21 Best Sales Automation Tools for Agency Owners in 2024

By
Salesforge
June 25, 2024
•
5 min read
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Agency owners only want one thing!

To see their revenue hit the moon 🌜. You can do that with an array of tools designed to refine the efficiency and effectiveness of your sales processes.

The selection of these 21 top sales automation tools, including industry leaders like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and emerging solutions such as Clay, are reshaping how agencies manage client interactions, data analytics, and campaign execution.

Enough chitchat. Let’s learn some new things, yeah?

What is a Sales Automation Tool?

A sales automation tool is a specialized software designed to streamline and automate key tasks in the sales process, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

These tools handle repetitive tasks, freeing time for sales teams to focus on closing deals and nurturing customer relationships.

Essential functions typically managed by sales automation tools include prospect list management, scheduling follow-ups, tracking sales interactions, and analyzing sales projections.

Types of Sales Automation Tools

The array of tools available for sales automation can be overwhelming, each designed to tackle a specific aspect of the sales process.

From data prospecting to CRM software and sales workflow automation, these tools are instrumental in streamlining operations and boosting efficiency.

However, the challenge lies in selecting the right mix of tools that align with your organization's objectives and sales strategy. Understanding the nuances of each tool and how they complement one another is key to achieving a harmonious and effective sales automation ecosystem.

  1. Data Prospecting
  2. Data Enrichment & Verification
  3. Sales Engagement
  4. Sales Intelligence
  5. Sales Calls
  6. Sales Workflow Automation
  7. Meeting Scheduling
  8. Lead Nurturing Tools
  9. CRM Software

Benefits of Sales Automation Tools

Reducing repetitive tasks and minimizing lead leakage are just the start. We could write a 10,000-word article just talking about the benefits of sales automation.

These tools free up valuable time for your team to focus on more strategic activities such as lead nurturing and relationship building.

Moreover, enhanced management capabilities guarantee that every lead is tracked and nurtured, significantly boosting productivity and your bottom line.

  1. Reduce boring, repetitive tasks
  2. Better productivity
  3. Enhanced management
  4. Less probability of lead leakage
  5. Better lead nurturing
  6. Easily make informed decisions
  7. Prioritize leads based on engagement
  8. Efficiently targeting leads based on intent
  9. Better employee engagement

The list can go on n on, so let’s explain the first few ones -

1. Reduce Repetitive Tasks

By automating routine tasks, agency owners can significantly enhance productivity and reduce the risk of human error.

Manual tasks like data entry and scheduling follow-ups allow teams to focus on more strategic activities. These platforms integrate administrative tasks and marketing automation tools, optimizing the sales process.

Automation features designed explicitly for reducing routine tasks in sales productivity can handle repetitive emails, lead qualification, and even customer segmentation without a hitch.

By deploying automation in these areas, agencies minimize errors and free up valuable resources for more impactful work.

2. Increase Productivity

Doing more in less time.

Streamlining sales activities through features like automated follow-up and email templates, these tools not only save valuable time but also improves sales pipeline management.

This allows for a more focused approach to nurturing leads and closing deals faster.

3. Enhance Management

Streamlining various tasks, including sales pipeline oversight, lead status updates, customer relationship management, and contact management.

By automating the tracking of every phase in the sales pipeline, SDRs can guarantee that nothing slips through the cracks, from initial contact to final deal closure.

This level of pipeline management saves time and increases accuracy in forecasting and reporting to make informed decisions. 

Additionally, sales automation tools facilitate better task management and deal tracking, allowing team members to prioritize and efficiently tackle their responsibilities. 

4. Minimize Leads Leakage

By integrating CRM systems, these tools guarantee that all interactions with qualified leads are logged and accessible, enhancing lead management and reducing opportunities for errors.

Efficient email tracking features allow timely follow-up emails, which are vital for maintaining interest and pushing leads further down the sales funnel.

This focused attention prevents leakage and significantly boosts conversion rates by keeping potential clients engaged.

With sales automation, every lead is tracked and nurtured from initial contact to final deal closure, ensuring no opportunity for growth is lost due to oversight or mismanagement.

5. Better Lead Nurturing

Some tools can tell you how many times a lead opened your email, giving you metrics on their engagement.

How does it help with lead nurturing? Well, imagine this: You have a lead who opened your email once and didn't bother answering you. Then there’s another who opened your email multiple times and forwarded it. Who do you think you should prioritize to close the deal?

