My Comprehensive Method CRM Review in 2024: Is it Worth it?

What Does Method CRM Do?

Method CRM isn’t merely a tool for organizing your contacts; it acts as a bridge to enhancing business relationships and streamlining sales operations. What stands out is its seamless integration with QuickBooks online, turning it into a powerful partner for businesses aiming to sync their financial data effortlessly. 

You can manage customer interactions, sales opportunities, and invoices—all updated instantly. This real-time synchronization proves to be a game-changer, especially for QuickBooks users looking to amplify their accounting efficiency.

I particularly value Method CRM’s dedication to customization. This feature lets you shape the software to meet your unique business requirements—not just in look but in functionality. As your business expands, Method CRM adapts, evolving right alongside your growing needs.

Its scalability and customization capabilities position it as the go-to CRM software for businesses intent on refining their sales practices and client management without the burdens often seen in larger CRM systems.

Key Features of Method

Method CRM is a powerhouse for businesses that lean heavily on QuickBooks and Xero integration and seek expansive customization without the code fuss. 

With mobile access, a self-service portal, and robust workflow automation, it’s crafted to enhance your customer management and operational efficiency. Below, I’ll delve into these features and their practical benefits.

QuickBooks/Xero Integration

Do you want to sync with QuickBooks or Xero? Method CRM ensures seamless integration, not just to align your financials but to boost your customer interactions significantly. Here’s how:

• Real-Time Data Sync: End the wait for batch updates. Method CRM’s instant two-way sync with QuickBooks keeps your sales, finance, and service teams unified in real time.

• Customizable Dashboards: Shape your CRM dashboard to display vital QuickBooks/Xero data, from customer payments and outstanding invoices to comprehensive financial reports tailored to your operational needs.

• Enhanced Workflow Automation: Streamline your processes between QuickBooks/Xero and Method CRM. Automatically generate invoices, send payment reminders, and craft follow-up emails triggered by customer actions or payment statuses.

• Comprehensive Customer View: Merge financial insights with Method CRM data for a complete profile of your customers. Analyze purchase history and payment trends to drive focused marketing and sales efforts.

• Security and Accessibility: Secure your data while granting access based on user roles. Method CRM’s role-based permissions protect sensitive financial information, ensuring only the right eyes see it.

Simple Lead Management

With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Method CRM is an indispensable tool for businesses looking to refine their sales tactics. Here’s why Method CRM stands out in lead management:

• Lead Capture: It automatically pulls in leads from web forms, emails, and social media, ensuring you miss no opportunity.

• Lead Tracking and Scoring: It monitors each lead’s journey and scores them based on their activities and likelihood to convert, prioritizing your follow-ups.

• Automated Lead Assignment: This feature swiftly allocates new leads to the appropriate sales reps, increasing efficiency and conversion rates.

• Sales Pipeline Management: Method CRM provides a clear view of your sales funnel with customizable stages, making management smoother and sales forecasts more accurate.

Invoicing

For businesses keen on refining their financial workflows, Method CRM’s integration with QuickBooks stands out. This combination forges a robust system for handling your invoicing tasks right from the CRM. Here’s how this integration boosts your invoicing efficiency:

• Real-Time Data Sync: Changes made in Method CRM or QuickBooks reflect instantly across both platforms, maintaining consistent and accurate financial records. This seamless integration cuts out redundant manual data entry.

• Enhanced Financial Reporting: Utilize unified data from both Method CRM and QuickBooks to craft comprehensive financial reports. These insights help sharpen your decision-making with current data, which is crucial for maintaining your business’s fiscal health.

• Streamlined Invoicing Process: Manage your entire invoicing cycle—from creation to dispatch—directly within Method CRM. Easily monitor payments and check pending balances, simplifying accounts receivable tasks.

• Customizable Invoicing Templates: Method CRM offers adaptable invoice templates, allowing you to align them with your brand’s style and communication strategy. This customization not only enhances the customer experience but also speeds up invoice generation.

• Automated Billing: Implement recurring billing for regular clients, set up automatic payment reminders, and handle varied invoicing types with ease. Automating these processes saves valuable time and lightens your team’s workload.

Order Management

Managing orders with Method CRM is a streamlined process that ensures everything is neatly organized and easy to access. Here’s how it optimizes the order management lifecycle:

• Real-Time Order Tracking: Updates on every order happen instantly, allowing teams to keep a close watch and quickly solve any problems. This capability makes sure you meet customer expectations with speed and efficiency.

• Automated Workflows: From placing an order to getting it out the door, all steps are automated. This cuts down on manual tasks, speeds up operations, and reduces mistakes.

• Integration with QuickBooks: With seamless integration with QuickBooks, all financial information from orders perfectly aligns. Handling invoices and payments without ever leaving the CRM boosts the ease of managing sales finances.

• Customizable Order Processes: Companies can shape the order process to suit their unique requirements. Whether modifying steps in the workflow or custom fields for specifics on orders, Method CRM adapts to different business needs.

• Customer Self-Service Portal: Through a secure portal, customers can access their order history, keep tabs on current orders, and even make new ones. This not only improves the customer journey but also lightens the load for customer service teams.

Pricing Plan

Method CRM provides three main pricing tiers, catering to a range of business sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. Customers who pay annually receive a discount, presenting a cost-effective option for those prepared to invest long-term. 

Additionally, Method CRM offers a 14-day free trial on all plans, no credit card needed, so that businesses can test out the features without any financial risk.

Free Trial

During the 14-day free trial, users gain full access to the features of the CRM Pro plan, letting them thoroughly test how Method CRM can enhance their operations. This trial is invaluable for those considering Method CRM to streamline workflow management and lead management without an initial investment. 

