The Best 7 CRMs for Study Abroad Consultants

There is a great level of competition in overseas education consulting today, and at the heart of the business is relationship management between the students and other interested groups and institutions. A good working CRM system can increase your performance, student engagement, and conversion rates.

The best CRM not only enhances the management of relationships but also helps increase team productivity by enabling you to track the performance of staff members. In this blog, the 7 most successful CRMs for study abroad consultants have been narrowed down, and their features, advantages, and uniqueness are enlisted.

1. EduCtrl

Overview: EduCtrl is a CRM that is oriented mainly toward education consultants and has been developed to make student data management and the whole application process as easy as possible. It is one of the most straightforward CRMs in terms of its user interface and possesses features perfectly fitted for the educational market to maintain extensive student records and manage correspondence.

Key Features:

• Student Profile Management: EduCtrl features an intelligible database in which all the student’s information is stored, such as academic background, exam scores, and personal information. This makes it easier to retrieve the information when it is required or when there is a need to effect some changes to the data.

• Application Tracking: The CRM gives consultants visibility of the status of applications they handle in real-time, and enables them to oversee every phase in the process to determine when and where intercession is required. This feature is paramount in ensuring that deadlines are not missed, an aspect crucial in maintaining the smooth running of the application process.

• Communication Tools: EduCtrl links to email and Short Message Service (SMS) to broadcast messages typed by consultants to students’ mobile phones. This means that all communications during the implementation process are stored and retrievable within the system.

Why It is Ideal: In a nutshell, EduCtrl is a good option for higher education consultants seeking a simple but effective tool specifically developed for the education sector. Its features, including student profile management, Outbound call integration, WhatsApp integration and application tracking, making it suitable for dealing with the several strings attached to the student’s overseas education experience.

Website: www.eductrl.com
 

2. ApplyBoard

Overview: ApplyBoard is one of the most famous platforms in the sphere of overseas education, with a CRM system that works in synergy with its vast network of schools. ApplyBoard CRM reduces the number of applications required by linking potential students with educational institutions around the globe, making it easier for consultants to match students with the right programs.

Key Features:

• School Partnerships: ApplyBoard’s CRM connects directly with a vast network of educational institutions, allowing consultants to access up-to-date information on programs, admissions criteria, and application deadlines. This integration simplifies the process of matching students with appropriate schools.

• Document Management: The CRM offers a robust document management system that allows students to upload necessary documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Consultants can then review and submit these documents directly through the platform.

• Analytics and Reporting: ApplyBoard provides comprehensive analytics and reporting tools that offer insights into application trends, success rates, and other key metrics. This data can be used to optimize the application process and improve overall outcomes for students.

Why It is Ideal: ApplyBoard’s CRM is well-suited for consultants working with highly valued partner schools and handling large volumes of applications. Its document management and analytics features simplify the paperwork associated with the application process, giving consultants more time to work with students.

Website: www.applyboard.com
 

3. Edvisor.io

Overview: Edvisor.io is a CRM solution developed exclusively for education agents aimed at providing them with a set of features that will make the application and enrollment processes much easier. Flexible and customizable, Edvisor.io enables consultants to work in ways that enhance their productivity, which is why many consultants opt to use this CRM.

Key Features:

• Customizable Workflows: Edvisor.io’s CRM allows users to create customized workflows that align with their specific operational processes. This feature is particularly useful for consultants who have unique business models or cater to specialized student segments.

• Automated Communications: The CRM enables consultants to set up automated email and SMS campaigns, ensuring that students receive timely updates about their applications, deadlines, and other important information. This automation reduces the workload on consultants and ensures that students are kept informed throughout the process.

• Commission Tracking: Edvisor.io includes a commission tracking feature that helps consultants manage commissions from partner schools. This ensures transparency and accuracy in financial dealings, which is crucial for maintaining good relationships with educational institutions.

Why It is Ideal: Edvisor.io presents numerous options for customization as well as automation, making it ideal for the study abroad consultant business. It is especially useful for consultants who address students with various kinds of businesses and commercial organizations.

Website: www.edvisor.io
 

4. Ellucian

Overview: Ellucian is a multinational company that specializes in providing technological solutions to learning institutions, and its CRM can track and handle leads from the point where they express interest in enrolling in a particular institution to the point, they complete the enrollment process. Serving mainly in higher education settings, there are several helpful features that overseas education consultants can get from Ellucian’s CRM.

Key Features:

• Student Lifecycle Management: Ellucian’s CRM provides comprehensive tools for managing every stage of the student journey, from initial inquiry to post-enrollment support. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of the student experience are monitored and optimized.

• Integration with SIS: The CRM seamlessly integrates with Student Information Systems (SIS), providing a unified platform for managing student data. This integration ensures that all information is accurate and up-to-date, reducing the risk of errors.

