• Improves sales and conversions by tracking leads to clients.
• Enhances marketing campaigns through automation and analytics.
• Centralizes client information in one dashboard.
• Optimizes workflows with project management tools.
• Increases client satisfaction through better communication and support.
• Generates insightful reports to showcase campaign results.
• Integrates with other agency software and tools.
• Scales as your agency grows.

With a feature-rich CRM platform built for marketing agencies, organizations can increase productivity, profitability, and growth. The right CRM solution empowers collaboration across teams to deliver stellar service and results to clients.

2. The Top 10 CRM Software for Digital Marketing Agencies

1. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is one of the most popular CRM solutions for digital marketing agencies due to its robust feature set optimized for sales and marketing.

As an all-in-one CRM platform built for growing companies, HubSpot makes it easy to organize, track, and accelerate pipelines and campaigns.

Key features of HubSpot CRM include:

• Contact relationship management
• Deal stages and pipeline tracking
• Email and SMS marketing
• Landing page and form builder
• Marketing automation
• Scheduling and meetings
• Reports and dashboards
• Integrations with HubSpot Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, etc.
• Mobile optimization
• Quotes and invoices
• Video conferencing
• And more

Benefits for digital agencies:

• All-in-one platform combining CRM with marketing automation.
• Lead nurturing and management with workflows.
• Campaign creation and tracking for effective marketing.
• Centralized client database with contact profiles.
• Custom reporting and analytics to showcase campaign results.
• Collaboration tools for teams to manage projects.
• G Suite integration makes it easy to connect email, calendar, and docs.
• API and integrations allow connecting other software used by agencies.
• Affordable pricing tiers suitable for any agency size and budget.

With robust tools tailored for marketing and sales, an intuitive interface, seamless integrations, and affordable pricing, HubSpot CRM is a top choice as the best CRM system for digital agencies to centralize processes, increase productivity, and grow their book of business.

2. Capsule

Capsule CRM is a feature-rich CRM platform designed for marketing and creative agencies to manage clients, projects, and teams.

As an affordable and user-friendly solution, Capsule provides the tools agencies need to streamline operations and boost productivity.

Key features of Capsule CRM include:

• Contact management
• Team collaboration
• Project management
• Timesheets and billing
• Task management
• Reporting and analytics
• Sales pipelines
• Email integration
• Mobile apps
• API and integrations
• Customizable platform

Benefits for digital agencies:

• Intuitive interface for easy CRM adoption.
• Project management tools to organize tasks and track progress.
• Collaboration features empower teams to work together seamlessly.
• Time tracking for accurate invoicing and billing.
• Lead and deal tracking to grow agency sales.
• Customizable platform to match agency workflows.
• Client portal for better communication and collaboration.
• Email integration and templates to manage client communications.
• Mobile access keeps teams connected on the go.
• Affordable pricing is suitable for small to mid-sized agencies.

With its affordable pricing, customization, and collaboration features purpose-built for creative agencies, Capsule CRM is one of the top CRM software solutions for digital marketing and creative agencies to centralize operations, improve client services, and increase productivity across teams.

3. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a powerful sales CRM platform designed for sales teams and agencies focused on managing deals and pipelines. With robust features optimized for sales performance, Pipedrive is a top choice as a CRM solution for digital marketing and creative agencies.

Key features of Pipedrive include:

• Sales pipeline management
• Lead, deal, and client management
• Activity reminders and notifications
• Email integration and templates
• Calendar syncing
• Custom reporting
• Goals and forecasts
• Team collaboration
• Mobile apps
• API and integrations
• Customizable workflows

Benefits for digital agencies:

• Sales-focused CRM to close more deals faster.
• Customizable pipelines to match your sales process.
• Lead management tools to track client conversations.
• Activity reminders to follow up with prospects.
• Email integration to sync communications with clients.
• Reporting and goals set targets and track sales performance.
• Team collaboration tools to work together on deals.
• Integrations connect other sales tools used by your agency.
• Affordable plans suitable for small to large teams.

