The CRM Layer: just enough structure to never lose a lead.
For micro-businesses, CRM shouldn’t feel like a corporate system. AutoFlowPros uses a lightweight CRM layer to keep leads, clients, and follow-ups in one place — so automations (and optional AI) can do useful work.
A quiet, practical home for leads and follow-ups
The CRM layer is where the key relationship data lives: who the person is, what they asked for, what you promised, and what the next step is. That’s enough to run helpful automations without drowning you in fields and dashboards.
- People: name, email/phone, company (optional).
- Status: new lead / active / waiting / closed.
- Notes: the important context in plain English.
- Next step: follow-up date + what to do next.
If it doesn’t help you decide your next action, it probably doesn’t belong in your CRM.
- Auto-create a lead when an email/form inquiry arrives.
- Auto-remind you when a follow-up is due.
- Auto-log key messages and files to the right client.
- Optional AI: draft replies or summarize the last thread.
The CRM layer is how “Collect → Ask” becomes actionable, without adding complexity.
Three CRM patterns that work for tiny teams
We pick the simplest pattern that fits how you already work. You can always grow later — but most people never need to.
- Perfect for: solo operators and early-stage setups.
- One sheet: contacts + status + follow-up date + notes.
- Automations: append rows, set reminders, generate summaries.
- Perfect for: micro-businesses with steady inquiries.
- Cleaner views: pipeline/status + tasks/follow-ups.
- Automations: triggers + routing + consistent follow-up.
- Perfect for: email-heavy businesses.
- CRM holds the status/next step; email holds the detail.
- Optional AI: summarize the last 10 emails into next steps.
- Over-customization and endless fields
- Dashboards that look impressive but don’t help action
- “Everyone must update CRM daily” (doesn’t happen)
Recommended stack: simple, modern, and practical
We can implement the CRM layer using the tools you already have — or recommend a lightweight option that fits your budget and comfort level.
- CRM: Google Sheets / Excel / Notion table
- Comms: Gmail / Outlook / Thunderbird
- Storage: One folder system (local or cloud)
- Automation: simple triggers + reminders
- CRM: Attio (or similar lightweight CRM)
- Automation: flows that update records + tasks
- AI: optional drafts + summaries (human approval)
- Goal: consistent follow-up without admin pain
Want a CRM layer that actually gets used?
Send a short note describing how you get inquiries today (email, web form, phone, Facebook, etc.). We’ll suggest a minimal CRM pattern and 1–2 automations that deliver immediate value.
- Where leads come from
- What you forget to follow up on
- Your current tool list (optional)
- Any privacy requirements
Email us and we’ll reply with a clear plan and a lightweight demo.
Prefer to keep data local? Tell us — we can design flows with privacy-friendly options.