CRM for Trades Switzerland: 2026 guide

A CRM for trades helps craft businesses keep track of enquiries, quotes, jobs and customers – from the first call to the invoice. Especially in the trades, where much happens on the road at the job site, simple mobile capture decides whether any enquiry is left behind. Advanzo is a lean Swiss CRM that runs in the browser on any device, with Swiss hosting, a free entry point and predictable costs.

This guide shows what a CRM does for craft businesses, which features matter on the road, how it differs from classic industry software, and how the best-known solutions differ in 2026 (pricing as of July 2026, per each vendor).

What a CRM does for trades

In the trades, a lot runs on personal contact, the phone and the job site – and that's exactly where things easily get lost without a system. A CRM bundles all customer data, open quotes and upcoming appointments in one place and makes visible which enquiry is in which stage. That way you always know where to follow up and which job comes next.

The need is real: according to the Swiss federal SME portal (kmu.admin.ch, 2025), around half of the roughly 600,000 active SMEs use a CRM. For a craft business, a CRM above all means no quote is forgotten and recurring customers – for service and maintenance – are looked after reliably.

The typical challenges in the trades

Craft businesses often struggle with the same problems a CRM specifically solves:

• Lost enquiries: A call between two job sites that isn't noted down is a lost job.
• Quotes without follow-up: A quote that's sent but nobody chases often leads to no close.
• Appointments and coordination: Without a central overview, site appointments clash or are forgotten.
• Knowledge in one head: When customer information sits only with one person, there's a risk if they're away or you grow.

A CRM turns these weak points into a structured process – without it becoming an IT project.

Key features for craft businesses

A craft business doesn't need an overloaded platform but a solid, mobile base:

• Mobile capture: Record enquiries and notes right at the job site on the smartphone.
• Contact and property management: All details on customer and property in one place, including history.
• Quote pipeline: Make visible which quotes are open and where to follow up.
• Tasks and reminders: Appointments, callbacks and follow-ups so nothing is forgotten.
• Recurring customers: Reminders for service and maintenance appointments for plannable extra business.

Simplicity is decisive: a CRM you can operate between two appointments gets used – a complicated one gets left behind.

Trades on the road: mobile access

Few industries are as mobile as the trades. That's why mobile access isn't an extra but the basic requirement. With a browser-based CRM like Advanzo, you open the customer history right on your smartphone, record in seconds what was discussed after a customer conversation, and plan the next step. Because no app needs to be installed, every team member is ready immediately – from the boss to the fitter. That way the CRM stays up to date even when the day happens at the job site, not at the desk.

Advanzo: the lean CRM for craft businesses

Advanzo is deliberately kept simple and runs in the browser on any device. You start free (up to 25 deals) and then pay CHF 25.00 per user/month, capped at CHF 350.00/month. You're ready in minutes: import contacts, create a quote pipeline, get going – with no IT project and no dedicated administrator. An optional AI add-on (CHF 7.00 per user/month) summarises conversations and drafts follow-up emails.

The difference from large suites lies in the combination: a Swiss data location, predictable costs with a cap and an interface that's just as simple on the smartphone as on the laptop. That gives a craft business a CRM it actually uses day to day – instead of a platform that costs more time than it saves.

A day at the job site: how the CRM helps

A typical workflow shows the value concretely. In the morning the phone rings while you're up the ladder – instead of scribbling the number on a scrap of paper, you capture the enquiry in seconds on your smartphone and set a callback right away. At the customer's place you see the history: what was done last year, which quote is open? After the appointment you record the outcome and plan the next quote. In the evening there's nothing to log – everything is already captured, and no enquiry is lost between two job sites.

From scraps of paper to a system

Many craft businesses work with scraps of paper, the calendar and memory. That works while things are quiet – but as the job volume grows it becomes a risk: notes get lost, callbacks are forgotten, and nobody knows exactly which quotes are still open. Moving to a CRM needn't be a big step. It's enough to capture your most important customers and open quotes, and from then on enter every new enquiry directly. After a short time the system replaces the scattered notes, and you have everything in one place – even as the business grows and several people work in it.

CRM or trade-specific industry software?

