Bonfire Rating: 4.4/5
Really Simple Systems is a fantastic tool for SMBs that pretty to keep things really simple (hence the name)!
Really Simple Systems
Learn More Today!-
Powerful Contact Management
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Free Forever Plan
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Great Reporting & Analytics
Without a CRM, you might be ghosting prospective clients without even realizing it.
But fear not, a CRM is like your own ghost whisperer, helping you keep in touch with potential customers and prevent them from vanishing into the ether.
I’m AJ—here to cut through the white noise. I’ve spent the better part of a decade building my business to a multiple seven-figure exit.
Now, with Small Business Bonfire (SBB), I’ve made it my mission to help fellow entrepreneurs get to where I am (without making the same mistakes).
So let’s talk about a CRM solution the SBB team and I think is fantastic—Really Simple Systems.
We took a deep dive into the platform (over three months) to bring you our unbiased Really Simple Systems CRM review.
Let’s dig in!
Be sure to check out our list of the best CRMs for Small Businesses when you’re finished reading!
You Can Trust Small Business Bonfire
Small Business Bonfire has been testing and reviewing software for well over a decade. Our mission—to help you, our Bonfire Nation, start & scale your business. For more info on how we test, please read this article here.
What is Really Simple Systems CRM?
Really Simple Systems is essentially an all-in-one cloud-based CRM system that’s designed for (you guessed it) simplicity!
Some of the features offered by Really Simple Systems CRM include:
- Multiple deal pipelines
- Contact management
- Task management
- Email marketing campaigns
- Workflow automation capabilities
- Reporting and analytics
With affordable plans that scale, tons of automation, and great email marketing tools, we think Really Simple Systems is a no-brainer for SMBs.
It’s also fantastic for startups due to a great free plan and virtually no learning curve whatsoever.
So, if you’re a small business owner running scared from the tech lingo and complex jargon of CRM systems, it’s time to put down that paper bag you’re hyperventilating into.
Take a deep breath, and let Really Simple Systems hold your hand, guiding you through the CRM landscape.
Pros and Cons of the Really Simple Systems CRM
Really Simple Systems CRM has a lot of benefits, but it’s important to look at the downsides as well. Here are the pros and cons of Really Simple Systems.
Really Simple Systems Pros
- User-friendly Interface
- Affordable and scalable pricing
- Superb customer support
- Great reporting features
Really Simple Systems Cons
- No mobile app
- Lacks sales features such as lead prospecting and pipeline views
- No advanced marketing features, such as A/B testing and landing page creation
Who is Really Simple Systems CRM Best Suited For?
Really Simple Systems CRM is a charming companion for various business sizes.
Here’s who we think Really Simple Systems is best suited for:
- Small Businesses – Small businesses will find this CRM to be a lifesaver due to its affordability and scalability. The system grows as you grow, (and its budget-friendly nature won’t make your accountant want to pull their hair out). Plus, the user-friendly interface ensures you won’t need a Ph.D. in computer science to get things running.
- Midsize Businesses – Midsize businesses stand to benefit from its automation capabilities, allowing you to streamline your workflows and make tedious tasks a thing of the past.
- Startups – For startups, the free plan is more attractive than a double rainbow. Couple that with its simplicity, and you have a CRM that won’t send your bootstrapping efforts into a tailspin. The virtually non-existent learning curve makes it perfect to learn on (and onboard your entire team painlessly).
Who is Really Simple Systems CRM Not Suited For?
Let’s face it, Really Simple Systems isn’t for everyone.
Here’s who we think it’s not the best fit for:
- Large Corporations – The lack of advanced features such as A/B testing, lead prospecting, and pipeline views could leave larger corporations wanting. If you’re a big cheese looking for a CRM that can handle complex sales processes and big data, you might find Really Simple Systems a bit too… simple.
- Mobile Warriors – Sadly, Really Simple Systems has yet to release a mobile app. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re constantly on the go or your team relies on mobile devices for work.
- Marketing-focused teams – If your business is focused on marketing above all else, Really Simple Systems might not be up to your speed. The platform doesn’t offer the ability to create landing pages or conduct A/B testing within your CRM. In this case, you might have to look elsewhere or brace yourself for using additional tools alongside Really Simple Systems.