So yeah…Sales automation tools do help you upgrade your lead nurturing process.

Automating emails, scheduling calls, and tracking interactions help maintain a warm connection until leads are ready to convert.

This consistent engagement builds trust and subtly nudges leads through the sales funnel, increasing the chances of a successful conversion.

Data Prospecting

This process streamlines the lead generation process, allowing for a more targeted approach to sales outreach and increasing the chances of success.

1. LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a crucial tool for agency owners aiming to maximize lead generation and sales prospecting on LinkedIn.

Linkedin Sales Nav review

LinkedIn enables users to find the latest leads, keep up with client updates, and engage prospects directly through InMail.

It seamlessly integrates with existing CRM systems, automatically updating lead details.

Sales Navigator transforms LinkedIn into a robust sales platform. Pricing starts at $99 per user per month or sometimes offers a discounted $79 per user for the annual plan, making it accessible and invaluable for serious prospecting.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • The only source in the world to find and track new leads effectively.
  • Integrates seamlessly with existing CRM systems for automatic updates.
  • Provides direct engagement with prospects via InMail.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

  • Relatively high cost starting at $99 per month.
  • Need other tools to scrape lead data.

2. Clay

Clay revolutionizes sales automation for agency owners by integrating data enrichment and email outreach in one seamless spreadsheet interface.

Clay's pricing

This powerhouse tool combines the functionalities of over 50 data providers, real-time data scraping, and advanced AI for crafting personalized messages—all accessible via a familiar spreadsheet layout.

Users can pinpoint their ideal leads using over 300 attributes, ensuring every outreach is timely and relevant.

Furthermore, Clay's AI-driven system, “CLAYGENT,” doesn't just find leads; it engages them with customized messaging that boosts response rates and increases the number of meetings booked.

Trusted by over 50,000 teams, Clay enables agencies to scale their outbound efforts efficiently without additional personnel, transforming a complex process into a streamlined and effective strategy.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • The world's best prospecting tool integrates over 50 data providers for comprehensive lead targeting.
  • Features AI-driven personalized messaging to enhance engagement and response rates.
  • Streamlines complex sales tasks into a user-friendly spreadsheet interface.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

  • Clay credits can be significantly more expensive than direct API key usage.

3. Better Contact Rocks

BetterContact's unique AI-powered waterfall enrichment tool makes it an indispensable asset for agency owners aiming to maximize their lead engagement efficiently. Connected to over 15 leading data sources like Apollo and Hunter, it guarantees that you'll find every email out there.

Bettercontact

This all-in-one tool enhances your data quality, ensuring over 99.5% accuracy in email verification—no more juggling multiple subscriptions or API keys. And here's the kicker: you only pay when an email is successfully found. For just $15 a month, you get 200 credits to supercharge your sales pipeline, contacting 1.6x more leads than usual.

It's no wonder agency owners say, “Better Contact rocks!”

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Access to over 15 top-tier data sources, ensuring comprehensive coverage and high email-finding rates.
  • The pay-per-result pricing model means you only spend credits when an email is successfully found.
  • Includes automatic email verification with a >99.5% accuracy rate to maintain data quality.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

  • More than a limited free trial offer of 50 credits might be required for accurate testing.
  • It depends on other scraping tools to get leads from LinkedIn.

Data Enrichment & Verification

Data enrichment involves upgrading existing data with additional information, such as job titles or company details. Verification ensures email accuracy by confirming contact details.

These processes streamline sales efforts, increase efficiency, and improve the effectiveness of targeted sales campaigns. Accurate data is critical to successful sales automation strategies.

4. Clearbit

clearbit review

Get real people at the right companies with Clearbit Connect, a free Chrome extension. Seamlessly integrated with Gmail or Outlook, this tool offers detailed prospect profiles and verified emails from your inbox. Switching tabs is unnecessary—just install the extension and start prospecting effortlessly.

Despite its many advantages, Clearbit does have some drawbacks. Some users have reported issues with support responsiveness and occasional inaccuracies in the data provided. Additionally, there are concerns about the methods used for data collection and the freshness of the data, which can impact the reliability of the insights gathered. Nonetheless, for agency owners looking for an integrated solution to enhance their sales process, Clearbit offers a powerful option, blending functionality with ease of use.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Offers detailed prospect profiles directly in Gmail or Outlook, including location and business information. 
  • Acts as an effective lead generation tool that can access various business intelligence data.
  • Provides a user-friendly interface and free monthly credits, enhancing its accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

  • Some users report slow response times from support.

