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salesperson with a headset on looking at CRM statistics on a computer screen

CRM Statistics

Key Data and Trends Highlighting the Impact of CRM on Business Growth

By: KENNEDY LANGEBARTELS
Updated: October 28, 2024

CRM, or customer relationship management, software has become an important tool for small businesses and large enterprises that want to enhance their customer service and strengthen relationships with their customers. CRM helps to transform customer data into insights that can be grouped based on different teams, such as sales, marketing, and customer service. This leads to more personalized customer experiences, greater customer loyalty, and increased satisfaction.

Beyond organizing customer details, CRM tracks interactions across various channels like phone calls, emails, and social media, ensuring employees are always informed about where a customer stands in the sales process. CRMs analyze customer behavior and use AI to inform marketing campaigns and service strategies. The widespread use of CRM software has proven essential for improving operations, driving sales, and boosting customer retention.

Key Takeaways

  • 65% of companies implement CRM systems within their first five years of being in business.
  • CRM platforms can boost revenue by up to 245%, significantly enhancing sales performance.
  • 73% of consumers say customer experience impacts their buying decisions.
  • Cloud-based and mobile CRMs are preferred by 87% of businesses for real-time data access and efficiency.
  • AI and analytics integration in CRMs improves forecasting accuracy and identifies valuable leads.

How are businesses adopting CRM systems?

CRM software transforms customer data into practical insights that, in turn, help businesses enhance their service and strengthen relationships.

A CRM serves as a sort of “hub” for storing and organizing customer details, like contact info, interaction history, and consumer preferences, into an extensive view of each customer’s journey with that company. This, in turn, allows for more personalized, loyalty-building experiences.

Beyond just data organization, CRM tracks customer interactions like calls, emails, and social media, which keeps sales reps informed about their customers’ needs in the sales process.

CRM systems can also find new leads by analyzing data and using AI and analytics to uncover customer insights, which helps businesses make informed decisions about product development, marketing, and customer service strategies.

How Widely Used are CRMs?

If your company is considering using a CRM, you might wonder how many other companies use it. It might seem like an unnecessary tool, especially if other companies are doing fine without it. CRMs are not only a popular tool and software, but they are also crucial for companies of all sizes.

The following CRM statistics show how widely they are used and how the businesses that utilize them rely on them to drive the success of their company:

  • CRM is the fastest-growing tool in digital marketing.
  • 13% of businesses identify CRM investment as a top sales priority, which shows that CRM platforms are helpful and crucial for marketing and sales success.
  • 92% of businesses agree CRM systems are essential for meeting revenue targets, and it is pivotal in enhancing the sales funnel, ultimately leading to increased sales and revenue.
  • Highly effective sales organizations are 81% more likely to consistently use a CRM platform than less successful ones.
  • CRM adoption rates show that 65% of companies implement CRM systems within their first five years of operation, showing the companies’ recognition of CRM’s benefits.

How many companies use CRM?

82% of companies leverage CRM usage specifically to report on and automate their sales processes. This underscores that most businesses depend on CRM platforms to streamline sales tasks, generate reports that inform decision-making, and track sales performance. Given how vital these functions are for companies, it is essential to prioritize CRM that excels in both areas.

How many companies use Salesforce?

salesperson looking at CRM statistics on a computer screen

Salesforce is one of the top CRM platforms, with a customer base of over 150,000 businesses. Among these clients are industry giants like Walmart and Amazon, with annual revenues of $611.3 billion and $80 billion. Other clients include Wells Fargo, Apple, and Coca-Cola.

The wide use of this platform demonstrates Salesforce’s reputation for delivering strong CRM solutions that meet the needs of these large companies. With over 80,000 employees, Salesforce is one of the largest cloud software providers in the world.

What are the benefits of using a CRM?

After seeing how prevalent CRMs are in the business world, it is essential to understand their benefits and the return on investment they deliver. These five statistics highlight the benefits of CRM and the value they bring to organizations:

  • 74% of businesses report enhanced access to customer data through CRM software. The primary function of a CRM is to collect, organize, and analyze customer data, giving businesses a better understanding of who is using their company.
  • CRM software can boost report accuracy by up to 42%. Businesses can create detailed reports on customer patterns, behaviors, and trends, providing more accurate insights than reports generated without CRM technology.
  • 47% of businesses say that CRM software positively impacts customer retention. CRMs allow companies to track customer behaviors, preferences, and needs, making it easier to deliver more personalized experiences.
  • Businesses see an increase in revenue by up to 245% when using CRM applications. Given that they help companies enhance lead generation and improve conversions, it is no surprise that businesses that use CRM systems have reported their revenue increase as high as 245%.
  • CRM platforms can increase conversion rates by up to 300%. Companies using CRM software have seen their conversion rates triple thanks to the platform’s ability to drive targeted, effective customer engagement.

