What is a CRM app?

A customer relationship management (CRM) application is a web or mobile application that enables users to create and manage contact information for their clients, leads, and prospects. CRM apps generally include a dashboard that contains metrics related to the performance of the user’s business. Some may also include features such as data analysis tools, sales tracking tools, project management tools, email templates, and calendars. CRM apps are similar to most other business management apps with a focus on sales automation. Salesforce is the dominant example of a CRM app. Examples of CRM apps built with Crowdbotics:

• An estimate tool for the countertop stone industry. The app will consist of the following features: Basic CRM function with customer profile and contact information. 2D capability with drag and drop to make countertop drawings for specific areas.
• An app for church-goers that track person after they scan the QR codes assigned for them. They would like this app to be white-labeled so many different churches can use it and populate categories with their own information and branding. Options on the page will be: Name of church, leadership, mission statement, history, hours of operation.

What is the typical cost to build a CRM app?

A CRM app usually costs about $37,500 to build. However, the total cost can be as low as $25,000 or as high as $50,000. A CRM app with a low number of features (also known as a minimum viable product, or MVP) will be more affordable than an app that includes all intended functionality. For example, here are some previous CRM app price quotes from Crowdbotics:

• $52,500
• $17,500

How long does it take to build a CRM app?

A CRM app usually takes 467 hours to build. However, a CRM app can be built in as few as 200 hours, or in as many as 933 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your specific app is. As a general rule, it will take longer if you require highly custom designs, niche features, complex logic, or non-standard release platforms. For example, some previous CRM apps build with Crowdbotics received the following hourly estimates:

• 700
• 233

How to successfully grow your CRM application

A CRM app can grow rapidly by targeting an underserved market. For example, a CRM app that helps small businesses manage their email marketing can show early adopters the value of its product by offering to manage their email marketing campaigns for free. The idea is that if they see results right away, these companies will be more likely to sign up for the paid version of the product as their business grows.

Risks and challenges of building a CRM application

CRM apps face risks related to the storage and protection of sensitive personal data, as well as compliance with privacy laws. Many companies are subject to the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework, which requires companies to comply with a number of data security and privacy principles in order to transfer personal information from the European Union to the United States. In addition, many US companies must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other federal regulations designed to protect the privacy of protected health information (PHI).