5. ZeroBounce

ZeroBounce provides a robust email validation service that guarantees high deliverability for agency owners looking to optimize their email marketing campaigns.

Zerobounce pricing

This platform is not just about cleaning your email lists; it's about enhancing your overall email performance.

With a 99% accuracy guarantee on email verification, whether you're processing in bulk or in real-time via their API, ZeroBounce guarantees that your communications reach their intended targets. The service includes features such as Email Scoring, Email Finder, and tools for testing email deliverability and monitoring sender reputation, all designed to boost your open rates and ROI.

Additionally, ZeroBounce adheres to GDPR, SOC 2 Type 2, and PCI compliance standards and employs military-grade encryption to safeguard your data throughout the verification process. With 24/7 customer support, ZeroBounce is committed to being a service provider and a reliable partner in your email marketing strategy.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Offers 99% accuracy in email verification for reliable campaign results.
  • Complies with GDPR, SOC 2 Type 2, and PCI standards, ensuring high data security.
  • Provides 24/7 customer support to assist with any issues or queries.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

  • Some users experience restrictions with their domain due to high numbers of invalid email addresses.

6. Reoon Email Verification

For agency owners seeking to enhance email campaign efficiency, Reoon Email Verification offers a sophisticated tool that verifies email addresses with over 99% accuracy, ensuring minimal bounce rates and excellent sender reputation.

Reoon Email Verification

This tool verifies emails from significant providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft and detects temporary and disposable addresses, reducing wasteful spending.

The quick API validation feature is impressive. It verifies emails live during user registration in just 0.5 seconds. Reoon can also check the validity of custom domain emails from any domain registrar.

Whether cleaning up existing lists or validating new entries, Reeon's system swiftly and reliably handles bulk tasks, providing detailed reports to meticulously improve your email strategy. 

Say goodbye to uncertainty in email marketing with Reeon's robust verification solutions.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • A high accuracy rate of over 99% ensures minimal bounce rates.
  • Capable of verifying emails from significant providers and detecting disposable addresses.
  • Quick API validation allows for real-time email verification during user registration.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

It may be less cost-effective for minimal email lists due to bulk-oriented features.

Sales Engagement

Effective sales engagement is crucial for building strong relationships with potential customers and converting leads into successful sales. Sales engagement tools help sales teams streamline communication, track interactions, and personalize outreach.

These tools often include email tracking, automated follow-ups, and sales call analytics. By utilizing sales engagement tools, businesses can enhance communication strategies, increase customer satisfaction, and boost sales performance.

7. Salesforge.ai

Salesforge revolutionizes cold email automation, making it the ideal choice for agency owners seeking to expand their client pipeline efficiently without the burden of high software costs.

Saleforge pricing

Once you’re done building your cold email infrastructure only then can you utilize cold email tools.

Developed by a team including a former VP of Sales and self-professed growth-hacking tech geeks, Salesforge offers a complete solution to the high costs often associated with the sales software.

With a decade of B2B sales experience fueling its development, this tool addresses the inefficiencies of needing separate tools for email sequencing, inbox warming, email validation, and personalization. Salesforge supports multilingual email campaigns in English, French, German, and Spanish.

It simplifies scaling operations by allowing unlimited users and mailboxes from different email hosting providers and charging only when you scale your sales efforts, ensuring that costs align with your actual growth.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Comprehensive features include email sequencing, inbox warming, and multilingual support.
  • Cost-effective with no additional charge for extra mailboxes and users.
  • Flexible subscription plans with no contract commitment and options to upgrade anytime.
  • Primebox feature works just like a master inbox. But better.

8. Hyperise

Why settle for ordinary when you can captivate your audience with Hyperise, the ultimate personalization tool for agency owners looking to elevate their email and ad campaigns?

Hyperise pricing

Since 2019, Hyperise has been enhancing marketing strategies by allowing users to integrate personalized images, videos, and landing pages effortlessly. This tool not only improves visual appeal but also dramatically increases engagement rates.

While the setup process might be challenging, the detailed tutorials and responsive support team guarantee a smooth onboarding experience. Moreover, Hyperise continues to innovate, adding new features and integrations that keep it at the forefront of personalization technology.