Really Simple Systems Software Pricing
Really Simple Systems presents excellent value for money with its scalable pricing plans.
There’s even a free option for startups or businesses on a tight budget!
The plans are as follows:
- Free Plan – Free forever
- Starter Plan – $17/month per user
- Professional Plan – $33/month per user
- Enterprise Plan – $50/month per user
How Does Really Simple Systems Pricing Compare?
In the vast jungle of CRMs, how does Really Simple Systems stack up against giants like HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Insightly?
Let’s make a quick comparison, shall we?
Really Simple Systems – $17/month per user
- Free plan
- Powerful contact management
- Email marketing
- Multiple pipelines
- Intuitive user interface
HubSpot – $50/month for 2 users
- Free plan
- Basic contact management
- Email marketing
- 1 pipeline with the basic plan
- Intuitive user interface
Zoho CRM – $12/month per user
- Free plan
- Powerful contact management
- Email marketing
- Multiple pipelines
- Intuitive user interface
Insightly – $29/month per user
- No free plan
- Basic contact and lead management tools
- Email marketing
- Multiple pipelines
- Intuitive user interface
As you can see, it’s pretty close between Zoho CRM at $12/month and Really Simple Systems at $17/month. In terms of features, Really Simple Systems wins out for being the easiest to use.
However, in terms of pricing, we’ve got to give it to Zoho CRM for being the most affordable. It’s worth noting that both platforms both offer a fantastic free plan for SMBs to take advantage of.
Overall, it’s a tie between the two in our book. Both Zoho CRM and Really Simple Systems have a lot going for them, so why not try both and decide for yourself? They do both have free plans.
Really Simple Systems Pricing Tips
Really Simple Systems CRM Core Features
We put Really Simple Systems' contact management platform to the test over three months at Small Business Bonfire, and it was a breeze!
Creating new contacts was as easy as stealing candy from a baby (though we don't condone such behavior).
Don't just take our word for it; here's how it looked.
As you can see, the fields are laid out in a way that's simple and easy to read. With just one click and a few fields completed, we were able to create a new contact.
The customizable dashboard made us feel like bosses. We could add, remove, and rearrange the elements to our heart's content.
This is great for niche businesses or SMBs in a specialized industry such as healthcare.
Here's our dashboard view with some affiliate marketing contacts put in.
The only downside to this feature (in our opinion) was the lack of customization within each contact card. We wanted to add our own SBB flair but were left feeling a little deflated.
This wasn't a deal-breaker, though—we still highly recommend Really Simple Systems for all your contact management needs!
Picture this: You're a salesperson. You've got potential customers in the pipeline waiting to be won over. But the pipeline itself? It's a mess.
That's where Really Simple Systems comes in—to help you get organized to close more deals and ensure leads don't fall through the cracks!
With their pipeline management tools, you can keep track of potential customers and where they are in the buying process.
With Really Simple Systems CRM, you can easily get an overview of the following:
- How many leads are in each pipeline
- What stage of the buying process they're in
- Who is responsible for specific leads
To really test the capabilities of the pipeline management tools, we added our affiliate marketing partnerships.
Here's what it looked like to give you a better idea.
We really liked how everything with Really Simple Systems' pipeline management was extremely easy to use.
Our one complaint with the CRM software is that there's no way to change our pipeline view.
This is pretty disappointing, especially because basically every other CRM we've tested offers at least a board view, if nothing else.
However, if you need a way to get organized (without all the nuts and bolts of a more expensive platform), Really Simple Systems has got you covered!
Are you tired of feeling like a marketing novice regarding your small business? Look no further than Really Simple Systems' email marketing campaign capabilities.
At Small Business Bonfire, we put this platform to the test for three months and were blown away by how many great campaigns we were able to create.
We were able to create endless campaigns, and our subscribers couldn't wait to click that "Open Email" button.
One of our favorites was the "Bonfire Field Guide Introduction" campaign which we created to introduce our comprehensive guide to the Bonfire Nation.
Here's how the creation process looked for the first email in our campaign.
We loved how each helpful template offered by Really Simple Systems was fully customizable with a drag-and-drop interface.
We were able to easily add the following:
- Text
- Text Panels
- Buttons
- Social Buttons
- Images
- Videos
- Spacers
With Really Simple Systems' email marketing campaign capabilities, you'll light a fire to keep your subscribers engaged and clicking for months to come!
