There's a CRM solution for every business. But which one is best for yours? With so many variations on sales force management, marketing automation, and analytics, it can be difficult to settle on one. This checklist breaks down the five steps to finding a CRM system worthy of your investment.

1. Know Your Business
Vetting the vendors will come more easily once you know what you’re looking for. Start the CRM selection process at home, consulting with potential stakeholders in each department. What are their specific requirements? What are strengths and weaknesses in the current business protocol, and how might a CRM system offer support?

CRM software is a tool, not a set of business processes. Ultimately, a CRM solution should map onto and extend existing processes rather than creating new ones.

2. Remember the Customer
Unlike other business-to-business solutions, a good CRM solution puts the customer's needs first—even before the employee. The primary goal of CRM is to streamline the sales, marketing, and support experience for customers. Streamlining the employee's job is a means to this end. Naturally, the ideal CRM solution does both—but ultimately, the customer comes first.