Agency owners report immediate ROI and improved client relationships, making Hyperise a valuable asset in their marketing toolkit.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • It provides various personalization options, including images, videos, and landing pages.
  • It comes with detailed tutorials and a supportive, responsive customer service team.
  • Continuously innovating with new features and integrations to remain a leader in the personalization space.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

The initial setup process can be complex and time-consuming.

9. Bhuman.ai

Bhuman.ai, with its advanced AI video personalization capabilities, is an excellent tool for agency owners looking to enhance client engagement and conversion rates.

Bhuman.ai pricing

This platform allows you to create a digital clone that can interact with your audience through personalized videos, giving the impression of direct communication tailored just for them. This level of customization leads to notably higher engagement metrics, as evidenced by reported increases in open rates and click-throughs, resulting in up to four times the conversions.

Additionally, Bhuman.ai's integration with over 6,000 apps ensures seamless automation across various platforms, enhancing its utility and efficiency. The technology saves time and scales client interactions, making it an indispensable tool for agencies aiming to innovate and expand.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • High customization and personalization through AI clones increase user engagement and conversion rates.
  • Integrates seamlessly with over 6,000 apps, enhancing utility and automation capabilities.
  • Provides a scalable solution for client interactions, saving time and increasing efficiency.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

It may require an initial technical setup and learning curve for optimal use.

Sales Intelligence

Sales intelligence tools provide valuable insights into market trends, competitor analysis, and customer behavior patterns to optimize sales strategies and decision-making processes.

These tools enable sales teams to make informed decisions, tailor their approach to individual prospects, and stay ahead of the competition.

10. Leadfeeder

Leadfeeder excels in transforming anonymous website traffic into actionable, high-value leads, making it an ideal tool for agency owners focused on precision targeting and effective lead generation.

Leadfeeder

By identifying companies visiting your website, Leadfeeder reveals who they are, how they found you, and their areas of interest. This insight allows for the strategic qualification of leads using advanced filters that assess visitor behavior and demographics.

Moreover, Leadfeeder integrates seamlessly with major CRM systems, enhancing the efficiency of sales teams by automating the lead nurturing process. It supports Account-Based Marketing (ABM) by pinpointing key decision-makers within these companies, enabling direct and personalized outreach. This ensures that no potential lead slips through unnoticed or unengaged.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Identifies and qualifies companies visiting your website, enhancing lead generation accuracy.
  • Integrates seamlessly with major CRM systems to streamline lead management processes.
  • Supports ABM by providing direct access to key decision-makers, improving outreach effectiveness.

đź‘ŽDownsides: Understanding and utilizing all features effectively and fully may require a learning curve.

11. Gong

Gong's is a revenue Intelligence Platform offering transformative insights into customer interactions, making it ideal for agency owners seeking to make data-driven decisions and accelerate revenue growth.

Gong captures and analyzes customer interactions across various channels by harnessing proprietary AI technology, providing a granular view that powers strategic alignment and decision-making.

This platform not only boosts team productivity by fostering better collaboration across departments but also enhances the accuracy of sales forecasts. Despite minor issues like occasional confusion in tracking communications across multiple deals, Gong's intuitive interface and deep analytical capabilities make it a robust tool for any agency focused on refining sales strategies and improving overall efficiency.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Enhances cross-functional collaboration and accessibility to customer interaction data.
  • Provides detailed and actionable insights for accurate and granular sales forecasting.
  • A simple and intuitive interface facilitates easy adoption and usage.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

  • May send notifications outside of work hours, leading to potential disturbances.

12. Cognism

Cognism changed sales automation for agency owners by offering phone-verified mobile numbers and B2B emails, ensuring higher connectivity and conversation rates with potential clients.

The tool can connect with 87% of your target list thanks to its rigorous phone verification process. This means you spend less time dealing with incorrect contacts and more time engaging in meaningful conversations.

With Cognism, your sales teams can expect three times more live interactions, significantly boosting productivity and potential sales outcomes.

Whether targeting local or global markets, Cognism's expansive international coverage ensures you have the essential data at your fingertips, ready to transform prospects into profitable relationships.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Provides phone-verified mobile numbers and B2B emails, ensuring high connectivity with potential clients.
  • Integrates effortlessly with popular CRM and sales tools like Salesforce and HubSpot, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Offers international coverage, enabling effective targeting in both local and global markets.
  • Focus on quality GDPR and CCPA-compliant data. 
  • Database checked and cleaned against global DNC lists.

