I’ve been an insightly user for some time now but recently started using AC. Just wondering if AC can replace Insightly and if so how do you use it?
Josh
I am also curious about this. I haven’t been too pleased with AC to use as a REAL crm. I love the product (AC) but don’t like using it, or haven’t figured HOW to use it for daily crm stuff. I hope you get some feedbacjk Josh!
Judging from my last few support tickets I’ve raised I’m assuming I won’t get much help here. In my AC account under settings I couldn’t even save new tasks for deals. When I click “save” nothing happens. Cleared cache, had 2 hour long chats with support. No luck.
If I can’t even save my data what’s the point of ActiveCampaign?
I requested a refund and will go back to Mailchimp and continue using Insightly.
We use the AC CRM and it works well. Yes, I agree it’s not perfect and ultimately it depends upon what you need as a company. But let me give you some of the real benefits. First, keeping data clean and deals upto date has alway been a CRM issues, however if you build the automations you can control the contacts and the deals seamlessly. This makes it very powerful. Likewise, if a contact isn’t visiting your website or opening your emails their probably not engaged. Add this all up and your get a much more integrated solution.
If you have more questions, come back to me.
You’re right. AC’s CRM is lacklustre.
BUT… they’re launching a whole new CRM that they’re also soliciting feedback for that I think is going to catch up to modern times.
Wait it out…
I’m in the same boat Josh - been a loyal insightly user for ages but wanted to kick it up a notch and I’m trying AC. As mentioned above, AC is struggling to be a “real” CRM. Yes, it has pipelines but task management, activity sets, etc., etc. would be nice. I’m trying to make AC work as my (insightly) CRM but it’s not easy. One of the last comments on this thread talked about launching a whole new CRM - is this fact or fiction?
@ezdirectmail245 It’s a fact, Steve! You can learn more about it here and upgrade your account by clicking the button at the bottom of the page:
http://www.activecampaign.com/crm/new/
It was a complete rewrite of the old CRM. I think you’ll find it’s a significant upgrade.
Thanks for the reply Brian. I checked out the screen shots and it seems I’m already using the new format. I was hoping to see a more robust CRM option that focused on more day-to-day operations and a more intuitive and seamless use of tasks. From what I can see, the emphasis within ActiveCampaign as it relates to a CRM is deals and pipelines. Don’t get me wrong, these are obviously at the core of a decent CRM and ActiveCampaign has done a great job with these in the new update. What’s lacking however, is a focus on operational/task management options. If you review any other popular CRM (insightly, Zoho, etc. - ANY of the CRM’s listed in your apps page.) they balance the pipeline aspect with a clear focus on completing tasks within each stage. For example, within insightly, I can click a button to add a task; I’m asked to select a category (to do, lunch, call, etc.) and then a due date. I can set a reminder and a priority. I can of course include notes and links to other people.
My task screen is my all day screen - I look at it all day and complete said tasks jumping to contacts/leads as required. I’m fairly sure if you asked around, I don’t think I’m alone - the tasks page is going to command center stage of any busy professional.
The process inside AC is cumbersome and limited (and bizarre?). Within a contact I can use the handy bar at the bottom to add a task. I can select what kind of task it is and I’m given a date and time and it says “for XX mins”. What on earth does that mean considering that time allotment isn’t reflected anywhere else? I can change the time but this makes no sense in the first place. I can see a lunch date may require 60 minutes but in general tasks aren’t tied to a time frame - they are just a “to do”.There is simply no need to add a time amount. It’s not like you’re linking that time allotment to a calendar. GTD. I see I can add alerts which is good and add an automation if I desire. Click add and it’s added.
Just when it can’t get any bizarre, the tasks show up on the home screen with a reference to a very loose notification of when it’s due - “a day from now”?! Seriously, just give me a date. To get to the task management screen, I have to click contacts and select manage tasks from the menu (too many extra steps).
If you compare this screen to any other CRM/task screen, it misses the mark. I don’t want to see “in a day”. I need a date.
I’m sorry for the long reply. I was just hoping AC would be able to provide a CRM with a task management section that mirrors or reflects the norms of other CRM’s. I’ll solider on of course and try make it work.
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No apology necessary. It’s great feedback and I appreciate the thorough reply.
Are you aware of the alternative pipeline view? You can toggle it here:
This is the view that we expect that a sales person would work out of throughout the day. Deals are ordered by the due date of tasks in such a way that you could start at the top and work your way down.
The task time duration appears on the task itself if you open it. I realize that’s not super useful at the moment but this lays the groundwork for future feature development. For instance, we could sync with a calendar solution at some point.
Hopefully the task oriented pipeline view helps. Your other feedback is noted and appreciated. As we continue to develop the CRM, you’ll see it become a stronger task management solution.
Interesting. So it looks like every task should be within a deal. Okay, let me continue to wonder. Thanks for the prompt response.
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Any idea on how long until the next version comes out? I’m using the BETA version and its VERY slow. Its’ been a bit of a struggle for the client aspect of it because they want many features that have been in basic CRM’s forever. Love everything else but just need to see some progress and curious to see where it is coming.
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If the CRM is unbearably slow, there may be an issue affecting your account. I’d open up a support ticket so that our team of developers and support people can investigate the underlying cause.
What features are you and your clients looking for? We’ll continue iterating on the CRM over time. I can take your feature requests to our product team and get their guidance on whether these are in the roadmap.
I will do that for sure. It’s crazy slow.
Specifically mostly looking for Reports & Reporting. Should be pretty straightforward to be able to report on leads, lead sources (how effective they are) how many close and how long it takes. I used Act 25 years ago and it had the ability to create custom reports. I recently had to pay a developer to do a custom report for this stuff. So many business’ are NOT just online and not being able to track that stuff is really a problem. Many others have it too so I’m not climbing on the pile but since the automations & emails stuff is so awesome it’s a shame that it’s just so far back.
I see. We’re aware that our reporting could use some work. We’ll be releasing new reports regularly over the next few months.
I’ve seen the mockups of the new Deals CRM reports and they’ll be a night and day improvement over what we have now. They’ll address most, if not all, of what you mentioned above.
Any input on this? Would love to hear what you guys are doing to improve this.