Contactually | Reviews and Pricing | DISCONTINUED
Contactually
$39+
Advantages
- One of the easiest and most usable CRMs
- Great and usable mobile apps
- Some very useful integrations
Disadvantages
- On the expensive side for the number of features offered
- Not as many real estate specific functions as other CRMs
Overview
DISCONTINUED
AS OF MARCH 31, 2022, CONTACTUALLY HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. I HAVE LEFT MY FINAL REVIEW COMPLETE BELOW, AS WELL AS ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER.
Contactually is a popular small business CRM software for agents and brokerages. Contactually has its own unique style of lead and workflow organization, grouping your database into “buckets” with associated, easy-to-build follow up plans.
It is one of the most intuitive CRMs with a great layout and integrates a concept called “gamification”, the idea of introducing rewards and competing with yourself to make dry CRM work more engaging.
While one of the more expensive options, it might be worth it if you like the interface and find it user-friendly, plus it has some nifty integrations and upgraded levels that can grow with your business as it grows.
Contactually was founded in 2011 and located in Washington DC, and is one of the larger companies among the real-estate-centric CRMs. The brokerage Compass purchased Contactually in 2019.
Welcome to your one-stop shop for Contactually reviews!
Best Features
Usability
- Modern, intuitive design
- Automated texts including sending video texts and emails!
- Has everything you need to make your own text autoresponders for yard sign calls
Contactually uses a concept they call “buckets” for managing leads. For some agents, it is a very intuitive way of organizing leads. For others, it may not be natural. As always, it is personal preference, and I recommend checking it out with the free trial to see if it is a system you like.
The Contactually has the “Mobile Suite”, mobile apps for iPhone and Android. They also have a very modern, sleek, and usable interface.
Contactually has push notifications to remind you of daily tasks on your computer or phone.
Contactually has a unique Concierge plan which works almost as your own internal sales agent (ISA)! It is an expensive add-on, but for the service, and someone who is an expert on your sales platform already, it can be an interesting option for busy agents or small teams that hate the follow-up part of real estate.
Integrations
- Integration with Zapier allows for numerous third-party integrations
- It has relatively few integrations beyond Zapier, but the few direct integrations they have are very well done ones
- The most affordable solution with an integrated power dialer (for a little more)
Like most of the other CRMs, Contactually is integrated with Zapier, which may require an additional subscription and a little setup.
Contactually does have some well done direct integrations with companies like the dialer Kixie, open house software Spacio, and social media tool Hootsuite.
Gamification
What is gamification? It is turning work literally into a game. It is a philosophy of software development that makes performing tasks more fun and doable.
An example is their “Bucket Your Contacts” contact manager game, rewarding you for ensuring that all the leads that have streamed into your sales pipelines have been successfully added to the right buckets.
If you are the competitive type who responds well to gamification, Contactually might be a CRM worth considering.
Support
- Features a robust Facebook group and reasonably good video tutorial content
- They make their webinars the core of their support
Contactually has reasonably good customer service, although advertise that a “dedicated customer success manager” is available only at the “Accelerator” plan at $99/mo.
Most of their tutorial content is contained in their webinars. Unlike other CRMs, Contactually’s webinars and video content go beyond just learning the Contactually system and as a general education resource for agents.
Biggest Pitfalls
Fewer “Extras”
- Has fewer features and functions that most competitors
- Does not have very many consumer-facing tools like market reports, a native website, or listing alerts
Contactually does not have as broad a spectrum of CRM tools as some other options, even some of the more affordable ones.
Contactually does not have consumer-facing products (e.g. website, listing alerts, etc), which, in my opinion, is okay. You want your CRM to focus on its core competencies, and website building is an entire skill unto itself. Likewise, they do not sell leads (also a good thing) or anything like that. But they also don’t have a lot of ready-made marketing material out of the gate without upgrading your account. The agent who is excited about ready-made fliers and drip campaigns will probably be disappointed.
Owned By Compass?
Prior to Compass, Contactually was, by my reckoning, one of the most beloved CRMs in the industry, regularly raved about in forums like Lab Coat Agents.
Since Compass bought the CRM in 2018, however, that tune has changed.
Many agents seem concerned about Compass, ostensibly a competitor, owning their software. Will Compass steal your data and customers if they own your CRM?
The answer is no. That would be illegal.
I would not be wary of Contactually because of their ownership. Many software products in our space were founded or owned by real estate agents and brokerages, including software like MoxiWorks and Brivity.
But if a brokerage owning your CRM gives you the heebie jeebies, then Contactually may not be the choice for you.
Contactually Pricing*
- $69/mo for the Professional plan
- $119/mo for the Accelerator plan
- Free trial offered
A Professional plan hasthe prebuilt workflows, drip campaigns, or ability to customize your email templates at $69/mo.
There is also the Real Estate Accelerator plan at $119/mo billed annually, which comes with a complete, prebuilt real estate system with emails and marketing materials, two complimentary coaching sessions, and a dedicated customer success manager.
Contactually offers a 14-day trial.
*This is current to the best of my knowledge at the time of this writing. Contact the vendor directly to check current prices, discounts, and terms.
My Personal Recommendation
Contactually is not as robust as some of the other more feature-rich CRMs. But where it shines is its great design and engaging style. Usability is the most important thing in a CRM, and the Contactually CRM is one of the best.
The “gamification” concept is unique. If you are the type that responds well to turning work into a game, then Contactually might finally be the solution that ensures you don’t fail to nurture your leads.
I recommend trying the free Contactually demo (as well as several other CRMs) and playing with it for a week to see if it suits your personality and style, and contrasting its usability with free trials of the other CRMs.
It is a good CRM to stay in touch with past clients, build stronger relationships, and nurture referrals, and I especially recommend considering it for agents who focus on repeat, referral, and sphere of business clients.
When Contactually was acquired by Compass, some made a stink about using a software “owned by a competitor”. I think this is nonsense as not only is it not uncommon for brokers to own technology products, but some of the best are broker owned (e.g. Brivity, Real Geeks, MoxiWorks).
Use Contactually if…
- You respond well to “gamification” – turning dry work into rewarding games against yourself
- You prioritize ease of use with a product that can scale with your business
- You do a lot of work on the go and value a CRM that plays well on mobile
Skip Contactually if…
- The design isn’t as important to you as having something more affordable with the same if not more options (consider LionDesk)
- You want something highly customizable that can take a lead from prospect to closing in one system (consider Realvolve)
- You want front-end features (e.g. website) and a library of marketing materials for less money (consider Top Producer)
Contactually Videos