đź‘ŽDownside:

It may not suit businesses looking for a solution to a problem that Cognism needs to be designed to address.

Sales Calls

Have you considered the impact of incorporating cold calling into your sales strategy to engage potential customers directly?

Cold calling remains a powerful tool in sales, allowing for direct interactions that can personalize the sales process.

These two are our favorite tools for cold-calling prospects.

Remember, you don't need both of these tools. Just choose one!

13. Myphoner

Myphoner excels as a cost-effective, all-encompassing cold-calling solution tailored for solo entrepreneurs and small sales teams seeking simplicity and efficiency in their operations.

Myphoner pricing

This software streamlines the sales calling process by eliminating unnecessary complexities, allowing your business to expand without straining your wallet. Myphoner is designed for quick adaptation and minimal operational friction with a user-friendly interface and straightforward setup.

Offered in tiered pricing plans, Myphoner makes it easy to scale up as your agency grows. Features like email integration, pipeline automation, and intelligent caller ID management enhance productivity, while premium support ensures you have the help needed to optimize your campaigns effectively. Whether managing multiple clients or starting, Myphoner provides the tools for dynamic sales management.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • User-friendly interface facilitates quick setup and ease of use.
  • Flexible pricing plans with features that scale with your business needs.
  • Comprehensive features like email integration, pipeline automation, and intelligent caller ID management enhance productivity.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

Some users find it challenging to navigate between records if not used daily.

14. Aircall

Aircall is an excellent choice for agency owners seeking a robust VoIP solution with unlimited calling in the US and Canada and extensive app integrations.

Aircall pricing

Originating in 2014, Aircall has carved a niche by offering essential services like business SMS, call recording, and call monitoring and supporting teamwork through shared contacts and a shared call inbox.

Despite a higher price point starting at $30 per user, the platform justifies the cost with over 100 app integrations and the ability to add international and toll-free numbers. However, it does require a minimum of three users, making it less ideal for tiny teams.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Unlimited calling in the US and Canada.
  • Over 100 app integrations enhance functionality.
  • Features like business SMS and shared call inbox support effective team collaboration.

đź‘ŽDownsides: Requires a minimum of three users to sign up.

Sales Workflow Automation

If you use multiple SaaS to run your business, workflow automation tools like Zapier, pabbly, and make.com allow SaaS products to talk to each other and automate massive amounts of tasks.

This automation software helps sales teams manage leads, track customer interactions, and automate repetitive tasks.

15. Zapier

Zapier's ability to connect over 2,000 apps makes it an indispensable tool for agency owners seeking to streamline their sales processes through automation.

Zapier pricing

This powerful platform allows for creating automated workflows, known as Zaps, which can handle tasks ranging from simple data entry to complex business processes without coding.

Imagine not having to toggle between different applications to update a spreadsheet or send a follow-up email; Zapier does that seamlessly for you.

With its user-friendly interface, setting up Zaps is a breeze, even for those with minimal technical knowledge. Additionally, its support for a vast array of apps means that most tools you use are already integrated, making your workday much smoother and more efficient.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • It integrates over 2,000 apps, facilitating extensive connectivity options.
  • User-friendly interface makes it easy to set up and manage workflows.
  • Supports complex multi-step automation without requiring coding skills.

đź‘ŽDownside:

Users will have to go through a steep learning curve to use Zapier to its full potential. Even though they have quite a lot of helpful content, it still won't be enough to cater to your specific needs.

Meeting Scheduling

Efficiently coordinating meetings with clients and prospects is a critical aspect of sales processes, necessitating Meeting Scheduling tools for seamless organization and communication.

These tools help sales professionals to quickly set up appointments, avoid scheduling conflicts, and send automated reminders.

The same case applies here. You don't need both of these tools. Just choose one. Unless you have very specific problems and need additional features like forms, then choose Chili Piper.

16. Calendly

Calendly streamlines appointment scheduling for agency owners by offering an intuitive user experience and easy client meeting setups.

Calendly pricing

This tool reduces the burden of manual coordination, enabling clients to view available times and book appointments that align with their schedules.

With features like calendar synchronization and customizable booking pages, Calendly enhances operational efficiency. It supports integration with popular platforms like Stripe, PayPal, Zoom, and various CRM software, ensuring a seamless workflow.