Key trial features include:

• QuickBooks integration
• Lead management
• Customization options
• Reporting and analytics

Contact Management

Priced at $25 per user per month (billed annually), this entry-level plan focuses on basic CRM functionalities necessary for effective contact management. It’s an ideal choice for small businesses or those just starting with CRM software. Features include:

• QuickBooks integration
• Lead management
• Basic contact management
• Basic online portals
• Basic communication and productivity
• Reports
• Customization
• Integrations
• Support
• Administration and extras

CRM Pro

At $44 per user per month (annually), the CRM Pro plan expands on the Contact Management plan by adding more advanced features aimed at growing businesses looking for deeper customer engagement and improved sales processes. Enhanced features include:

• QuickBooks integration
• Lead management
• Basic financial management
• Contact management
• Basic sales pipeline
• Online portals
• Basic communication and productivity
• Reports
• Customization
• Integrations
• Support
• Administration and extras

CRM Enterprise Plan

The most comprehensive plan, priced at $74 per user per month (annually), is designed for large organizations that need a wide range of CRM functionalities, including high-level customization and integration capabilities. Enterprise-level features include:

• QuickBooks integration
• Lead management
• Financial management
• Contact management
• Sales pipeline
• Online portals
• Communication and productivity
• Reports
• Customization
• Integrations
• Support
• Administration and extras

Is Method Easy to Use?

Right from the start, Method CRM won me over with its personalized setup. When I registered, they didn’t just collect my details; they delved into my business needs and how I planned to use the system. This wasn’t superficial—my responses directly shaped the CRM to seamlessly fit my workflow from the beginning. 

After signing up, they didn’t leave me on my own. A Customer Success Manager arranged a demo session, where they did more than just walk me through the system; it was an interactive session tailored to the unique needs of my business, highlighting the features that mattered most to me.

What sets Method CRM apart is its flawless integration with QuickBooks online. For someone dependent on efficient processes, this is a lifesaver. It’s not merely about syncing financial data in real-time; it’s about how this integration streamlines daily tasks, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.

The CRM’s interface also stands out—it’s straightforward, intuitive, and quite pleasing to look at. This ease of use is mirrored in their mobile app, ensuring smooth management on the go. Unlike other CRMs where the mobile app feels secondary, Method CRM maintains consistency across devices.

Available Integrations

Let’s dive into how Method CRM boosts its capabilities through smart integrations. It’s impressive how Method CRM links effortlessly with many tools you’re likely already using. This makes it a powerhouse for managing all your customer relationships in one place, cutting down the time you jump between apps. Check out these crucial integrations:

• QuickBooks and Xero: These are fundamental for Method CRM, providing instant two-way updates. Any changes in your accounting software immediately show up in your CRM, and the other way around—saving you from the headache of manual updates.
• Gmail and Outlook: With these integrations, you can handle all your contacts and emails right from your inbox. Picture adjusting customer details or setting up follow-ups without ever exiting your email, streamlining your daily tasks significantly.
• Mailchimp: Ideal for managing email campaigns. By linking Mailchimp with Method CRM, you automatically add new contacts to your lists and synchronize interactions and purchases, sharpening your campaign focus.
• Google Calendar: This connection syncs your schedules straight with Method CRM, making sure you’re always on top of your meetings and avoiding any scheduling conflicts.
• Payment Gateways like PayPal and Stripe: If your business processes payments, integrating these gateways with Method CRM smooths out invoicing and payments, all within one system.
• E-commerce Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce: Great for online retailers, these integrations let you keep track of customer data and transactions directly in your CRM, enhancing record accuracy and customer service efficiency.

Method CRM Customer Service

When reflecting on my encounters with Method CRM support, I’ve experienced varying levels of service. I’m often struck by the speed with which their team addresses simple issues or answers basic questions, showcasing their dedication to a stellar user experience. 

The availability of both phone and live chat options within their multi-channel support system stands out, offering easy access for users to connect in their preferred way. Despite this, there are bumps in the road. During busy periods or when dealing with more intricate problems, I have sometimes found response times to lag, highlighting a need for improvement in efficiency. 

For businesses that rely heavily on their CRM system, swift and proficient support is essential to avoid operational setbacks. Method also provides an extensive selection of training resources that prove to be incredibly useful. 

These resources, together with webinars, effectively equip users, diminishing the need for frequent support calls for smaller issues. I value this proactive strategy—it not only enables users but also reduces the strain on the support team by lessening the demand for straightforward help.

Which Companies Work with Method?

It’s fascinating to see how different businesses harness the power of Method CRM. From my experience and what I’ve seen in the industry, several notable companies across various sectors have adopted Method CRM to optimize their operations. Here’s a snapshot of some of these enterprises:

• ContainerOne
• Signal Fire
• Reliable
• GTM Landscaping

Alternatives

If Method CRM isn’t the right fit for you, explore these alternatives. They offer everything from basic contact management to complex automation and integration. Each option has its strengths, tailored to various business needs and expansion goals. Consider which features align best with your specific requirements.

• Salesforce
• HubSpot CRM
• Zoho CRM
• Pipedrive
• Freshsales

Suitability Assessment

If you’re considering Method CRM for your business, here’s a straightforward guide on when it fits and when it might fall short.

Choose Method CRM if:

• You have already paired your business with QuickBooks
• You value a platform that molds easily to your needs
• Managing leads effectively is vital for your team

Avoid Method CRM if:

• Your team requires complex marketing automation or deep insights from analytics
• You expect robust and ongoing customer support from your CRM provider
• Connecting with VoIP is essential for your operations