Many craft businesses already use industry software for job processing, time tracking and invoicing. A CRM doesn't necessarily replace this but complements it: while the industry software covers execution and accounting, the CRM handles the customer relationship beforehand – enquiries, quotes and follow-up. In Switzerland, for example, bexio covers invoicing and light customer management but is less geared to a sales pipeline and follow-up. If your focus is on won jobs and fewer lost enquiries, a dedicated, lean CRM usually serves you better – if necessary alongside your existing industry solution.

CRM for trades comparison 2026

The table below places well-known solutions with a view to craft businesses – mobile use, data location and entry price. Please check the official pages, as plans change.

Pricing as of July 2026 per each vendor; competitor list prices exclude VAT, currency conversion and one-off onboarding fees. Only Advanzo and bexio host in Switzerland by default.

Do the math: CRM costs for your business

Most CRMs bill per user – the more employees, the higher the monthly bill. Advanzo is capped at CHF 350/month. Move the slider to your business size and see when the flat cap pays off:

[[flatcalc comp="Competitor" price="50" cur="USD" tier="per seat"]]

How to get started with a CRM in a craft business

Getting started is easier than many think. First import your existing customers and open quotes – usually via Excel in a few minutes. Then set up your quote pipeline with clear stages, such as enquiry, quote, job, done. Open the address on your smartphone and save it as a home-screen icon so it feels like an app. Get your team used to a simple routine: after each customer contact, capture it briefly and plan the next step. Within a few days no enquiry is left behind.

Which trades benefit from a CRM?

A CRM is worth it for practically any trade with direct customer contact. Plumbing, heating and electrical benefit from following up quotes and recurring maintenance. Painters, joiners and floor layers keep enquiries and appointments under control. Landscaping and cleaning nurture regular customers and seasonal jobs. Anywhere several quotes run at once and follow-up decides the job, the structure pays off quickly.

Conclusion: the right CRM for craft businesses

For a craft business, the best CRM is the one that's simple, works on mobile and makes sure no enquiry and no quote is forgotten. Advanzo combines exactly that with Swiss data storage, predictable costs with a cap and a free entry point. That way you win more jobs without fighting through complicated software – and focus on what you do best: your craft.

Start Advanzo for free and test the mobile Swiss CRM right on your smartphone – no credit card, ready in minutes.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is a CRM for trades?

A CRM for trades is a system that bundles a craft business's enquiries, quotes, appointments and customer data in one place. It ensures no enquiry is left behind and quotes are consistently followed up – ideally on mobile at the job site too.

Does a small craft business need a CRM?

As soon as several quotes run at once or more than one person looks after customers, yes. A CRM makes sure no enquiry is forgotten and appointments are coordinated. With only a few jobs a list is enough at first, but the switch pays off early.

Does a CRM for trades work on mobile?

Yes, and that's decisive. With a browser-based CRM like Advanzo you capture enquiries and notes right at the job site on the smartphone, with no app installation. That way the CRM stays up to date even when the day happens on the road.

Does a CRM replace my trade industry software?

Not necessarily. Industry software covers job processing, time tracking and invoicing; a CRM covers the customer relationship beforehand – enquiries, quotes and follow-up. Many businesses use both in parallel; if your focus is on won jobs, a dedicated CRM helps.

What does a CRM cost for a craft business?

It varies. Advanzo starts free and then costs CHF 25.00 per user/month, capped at CHF 350.00/month. International CRMs often start at USD 14–25 per seat but bill per user, so costs rise with the team.

Is there a CRM for trades with a Swiss data location?

Yes. Advanzo hosts in Switzerland and is FADP- and GDPR-compliant. bexio also hosts in Switzerland but is more focused on invoicing and accounting. Most international CRMs host in the EU or the US.

How quickly is a CRM ready to use in a craft business?

With a lean, browser-based solution like Advanzo you're ready in minutes: import customers, create a quote pipeline, open it on the smartphone, get going – with no dedicated administrator and no app installation.

Does a CRM help with recurring customers and maintenance?

Yes. A CRM reminds you of due service and maintenance appointments and makes recurring business plannable. That way you tap the potential of your regular customers better instead of leaving it to chance.

How do I convince my team to use the CRM?

Keep it simple and show the direct benefit: fewer forgotten enquiries and less paperwork in the evening. If capture on the smartphone takes seconds, the team accepts the tool quickly – especially when it noticeably eases the work.