However, some limitations include the inability to remove Calendly branding without upgrading to higher-tier plans and the absence of recurring appointment setups in the free version. Despite these drawbacks, Calendly remains a robust tool for optimizing client engagement and managing time more effectively.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Intuitive user experience simplifies appointment setups.
  • Supports integration with significant payment and video conferencing platforms.
  • Customizable booking pages enhance client interactions.

While you can do most things with the free tier, sadly, it just sends a follow-up doesn't send a follow-up reminder email before a call on the free tier.

17. Chili Piper

For agency owners looking to enhance their inbound conversion rates, Chili Piper offers a robust suite of tools designed to streamline lead management and scheduling processes.

Chili Piper

This platform, celebrated by industry giants like Intuit and Spotify, optimizes customer interactions through features like Form Concierge, which boosts conversion rates by immediately qualifying and routing leads from web forms.

Additionally, Chili Piper includes Handoff and Instant Booker, facilitating seamless meeting scheduling and handover between reps.

Users appreciate its seamless integration with popular CRMs and responsive customer support, although some note occasional issues with system stability and customization limitations.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Integrates smoothly with most tech stacks, enhancing utility across various CRM systems.
  • Provides a high level of customer support with knowledgeable and friendly staff.
  • Features like one-click scheduling and automatic lead distribution improve operational efficiency.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

Some users need help in manual processes, like selecting specific account executives.

Lead Nurturing Tools

Lead nurturing tools streamline cultivating and engaging potential leads, crucial in optimizing sales efforts and maximizing conversion rates.

These tools automate personalized communication with leads, providing relevant content and maintaining engagement throughout the sales cycle.

‍

18. GetResponse

GetResponse, with its diverse array of tools, including email marketing, automation, and webinar hosting, is an ideal choice for agency owners looking to streamline their client engagement and conversion processes.

Getresponse Pricing

Celebrating over a quarter-century of innovation, GetResponse excels with a user-friendly interface that's incredibly welcoming for beginners yet robust enough for seasoned marketers. Agencies benefit from features like customizable dashboards, integration with other marketing tools, and advanced AI-driven capabilities like innovative subject line generation.

Despite its few limitations in email software compatibility and mobile responsiveness, its all-encompassing suite—spanning everything from email campaigns to webinars—makes it a powerhouse for nurturing leads and boosting conversions.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Supports 15+ languages, enhancing accessibility for global users.
  • Integrates smoothly with other marketing tools, providing a seamless experience.
  • Offers advanced features like AI-driven subject line generation and webinar hosting.

đź‘ŽDownsides:

Limited compatibility with other email marketing software for contact list migration.

19. ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign excels in email marketing automation, making it an ideal choice for agency owners who require a robust, feature-rich platform to enhance customer engagement and streamline their marketing efforts.

Active campaign pricing

Starting at $29 per month, it offers detailed automation workflows tailored for solopreneurs.

Despite a somewhat busy dashboard and a steeper learning curve, it compensates with excellent email deliverability—scoring about 90% in recent tests—and detailed reporting features, including click maps and geo-tracking.

The lack of a free plan and short trial period are downsides, but free migrations and an array of integration options strengthen its appeal. ActiveCampaign positions itself as not just a tool but a powerhouse for executing a cohesive marketing strategy efficiently.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Extensive automation capabilities streamline marketing processes effectively.
  • High email deliverability rates ensure messages reach their intended audience.
  • Comprehensive reporting features like click-maps and geo-tracking provide valuable insights.

👎Downsides: 

The dashboard can be overwhelming, presenting a steeper learning curve for new users.

CRM Software

CRM software is essential for managing customer relationships and enhancing sales processes. It gives businesses a centralized platform to track interactions, analyze data, and improve customer engagement.

By storing customer information in a single location, companies can streamline communication, personalize interactions, and forecast sales trends.

CRM software is valuable in driving business growth with features like contact management, lead tracking, and reporting capabilities.

20. Close

Why should agency owners choose Close as their sales automation tool?

Close.io pricing

Close is an efficient CRM explicitly designed for small—to mid-sized businesses, making it an ideal choice for agency owners. This platform offers an integrated calling feature, allowing direct calls from the software, which significantly streamlines sales communications. Additionally, its two-way email sync ensures that all communications are automatically tracked, providing a detailed overview of client interactions.

Close is cost-effective and boasts a user-friendly interface that enhances workflow and productivity. Its customizable reporting and extensive API support allow easy integration with other tools, making it a versatile choice for tech-savvy teams. Close mainly benefits SaaS and sales agencies looking for robust yet affordable CRM solutions.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Integrated calling allows direct communication from the platform.
  • Two-way email sync for automatic tracking of all communications.
  • User-friendly interface that enhances workflow and productivity.

