Hatchbuck Software

Pros

Easy to use in general. Easy to transfer between excel and Hatchbuck and vice versa. Easy to learn and great support and training

Cons

I haven't used any other products, so I can't make any comparisons. But as far as I can see so far, there are no cons.

We previously had three systems holding three separate sets of data: Zoho CRM, Membrain, and MailChimp. Now that our data is all together, we're already starting to make it work for us, instead of us working with it. As we're further into the program as well, and we've executed some campaigns and targeted emails, we're getting to know our database. The tag feature is amazing, and helps to give a more real-time picture of where our prospects are at, whether they've been browsing the website, what pages they've visted (and multiple times), etc.

Pros

The support, hands down. The team at Hatchbuck is amazing, and has answered all of my questions promptly, and helped me to think creatively about how best to use the software. I also love the automation available - the ability to trigger emails, campaigns, tasks, reminders, and deals based on contact actions. The new built-in advanced filtering system is great and makes it easier than ever to segment our database based on location, tags, whether they have an email address or not, and more. We've also used the email reporting to our advantage, helping us to get to know our contacts - what they interact with, what they click on, what they do and don't care about - our database has new life!

Cons

As we've been in the system more, we're finding that we're not using the "deals" tracker tool as effectively as we could, simply based on the fact that for our specific line of business, we could easily use 3-4 pipelines separately. (We are M&A Advisors/Business Brokerage Advisors, and so we have separate pipelines for Sellers, Buyers, Clients doing Exit Planning, and Valuations). If we were given the ability to have multiple Deals pipelines, it would immediately enable us to keep track of that pipeline.
Additionally, if I could change a couple things, like the ability to automate contact notes within the record the same way that other things can be automated, I would, but this is such a minor thing that I wouldn't count it as a dislike.

Overall, I'm pleased with hatchbuck. I tried a lot of CRM programs. I think hatchbuck has the best bang for the buck.

Pros

It's easy to use, flexible and intuitive. The interface is simple. The latest version includes a new dashboard with lots of information available instantly.

Cons

Sometimes support seems a little lacking but that could just be because I didn't word my question well.

Pros

- Easy to use
- Great user interface
- Robust email tracking and reporting
- Social media integration allows you to put a face with a name

Cons

After being promised excellent customer service, we've received anything but that. There is never an available rep to answer the phone, and it's difficult to get customer support to validate any bugs or errors you are receiving. It takes multiple emails to the support address to get updates on pending issues, if you get a response at all. Our team has had to troubleshoot more issues than we've actually been helped with, and none of our requests and suggestions on improvements have been taken seriously.

I'd recommend Hatchbuck to anyone looking for a sleek, easy to use platform that handles both your CRM and Email Campaigns.

Pros

I love the ease of creating email templates, especially with the new update, and being able to track their success as soon as they are sent out. I primarily use it for creating email campaigns and tracking contacts who click through. It's a very organized system with ways to easily find contacts and emails. While the older version definitely had some kinks, I think they did an awesome job with the update I've found it much more user-friendly. Also it is a bit pricey, but it is a CRM and email campaign creator/tracking tool so I think it's worth it.

Cons

Again, with the old version, the email building templates were difficult to use, especially compared to MailChimp. Much improvement has been made to make the process much easier. It was frustrating to have to create new templates since the old ones were rendered useless. Sometimes it's a bit hard to navigate through the system, looking for the exact data or rare thing you might need or filter you might want, the good thing is their support is outstanding and always there to help.

I've already recommended Hatchbuck to too many people in person.

Pros

The price is phenomenal for what you're getting in a single place. Other marketing automation tools cost /month and then you have to buy a CRM on top of that - HB makes it great to have everything in a single location. Their support is stellar and their feature set is really beautiful for SMBs.

Cons

They're still working through a lot of bugs. It can be frustrating sometimes, but they're still growing and improving so it balances out.

I thoroughly researched alternatives on the marketplace and when I chose hatchbuck, I was nervous the tools would be extremely limited. I'm glad that I couldn't have been more wrong. The tools are of a quality and ease of use that will help any small business grow.