With its sales-centric CRM features, customizable pipelines, and focus on driving deal closure, Pipedrive is a leading choice as the best CRM software for digital marketing agencies looking to boost sales productivity, pipeline, and profitability.

4. Copper

Copper CRM stands out as a top CRM choice for digital marketing and creative agencies thanks to its emphasis on relationships, collaboration, and productivity. As an intuitive and flexible platform, Copper provides robust tools to manage clients and execute marketing campaigns.

Key features that differentiate Copper include:

• Relationship-focused CRM
• Email and SMS marketing
• project management
• Team collaboration
• Contact lifecycle tracking
• Integrated business phone
• Productivity automation
• Custom reporting
• G Suite integration
• Workflow builder
• Lightning-fast search

Benefits for digital agencies:

• Relationship-based CRM to build client intimacy.
• Collaboration tools to work closely with teammates and clients.
• Email and SMS make communicating with prospects and clients easy.
• Project management to execute marketing campaigns seamlessly.
• Contact lifecycle tracking to nurture relationships over time.
• G Suite integration connects emails, calendar, drive into one platform.
• Customizable workflows and fields match CRM to your processes.
• Productivity features like automated follow-ups save time.
• Fast search across contacts, projects, and more.
• Flexible pricing scales affordably with agency growth.

With its excellent collaboration capabilities, relationship-driven approach, and productivity-boosting features, Copper is a top CRM software for digital agencies to build strong client relationships, run marketing campaigns smoothly, and boost team productivity.

5. Salesflare

Salesflare stands out as a top CRM platform for digital marketing and creative agencies thanks to its excellent email marketing and automation capabilities optimized for sales teams.

Key features that differentiate Salesflare include:

• AI-powered email automation
• Lead engagement and nurturing
• Email campaign builder
• Meeting scheduling
• Call recording and logging
• Sales pipeline view
• Custom reporting
• Chrome extension for seamless usage
• Calendar integration
• API and integrations
• Mobile optimization

Benefits for digital agencies:

• AI-powered email automation saves time engaging leads.
• Lead nurturing tools develop contacts into clients.
• Email campaign builder creates targeted communications.
• Meetings can be efficiently scheduled and logged.
• Call recording captures important prospect discussions.
• Sales pipeline view provides visibility into deals.
• Custom reports showcase campaign and sales metrics.
• Chrome extension makes logging emails and calls easy.
• Calendar integration connects appointments into one view.
• Affordable pricing scales from small to large teams.

With its excellent email marketing automation, lead engagement capabilities, and sales focus, Salesflare is one of the top CRM solutions for digital marketing agencies seeking to drive productivity, pipeline growth, and sales through world-class features purpose-built for modern sales teams.

6. Insightly

Insightly CRM stands out from other solutions thanks to its excellent project management capabilities tailored for agencies managing client work and campaigns.

Key features that differentiate Insightly include:

• Advanced project management
• Gantt charts for project planning
• Timesheets and expense tracking
• Customizable pipelines
• Contact management
• Task assignment and automation
• Activity tracking and reporting
• Document storage
• Email integration and templates
• API and extensive integrations
• CRM mobile apps

Benefits for digital marketing agencies:

• Robust project management tools to plan and execute client deliverables.
• Gantt charts provide visual timelines for campaigns.
• Timesheets enable accurate billing for work performed.
• Customizable pipelines match your agency processes.
• Contact organization with tags and saved views.
• Task automation assigns repetitive work to save time.
• Centralized activity tracking provides visibility into work.
• Document storage keeps project assets organized.
• Email integration connects client communications.
• Mobile access keeps teams connected on the go.
• Affordable pricing scales from small to large teams.

With its deep project management capabilities and focus on task organization, Insightly is a top CRM solution for digital agencies that need robust tools to plan and manage client work, campaigns, and teams with efficiency.

7. Podio

Podio CRM stands out for its excellent flexibility and customization capabilities, making it easy for digital agencies to tailor the platform to their unique needs.

