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Writer's pictureDouglas Grays

Attio CRM Product Review 2024

Updated: 3 days ago


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Douglas Grays Author

The following Attio CRM review is grounded in my personal experiences with setting up and utilizing CRM systems. With over two decades of experience in using CRM software, I possess a solid understanding of their setup and operation. However, it's important to note that I am not a computer expert. My evaluations are based on the software's intuitiveness, ease of setup and use, and its integration into the workflow of a busy salesperson or business owner. I have great respect for anyone who dedicates their time to developing software with the aim of enhancing operations. While a particular software package may not align with my specific needs, it doesn't imply that it won't be suitable or happily adopted by others. This review solely reflects my own experiences.



Attio CRM Review


How user-friendly is the UI on Attio CRM ?


The UI of Attio CRM is relatively user-friendly, with a clean and minimalistic design. The left sidebar contains easy access to main features like contacts, companies, notifications, and reports. However, the interface can feel a bit overwhelming at first, with a lot of data presented in a spreadsheet-style / Airtable layout. While this may appeal to some users, others may prefer a more visually simplified UI. With some time to adjust, most users should find Attio's interface intuitive enough for daily use. However, I am personally not a great lover of spreadsheets!




How easy is it to upload a database?


To upload a database, look for the option to import or export on the top right-hand corner. However, importing can be confusing and not straightforward compared to other CRMs. When attempting to import from the current page, it was discovered that import can only be done through a list. A list was located, but it only allows for importing of companies, making it difficult to import contacts.


Creating a new list and setting it up is necessary, and the process can be overwhelming due to the amount of text. It is essential to create a CSV format list with first and last names. However, the import process only requests the contact name, causing concern. Additionally, the system does not allow for importing of the company name or telephone number, which is unusual.


It was discovered that custom attributes can be created to import the company name and telephone number, which is not on the templated list. When attempting to import contacts, the data was not clean, and the telephone numbers appeared dubious. Moreover, fake email addresses used for demonstration purposes could not be imported. Overall, the experience was quite painful and not as straightforward as expected.





What are the steps to effortlessly import leads into the Attio CRM system?


The lead import process in Attio CRM involves a few steps:


1. Click on the import/export button in the top right corner of any list page.


2. Create a new list or use an existing one. Ensure your import file is a CSV formatted with contact names in separate columns.


3. Map the columns in your CSV file to the available fields in Attio. You may need to create custom attributes for data like company name and phone numbers.


4. Upload the CSV file and configure the import settings like automatic list assignment.


5. Handle any errors in data formatting or field mapping before re-importing the cleaned file.


First and last names are captured in a single field in imports. If you have these in two columns in your CSV, you’ll need to merge them into one before importing. Again being able to merge spreadsheet columns is a skill I don’t have time to learn.


You won't be able to import a "Company" column for a list of people. Instead, you'll need to import a file of companies separately into a companies list to create them. People records will automatically be linked to companies when a person's email domain matches an existing company record's domain.


While functional, the import process in Attio could be streamlined further. But with practice, it is manageable to bring leads into the system.


Here is a link to the Attio CRM help page on data import.




Does Attio CRM include a customizable dashboard with widgets for a personalized start page?


Unfortunately, Attio does not seem to have a dedicated homepage that is customizable with widgets. Upon login, users are taken directly to the contact list view, which resembles a spreadsheet. The inability to customize a homepage dashboard is a drawback compared to other CRM systems that offer this feature for personalization. However, Attio does offer a basic dashboard option that you have to create yourself and again on trying it found it not that intuitive and would need to take time to figure out how to configure it. Time I seldom have.



How intuitive is the contact interface in Attio CRM?


The contact interface in Attio CRM is reasonably intuitive, with standard tabs for activity, communications, notes, and details located on the left sidebar. The right sidebar conveniently displays a summary of the contact's information. Overall, the contact interface resembles most CRM systems and does not require much training for sales teams to understand. However, some users may find it less visually appealing or discover that certain expected functionalities are not available that can be found in other CRM offerings.


Does Attio CRM support click-to-dial functionality and how to configure it?


Unfortunately, click-to-dial functionality does not seem to be supported currently in Attio CRM. There is no clear way to set up and configure this feature. The lack of click-to-dial is a considerable weakness compared to rival CRMs that integrate this capability to boost productivity for sales calls. Hopefully, Attio will consider adding this in future product updates to improve its competitiveness and usability.


What features does the Attio CRM Chrome extension offer for enhanced CRM functionality?


The Attio Chrome extension enables quick saving of LinkedIn contact details into the CRM system. However, its capabilities beyond that are limited. It does not allow for the creation of tasks, capturing of emails, or extensive data import from LinkedIn. The extension works fine for basic lead capture but could be expanded to fully integrate CRM functionality into your browsing experience.





