Still tracking your customer info in a spreadsheet? You’re not alone. But if your tabs are getting messy, it’s time for an upgrade — and no, I’m not talking about expensive enterprise software.
Let me show you how to go from spreadsheet chaos to organized CRM clarity in under 10 minutes, using a free (yes, free!) tool called Zoho Bigin.
Watch to Learn How to Make the Switch
Why Make the Switch?
If you're a solo business owner or just starting out, spreadsheets feel like the simplest solution. But as soon as you start adding more customers, sending more emails, or trying to remember who you followed up with last Thursday — things get confusing, fast.
Zoho Bigin is the perfect “starter CRM”:
- Free for small teams
- Built specifically for managing customer relationships
- Dead simple to use
- Helps you grow without overwhelming you
Step 1: Sign Up for Zoho Bigin (It’s Free)
Head over to bigin.com and click Get Started. You’ll create an account with your name, email, and company details.
That’s it — you’re in.
Step 2: Check Out Your Sales Pipeline
Right away, Bigin drops you into a clean pipeline view. Think of it like digital sticky notes moving through your customer journey:
- New Inquiry
- Proposal Sent
- Negotiation
- Closed Won/Lost
You can customize the stages, rename them, or add your own. But even the default setup is useful for most service-based businesses.
Step 3: Import Your Spreadsheet
Already have a list of leads or clients? Bring it with you.
Click Import, upload your spreadsheet, and match your columns to Bigin’s fields. For example:
- First Name → First Name
- Email Address → Email
- Phone → Phone Number
Done. Your spreadsheet is now living its best life in CRM format — searchable, sortable, and way easier to use.
Step 4: Start Tracking Interactions Like a Pro
Click into any record and you’ll see a full timeline of what you’ve done:
- Log phone calls
- Add meeting notes
- Upload files
- Set follow-up reminders
- Automate emails
There’s also a mobile app, so you can manage all of this from your phone while you’re out running your business.
Step 5: Automate the Little Things
One of my favorite Bigin tricks is creating small workflows that help you stay on top of client care. Example:
- After a sales call, send a thank-you email
- Two days later, create a task to follow up
- If no response after a week, send a gentle nudge
Simple. Automated. No more forgetting.
Final Thoughts: This Is What I Do
I help small business owners just like you set up easy tech systems to get more done with less chaos.
If you want:
- Less tab switching
- More follow-through
- And a CRM that feels like it was made for you…
Start with Bigin.
And if you’d rather have someone walk you through it (or set it up for you), reach out. I’ve helped service providers, coaches, consultants, and more go from “I just need to get organized” to “this tech is finally working for me.”