👎Downsides: 

Limited integration options compared to other CRM platforms.

21. Pipedrive

Pipedrive excels as a deal-driven CRM solution, ideal for small to mid-sized business owners seeking to streamline their sales process with enhanced visibility and efficiency.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive offers a practical, albeit not exhaustive, toolkit for proactive sales management starting at $14.90 monthly.

Their intuitive interface simplifies the management of complex sales pipelines, while the tool's automation features guarantee no call or email slips through the cracks.

Visualizing the entire sales cycle helps teams overcome uncertainties plaguing CRM implementation.

Despite some limitations in customization and the lack of a free plan, Pipedrive remains a robust option, with features like a machine learning-powered sales assistant and built-in telephony available in most plans.

đź’ĄTop Features:

  • Intuitive interface and deal-driven workflow.
  • Solid mobile apps with call and email synchronization.
  • Visualization of the sales process enhances team efficiency.

đź‘ŽDownsides: - Limited functionality for the price.

How To Choose Sales Automation Software

Selecting the right sales automation software enhances your agency's productivity and sales effectiveness. Consider factors such as:

  1. User Experience
  2. Integration
  3. Features
  4. Customer Support
  5. Reviews

Additionally, evaluate the quality of customer support and read through user reviews to gauge the software's reliability and performance in real-world scenarios.

1. User Experience

An intuitive user interface is essential when choosing sales automation software, ensuring it aligns well with agency owners' needs.

No matter how feature-rich a tool may be, its effectiveness is nullified if moving through it feels like solving a Rubik's cube.

Remember, the goal here is to streamline operations, not to introduce a new puzzle. Select a tool that feels more like a helper than a hurdle, ensuring it comes with clear instructions or tutorials to support your team's tech abilities.

2. Integration

Choosing a sales automation tool that integrates seamlessly with existing systems is essential for maintaining operational continuity and efficiency. When selecting software, verifying that it complements and enhances your current technology ecosystem is critical.

  • CRM Compatibility: Confirm the tool integrates effortlessly with your existing CRM to streamline customer interactions.
  • Access: Seek robust Webhook or API options that connect with various third-party applications.
  • Seamless Integration: Aim for a tool that merges without disrupting your current processes, maintaining a smooth operational flow.

3. Features

Identifying the specific features your agency requires from sales automation software is essential for enhancing efficiency and achieving your sales targets. Consider what your sales process demands:

Do you need robust tools for lead prospecting to fill your pipeline?

Is email automation essential to maintain consistent communication with your prospects?

Meeting scheduling features are necessary to streamline appointments and keep your team organized.

Pay attention to the significance of pipeline management functionalities, which provide a clear view of sales progress and opportunities.

4. Customer Support

Adequate customer support is essential when selecting sales automation software for your agency. This aspect is critical because even the most advanced tools can encounter issues, and you'll want reliable help readily available.

Here are vital points to contemplate regarding customer support:

  • 24/7 Assistance: Confirm if the provider offers round-the-clock support.
  • Multiple Support Channels: Availability of phone support, email support, and live chat options.
  • Resource Availability: Check if they provide tutorials, guides, and FAQs to help you navigate minor issues or better understand features.
  • Responsiveness: Ensure the support team is responsive and helpful, which can significantly ease potential disruptions in your sales operations.

5. Reviews

Reviews from current users offer invaluable insights into sales automation software's real-world performance and reliability. 

When selecting software, look for testimonials, customer ratings, and reviews.

From -

  • G2
  • Capterra
  • Reddit
  • Linkedin
  • Trustpilot
  • Facebook groups

Platforms are treasure troves of such information, guiding you to make an informed choice and reveal potential limitations.

It is essential to examine feedback regarding usability, which affects daily operations and integrations and determines how well the software will play with other tools you use. 

Additionally, insights into customer support are essential—knowing that help is at hand can be a dealbreaker.

To Wrap It All Up

Sales automation tools demand a discerning eye and a clear understanding of one's business needs.

The 21 tools offer robust solutions catering to diverse aspects of the sales process.

By effectively harnessing these tools, you can keep your ship sailing smoothly and guarantee it is on the right course toward enhanced productivity and profitability.

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Salesforge
Marketing