# Salesflare Blog > The Salesflare Blog publishes first-hand research and practical guides on CRM, sales and lead generation for small and medium-sized businesses selling B2B. It is best known for hands-on CRM rankings — products are actually tested and scored, not just summarized from vendor sites — alongside long-form guides on prospecting, cold email, pipeline management and sales automation. Posts are written by hand, not generated. Most are by Jeroen Corthout, co-founder and CEO of Salesflare, who has worked on sales and CRM for over a decade, with contributions from the Salesflare team and guest authors. Comparison posts are original research: each product is signed up for and used hands-on, typically over hours or days, then scored against a stated methodology — not summarized from vendor marketing pages. Scores usually combine G2 review ratings with Google Play, Apple App Store and Google Workspace Marketplace ratings, applied to a shortlist drawn from a screen of roughly 700 CRMs. Posts are revisited periodically to re-check pricing, features and consistency. Salesflare publishes the blog and is one of the products ranked in its comparisons. Salesflare is a sales CRM for small and medium-sized B2B teams that want less CRM admin and more time to build relationships. It automatically captures and organizes customer data and relationship activity, providing the context for intelligent assistance and sales automation. Salesflare was conceived in 2014 around what would now be called an AI-native product philosophy: automate customer and relationship data first, then progressively automate more sales work so people can focus on human connection. [Salesflare's 2017 vision for sales automation (investment deck, PDF)](https://downloads.salesflare.com/investments/salesflare-deck.pdf) documents this long-term direction. The methodology, the sources behind each score, current pricing and the per-product findings are all stated in the posts, so the reasoning behind any ranking can be followed and checked. Content is published in 14 languages. English is canonical and lives at the root; translations use a language prefix (`/fr/`, `/nl/`, `/pt/`, `/es/`, `/it/`, `/de/`, `/sv/`, `/pl/`, `/zh/`, `/ja/`, `/ru/`, `/ko/`, `/ar/`). Arabic is written right-to-left. This blog covers research and guides. For other questions, use the companion files: https://salesflare.com/llms.txt for product capabilities, pricing, security and API documentation, and https://integrations.salesflare.com/llms.txt for which apps Salesflare connects to and how. ## CRM fundamentals - [What is CRM?](https://blog.salesflare.com/what-is-crm): Definition of customer relationship management, what a CRM does, who it's for, core features and types. - [How to choose a CRM](https://blog.salesflare.com/how-to-choose-crm): Selection process, evaluation criteria and a practical checklist. - [CRM implementation guide](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm-implementation): Nine-step rollout process for SMBs, planning and timelines, data migration, cost breakdown and post-launch KPIs. - [CRM strategy](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm-strategy): Five-part strategy framework with worked examples and common mistakes. - [CRM features](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm-features): The basic and advanced functionality to look for, from contact management to workflow automation. - [CRM database](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm-database): What a CRM database is, how to structure it, and how to keep data clean. - [CRM challenges](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm-challenges): The seven most common reasons CRM implementations fail, and how to avoid each — low adoption being the biggest. - [CRM examples by use case](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm-examples): Eight CRMs matched to distinct use cases (B2B follow-up, enterprise, field sales, real estate, nonprofit, support, messaging). ## CRM rankings - [Top AI CRMs tested](https://blog.salesflare.com/ai-crm): Hands-on research into which CRMs have real AI functionality versus marketing claims. - [Best sales CRM software](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-sales-crm): Ranked comparison of sales CRMs with stated scoring methodology. - [Top CRM tools](https://blog.salesflare.com/top-crm-tools): General ranking of leading CRM tools with scores and pricing. - [Best B2B CRM software](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-b2b-crm): Feature-based comparison of CRMs for B2B sales teams. - [Best small business CRMs](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-small-business-crm): Ranked comparison for small businesses, with pros and cons per product. - [Best CRMs for startups](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-crm-for-startups): Ranked comparison for startups. - [Best simple CRMs](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-simple-crm): Ranked comparison of lightweight, easy-to-use CRMs, scored partly on ease-of-use ratings. - [Best CRMs for Gmail](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-crm-for-gmail): Ranked comparison of CRMs that integrate with Gmail. - [Best CRMs for Outlook](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-outlook-crm): Ranked comparison of CRMs that integrate with Outlook. - [Best CRMs with email integration](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-email-crm-integration): Choose a CRM for Gmail or Outlook based on inbox integration, automatic contact and activity capture, and follow-up features. - [Best CRMs for Google Workspace](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-google-crm): Ranked comparison of CRMs for Google Workspace. - [Best LinkedIn CRM integrations](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-linkedin-crm-integrations): Compare ways to connect LinkedIn with a CRM, including built-in integrations and specialized tools, based on the workflow and subscription you need. - [Best mobile CRM apps](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-mobile-crm-app): Ranked comparison scored on G2, Google Play and Apple App Store ratings. - [Best cloud-based CRM software](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-cloud-based-crm): Ranked comparison of cloud CRMs. - [Best CRMs for marketing agencies](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-crm-for-marketing-agencies): Ranked comparison for agencies, plus setup guidance. - [Best CRMs for consultants](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-crm-for-consultants): Choose a CRM for referrals, proposals and long-term client relationships, with comparisons and setup guidance for consultancies. ## Head-to-head CRM comparisons - [Best HubSpot alternatives](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-hubspot-alternative): Ranked