What is a CRM for a small business? Updated 2026-10-24
A CRM keeps one record per person: where they came from, which of the six statuses they are in, what was said, and what has to happen next. It is not a place to store a logo and hope someone remembers the conversation.
The record, not the dashboard Open the lead before you look at a chart. The lead has a source, a status and a timeline. The six statuses are New, Contacted, Interested, Converted, Lost and Old lead. A status change is written on the timeline, so the next person can see when it moved.
The client file can hold the contact details, notes, calls, WhatsApp logs, tasks, meetings, files and agreements. That is the CRM. A summary on the business dashboard is only a way back to those records.
Open the lead, not a general chart. Read the source and the current status. Set the status that matches what just happened. Write the note on the timeline before you leave the record. The lead list shows the source, the status, and the contact on one row. Where a lead is allowed to come from Three automated sources enter the same pipeline: Meta Lead Ads after the business connects its own Facebook page, Google Ads lead forms, and a form on a site built in BizUply. Each lead keeps that source next to the contact details. The first status is New.
A studio, three doors, one pipeline A beauty studio might receive a Meta lead on Monday, a website form on Tuesday and a Google Ads form on Wednesday. All three open as New, with different sources. The person who calls does not have to remember which ad it was.
What $49 includes, and what it does not CRM only is $49 a month and renews monthly. It is the pipeline and the client file. The business plan is $99 a month or $990 a year and adds appointments, collaborations and automations. WhatsApp is not included in either plan: a connected number is $29 a month, and Meta bills messages separately. Meta messaging charges apply separately, based on usage and message category.
The team stores the conversation in a personal chat. Write the note and the next task on the lead before the chat is closed.
A new lead stays New because nobody owns the next step. The status change and a dated task are the handoff. The follow-up guide shows that sequence.
A morning with three new leads Open the lead list before you open a chat. Each row already has a source: a website form, a Meta lead form, a Google Ads form, or a person who typed the lead in. The first status is New. The file behind the row holds the phone, the email and the notes. That is the record the next person on the team can trust.
CRM only is $49 a month and renews monthly. It is the pipeline and the client file. Appointments, collaborations and automations are on the business plan at $99 a month or $990 a year. WhatsApp Business API is separate: $29 a month per connected number. Meta messaging charges apply separately, based on usage and message category.
Open Leads, not a personal spreadsheet. Read the source and the status before you dial. Open the file and read the last note. Leave the next task on the file before you move on. FAQ Does a CRM replace WhatsApp? No. WhatsApp is a separate subscription at $29 a month per connected number, plus Meta's message fees.
How many lead statuses are there? Six: New, Contacted, Interested, Converted, Lost and Old lead.
Can the $49 plan run an automation? No. Automations are on the business plan. The $49 plan keeps the record and the manual follow-up.