If you're like me, you only want one thing from your task management system—simplicity.
No need for bells and whistles that make you feel like you're flying a spaceship instead of ticking off your to-do list.
Really Simple Systems is just what it sounds like - straightforward and easy to use. It's like a friendly neighborhood dog that greets you every morning and makes your day just a little bit better.
Sure, it might not balance your checkbook or do your laundry, but it'll bark at you until you get that report done on time. Who needs fancy features when you've got a trusty companion like that?
We got started testing this feature (over three months) by adding tasks from our day-to-day at Small Business Bonfire. These tasks were specifically related to our affiliate marketing contacts.
We loved how easy it was to add and manage our tasks from Really Simple Systems.
Here's how our tasks dashboard looked after we had put in some tasks.
Overall, Really Simple Systems may not have the most advanced task management features, but what they do have is well worth the price of admission!
Known for its simplicity, Really Simple Systems doesn't skimp out on workflow automation either.
If you're like us at Small Business Bonfire, you prefer to work smarter, not harder, and automated workflows are the epitome of smart work.
Over a three-month period, we tested this platform to the hilt, creating a plethora of automation rules that did all sorts of heavy lifting for us.
Say goodbye to manual data entry and repetitive tasks, and say hello to automated processes that streamline your business operations.
From setting triggers for follow-up emails to automatically updating contact statuses, we built automations that kept us organized and efficient while letting us kick back and watch the magic happen.
Here's a sneak peek at how we set up a basic automation rule to assign a new user to a newly created deal.
First, we were able to select a trigger.
We went with "Event" in this case. Then we simply clicked "New Opportunity is Created." Then, we added an action to assign a new user.
The rest was history! The automation worked like a charm. Here's our finished product (that took less than 5 minutes to create).
But fair warning, once you get a taste of automation with Really Simple Systems, there's no going back.
It's like having a virtual assistant who never takes a coffee break or calls in sick. Welcome to the future of work, folks!
Do you need to keep track of quotations and estimates for your small business?
Look no further than Really Simple Systems' quotation system! With easy-to-use options, you can quickly create accurate quotes to ensure you never miss out on a sale.
It's designed with the customer in mind, so they know exactly what services or products they're getting and how much it's going to cost them.
We tested this feature for several months and were impressed with how quickly we could get quotes out the door.
In just a few clicks, we could whip up an estimate for our customers and have it sent off quickly. So if you're looking for a simple but powerful way to create quotes, Really Simple Systems has got you covered!
Looking for a Sherlock Holmes to your Dr. Watson in the world of data?
Turn your gaze to Really Simple Systems' reporting and analytics.
It's like having your personal detective agency deciphering cryptic data and transforming them into easy-to-understand reports. Whether it's about your sales or marketing campaigns or any of the arcane arenas of your business, this feature is your decoder ring.
During our testing phase at Small Business Bonfire, we developed a certain fondness for how effortlessly we could create comprehensive reports.
One of our brightest moments was creating a report for our sales forecast. (Sherlock would have been proud!). By meticulously gathering and decoding the vital data, we projected sales like we were seeing into the future.
Here's a peek at what our sales forecast report looked like.
In sum, if data-crunching is your game, Really Simple Systems' Reporting & Analytics feature is your winning move. It's your secret agent in the world of numbers, making you the master of your data universe!
What are the Limitations of Really Simple Systems?
Despite its charms, Really Simple Systems isn’t without its limitations.
These include the following:
- A bit basic for larger businesses – While it’s perfect for SMBs, those that have scaled up might find themselves outgrowing Really Simple Systems. Its features may be a bit too basic for larger businesses with complex requirements.
- No mobile app – In our ever-connected, on-the-go world, a mobile app is a must-have for many CRM users. Unfortunately, Really Simple Systems lags behind in this area as it lacks a mobile application. Users can’t access their CRM data when out and about, which can be a significant disadvantage for those who thrive on mobility and flexibility.
- Lacks advanced marketing and sales features – The platform is wonderful for basic tasks, but those looking for sophisticated marketing and sales tools, like landing page creation and lead prospecting, might find it lacking. Really Simple Systems doesn’t provide these advanced features, which can be a significant drawback for businesses aiming to augment their marketing and sales efforts.