What do businesses want from their CRMs?

When choosing a CRM, companies must consider which key CRM features to prioritize—what do businesses want from their CRM systems? These four CRM stats highlight what companies expect:

  • 94% of CRM users prioritize contact management features. This feature allows companies to track individual leads and customers, giving a clear view of where they are in their buying journey, and it also allows for consistent follow-ups and targeted outreach.
  • CRM systems are used by 82% of companies for sales reporting and automation, streamlining operations, and delivering valuable insights to enhance sales forecasting.
  • Cloud-based CRM platforms are preferred by 87% of businesses. Compared to locally stored systems, they offer a more secure and accessible solution for customer information by reducing the risk of data loss from local hardware issues or breaches.
  • 88% of users value interaction tracking in their CRM. This tool provides insight into when and how customers engage with a business, whether through calls, website visits, or purchases and in doing so, companies can tailor their marketing efforts more effectively.

What problems do CRMs help solve?

CRMs help businesses address critical challenges and are specifically designed to solve common business problems. These three statistics highlight the issues most companies face without a CRM:

  • Typically, 32% of salespeople spend over an hour daily on manual data entry. With CRM automation, data entry becomes streamlined, freeing sales teams to focus more on meeting their sales quotas and less on administrative tasks.
  • Closing deals is the biggest challenge for 30% of businesses, but gaining deeper insights into potential customers is one of the most effective ways to overcome this hurdle.
  • 73% of consumers say customer experience influences their buying decisions. When consumers feel understood, they are more likely to make a purchase. CRM tools are powerful in enhancing the customer experience by helping businesses better understand their audience.

How effective are CRMs?

Using a CRM platform to organize and manage your data allows for a deeper, more complete understanding of your customers. This helps to ensure your messaging is consistent and aligned.

Many tasks can be automated and streamlined, allowing you to effectively target marketing efforts, accelerate sales, and provide more efficient customer service. Moreover, a fully integrated CRM eliminates a data “archive,” which, in turn, will promote a seamless collaboration between departments to present a unified experience to your customers.

CRM Industry Trends

  • Artificial Intelligence:
  • AI is revolutionizing the CRM industry. In 2022, the AI software market was valued at $5.1 billion and is projected to reach $16.2 billion by 2028.

    AI integration with CRM platforms is one of the most transformative advancements driving CRM market share, as it can summarize essential customer information, including buying patterns and past interactions.

  • Analytics:
  • Analytics enables businesses to predict potential issues, track customer behavior, and adjust strategies accordingly because making quick, data-driven decisions is crucial in today’s fast-paced business world.

    CRM systems enhance forecasting accuracy by analyzing historical data and utilizing machine learning algorithms to forecast trends and identify valuable leads.

  • Omnichannel Experience:
  • With customers using multiple platforms, integrating channels like social media, email marketing, chat, and phone into one centralized CRM is crucial. This enhances marketing efforts, boosts sales productivity, and improves customer satisfaction.

  • Customer Experience:
  • Customer experience is a key differentiator, with 44.5% of organizations globally identifying it as their main advantage.

    A positive customer experience leads to customer loyalty, with 38% of consumers returning to brands with a good experience.

  • Cloud-Based CRM:
  • Cloud-based CRMs are essential for modern sales cycle activities. Consumers frequently use phones for research and reviews on products they consider buying, making mobile CRM solutions useless.

    Mobile CRMs enable sales professionals to access customer data and monitor sales activities in real-time, featuring GPS integration that ensures timely responses and enhances efficiency.

  • Security:
  • As more and more data breaches and privacy concerns are rising, companies must go beyond antivirus software to protect their customers’ information. CRM implementation enhances security through the use of encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.

Bottom Line

CRM statistics has evolved into an essential tool for businesses of all sizes, offering a solution for managing customer interactions, tracking sales, and enhancing customer service. By changing data entry to an automated system, improving forecasting accuracy, and using AI and analytics, CRM systems streamline operations and drive revenue growth. The adoption of CRM platforms reflects their impact on business performance, customer satisfaction, and overall efficiency, making them essential in today’s competitive market.

If you need help finding the best CRM software for your business, read our guide to quickly narrow down your options and choose the right vendor for your needs.

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