Act! is one of the pioneer brands in its space that evolved into a customer relationship management platform, and cloud-app with a browser-based front end. It offers an integrated email marketing platform that is ideal for small to mid-sized companies. The software also has an easy-to-use dashboard designer with a good marketing automation workflow builder.
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Segment |
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Deployment | Cloud / SaaS / Web-Based, Desktop Windows, Mobile Android, Mobile iPad, Mobile iPhone, On-Premise Linux |
Support | 24/7 (Live rep), Chat, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support |
Training | Documentation |
Languages | English |
ACT! is the way to go for any Client Management system. It provides everything you could possibly want to organize, communicate, and keep track of information in a safe, guarded, and effective manner. I've been using ACT! for only the past 2 years and am finding out new uses for it to help our business - WOW!
Honestly, I haven't found anything I don't like about it yet. There is just so much it can do - I feel I've barely scratched the surface.
Communications, organization of client data. We now have the ability to send to a select few or to a large group e-blasts, newsletters, birthday - anniversary - wedding cards. It also allows me to sync the calendars in the office with my outlook so I know who is doing what without having to go into ACT! every time to check.
I use Act Premium Support - I recently bought a new computer and needed assistance n transfering data and setting up sync. The tech took over and not only set up new computer but also updated Main computer and new to 20.0 Great job and no frustration on my end.
I don't have enough time to use and explore all the advantages of using Act.
Contacting multiple people at once. Emails Etc. Customer trace-ability.
The software is so each to manage - we are able to use a shared database and our in office and mobile users are able to have instant communication.
We truly like the product - and use their knowledge base system frequently. Would like to be able to have access to pull back an email campaign within minutes after it is sent.
It is used for both our CRM and Email Marketing. It gives us instant details and keeps our team of users in the know on each customer. We get a great return on our email campaigns too.
I can score leads and schedule a marketing plan based on that score. The automatic alerts tell me what to do when. All the contact info is safely stored and easily searchable. I also appreciate being able to view the entire history of interactions with each contact.
I get a weird error message every time I start up the program and a different one when I exit it.
Lead gen, lead nurturing. I couldn't really do business the way I do without this tool. I would recommend it to anyone who runs regular lead gen and marketing campaigns.
Contact, calendar and task list are integrated and seamless. I've used Salesforce, and ACT is just as useful to me. The extra features in Salesforce only benefited management.
Multiple contacts at the same company could be better integrated.
Sales prospecting and customer follow up. Nobody slips through the cracks. I always know when to contact somebody, and I always know what our past discussions have been.
No complications no downtime. For a small company the price is right
Outlook Integration, I thought the 64 bit would do it
CRM anywhere I go
The fact that everything is going to the "cloud" is nice but sometimes I like to be able to use the software that I am paying/paid for where ever I am and ACT still allows you to do this, with their offline client.
The rare instances that I would like to be logged into 2 separate databases at the same time with in the same program or even in multiple instances of the program would be nice but with the offline this is not achievable (it is however doable if you use a mixture of either the cloud version and offline version or multiple tabs in the cloud version). The mobile app would also be really nice if it would work with custom virtual directories, as it sits right now you have to use the default APFW virtual directory which allows other customers using the web version to see what other databases are attached to that virtual directory possibly lessening customer anonymity.
Keeping all of my business contacts separate from my personal contacts.
We have a large client base and it is a great way to keep track of our vendors, customers, and anyone we come into contact. It is one of the most helpful pieces of software we use in our office. It is very easy to update and add notes to each person in the database. I love the way you can sort contacts by groups so that if you aren't sure who you're looking for you can at least sort by industry.
I haven't yet found anything I dislike about the program. I would like to get more into the program itself but at this time I have not yet experienced any problems with it.
We are able to track movement of our customers from one place to the next which is extremely helpful in maintaining pricing and for what we do it is very important to track Technical Directors, Master Electricians, and other production personnel. We were able to create an email list for one of our events using the database and it was very helpful in finding customers whom we haven't spoken to in a while.
Act is GREAT software! There are so many features that totally ROCK!! First, I can almost totally manipulate my database right from within Act. I used to program in Dbase and Access. There is no need in Act. And then there is the remote database sync. I can be out on the road all day and when I get to the office I just sync it.
It would be more reliable to have your own word processor/email instead of Microsoft Outlook as the pass through. Act used to have it more integrated. Would love to have that brought up to speed. Microsoft just doesn't want to play nice too often.
