When searching for the right sales mapping software, it’s hard to know which features are necessary for increasing your sales productivity. Here are five key features to focus on when shopping for a sales map app.
1) Route generation
When creating a route, it may seem convenient to simply add locations into a navigation system. However, this would require typing individual addresses each time you plan a route. Plus, it would be impossible to save your route, requiring you to repeat the same process all over again in order to recreate the route.
Instead, look for apps that generates a route and optimizes it based on travel time - or even better, with live traffic updates. If you have regular routes that will be reused in the future, it would be helpful to find a mapping software that saves the routes you’ve created. Some apps also have scheduling features that complement your route. This could include adding start and end times, or adding appointment length times to each stop. In short, make sure you find a mapping software that is beyond a simple route-generation to plan out your day more efficiently!
2) Compatible with Navigation system
As a field sales rep on the road, your sales mapping software should be compatible with your desired navigation system. After all, what is the use of creating a sales route if you can’t easily follow the route on the road? Luckily, there are sales mapping softwares that are built to be compatible with navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze. Once you create a route, you can export the route to these navigation systems to give you the turn-by-turn directions. Some apps even give you the option to export the route into a GPX file for those who prefer to use their built-in GPS in the car. This is a great option for anyone who wants to avoid using cellular data on the road, but still wants to design their route with an easy-to-use app.
3) Log Activity
An important part of sales is keeping track of your customers’ information. Make sure your sales map app logs recent activity with your customers and measures your progress. Most apps will allow you to record basic details, such as name and address, but it’s helpful to find an app that will also let you track other specific information. Anything from sales progress, customer details, or activity updates are useful to track when moving from customer to customer. Instead of using another sales tool to stay on top of this, you can also find sales map apps that store information about your sales and even create reports from these updates.
4) Data Visualization
When developing a sales strategy, it’s beneficial to identify key properties about your customer data. Sales map apps are great for adding a visual aspect to your customer data management, and seeing the layout of your customers on a map. Basic data visualization starts with plotting your customers on a map, which already gives you valuable insight about customer territories. Any additional visualization tools on the map can enhance your experience dramatically. Look for sales map apps that allow you to visually sort your customers by colors or symbols. This could help you design sales strategies based on certain customer attributes, and easily organize your customers.
5) Lead Generation
Sales map apps can be a great resource to generate new locations to scout out potential leads. As a sales rep, it’s not only important to value your existing customers, but also be aware of potential new customers. By using a mapping software to find new leads, you can immediately consider the location of your leads and incorporate them into your sales route. Apps with advanced lead generation tools allow you to use industry keywords to search for potential leads in your territory. Other map apps use heat maps to identify territories with a certain type of target customer.
While sales map apps vary in the features they offer, it’s important to keep an eye out for a few key tools. With these five features, you’ll have a sales mapping software that will save you time, money, and the hassle of switching between apps throughout the day.
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