Really Simple Systems Integrations
Really Simple Systems doesn’t just play nicely with its features – it also integrates with a handful of other software to make your life a bit easier.
Here are some of the integrations you can utilize to supercharge your operations:
- Zapier: A tool that connects different apps allowing you to automate repetitive tasks. It’s like a universal remote for your software.
- Xero: This integration makes accounting a cakewalk. It’s like having a mathematical maestro managing your accounts.
- QuickBooks: Say no to accounting headaches. With this integration, your finances are as easy to manage as pie and equally delicious.
- Google Sheets: If data is your lifeblood, this integration is your heart. It pumps your data to where it needs to be, all while keeping things orderly.
- Gmail: Everyone’s favorite email provider. Integrating Gmail with Really Simple Systems allows for seamless email management within your CRM system. It’s like having a personal secretary for your inbox.
How to Get Started with Really Simple Systems
Getting started with Really Simple Systems was awesome in our experience!
We navigated to their homepage, where we immediately saw two calls to action (CTA) buttons labeled “free trial” and “live demo.”
We took advantage of the free trial and were off and running!
From there, we filled out the following fields:
- Name
- Business
- Phone number
- Password
We especially liked how these fields were in one convenient form and not spread out through multiple pages like many of the CRMs we’ve tested.
We got started by watching a helpful tutorial video and then adding in some of our B2B affiliate marketing contacts!
And that was it! All in all, our onboarding experience with Really Simple Systems was (don’t make us say it again) really simple!
In fact, it was possibly the easiest we’ve come up against in all our years of testing dozens of CRM systems.
Is Really Simple Systems CRM Easy to Use?
When it comes down to user-friendliness, Really Simple Systems scores a whopping 10/10 from Small Business Bonfire.
It’s designed with small businesses in mind, ensuring that even if you’re new to the CRM world, you won’t be left stumbling in a maze of functionalities.
The learning curve? Practically non-existent. Yes, you heard that right.
The interface is clean and uncluttered, meaning that no matter what you’re looking for—whether it’s contact management or task tracking—you’ll find it without any hassle.
What’s more impressive is the fact that Really Simple Systems CRM allows you to set up automated tasks and processes with ease (no coding knowledge needed)
So, even the most technologically challenged among us can sail through smoothly without breaking a sweat!
Really Simple Systems Customer Service Review
Now, let’s chat about the customer service of Really Simple Systems.
At Small Business Bonfire, we’re all about testing the waters, pushing buttons, and poking around to see what happens (in a productive way).
Although we encountered no issues with the platform (miraculously, might we add), we figured we’d reach out to their customer service team just to see what we’d reel in.
We inquired about something simple like getting started with automation.
You know what happened? In a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” kind of moment, we received a response.
So if you were worried about being stranded on a desert island with a question about your CRM, fear not.
With Really Simple Systems, you’ll get the guidance you need faster than you can say “customer service.” Now, how’s that for an unexpected win?
Here’s our conversation with the customer support hub to give you a better idea of how it went.
Does Really Simple Systems Have a Mobile App?
Alas, our shiny, tiny-screened companions are left in the cold regarding Really Simple Systems. There’s no mobile app (as of yet, at least).
So, if you were hoping to juggle your customer relationships from the palm of your hand while sipping your latte on the go, you might have to sit this one out.
But hey, with all the other bells and whistles Really Simple Systems offers, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll get mobile access in the future!
Really Simple Systems Alternative Comparison
While Really Simple Systems (RSS) shines in its own unique ways, it’s important to also consider alternatives that might be a better fit for your specific needs.
Is Really Simple Systems Worth it for Small Business Owners?
Absolutely, Really Simple Systems gets our resounding nod of approval for SMBs.
The Small Business Bonfire team and I stand by this platform largely because of its simplicity and intuitiveness, which outshines all its other charming facets.
Peering into the crystal ball of CRM evolution, it may not be the titan of power, but let me tell you, it does pack quite a punch when it comes to data management. Plus, it’s a splendid platform for those just getting their feet wet in the CRM world.
As your business grows, so does the capability of Really Simple Systems. So, whether you’re just taking your first steps into the world of CRM or you’re a small business looking to scale, it’s an option that will have your back as you climb the ladder of success.