Optimizing ERP and CRM Consulting Costs for Small Business in 2025

Artsiom Baranouski
4 min readSep 17, 2023

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A Guide to Top Systems, Freelance Rates, and Finding the Perfect Fit

In today’s dynamic business landscape, two crucial components stand out for supply chain success: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. These solutions empower businesses, especially SMBs, to efficiently manage customer demands and maintain a competitive edge.

According to a recent report by Forrester Research, ERP and CRM systems are witnessing a transformation driven by cloud adoption and AI integration. Understanding the actual costs associated with ERP consulting is essential for both businesses and individuals.

This article explores current trends in CRM consulting, including cloud-based ERP adoption and Artificial Intelligence integration within CRM functionalities. We’ll also delve into:

  • ERP vs. CRM Explained: Understanding the core functionalities of each system.
  • The Role of an CRM Consultant: How these specialists optimize operations through ERP implementation.
  • Freelance CRM Consulting Landscape: Exploring rates and platforms like Fiverr.
  • Selecting the Right Freelancer: Key factors to consider when choosing a consultant.
Source: planfix.com/crm

ERP vs. CRM: Understanding the Essentials💼

Before exploring the exciting world of consulting, let’s establish a clear foundation. Here’s a breakdown of ERP and CRM functionalities:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP):

A comprehensive solution that automates various business processes, seamlessly guiding operations from point-of-sale to invoicing.

Key features include:

  • Integrated modules for CRM, warehousing, inventory management, and accounting.
  • Real-time data synchronization across departments for streamlined workflows.
  • Improved decision-making through data-driven insights.

I’ll ensure clarity on these concepts, especially for those new to the field.

Source: Putting the Enterprise into the Enterprise System (hbr.org)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM):

A system specifically designed to manage all aspects of customer interactions.

It offers functionalities like:

  • Sales pipeline management and forecasting.
  • Enhanced customer service through centralized communication channels.
  • Data-driven marketing campaigns and customer segmentation.

The Role of an ERP Consultant

ERP consultants are specialists with in-depth knowledge of various ERP software solutions, including SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and more alternatives.

They possess a deep understanding of business processes across diverse industries, assisting clients with:

ERP Implementation and Customization:

Integration with Existing Systems:

  • Ensuring seamless data flow between your ERP and other software applications.

Ongoing Support and Training:

Providing guidance and assistance after implementation.

Exploring Freelance CRM Consulting

This section focuses on CRM consulting rates on popular freelance platforms like Fiverr. Here’s what you’ll discover:

  • Most Popular CRM platforms: The different services offered by freelance ERP and CRM consultants.
  • Freelance Consultant Rates: Average costs associated with hiring freelance consultants on platforms like Fiverr.
  • Freelancers Reviews: The advantages of utilizing freelance consultants for your CRM needs.

The average CRM and ERP consulting rate on Fiverr, based on the data I researched by scraping profiles is $50 per hour. However, rates can vary depending on the consultant’s experience, level of expertise, and the complexity of the project.

I break down these costs by the mean price of consulting hour, highlighting variations based on CRM system brands. The x-axis shows the hour $ price of the CRM consultant, and the y-axis shows the popular CRM tool name.

Calculating Average Statistics of CRM/ERP consulting on Fiverr 🚀

As you can see from the vertical bar chart, there’s a noticeable spread in hourly rates by keyword. On one end of the spectrum, you’ll find seasoned CRM consultants (Zoho, Hubspot, Salesforce) who command higher fees due to their extensive experience and specialized knowledge in specific cloud software solutions.

On the other hand, there are consultants offering more budget-friendly options, which can be ideal for smaller businesses or those with simpler CRM needs. The vertical bar chart shows the average CRM consulting rates on Fiverr, based on the data I researched by scraping profiles on Fiverr.

Statistics by the number of orders and reviews (Notebook)

Fiver Consultant Level and Consumer Reviews Correlations

Fiver Consultant Level and Consumer Reviews Correlations

By understanding the value CRM consulting, businesses can make informed decisions about optimizing their operations. Product metrics provide a closer look at how users interact with your service, showing where improvements can drive sales and customer satisfaction.

By subscribing to my channel, you will gain access to a wealth of resources and information that will assist you.

Dive in and find the perfect experts for your requirements, and explore useful links and resources on my Upwork profile.

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Artsiom Baranouski
Artsiom Baranouski

Written by Artsiom Baranouski

Discussing the unique challenges and opportunities that B2B marketers face in the AI age. Subscribe to get insights weekly! About me: linkedin.com/in/aranovski

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