Is Your CRM Built for Growth or Built to Charge You More?

Every so often, a question lands in my inbox that I know thousands of entrepreneurs are silently wrestling with. Recently, a business partner reached out after noticing something alarming in their CRM: email open rates hovering between 1–3%, even after A/B testing subject lines.

If you’ve ever stared at analytics like that and wondered, “Is it me… or is it my CRM?”, this article is for you.

Their question was simple:
“What should I budget for a CRM that actually supports my growth?”

But the answer goes much deeper than a dollar amount.

Let’s break it down.

When Low Open Rates Are a Symptom, Not the Problem

A 1–3% open rate would concern any business owner. But here’s the truth most people don’t realize:

👉 Email performance often reflects the limitations of the CRM behind it.

If your CRM isn’t built to support deliverability, segmentation, automation, or long‑term scalability, your email results will show it no matter how clever your subject lines are.

So yes, the numbers matter. But the system behind the numbers matters more.

So… What Should You Budget for a High‑Quality CRM?

For the CRMs that meet my standards and align with my values, the range is typically:

💰 $97/month to $497/month

The exact number depends on:

• How much automation you want

• How much support you need

• How complex your business model is

• How fast you’re planning to grow

I’m always mindful of budget, especially for entrepreneurs in the startup phase. But I’m even more mindful of long‑term financial health because the wrong CRM becomes expensive fast.

Why I Don’t Recommend Folk, Follow Up Boss, or Any CRM With “Stair‑Step Pricing”

Both Folk and Follow Up Boss use a pricing model called stair‑step pricing.

Here’s how it works:

• You pay per user per month

• As you grow and add team members, the cost climbs

• Need more features? You must upgrade to a higher tier

• And yes… that tier also charges more per user per month

This model works for some businesses, but it doesn’t align with my standards or the long‑term financial well‑being I want for my clients.

Growth should be exciting, not financially punishing.

My Four Non‑Negotiables for Any CRM I Recommend

Before a CRM makes it onto my approved list, it must pass four tests:

1. No Stair‑Step Pricing

Your success shouldn’t increase your bill.

2. Human Customer Support

Real people. Real help. Real retention.

3. Hands‑On Testing

I personally use and stress‑test every CRM I recommend.
If I wouldn’t use it myself, I won’t recommend it to you.

4. Values Alignment

I speak directly with the founders or team members to ensure they operate with transparency, fairness, and long‑term partnership in mind.

Most consultants push one CRM because it’s the only one they know

That’s not how I operate.

I ask a lot of questions because I want to understand:

• Your business model

• Your goals

• Your budget

• Your real problems

Only then can I recommend the right fit.

The Bigger Picture: The Wrong CRM Will Cost You More Than Money

Choosing the wrong CRM, especially one with stair‑step pricing, becomes expensive as you grow.

Most people don’t realize this until:

• They’re locked into a pricing structure that punishes growth

• They’re forced to switch platforms

• They lose time, energy, and momentum in the process

I learned this the hard way years ago.
Now I help others avoid the same mistake.

Think Long Term (Your Future Self Will Thank You)

You have two choices:

Option A:

Put in the effort now to choose the right CRM based on solid criteria.

Option B:

Stay with a system that won’t support your growth and switch later when it becomes too expensive or too limiting.

One path is proactive.
The other is painful.

The Good News? You Have Options.

I work with CRM platforms at different price points, so we can match something to your budget without sacrificing quality or scalability.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out,” you’re not alone. That’s why I turned my business partner’s question into this article. Entrepreneurs everywhere are navigating the same decision.

Ready to Choose a CRM That Supports Your Growth?

Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to help you map out the right CRM strategy for long‑term success.

If you have questions, want clarity, or want to explore options, feel free to reach out to [email protected] or schedule a chat.

Your future business will thank you.