How to seamlessly scrape and import LinkedIn data into the Attio CRM system?


The Attio Chrome extension provides an easy way to capture LinkedIn profile details into the CRM. When viewing a profile, click the extension icon to save the contact. For more comprehensive importing from LinkedIn, you would need to export profile data into a CSV file and import that into Attio using the steps outlined earlier. The LinkedIn integration could be enhanced to fully automatically import all profile fields.


How to conveniently add contacts and tasks to Attio CRM while inside your email client?


Unfortunately, Attio CRM does not seem to allow for direct creation of contacts and tasks from within email clients like Outlook or Gmail. All new contacts and tasks must be manually added into Attio itself. This is a missed opportunity for quick capture of leads and activities while working in your email. More seamless integration would improve the user experience.


How to effectively segment leads in Attio CRM for targeted marketing?


Attio CRM provides a basic search and filter capability for segmenting contacts, but the options are limited. There are no visual segmented lists, tags, or saved filter functionality. Segmenting requires manually applying filters each time. For savvy marketers, more robust segmentation options would be needed from Attio CRM to support targeted campaigns.


It is possible to create custom fields in Attio by using the "attributes" feature. However, I found it difficult to locate this feature initially. Additionally, I made a mistake when creating an attribute and wanted to delete it and start over, but I was unable to find a way to delete it. Overall, I do not find this CRM to be very intuitive or user-friendly.




Where and how to create tasks in Attio CRM and what other features does it offer for lead follow-up?


Tasks can be created directly on a contact record by clicking the "Add Task" button and entering details like date, owner, and description. However, task creation options are basic with no reminders, recurring tasks, or assignment to multiple owners. For more robust lead follow-up, integrated email and calendar functionality would help, but these features are lacking. The main issue for me is that you cannot create tasks directly from your email or LinkedIn, which are platforms I use frequently. Overall, the task management capabilities could be expanded.





What features does Attio CRM offer to efficiently track deals and manage your sales pipeline?


Attio CRM provides Deal tracking with stages that can be customized as needed. Deals can be assigned to contacts and moved through the pipeline stages. Key details like amount, probability, and close date can also be tracked. While functional for pipeline management, even more advanced analytics around pipeline performance would be beneficial. But the existing deal tracking covers the basics well.



How to efficiently track emails in Attio CRM and integrate it with Microsoft Outlook and Gmail?


Attio CRM automatically logs all incoming and outgoing emails with contacts in the system, providing visibility into communications. The emails tab on each contact shows this history.


For 2-way integration with Outlook and Gmail, visit the Email Accounts section in Attio's settings. You can authorize accounts here to sync email activity into the CRM.


This email integration works well in Attio for monitoring correspondences scattered across different platforms.




Does Attio CRM feature a built-in email marketing function for mass emailing leads?


Yes, Attio CRM provides an email marketing function that allows sending emails to multiple contacts directly from the system. Email drafts can be created with merge fields to personalize messages. Overall, this built-in mass email capability enhances marketing without requiring an external tool.


What software integrations does Attio CRM offer for enhanced business functionality?


The main integration offered by Attio CRM is with Slack for team collaboration. It allows sharing of Attio notifications and contact details into Slack.


Beyond Slack, Attio also integrates with Zapier to connect with other popular software tools that may be used by the business. This opens up much more potential for workflows between Attio and other systems.







How user-friendly and functional is the Attio CRM mobile app for on-the-go CRM management?


The Attio mobile app is currently basic, optimized for viewing contact details rather than robust CRM use on-the-go. Creating records and managing workflows is easier on the desktop browser version. The mobile experience could be expanded to allow greater remote CRM access for busy teams. In its current form, the mobile app offers limited utility.



What unique features set Attio CRM apart from other CRM systems in the market?


Some unique capabilities that Attio CRM offers include:


  • Built-in email marketing for contacting large segments of customers or leads directly from the CRM.

  • Slack integration facilitates team collaboration by sharing Attio data.

  • Zapier integration to connect with 1000+ other apps, enhancing workflows.

  • Automatic logging of all emails exchanged with contacts for a complete history.

  • Customizable deal stages that can match the sales pipeline process.


While Attio covers the overall basics of a CRM system, these integrations and communication features help differentiate it from generic platforms. The focus on email and team collaboration via Slack is a strong suit.


Hey Sales Warriors

In summary, Attio CRM provides a capable system covering all the core requirements for customer management, sales pipeline visibility, and communication tracking. It may appeal most to startups and smaller teams looking for an affordable but integrated solution. The interface takes some familiarization and lacks some bells and whistles of pricier CRMs. But Attio's focus on built-in email and external integrations make it worth evaluating, especially for marketing automation and team collaboration needs. Although Attio does not suit my aesthetics and workflow, with further development, it has the potential to become even more competitive in the CRM landscape.













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