Understanding CRM vs CMS is crucial for making the right choice for your business.

But companies like Salesforce and HubSpot that offer complete business suites, including CRM and CMS, can make it confusing for those new to these systems to differentiate between them. 

Knowing the strengths and functions of each can help you decide which system aligns best with your business goals.

In this article, I’ll break down what CRM and CMS are, and their differences, and guide you on how to choose the right system for your business needs. 

Whether you’re looking to boost sales or manage content more efficiently, I’ve got you covered.

What is a CRM?

Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, is a software application that helps businesses track and manage their relationships with potential and existing customers throughout the customer lifecycle, from initial contact to post-sale support.

Without a CRM, businesses manage customer and lead data using spreadsheets, emails, and various disconnected systems. 

This approach creates friction and inefficiencies. CRM software eliminates this friction and allows teams to manage everything in one place.

You can gather all your customer and lead data from different departments like sales, marketing, customer service, and finance in one place.

CRM not only saves time and improves efficiency but also facilitates automation.

When considering what to look for in a CRM, prioritize features that align with your business needs. Key features include contact management, interaction tracking, and automation tools.

Moreover, the advantage of CRM software extends beyond data management. 

It also helps businesses analyze customer behavior, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately drive sales growth.

Some common CRM examples include:

• Salesforce
• HubSpot CRM
• Zoho CRM
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Pipedrive

What is a CMS?

A Content Management System, or CMS for short, is the central hub where you can manage your content. 

It is a software application that provides you with a user-friendly interface to create, manage, edit, and publish content.

A CMS simplifies the process of building and maintaining websites by reducing the need for technical expertise. 

This allows you to concentrate on producing high-quality content rather than getting bogged down with technical details.

You don’t need any technical or coding knowledge to use this system, as it’s designed to be no-code software.

When comparing CMS to client management systems, the main focus of a CMS is on content rather than client relationships.

The benefits of a CMS include ease of use, efficient content management, and streamlined website maintenance.

With a CMS, you can easily update your website, manage multimedia content, and enhance SEO efforts. This efficiency allows you to maintain a dynamic and engaging online presence.

Some common CMS examples include:

• WordPress
• Joomla
• Drupal
• Shopify
• Wix

CRM VS CMS: What’s the difference?

Both CRM and CMS integration can help grow your business.

When deciding between a CRM and a CMS, it's essential to understand their unique functions and how they serve different business needs.

Both systems offer distinct features and benefits, but they cater to different aspects of business operations.

Let's dive into what is the difference between CRM and CMS.

1. Purpose and Functionality

The primary difference between CRM and CMS lies in their core purposes. A CRM focuses on managing customer relationships, tracking interactions, and improving sales processes. 

In comparison, a CMS is designed to manage digital content, streamline content creation, and facilitate website maintenance.

A CRM VS CMS comparison shows that while a CRM stores and tracks customer contact information, including social media interactions, emails, and phone calls, a CMS enables content publishing, simplifies website maintenance, and lowers the barrier to entry for digital marketing efforts.

2. Data Management and Usage

In the CRM vs CMS debate, data management and usage are crucial differentiators.

A CRM excels in organizing and analyzing customer data. It provides insights into customer behavior, tracks sales pipelines, and helps forecast future sales.

This data-centric approach allows businesses to make informed decisions and tailor their marketing strategies to specific customer needs.

On the other hand, a CMS focuses on managing website content and structure. It helps users create, edit, and publish content efficiently, ensuring that the website remains dynamic and up-to-date. 

While a CRM manages data about customers, a CMS handles data about digital content. Both systems manage data, but their focus and applications are fundamentally different.

3. User Roles and Accessibility

When comparing CRM VS CMS, it's important to consider user roles and accessibility. 

A CRM is typically used by sales, marketing, and customer service teams. It allows these departments to collaborate, share insights, and track customer interactions. 

Again, with a CRM, the focus is on improving customer relationships and driving sales growth.

On the flip side, a CMS is primarily used by content creators, editors, and web developers. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing website content without needing extensive technical skills. 

This enables teams to efficiently produce and publish content, ensuring a consistent and engaging online presence.

While both systems improve efficiency, they cater to different user groups and operational needs.

Now, let’s break down the difference between CRM and CMS into more specific aspects.

CRM VS CMS: Which is the right choice for your business?

Between CRM vs CMS, the right choice depends on your business needs. It’s highly likely that you need both. How? Let me explain.

A company might need both CMS and CRM because they serve different purposes. 

While a CRM enhances customer relationships and boosts sales, a CMS streamlines content management and improves web presence.

Here are some scenarios to help you determine which system you need:

CRM is best for you if:

• You want to track your customer journey.
• You aim to close more deals by analyzing customer data.
• You need to manage and automate your sales processes.

CMS is best for you if:

• You want to create, manage, edit, and publish content on your website.
• You need an easy-to-use system for updating your site.
• You aim to streamline content creation and publishing workflows.

If your objectives include both managing customer relationships and maintaining a dynamic web presence, you need both CMS and CRM. 

This integrated approach can enhance overall business efficiency and performance.

Build your perfect custom CRM with Formaloo!

I hope this CRM vs CMS comparison was helpful, and now you know which system is best as per your business needs. 

If you’re looking for a CRM and do not want to rely on pre-made systems that offer little to no customization, Formaloo CRM is what you need.

Formaloo offers you a custom CRM that you can customize yourself from scratch according to your unique business needs. 

Manage leads, sales, and everything in between the way you want - all without ever writing a single line of code.

Ready to give it a shot? Sign up for free here.‍