• Advanced Analytics: Ellucian offers advanced analytics tools that allow consultants to track student success, monitor engagement levels, and identify areas for improvement. These insights can be used to refine strategies and improve outcomes for students.

Why It is Ideal: Consultants who actively cooperate with universities will find Ellucian suitable due to its powerful lifecycle management and integration features. It also provides enhanced analytics tools that can be useful for its consulting counterparts who seek to improve their business or advance student success rates.

Website: www.ellucian.com
 

5. Meritto (formerly NoPaperForms)

Overview: Meritto, originally called NoPaperForms, is a CRM that has garnered attention for easing the admission processes. With all lead generation, consulting, and payment collection options, Meritto helps consultants manage everything from lead generation to payment collection, making it a comprehensive solution for overseas education consultants.

Key Features:

• Lead Management: Meritto’s CRM allows consultants to efficiently capture, track, and nurture leads throughout the admissions funnel. This feature is crucial for managing large volumes of inquiries and ensuring that no potential students are overlooked.

• Application Forms: The CRM enables consultants to create and manage custom application forms with built-in validation checks. This ensures that all necessary information is collected and that applications are submitted correctly the first time.

• Payment Gateway Integration: Meritto integrates with payment gateways, allowing consultants to collect application fees directly through the CRM. This feature simplifies the payment process and ensures that all transactions are securely processed.

Why It is Ideal: Meritto is ideal for overseas education consultants looking for a holistic CRM that caters to all admission processes. The two major particularities, lead management and payment gateway integration make a huge difference for consultants who take in many applications and need a way to organize them.

Website: www.meritto.com
 

6. Blackbaud

Overview: Blackbaud is one of the most popular CRMs designed for the education market, containing the elements for attracting students and engaging them, as well as fundraising instruments. Although Blackbaud CRM is mostly connected to HEIs, this tool is highly useful for study abroad consultants, particularly if the consultancy agency works with scholarship management or fundraising.

Key Features:

• Engagement Tools: Blackbaud offers multi-channel communication tools that allow consultants to maintain ongoing relationships with students. These tools are essential for keeping students engaged and informed throughout the application process.

• Donor Management: The CRM includes robust tools for managing donations and tracking donor relationships, making it an ideal choice for consultants involved in scholarship programs or other fundraising efforts.

• Reporting and Analytics: Blackbaud provides detailed insights into student interactions, application outcomes, and fundraising performance. These reports help consultants make informed decisions and optimize their strategies.

Why It is Ideal: Blackbaud is particularly useful for overseas education consultants who are also involved in either fundraising or management of scholarships. Being multifunctional, the CRM tool is as effective for the enrollment of new students as it is for donor administration.

Website: www.blackbaud.com
 

7. LeadSquared

Overview: LeadSquared is a multi-utility CRM that mainly focuses on lead capturing as well as automation. It will accommodate numerous questions that students inquire about, making it advantageous to overseas education consultant firms seeking to improve processes and student interaction rates.

Key Features:

• Lead Scoring: LeadSquared’s CRM includes advanced lead-scoring features that help consultants prioritize the most promising prospects. This ensures that time and resources are focused on the leads most likely to convert.

• Automation: The CRM offers automated workflows for lead nurturing, follow-ups, and application processing. This automation reduces the workload on consultants and ensures that students receive timely communication.
• Integration Capabilities: LeadSquared integrates with various platforms, including email marketing tools, student portals, and payment gateways. This integration ensures a seamless experience for both consultants and students.

• Mobile CRM: LeadSquared offers a mobile app that allows consultants to manage their CRM on the go. This feature is particularly useful for consultants who travel frequently or need to access student information from multiple locations.

Why It is Ideal: With features such as lead and contact management, and task and follow-up automation, LeadSquared is the best CRM for study abroad consultants who work with many leads and require a system to handle these most efficiently while also eliminating time-consuming tasks. Primarily, it includes a lead scoring option that enables consultants to effectively organize and manage the student journey.

Website: www.leadsquared.com
 

Conclusion

The way a study abroad consultancy manages its customer relationships is crucial for the success of the venture and the efficiency of the business. When selecting the appropriate CRM, factors such as customization, automation, and integration with partners' information systems should be carefully considered. The best CRMs mentioned above are designed to meet the diverse needs of higher education consultants, helping to expand services, increase team productivity, and track staff performance.

With these tools, you can provide a more satisfying experience for your students, enhance their overseas education journey, and ultimately expand your enterprise. Each CRM has its own benefits, likely to positively impact your outcomes, so it is essential to align your choice with your company's specific needs and workflow. By choosing the best CRM, you can ensure your consultancy thrives in the competitive world of overseas education.