How to Choose and Use a CRM with Easy Custom Fields Reporting

A CRM with easy custom fields reporting lets you track information unique to your business and create reports that help make sales decisions faster. Many Indian SMBs want this because generic fields don’t capture important details like product variants, lead source specifics, or custom pricing terms.

Why this comes up / what goes wrong

Small business owners and sales leaders often start with spreadsheets or WhatsApp to track leads and sales. As the team grows, this becomes chaotic and slow. They look for a CRM but find that many either have rigid data fields or complex customisation that requires IT help. Without easy custom fields reporting, they can’t analyse key metrics tied to their unique business logic.

For example, a manufacturer might want to track lead interest by product model and region, then generate reports showing conversion rates by these custom fields. Without easy custom fields and reporting, this insight is lost, leading to missed opportunities and poor follow-up prioritisation.

Step-by-step

1. List your unique data needs: Identify exactly what custom data your sales team needs to capture (e.g., product type, lead source details, budget range).
2. Check CRM custom field types: Ensure the CRM supports the field types you need (text, dropdowns, dates, numbers) and that adding or editing them is simple.
3. Verify reporting options: Confirm the CRM can generate reports filtering and grouping by these custom fields without complex queries or coding.
4. Test data entry ease: Try entering data into custom fields on mobile and desktop to ensure your telecalling teams can do it quickly.
5. Check integration with communication tools: Make sure your CRM logs WhatsApp or SMS conversations with leads on their records for a complete view.
6. Evaluate AI assistance: See if the CRM offers AI agents that can draft follow-ups based on your custom data, saving time.
7. Review pricing and plans: Confirm if the CRM offers a free or trial plan that lets you test custom fields and reporting without upfront cost.

Example (fictional figures)

Rajesh runs a small electronics parts business in Pune. He wants to track leads by product category and expected order size, then report monthly sales pipeline value by these fields.

• He adds a custom dropdown field “Product Category” with options: Resistors, Capacitors, ICs.
• He adds a custom number field “Expected Order Size (₹)” to capture estimate.
• In March 2024, he has these leads:
• Lead A: Resistors, ₹1,50,000
• Lead B: Capacitors, ₹2,00,000
• Lead C: ICs, ₹3,50,000

Rajesh runs a report grouping leads by Product Category and summing Expected Order Size:

Resistors: ₹1,50,000 Capacitors: ₹2,00,000 ICs: ₹3,50,000

Total pipeline value = ₹1,50,000 + ₹2,00,000 + ₹3,50,000 = ₹7,00,000

This report helps Rajesh focus on IC leads which have the highest value.

Common mistakes

• Choosing CRM without flexible custom fields: Prevent by testing field creation yourself before buying.
• Ignoring mobile data entry ease: Prevent by trying CRM on phones used by your telecalling team.
• Overcomplicating reports: Prevent by selecting CRM with drag-and-drop or simple filters for reporting.
• Not linking communication logs with custom fields: Prevent by verifying WhatsApp and SMS messages are logged on lead records.
• Skipping AI features that save time: Prevent by exploring AI agents that draft follow-ups based on your custom data.

Doing this in HelloGrowthCRM

HelloGrowthCRM supports WhatsApp and SMS messaging workflows where conversations with a lead are logged on their record, helping your team keep context. Its AI agents (in Beta on Growth plan) draft follow-up messages after calls, so reps only review and send, saving time. For small teams, the Free Forever plan lets two users run a pipeline with custom fields at no cost until you need calling or WhatsApp automation. Learn more about WhatsApp and SMS CRM and the built-in CRM dialer to see how HelloGrowthCRM fits Indian SMB needs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I create unlimited custom fields in a CRM? Most CRMs have limits on custom fields depending on the plan. Check the CRM’s documentation or support to confirm limits and types allowed.

How do custom fields affect reporting? Custom fields enable filtering, grouping, and sorting in reports. The CRM should let you include these fields easily without needing technical skills.

Is it possible to link WhatsApp chats to custom fields in a CRM? Yes, CRMs like HelloGrowthCRM log WhatsApp conversations on lead records, which include custom fields, giving a complete view of interactions.

Do AI agents help with follow-ups based on custom fields? AI agents can draft messages tailored to information in custom fields, improving relevance and saving sales team time.

Can I try custom fields reporting before buying a CRM? Look for free or trial plans that include custom fields and reporting features to test if they meet your needs.

Key takeaways

• Easy custom fields reporting helps Indian SMBs track unique sales data and generate actionable reports.
• Test CRM custom fields creation, data entry ease on mobile, and reporting features before choosing.
• Avoid CRMs with rigid fields or complex reporting that require IT support.
• HelloGrowthCRM logs WhatsApp and SMS conversations on lead records and offers AI agents to draft follow-ups.
• The Free Forever plan lets small teams use custom fields and pipeline management at no cost initially.

Start managing your sales pipeline with custom fields and reporting on HelloGrowthCRM’s Free Forever plan with 200 leads, no credit card required. Visit Start on the Free Forever plan (200 leads, no credit card) to begin today.