Choosing the right CRM for higher education is a big step, and it can make all the difference in streamlining your enrollment process. With so many options out there, how do you know which CRM is the best fit for your institution?
If you’re like most institutions, you’re likely dealing with a growing number of inquiries, an increasingly complex admissions process, and a need to keep teams on the same page. At Meritto, we know the challenges firsthand, and that’s why we’ve built a higher education CRM software that covers the essentials every admissions team needs.
Here are the seven top features you’ll want to look for when choosing a CRM for universities—and why each one can take your admissions process from good to game-changing.
1. Centralized Lead Management System
Think of all the places your inquiries come from—websites, social media, email campaigns, even in-person events. Without a centralized system to pull them all together, it’s easy for leads to slip through the cracks. A higher education CRM should bring these inquiries into one unified platform so nothing is missed.
How Meritto Does It: Meritto’s CRM pulls inquiries from every channel and organizes them into one clean, easy-to-access dashboard. With real-time source tracking and a unified view of each lead profile, your team has everything in one place, ready to act. It’s a straightforward approach to ensure no lead gets left behind.
2. Dynamic Lead Allocation and Distribution
Getting leads to the right counselor quickly is crucial. You want a CRM for higher education that can automatically assign inquiries based on rules like location, course interest, or language preference. Fast and targeted responses improve the chances of turning inquiries into enrollments.
How Meritto Does It: Meritto’s dynamic lead allocation uses customizable rules to get leads to the right person at the right time. Whether it’s round-robin distribution or criteria-based assignment, Meritto’s CRM ensures your team is quick on the draw, giving every student a timely, personalized response.
3. Omnichannel Communication Suite
In today’s digital world, students expect communication that’s easy, direct, and accessible across multiple channels. From email to SMS and WhatsApp, a higher education CRM should make it simple to reach students where they are, without switching platforms.
How Meritto Does It: With Meritto’s 360° communication suite, your team can send personalized messages through email, WhatsApp, SMS, and more—all from one platform. Meritto even has Niaa, an AI-driven chatbot that engages students on platforms like WhatsApp, so students are never left waiting. It’s a seamless way to keep students engaged and informed.
4. Automation of Routine Tasks
If your team is bogged down with repetitive tasks, that’s time lost on more important work. A CRM for universities should handle routine tasks—like follow-up emails, interview scheduling, and document reminders—so your team can focus on building relationships with prospective students.
How Meritto Does It: Meritto’s CRM takes care of the heavy lifting with automation. Routine tasks are automated with custom workflows, so follow-ups and reminders happen automatically. This not only saves your team valuable time but also ensures no task is left undone, keeping students engaged every step of the way.
5. Real-Time Reporting and Analytics
The right CRM doesn’t just collect data; it gives you actionable insights to guide your strategy. Look for a higher education CRM software that offers robust reporting and analytics, allowing your team to monitor conversion rates, campaign effectiveness, and counselor productivity in real-time.
How Meritto Does It: Meritto’s robust reporting engine offers customizable dashboards and analytics tools, letting you track everything from lead conversion rates to campaign performance. With over 100 advanced dashboards and a drag-and-drop report builder, your team can create the insights they need to keep strategies effective and enrollment efforts on track.
6. Student Self-Service Portal
Today’s students appreciate control over their application journey. A CRM for higher education should include a student portal where applicants can submit documents, check application status, and communicate directly with admissions staff. This feature provides a streamlined experience for students while reducing the administrative workload.
How Meritto Does It: Meritto’s Student Enrollment Portal is a self-service hub that empowers students to track their applications in real time. They can upload documents, receive status updates, and contact admissions, all in one place. It’s a self-serve solution that gives students more control and makes it easier for your team to manage applications smoothly.
7. Unified Payment Management
Financial management can be complex, especially with high volumes of application and tuition fees. A CRM for universities should simplify payments, allowing institutions to handle transactions and reminders from within the CRM itself.
How Meritto Does It: Meritto’s unified payment stack makes payment collection and tracking straightforward. From tuition fees to application payments, the CRM supports various payment modes and includes flexible financing options, like zero-interest EMIs. With automated reminders and a real-time finance dashboard, Meritto’s CRM ensures a frictionless experience for both students and staff.
Why Institutions Trust Meritto’s CRM
Choosing a CRM for higher education is a big investment, and you want to feel confident in your choice. Over 1,000 educational institutions trust Meritto’s CRM to manage and scale their enrollment processes. With a track record of over 1 billion student engagements each year and 100 million inquiries processed annually, Meritto is built for the demands of today’s higher education landscape.
Meritto’s Track Record:
- 5 million applications managed on average annually
- A user base of 50,000 across various departments
- Trusted by some of the top universities and colleges globally
When you choose Meritto, you’re not just getting a CRM—you’re getting a reliable partner dedicated to making every step of your enrollment journey smoother.
Final Thoughts: Why These 7 Features Matter
In summary, the right higher education CRM software should cover the essentials: centralized lead management, dynamic lead distribution, omnichannel communication, robust automation, insightful reporting, a student self-service portal, and unified payment management. These features are more than just conveniences—they’re the building blocks of a streamlined, efficient enrollment process.
Meritto’s CRM for universities is designed with these features at its core, providing a comprehensive solution that helps your team operate efficiently while enhancing the student experience. By investing in a CRM that understands your institution’s unique needs, you’re setting up your enrollment team for success and helping your institution stay competitive.
Ready to see Meritto’s CRM in action? Schedule a demo today and discover how Meritto can simplify and scale your admissions process, one feature at a time.