Pros

Easy to use, extremely low cost, helpful support, effective tools that provide infinite customization and solid trackability, couldn't be happier with my decision.

Cons

Some minuscule design flaws but only marginally affect convenience and certainly don't affect quality of campaigns themselves. For example, there is no easy way to set maximum contacts on home page to a larger number.

Also, the relaunch did not bring the features which were somewhat announces, e.g. imap integration only possible for gmail as of now.

Pros

Very nice people in service, easy to use. Pricing is all right, looks nice, has some nice dashboard eye candy

Cons

Simply not reliable anymore, after the relaunch earlier this year, there are too many incidents where you are not in control of what hatchbuck is doing: e.g. unsubscribe doesn´t work: no confirmation that a user unsubscribed and campaigns do not stop, so unsubscribing users might get more emails from you. Embarrassing? Yes. Potentially causing credibility and even legal problem? yeah.

Also, automations set for users who subscribe sometimes do not properly work. Conditions are unclear. e.g. Opt-in process: an online form might be set on option in - but that doesn't mean that it actually triggers the necessary steps. Embarrassing? Yes. Potentially causing credibility and even legal problem? yeah.

Search (contacts) doesn't find contacts.

And - this made me really re-evaluate other options: there was this bug which made other customers´ dashboard appear in my log-in. So I saw all activities going on from another company which also is a hatchbuck user. this made me ask myself if other hatchbuck users at the same time see my stuff/ activities/ personal data of my customers....Again: Embarassing? Yes. Potentially causing credibility and even legal problem? yeah.

I do understand that there might be some issues after releasing a relaunch - however when it comes to processes which involve my leads/ customers and make us as a company look unprofessional (no opt-in, no unsubscribe, potential abuse of personal data of leads....) this is beyond any acceptable level and an absolute no-go. We are located in Germany and people are very sensitive about data protection and laws are very strict - we could get sued for each of the three points mentioned above.

Hatchbuck does everything well, just not great. It is a basic CRM that offers a solid suite of tools to help you manager your pool of customers. The best feature of Hatchbuck are the email marketing tools. Although a little challenging to grasp at first, the build your own template tool is a great way to create content and get it out in front of your customers in a quick and professional manner.

Pros

For what you pay, you won't find a better CRM on the market. For those who are just stepping into the world of CRMs, Hatchbuck is a great place to start.

Cons

As with a lot of CRMs, the number of contacts can determine the price you pay. Hatchbuck is a great value for small businesses, but once your contact list starts to grow, the price jumps considerably, which might cause you to look at other CRMs.

The integration was simple and the features are user-friendly. Very easy to just pick up and start using without much instruction.

Pros

Being able to drag information off excel right into the platform.

Cons

It is a little too simple at this point. It could have more functionality for the price we are paying.

Hatchbuck is perfect for an in-depth sales strategy. It helps you figure out the ins and outs of what the buyer is wanting.

Pros

Real Time Dashboard.
Follow-up actions.

Cons

Limited Custom Reporting

Advice to Others

Create a wishlist of features, then go back and prioritize them and label them "must have" and "nice to have." For Hatchbuck's price point, you likely won't get everything you need, but everything you get will be a solid win. Consider not doing a full conversion of your existing database, and just bringing over A+ customers and prospects. Use the move to clean up your contacts and slowly add questionable contacts as you clean them up externally.

Likes Best

We moved from Hubspot to Hatchbuck to reduce our monthly CRM costs. We found that Hatchbuck did more than what we could do with our basic Hubspot version for a lot less cash. Right now we have triggered email activities for customers based on a customer's actions which we would have had to triple our Hubspot spend to get. All in all we're quite happy with the tools.

Likes Least

I wish there were an app or a responsive website to access the data. It makes the tool cumbersome to release to outside sales folks who aren't at their desks all day.

Recommendations

I think it is always best to do a demo of the system. Test several systems to determine the features you really need and what are nice-to-have items. Then review your lists of likes and needs after the demo.

