Close CRM Review: Built for High-Growth Sales Teams

What is Close?

Close (https://www.close.com) is a sales-focused CRM platform specifically designed for startups and SMBs that need to move fast and close deals efficiently. What sets Close apart is its emphasis on communication-centric sales, integrating calling, emailing, and SMS directly into the platform. We've found it particularly valuable for inside sales teams that handle high-volume outreach and need to maintain momentum throughout their sales cycles. Unlike traditional CRMs that can feel bloated, Close streamlines the most crucial sales activities into an intuitive interface.

Key Features and Capabilities

Smart Views and Pipeline Management

Close's Smart Views feature allows sales teams to create custom views of their leads based on any combination of filters and activities. We've seen teams use this to track everything from "Leads not contacted in 14 days" to "High-value opportunities requiring follow-up."

Built-in Communication Suite

• •Power Dialer: Make calls directly from the browser with one-click calling
• •Email Sequences: Create and automate personalized email campaigns
• •SMS Integration: Send and receive text messages without leaving the platform
• •Video Mail: Record and send personalized video messages to prospects

Automated Lead Distribution

The platform includes intelligent lead routing capabilities that automatically assign leads to sales reps based on custom criteria, ensuring fair distribution and immediate follow-up.

Custom Reporting and Analytics

Close offers deep insights into sales activities, pipeline health, and team performance with customizable dashboards and reports that track both activity metrics and outcomes.

Getting Started

1. •

   Initial Setup (Day 1)

   • •Sign up for a trial at Close.com
   • •Import your existing contacts via CSV or direct integration
   • •Set up your email integration for tracking and sequences
2. •

   Team Configuration (Day 2)

   • •Add team members and set appropriate permissions
   • •Configure custom fields for your specific sales process
   • •Set up lead statuses and pipelines
3. •

   Communication Setup (Day 3)

   • •Configure your calling settings and phone numbers
   • •Create email templates and sequences
   • •Set up SMS capabilities if needed
4. •

   Pipeline Optimization (Day 4)

   • •Create Smart Views for different stages of your sales process
   • •Set up automated tasks and reminders
   • •Configure custom reports for your KPIs

Real-World Use Cases

High-Volume SaaS Sales

We've seen SaaS companies use Close to manage hundreds of leads per rep, leveraging the power dialer and email sequences to maintain consistent outreach while tracking engagement metrics in real-time.

Service-Based Business Development

Professional services firms use Close to nurture long-term relationships, utilizing the platform's robust follow-up tools and communication tracking to maintain regular contact with prospects and clients.

Inside Sales Teams

Organizations with remote sales teams particularly benefit from Close's built-in calling and tracking features, which enable managers to monitor activity and provide coaching opportunities based on recorded calls.

Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• •Exceptional built-in calling and communication features
• •Intuitive, modern interface with minimal learning curve
• •Powerful automation capabilities for follow-ups and tasks
• •Robust API for custom integrations

Limitations:

• •Limited customization compared to enterprise CRMs
• •Higher price point for small teams
• •Mobile app functionality could be more comprehensive

How It Compares to Alternatives

While Close excels in communication-centric sales, it may not offer the extensive customization options of larger platforms. Its focus on inside sales and startup teams makes it more specialized than general-purpose CRMs, but this specialization comes with advantages in efficiency and ease of use.

Pricing and Value

Close offers several tiers starting from $65/user/month (billed annually) for the Basic plan. The Professional plan at $95/user/month includes additional features like power dialer and email sequences. Custom Enterprise plans are available for larger teams. While not the cheapest option, the integrated communication features often offset the need for separate tools.

Final Verdict

We recommend Close for growing startups and SMBs that prioritize efficient communication and need a sales-focused CRM without the complexity of enterprise solutions. It's particularly valuable for teams doing high-volume outreach and inside sales. The platform's strength lies in its ability to streamline communication while maintaining comprehensive tracking and reporting capabilities.