If you’re on this page, it’s likely because you’re a hospitality business owner and you’re interested in getting a customer relationship management (CRM) platform. Great choice! CRMs are fantastic tools for any business wanting to collect, store, and organize customer data in one centralized location.
But with so many different options to choose from, what kind of CRM should you get? Sure, there are general-purpose CRMs built for all industries, but what about industry-specific CRMs? You’re probably asking yourself, “Should I use a hospitality-specific CRM or general-purpose one for my business?”
Today we’re helping you answer that question by looking at hospitality and general CRMs, as well as the advantages of each.
Hospitality-specific CRM platforms are specially designed for hospitality businesses. Hospitality CRMs come equipped with tools, features, and integration options created with hospitality businesses in mind.
Benefits of a hospitality CRM
Being industry-specific, hospitality CRMs come with a few unique benefits, including:
Hospitality-specific features
Quicker set-up processes
An interface built for hospitality businesses
Keep reading to learn about these benefits in more detail.
Hospitality-specific features
Arguably, the most appealing aspect of a hospitality CRM is its industry-specific features. Hospitality CRMs are made for the hospitality industry, so they have tools designed to handle industry-specific tasks.
For example, hospitality CRMs might come equipped with tools made specifically for managing guest bookings and organizing table reservations.
Quicker set-up processes
Another benefit of hospitality-specific CRMs is their set-up processes. Industry-specific CRMs generally have faster set-up times because they are built with industry preferences in mind.
Hospitality CRM dashboards, for example, may take less time to configure because they’re already made to prioritize and display the most important hospitality metrics needed to monitor your business.
An interface built for hospitality businesses
Because hospitality CRMs are built with hospitality businesses in mind, their user interfaces may be easier for hospitality industry professionals to learn and use.
Industry-specific CRMs often use more terminology related to that industry, making them easier to navigate and understand when first learning the software.
What is a general-purpose CRM?
While hospitality-specific CRMs are built for a specific industry, general-purpose CRMs are created for use by any industry. General CRM platforms include universal tools, features, integration options, and user interfaces that can be used by professionals across industries.
Benefits of a general CRM
Just like hospitality-specific CRM platforms, general CRMs come with some key benefits of their own, like:
Better integration opportunities
Ease of use
More affordable pricing options
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of general CRMs.
Better integration opportunities
One benefit of having a general CRM is having access to more integration options. General CRMs often integrate with a broader range of tools to accommodate the wider audience they’re made for.
While this isn’t a staple among all general CRMs, more often than not, you find that general CRMs integrate with a larger number of tools than industry-specific CRMs.
Ease of use
General CRMs cater to wider audiences. To make the tool accessible to everyone, general CRMs are built with an emphasis on usability and flexibility, increasing ease of use.
Additionally, general CRMs typically bring in more revenue since they appeal to a larger audience. As a result, those companies can invest in more specialists to help users optimize their new CRM for their business.
More affordable pricing options
General CRMs are a bit more budget-friendly than hospitality CRMs. Sound surprising? Let us explain.
General CRM platforms typically offer multiple pricing plans because they’re trying to appeal to a wider audience. That means you have some flexibility in pricing. If one plan seems expensive, there’s a good chance you can opt for a cheaper plan.
Industry-specific CRMs are usually more expensive and less flexible when it comes to pricing because they’re stacked with industry-specific tools rather than general-purpose ones.
Should I use a hospitality-specific CRM or general CRM?
So, you’ve learned about the benefits of both types of CRMs, but now it’s time to decide: Should you use a hospitality CRM or general CRM? The answer to that question depends on the unique needs of your business.
If your motivation for getting a CRM is to have access to industry-specific tools and you have a sizeable budget, a hospitality-specific CRM might be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a reliable CRM with a variety of general-purpose tools to help support the daily operations of any business without breaking the bank, a general CRM is your golden ticket.
After all, it’s not required for businesses to have industry-specific CRMs—it’s just a nice perk for those who want it. The most important CRM features are applicable to all industries, so in this case, it all comes down to what you’re looking for in a CRM for your hospitality business.
Choose Nutshell, a CRM built for all industries—including hospitality
Feel like a general CRM is the way to go for your hospitality business? Look no further than Nutshell, an all-in-one CRM solution for hospitality businesses. With contact management features, personalization tools, sales automation capabilities, and more, you can book more reservations and continue delivering exceptional experiences to your guests.
Ready to see what all the hype is about? Check out what Nutshell can do for your hospitality business by contacting us online today or starting a 14-day free trial!