Likes Best

Hatchbuck is an easy to use CRM that doesn't require a lot of time and energy to integrate into your already established database. The reports are easy to create and easy to understand.

Likes Least

At the time I began using hatchback it was still in the beta phase for many of the features and so the support offered wasn't as established as some of its competitors. I am sure they has since been improved.

Recommendations

Price isn't everything. You need to find the software that best fits your business needs. If you are looking for price alone you will likely not end up getting the features your business needs.

Likes Best

easy to self learn the basics. I self navigated to figure out how to use it. I was much easier than InfusionSoft which I had previously used.

Likes Least

I had a little trouble with importing images into a email design.

Recommendations

get a few tutorials first. It will help you get off to a faster start, especially if you do not understand how things are linked together.

Likes Best

Getting immediately response to emails we send out. We can react appropriately!

Likes Least

Learning process is a bit long in the beginning stage. Once learned - no problem

Recommendations

The more you use this software, the better at using it you will be!!

Likes Best

In my experience using Hatchbuck, the one feature I like best is the immediate feedback I receive when someone opens an E-mail that I had sent. This helps me greatly to identify which prospects are most interested in my services and provides me with a good reason to follow-up with them and pursue discussions. This one feature makes me more productive and helps me manage my prospecting activities in a more efficient way.

Likes Least

I basically like everything about Hatchbuck. However, the front-end learning process takes a little while to become accustomed to how to navigate the program and reap the greatest benefits.

Recommendations

I would wholeheartedly endorse and recommend others to review this software program and take it for a test drive. The more you can use and experience its many features and benefits, the more you will see its value and how it can truly make you a more efficient and effective sales person.

Likes Best

The ability to send out blast emails but keep the subject personalized. This is very handy when marketing and trying to get your information in front of thousands of potential clients. I also love the ability to track email statistics and keep an eye on what emails have the best responses and open rates.

Likes Least

Seems that a lot of the emails go into junk mail when coming from Hatchbuck. Even when hatchbuck emails me it goes into my junk folder. Additionally i would like to see a better way for potential clients to see who the email is coming from. Since i am on Hatchbucks server it will read on behalf of *(senders name) instead of from *(sender)

Recommendations

Explore your options- for us, Hatchbuck fit all of our needs. this might not be the same for you. Know what you want and then reach out so they can demo the software for you- the reps here are very friendly and great to work with- also very responsive!!

Likes Best

I love the marketing and CRM integration, it was perfect for what we do.

Likes Least

The number of users, we just needed 2, but it was 1 or 3.

Recommendations

Listen carefully to all the companies out there and find your best match.

Likes Best

I like the fact I have unlimited users at a flat rate and that Hatchbuck is a basic CRM and email marketing platform in 1

Likes Least

Would like the CRM to have more features such as the ability to customize dashboard further

Recommendations

If you are looking for a basic crum that gives you the ability to personalized email marketing hatchbuck a great choice and affordable

Likes Best

We looked at many other services, including Salesforce and Infusionsoft. Both of those offered a ton of features, 75% of which we didn't need, including the cost. We have found that Hatchbuck had BY FAR the best training, and the easiest interface. We have 1 dedicated employee running HB, and after 1 month, we have literally lit 20% of our ice cold leads on fire! Hatchbuck is like napalm for your sales leads. Gets them hot and keep it that way. We have learned that by staying in front of your customers, it at the least, allows you to stay in the game against your competitors. Prior to HB, we were MANUALLY SENDING EMAILS 1x1 via Gmail. We thought we had this under control until 75% of our cold leads had purchased from our competitor due to our lack of communication. If you are considering a way to build a relationship with every potential lead, seriously, don't hesitate!

Likes Least

The only thing we don't like is that they can't directly reply to the email form a campaign. Maybe there is a way, but we are only 1 month in.

Recommendations

Don't buy the expensive complicated software without trying HB! You will regret it. HB has a free trial and every one of our silly questions via telephone or email. This alone is the reason to give HB a shot.