What System Do You Use to Manage Leads?

Question

Hello BP,I'm a new Phoenix agent looking for advice on keeping track of leads.What is the most effective and affordable system for a part-time beginner? Do you use CRM software/apps? Spreadsheets? Whiteboard? Notepads?Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Charlie MacPherson · Answer

I and my agents use Daylite. Sadly for PC / linux users, it's Mac only. But there are good reasons for my choice.1. Financial. Daylite (www.MarketCircle.com) is a one-time fee of $300 per license. The others that I looked at run $25 to $40 per month. The 12 month-ish break-even was attractive. 2. Robust accessibility. The database lives on one of my computers (which is multiply backed up by Time Machine, Backblaze and a mirrored drive). That means that unlike web-based systems (Top Producer, Salesforce, Maximizer, etc), I have complete access to my data whether or not I have wi-fi / cellular data access. It also keeps my cell bill lower by not using data.3. Speed. Not being web based means it is ultra fast - especially compared to using a web-based system over cellular data.4. Ease of use / filtering of contacts. I'm a visual. That means if I don't see it, it doesn't exit - and you can imagine the challenge that presents. Daylite gives me multiple ways to view contacts, pipelines and tasks.5. Syncs across multiple devices. iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad. Seamlessly.6. Free real estate module reconfigures the database for you. There are other modules for different industries.7. Integrates mail, calendar, opportunity tracking, project management, mail merge and a lot more.8. You can create and manage multiple databases with one license. You might elect to set up a separate database for wholesale, another for buy & holds and a third for fix & flip.I've used several CRMs and for al the reasons stated above, strongly recommend a look at Daylite.

Brett Synicky · Answer

check out Wise Agent. They are headquartered in your area also.

Jojo Joy · Answer

And if you are a little tech savvy like me, use SuiteCRM. It is open source. The self hosted version is completely free. No limits on anything. You can try it out online with a demo account. I am sure you won't regret spending that time. Have fun!

William Huston · Answer

@Guy OldsI did manage to sign up for a free account on Podio, im not sure how long it will be free. During the signup process it will ask you more than once to pick a plan, so i assumed it cost money, but if you continue to press x on them it will finally get to the dashboard and allow you to setup apps and such, but it places a large upgrade button in the middle of the top of the page. It did state that apps are very limited without subscription, so i am assuming when you got to the market place for apps you cant see them all as a free member.

William Huston · Answer

@Guy OldsIll try it out, i know a few days ago i was just going to sign up for the lowest and play with it to see if i like it and it wanted me to put in payment info. Ill see if it will let me go through without the payment info probably tomorrow when im more awake lol

Guy Olds · Answer

@William Huston I use Podio for free and when I saw your post I wondered if they changed their pricing. And sure enough there were 4 different pricing plans just like you said BUT when I clicked on the $9/month Basic plan the next page that comes up says "Good Decision. Create your FREE account..." with a form to fill in. So it seems as if there still may be free Podio. If I was you I would just keep filling out forms and pushing buttons until they ask for money. I don't think they will if you are just a solo user.

William Huston · Answer

I dont see how you guys are getting Podio for free.. im also a new agent and when i go to the site it gives me pricing for 4 different plans.

Dalton Kiley · Answer

@Tim Booz Hi Tim, I was wondering what your experience was/is like with LionDesk? What's the good, and the bad with their system? Thinking about using their system.

Tim Booz · Answer

@Scott Scharl Wise agent is great, and affordable. HighRise is free up to 250 contacts. Realty Juggler has a free 90 day trial, but the interface feels a little 2002ish. I'm trying out Liondesk right now, but haven't fully made the switch.

Jill DeWit · Answer

Hi @Scott ScharlI recently switched to Salesforce and am very happy. Plus free APP so I have it on my phone and it can handle anything. VERY customizable. I have the professional version - about $780/yr per user. We can all chat I can oversee all sales activity. 30 day free versions and so far great customer service and help!- Jill