If we're not yet living in the golden age of customer relationship management software platforms for businesses, we may be close. After all, countless options are available to small business owners who wish to get a leg up on the competition.

Perhaps that's why it can be harder than ever to choose, especially if you're considering getting on board. Not to worry, we've outlined several here for your convenience.

But First, Some Perspective and Groundwork

Successful customer relationship management can't be performed by digital platforms alone. It requires that you're committed to doing your part in the real world, which means laying the groundwork so the platform can shine as intended.

Simple tactics such as creating a positive environment and atmosphere with caring, competent employees must already be in place, or any platform will fail. If this isn't the case, your first step is getting up to speed on this front.

And Now, The Best of the Best

Forbes.com recently rated these CRM programs among the best for small businesses. We take a peek at the highlights here:

Zoho CRM

Boasting monthly plans that start as low as $20 per month, Zoho lets small business owners customize workflows and reporting as they see fit. The platform also complements apps that integrate functions such as marketing, human resources, customer support, and inventory management. All of this can be captured in a dashboard that contextualizes activity, so you can see where you're succeeding and falling short.

Monday.com

Best for teams, this collaboration tool breaks customer relationship management down into tasks that help users visualize and track work. A free two-week trial gives users ample time to get their feet wet with the program, and monthly plans range from $0 for basic to $60 for three users. Annual subscribers receive an 18% discount.

Salesforce

Salesforce excels at managing and cultivating leads, contacts, and existing customers. It boasts an interactive dashboard that gives users real-time alerts so they can respond quickly. The unlimited plan carries a hefty monthly fee of $300. However, pricing starts at $25 per month when paid annually. A two-week free trial allows you to test the platform before committing to it.

Zendesk Sell

With its customer support focus, this platform is a favorite of business owners who prefer to manage activity from a single dashboard. Not only does it allow for lead tracking that logs communication history, but it also facilitates the coordination of tasks while providing real-time updates on inquiries. A two-week free trial and pricing range from $19 to $99 per user per month gives users options on costs.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a streamlined CRM tool that's become a favorite of small business owners who prefer simplicity over more sophisticated platforms. It incorporates leads, contacts, and pending deals in a visually appealing and intuitive user experience. Among the least expensive options available, Pipedrive carries a monthly cost of $14.90 when paid annually. A free two-week trial provides ample opportunity to get familiar with the platform.

Insightly

If you like Gantt charts and have multiple sales pipeline projects to manage, Insightly may be the right platform for your business. It distills progress into charts that are easy to interpret and act on, allowing you to track time and expenses. Pricing ranges from $29 to $99 per user per month when paid annually. Like most competitors, Insightly offers a two-week free trial period.

Freshsales

Freshsales' unprecedented three-week free trial period stands out in a field where two weeks is the norm. From here, plans range from $0 per month (basic) to $83 per month, depending on features. These include deal management, business process workflows, advanced analytics and reporting, multicurrency support, and holiday routing.

The Choice is Yours

Choosing the right CRM platform for your business can be a challenging process. Free trials allow you to test the waters before investing, yet making the proper decision the first time will save you precious time and money.

To help you decide, Business News Daily provides these insights in a recent blog post. We hope it enables you to make the right decision for your business!