Key features that differentiate Podio include:

• Flexible platform with building blocks
• Fully customizable layouts
• Custom apps for any process
• Automations and workflows
• Project management
• Contact management
• File sharing and team collaboration
• 250+ integrations
• Robust API for customization
• CRM mobile apps

Benefits for digital marketing agencies:

• Flexible platform can be customized to any agency’s needs.
• Drag and drop builder makes creating custom apps, fields, and layouts easy.
• Custom apps match your sales, service, and marketing processes.
• Automations improve efficiency with predefined workflows.
• Project management tools to organize and collaborate.
• Contact management centralizes clients and leads.
• Integrations connect the other tools your agency uses.
• Powerful API allows limitless customization.
• Mobile access keeps everyone connected on the go.
• Scalable pricing grows affordably with your agency.

With its excellent flexibility, customization, and integrations, Podio is the top CRM software for digital agencies that want an adaptable platform they can tailor to their unique workflows, processes, and needs.

8. Keap

Keap CRM stands out as a top choice for digital marketing agencies thanks to its excellent marketing automation capabilities seamlessly integrated with robust CRM features.

Key features that differentiate Keap include:

• Marketing automation
• Email campaigns, templates, and tools
• Landing pages and forms
• Contact scoring
• Sales pipeline management
• Appointment scheduling
• Quotes and invoicing
• Client portal
• Business intelligence reporting
• Integrations with Keap marketing tools
• Affordable growth-tiered pricing

Benefits for digital marketing agencies:

• Marketing automation nurtures leads into sales.
• Email marketing creates targeted, branded campaigns.
• Landing pages and forms generate leads.
• Lead scoring identifies the hottest prospects to focus on.
• Sales pipeline view provides deal visibility.
• Scheduling makes booking meetings easy.
• Quotes and invoices enable better project scoping and billing.
• Client portal improves communication and collaboration.
• Business intelligence dashboards showcase KPIs.
• Deep integrations with Keap marketing tools.
• Affordable growth-tiered pricing enables scaling as your agency expands.

With its integrated CRM and marketing automation features purpose-built for small business success, Keap is a top CRM choice for digital marketing agencies that want an all-in-one platform to generate leads, nurture relationships, close sales, and grow their agency.

9. BenchmarkONE

BenchmarkONE stands out as a top CRM and project management solution designed specifically for marketing and creative agencies.

Key features that differentiate BenchmarkONE include:

• Specialized for creative agencies
• Project management and workflows
• Resource management
• Timesheets and budgeting
• Traffic management
• Assets library
• Business development tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Accounting integration
• Custom branding and templates
• Mobile apps

Benefits for digital marketing agencies:

• Purpose-built for creative agencies with tailored features.
• Project management tools to estimate, plan, schedule, and execute projects.
• Resource management assigns the right teams and skillsets to projects.
• Timesheets and budgeting enable accurate billing and cost tracking.
• Traffic management streamlines requests, revisions, and approvals.
• The assets library centralizes creative files and deliverables.
• Business development features track opportunities and contacts.
• Reporting showcases team productivity and utilization.
• Accounting integration syncs financial data.
• Custom branding and templates match your agency.
• Mobile access keeps teams connected.

With its specialized creative agency project management capabilities, BenchmarkONE is a leading CRM and agency management software to streamline agency operations, facilitate collaboration, and drive productivity.

10. Freshworks CRM

Freshworks CRM is an excellent scalable CRM platform for growing digital marketing agencies thanks to its well-rounded capabilities for sales, marketing, and customer support.

Key features and benefits include:

• Scalability – Affordable plans scale from small to very large teams.
• Creative project and team management – Task management, time tracking, and collaboration tools.
• Customer support – Integrated ticketing, knowledge base, and self-service portal.
• SMS and email marketing – Built-in capabilities to engage leads and clients.
• G Suite compatibility – Sync contacts, emails, and calendars into the CRM.
• Automation – Workflows and rules to assign tasks and update records.
• Analytics and reports – Customizable dashboards and reporting.
• Marketing and sales automation – Lead scoring, campaigns, and visual pipeline.
• Value for large teams – The Enterprise plan supports unlimited users with robust features.