I just don't drop appointments and prospects when my act is in service. It really matters. Again, it's great not to have to manipulate the data outside Act. Act pretty much has me covered.
interacts with other software well; all contacts in one place; synchronizes with my Galaxy S7 (and previous versions)
sync not in budget packages; needs to be included in all options; i have to purchase and use a third party solution (with some problems in the past)
keeping me on track with to do and reminder for repeat business
I never miss an opportunity to stay in touch with a client or prospective customer. ACT enables me to be more effective by keeping notes handy and available re the name of a spouse, birthdays, etc.
Periodically, I've had difficulties with interaction between the program and Microsoft.
ACT enables one to overcome the problems associated with contact management
The versatility of designing database to fit your business
I do not have any complaints about Act. Have been using for about 25 years
Real estate business marketing
Ease of use, flexibility and suitability. Act! is versatile and does everything that I need.
This is not an Act! issue, but every time there is a Windows update, I have to restart the SQL program
Tracks all our communications with customers, vendors, consultants etc. Allows us to verify which personnel are in contact with each Act! client. Plan visits, calls, emails etc. Great to review past communications.
Act is Intuitive, fast to learn and very flexible. Designing thing like your signature interfacing to Outlook, Word and other programs is huge. Designing reports and templates mays you look professional.
Having Microsoft bomb the seq. server is very annoying but the support group coms through.
Constant contact and emailing customers
Whatever information I have, I can attach to the contact. It has a perpetual history as long as the contact is in the database. I can also set up Groups. I use it not only for buyers and sellers but personal groups with the ability to produce mailing labels, etc. I have been a user of ACT! since about 1990. It has many more features than I use at the present time.
There is nothing that I dislike about the program. I can write letters and Emails to contacts and it auto stores. I can enter daily information on a client that could be used in court if I ever needed to produce the information for client history. Log daily actions with customers and clients.
Just the fact that I can recall information that I have entered about a client, potential client or customer is extremely beneficial. I have repeat clients that use my services over a span of several years. Of the many Real Estate Agent programs I have witnessed over the years (approximately 30 years) ACT! has not only proven to be a program still in existence, but is still going strong. I chose ACT! when I started in Real Estate because it's base program is generic and it had a side program for the Real Estate world. It could be used (adapted to) for any kind of business. Very flexible.
The easy format, low cost and versatility of use, especially with the new cloud and email services
Sometimes computer updates change usability. Takes me a while to understand the instructions for functionality
It is so easy to store and access client information. Simple to email directly from the contact. Looking forward to using the email marketing applications. This is a super benefit for marketing my business services
What I like best about ACT is the simplicity in appearance and functionality as well as the support available. Because the screen is not "busy," you can more easily get on with business without the distractions. It has the functionality I need to manage more than one business. The support team is very relateable and helpful and fully addressed my inquiries. I like that I will be able to serve people more effectively my being more organized. I like the fact that ACT! is on the cloud and I won't have to loose critical contacts and information if my cell phone or computer is lost or stolen.
Originally, it was that I had to commit to a year vs. month-to-month before I was really able to sink my teeth into it, but that was resolved.
Organization. Although I am still in the process of transition from paper to CRM, I am confident that it will be helpful in accomplishing my goals. I will take discipline on my part, but long-term it will help me to be more productive and profitable.
It is fast and flexible and built on solid SQL standards.
Due to Microsoft not always playing well with others, sometimes the Outlook integration is not as smooth as I'd like.
Keeps track of our 100,000+ prospects extremely well.
Act makes me more efficient. I now have the ability to control my Prospect / Customer contacts on one easy platform. Maintaining records assists me to be more professional with those I seek business from.
This is my 17th year using Act. I have found a few times software conflicts with Microsoft Office. Corrections were enacted in a reasonable period of time.
Maximizing my daily efficiency using most forms of sales communications.
Act! provides the ability to keep a detail history of all my contacts (3,089 at the moment) along with a tickler as to when to follow up with them. Also gives the user the opportunity to track non-business facts that is a plus when speaking with your network.
Not much. I'm probably not in love with the inability to record history directly in the "Last Results" dialogue box. The words "Field Changed" is the only thing that shows up in the "Last Results" dialogue box (unless I move it manually).
I have a consulting business. Act! has helped me with my practice development to not miss contacts.