Mobile phones are so ubiquitous, they’re practically woven into the fabric of modern society. In fact, they are so essential to how we live today that it’s hard to imagine how we managed to survive without them.
But for all the think pieces about our dependence on our mobile devices and how it’s changed our world, there’s one thing we can all agree on: mobile phones give us immense power at our fingertips.
Use this power wisely, and you will succeed. Especially if you’re in sales. But with so many apps promising more efficiency, more productivity, more, more, more; it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.
We rounded up a handful of good sales prospecting tools, management apps, communication programs, and CRM systems that you absolutely need on your phone NOW.
But first, we’re going to take a look at some of the things you should look for in the best sales apps.
First things first—the app should be compatible with your operating software version and device. This isn’t an issue for most apps since many are available on both Android and iOS, the two most common system software. But if you have a device that runs an older (a.k.a. outdated) version of the software, or if you run completely different software, you may not be able to run some apps.
Before you can ask “what are the best sales apps?”, you must first ask yourself, “what do I need in an app in the first place?” As a sales rep, there are a variety of different tools that you can take advantage of; perhaps you need a more efficient way to communicate with your team, or maybe you need a better way to schedule meetings with prospective clients. Whatever it is, you’ll can an app (or several) that addresses your specific concerns.
Why have a zillion tools that you need to update when you can have just one that integrates with your other programs? While it’s not possible to get literally EVERYTHING you need in one single app, you can drastically reduce the amount of time you spend opening apps and syncing data by simply choosing sales apps that actually work together. For example, Cirrus Insight's sidebar for outlook syncs effortlessly with SalesForce, drastically reducing the amount of admin work for salespeople.
Some apps will allow you to update client info on your CRM, schedule meetings on your calendar, and more—all without ever leaving the central program.
The only thing worse than not finding a good app is finding the perfect one—only to find out that it doesn’t work 60% of the time. Bugs, glitches, and the occasional downtime for maintenance are all pretty normal, even with the best apps. But if it’s broken more than not, it can get pretty frustrating.
The best apps make it to the top not just because of the features they offer, but also because of the support they provide. Their teams work round-the-clock to make sure that your app is up and running when you need it the most. And in case something goes wrong, they should be quick to jump to your assistance. After all, every minute their app is down could cost you clients!
In sales, your bottom line is everything, so we understand if you aren’t willing to spend an arm and a leg for a mobile app. But realistically speaking, there are tons of features or programs hidden behind paywalls that could be beneficial to your business.
When looking at affordability, don’t just look at the number on the price tag. Consider how much money the app could save or earn you. If you can make back twice, thrice, or even 10 times what you paid for it, then it becomes a worthy investment.
App Price: Free
You may know Twitter as a microblogging or social media platform, but it’s also a pretty handy tool if you’re in sales. Connect with people around the world, answer questions, soft pitch your product/service, and live tweet your events.
App Price: Free for basic workspace; Paid plans start at $6.67/active user/month
Workplace communication will never be the same thanks to Slack. You can create separate channels for each of your teams or projects. Collaboration is easy; you can send files, documents, and much more in real-time. Because all of your work happens in the messaging app, you pretty much have everything you need right at your fingertips, allowing you to work faster and more efficiently.
App Price: Free for basic plan; Paid plans start at $7.99/month
Quickly jot down a note, save audio recordings, upload your most important sales documents, bookmark interesting web pages, and create reminders for tasks and meetings—you can do all of that and more with Evernote. This top app for note taking can help you organize your thoughts and make you more productive down the line. Plus, you can access your files anytime, anywhere, from any device.
App Price: Free*
Available on Android and iOS
HubSpot is a very popular customer relationship management tool that’s now available on mobile. From your dashboard, you can see important metrics like how many open deals you have, your close rate, and much more. Plus, pull info on not just your clients but on your team’s performance as well.
*The mobile app is free, but the CRM itself has a free basic package plus paid plans starting at $50/month.
App Price: Free
We’re sure you’re already more than familiar with LinkedIn, the professional social networking platform. But it’s more than just “Facebook for work”, it’s also the best sales app for prospecting. The Sales Navigator, in particular, helps you find prospective clients through targeted search. Also, you can look up a customer before making an appointment with them—ensuring that you never walk into a client meeting unprepared.
App Price: Free for individual use; Paid plans start at $5/active user/month
When you’re meeting up with clients, spending on prospecting tools, and investing in better CRM software, your budget can get out of hand. That’s why an expense management tool is absolutely crucial to protecting your bottom line. Expensify can scan and collate your receipts, compile them into expense reports, and create professional custom invoices at the tap of a button.
App Price: Free for basic plan; Paid plans start at $12.50/active user/month
Cloud storage options like Dropbox let you keep your files on-hand, whether you’re on your phone or on your computer at home. Your team can collaborate real-time on documents inside Dropbox, and you can share large files with your clients without pesky email attachment limits.
App Price: Free for trial; Paid plans start at $12.50/active user/month
Typing out notes can be super tedious on a mobile phone, especially if you’re at a meeting with a client or colleague.
Save yourself the time and effort by recording your notes instead with a dictating tool like Dragon.
Dragon is incredibly accurate at turning your voice recordings into written transcripts, taking note taking to the next level.
App Price: Free for personal edition; Paid plans start at $10/active user/month
In this day and age, does anyone actually sign physical contracts anymore? Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you can’t deny that paperless, digital contracts are the future. Sending your contracts through DocuSign makes it easier for both you and your clients to get things signed quickly and efficiently.
App Price: Free for basic use; Paid plans start at $4.99/month
Available on Android and iOS
One of the biggest lies sales reps tell themselves “I don’t need to write it down, I’ll remember to do that task later.” Wunderlist is a tasklist-on-the-go that helps you stay organized and makes multitasking easier. You can even share your lists with colleagues and clients, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
App Price: Free*
Are you looking for an all-in-one sales tool? Then Cirrus Insight is the one for you. This top app integrates right into Salesforce, the most popular CRM for sales, making it easier to record activities and keep your logs up-to-date. Cirrus Insight also offers no-touch scheduling, Gmail & Outlook integrations, and email/web tracking for better insight. Even better, you can use some of Cirrus Insight's tried-and-tested email templates to increase click-through rates and conversions.
Make the most out of your mobile device, and you’ll have a powerful sales tool right in the palm of your hand. Choose the right app, and you’ll be crushing your quota every single week. Be the best in sales by using the best apps!