Additional capabilities like customization, integrations, and mobile apps make Freshworks a feature-rich and scalable CRM solution suitable for any size digital marketing agency to support sales, marketing, and customer engagement processes from a single unified platform designed for business growth.

Factors to Consider When Choosing CRM Software for Digital Marketing Agencies

 

CRM Software	Pricing and Affordability	Integration with Other Agency Tools	Collaborative Features	User Experience and Design	Tailored Solutions for Marketing Needs
HubSpot CRM	Affordable plans for all agency sizes	Integrates with HubSpot marketing tools and 1,000+ apps via API	Team collaboration tools	Intuitive, modern interface	Optimization for marketing campaigns and workflows
Capsule CRM	Cost-effective for small to mid-sized agencies	Integrates with many popular business apps	Real-time collaboration across teams	Simple, easy-to-use design	Project management tailored for agencies
Pipedrive	Competitive pricing scales with agency	Integrates with 300+ apps including marketing tools	Team activity visibility for collaboration	Clean, organized interface focused on sales	Customizable sales pipelines ideal for agencies
Copper	Flexible pricing fits small to large agencies	Integrations with G Suite, marketing tools, and more	Excellent team collaboration features	Beautiful, intuitive user experience	Relationship-focused CRM perfect for agencies
Salesflare	Affordable pricing for any agency size	Integrates with email, calendar, marketing tools	Sales team collaboration features	Simple, clean interface	Strong sales and email marketing focus
Insightly	Cost-effective for all agency sizes	Extensive two-way integrations available	Project collaboration capabilities	Intuitive, easy to navigate	Excellent project management for agencies
Podio	Scalable pricing fits agencies of any size	250+ integrations available	Workspaces and file sharing for team collaboration	Flexible, customizable layouts	Adaptable platform can match agency needs
Keap	Growth-tiered pricing model	Tight integration with Keap marketing automation	Client portal for collaboration	Simple, clean, easy-to-use	Integrated CRM and marketing automation
BenchmarkONE	Scales from small to large agencies	Integrates with marketing tools and accounting software	Project collaboration features	Interface designed for agencies	Specialized features for creative agencies
Freshworks CRM	Affordable scaling pricing plans	Integrates with Freshworks marketing and sales tools	Team collaboration capabilities	Intuitive, easy to use interface	CRM tailored for sales, marketing, and support

 

Best CRM for Digital Marketing Agencies – Final Remarks

In summarizing, here is the bottom line when choosing the best CRM software for your digital marketing agency:

• With many excellent CRM platforms now tailored for marketing and creative agencies, it’s easier than ever to find a solution suited for your unique needs and budget.
• Top-rated solutions like HubSpot, Capsule, and Copper provide a robust feature set to manage campaigns, sales, reporting, and teams.
• Focus on capabilities like workflow automation, analytics, email marketing, and collaboration to boost your agency’s productivity and profits.
• The right CRM software helps agencies scale by centralizing client information, optimizing operations, and improving visibility into business performance.
• Leverage this guide on the top 10 CRM solutions for digital marketing agencies to make an informed decision on the best platform for your business goals and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key benefits of CRM software for digital marketing agencies?

CRM platforms help agencies centralize client data, improve marketing campaign management, automate workflows, generate insightful reports, and collaborate across teams. This boosts productivity and profitability.

What features should I look for in a CRM for my agency?

Top features include contact management, email marketing, lead tracking, project collaboration, reporting/analytics, marketing automation, and integrations with other software used by your agency.

Which CRM has the best marketing automation features?

HubSpot CRM, Keap, and Salesflare are leading choices for built-in marketing automation capabilities like email campaigns, landing pages, lead scoring, and nurturing workflows.

What CRM is most recommended for managing creative projects and teams?

Consider Capsule CRM, Asana, Insightly, or BenchmarkONE for their project management strengths like Gantt charts, time tracking, resource allocation, and traffic management.

Is CRM software affordable for small marketing agencies?

Yes, many top CRM platforms like Zoho CRM, Capsule, and Insightly offer cost-effective plans suitable for small marketing agencies to get started. Pricing scales up as your agency grows.