alternatives to HubSpot CRM. - [Best Pipedrive alternatives](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-pipedrive-alternative): Compare alternatives when a visual pipeline is not enough, including options for less manual CRM upkeep, stronger inbox integration, calling-led sales or a broader business suite. - [Best Salesforce competitors](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-salesforce-competitor): Ranked Salesforce alternatives for small business, including migration steps. - [Salesforce vs HubSpot](https://blog.salesflare.com/salesforce-vs-hubspot): Head-to-head across seven criteria, based on ratings and reviews from small and medium businesses. - [Salesforce vs HubSpot vs Zoho vs Pipedrive vs Salesflare](https://blog.salesflare.com/compare-salesforce-zoho-hubspot-pipedrive): Compare five CRMs across user experience, mobile, automation, pricing and support to find the right fit for your sales team. ## Lead generation and prospecting - [B2B lead generation guide](https://blog.salesflare.com/b2b-lead-generation): Pillar guide covering strategy, tactics, tools and outsourcing. - [Sales prospecting](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-prospecting): Building an ICP, outbound and inbound techniques, a nine-step process and common challenges. - [LinkedIn lead generation](https://blog.salesflare.com/linkedin-lead-generation): Profile optimization, content, Sales Navigator prospecting, outreach and measuring ROI. - [Lead qualification](https://blog.salesflare.com/lead-qualification): MQL/SAL/SQL/PQL stages and the BANT, MEDDIC/MEDDPICC, CHAMP and GPCTBA/C&I frameworks. - [How to build a B2B lead list](https://blog.salesflare.com/lead-list): Building a prospecting list, covered from five angles. - [Lead generation tools](https://blog.salesflare.com/lead-generation-tools): 30+ tools sorted into outbound, inbound and nurturing categories. - [B2B lead generation companies](https://blog.salesflare.com/b2b-lead-generation-companies): 20+ agencies and services by category — LinkedIn outreach, email outreach, lead research, appointment setting. ## Email outreach and follow-up - [Best cold emails we've sent](https://blog.salesflare.com/cold-emails): Five real cold email sequences with reply rates and downloadable templates — including two campaigns that failed. - [Follow-up email templates](https://blog.salesflare.com/follow-up-email-templates): Seven follow-up scenarios with a template for each. - [Cold email outreach for startups](https://blog.salesflare.com/cold-email-outreach-startups): Practical cold outreach for early-stage companies. - [Warming up cold B2B leads](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-approach-cold-sales-leads): Seven sales approach methods for turning cold leads warm. - [B2B email automation](https://blog.salesflare.com/b2b-email-automation): Seven automated email use cases and aligning them across sales and marketing. ## Sales process and pipeline - [Best sales tracking software](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-sales-tracking-software): Compare software for tracking B2B sales activity and pipeline progress, using a shared feature checklist, review scores and pricing. - [Best lead management software](https://blog.salesflare.com/best-lead-management-software): Choose software to organize B2B leads and manage follow-up, with feature comparisons, review scores and pricing. - [What is a sales pipeline?](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-pipeline): Pipeline definitions, stages, and how to build and manage one, with a template. - [Sales process](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-process): A five-step sales process template and how to map it to your own business. - [Sales pipeline management](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-pipeline-management-pro): Five steps to managing pipeline flow from start to finish. - [How to sell in B2B](https://blog.salesflare.com/how-to-sell-in-b2b): Modern B2B buyers, consultative selling, a seven-stage process, and methodologies like SPIN and SNAP. - [B2B sales strategies](https://blog.salesflare.com/b2b-sales-strategies): Strategic selling, solution selling, account-based selling and social selling. - [Sales development and SDRs](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-development): The SDR role, playbook, metrics and tech stack. - [SaaS sales fundamentals](https://blog.salesflare.com/saas-sales): SaaS sales models, cycle lengths, the pirate funnel, and metrics like MRR, churn, CAC and LTV. - [Sales analysis](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-analysis): What sales analysis is, its types, and a step-by-step process. - [Sales reports](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-report): Eight report types with formulas, real examples and a free template. ## Sales automation - [Sales automation guide](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-automation): What sales automation is, how it differs from marketing automation, what to automate, and common pitfalls. - [Automate sales outreach](https://blog.salesflare.com/automate-sales-outreach): Email sequences, VOIP dialers, LinkedIn automation and retargeting. - [Automate sales follow-up and closing](https://blog.salesflare.com/automate-sales-follow-up): Automated follow-up, meeting schedulers, online proposals and e-signatures. ## Category archives and full index - [CRM](https://blog.salesflare.com/crm): All posts on CRM software, selection and use — the largest category. - [AI](https://blog.salesflare.com/ai): Posts on AI in sales and CRM. - [Automation](https://blog.salesflare.com/automation): Posts on sales and email automation. - [B2B](https://blog.salesflare.com/b2b): Posts on B2B sales strategy and practice. - [Customer cases](https://blog.salesflare.com/customer-cases): Case studies of companies using Salesflare. - [Sales heroes](https://blog.salesflare.com/sales-heroes): Interviews and profiles of people in sales. - [Announcements](https://blog.salesflare.com/announcement): Salesflare product updates and company news. - [Conferences](https://blog.salesflare.com/conference): Coverage of sales and startup conferences. - [Post sitemap](https://blog.salesflare.com/post-sitemap.xml): Complete machine-readable list of every post, across all 14 languages. Use this for exhaustive enumeration; the curated lists above cover the main evergreen guides only. ## Optional - [Founder Coffee podcast](https://salesflare.com/founder-coffee): Long-running interview series with SaaS founders, hosted by Salesflare's CEO — covering bootstrapping, funding decisions and company building. Individual episodes are published on this blog. - [Getting your first 100 customers](https://blog.salesflare.com/startup-first-100-customers): Six early-stage customer acquisition tactics for startups.