Web-based customer relationship management software, sometimes called contact management software, differs primarily from other forms in the deployment model. Traditionally, companies had to buy and host their own servers. The server needed to be managed, updated, and maintained by an IT team. By letting the vendor host the server remotely, web-based deployment removes this burden. The vendor offers a pay-per-use plan instead of an upfront investment.

Application service providers (ASPs) and pure browser-based systems are two types of Web-based systems. Client/server systems work by downloading the “client” and hosting the data on a server, and the organization downloads the “client” onto their computers. On the other hand, browser-based systems don’t require downloading, so you can access them from anywhere. It’s easy to access and familiar from anywhere with a browser-based system. Many ASPs are Web-enabled, meaning that users can also access information via a Web browser, but this method is often slower, and the user interface tends to be simplified, resulting in reduced functionality.

It‘s easier to manage sales, customer service, and marketing with a Web-based CRM. As an example:

• Remotely create, process, and invoice orders;

• Support can be provided via email and live chat on the Web;

• There will be more transparency between sales and marketing, reducing overlap and ensuring potential leads turn into customers;

• Online storage is also more secure than on a server that could crash.

Compared to other forms of CRM software, web-based CRM software differs mostly in how it’s deployed. Servers used to be purchased and hosted by companies. IT had to manage, update, and maintain the server. Web-based deployment takes away this burden by letting the vendor host the server. As an alternative to an upfront investment, the vendor offers a pay-per-use plan.

Two types of Web-based systems are application service providers (ASPs) and pure browser-based systems. In a client/server system, the organization downloads the “client” and the data is hosted on the server. A browser-based system, on the other hand, doesn’t require downloading, so you can access it anywhere. With a browser-based system, it’s easy to access and familiar from anywhere. There are a lot of ASPs that are Web-enabled, so you can access information via a browser, but it’s slow, and the user interface is usually simplified, so the features are limited.

With a Web-based CRM, you can manage sales, customer service, and marketing easier.

• Creating, processing, and invoicing orders remotely;

• There’s live chat on the web and email support;

• Sales and marketing will be more transparent, reducing overlap and making sure leads become customers;

• Plus, online storage is more secure than on a server.