Summary

• Close CRM's poor LinkedIn integration forces manual data entry and leads to missed sales opportunities for teams that rely on social selling.

• Sales teams generating over 30% of their pipeline from LinkedIn need specialized tools to manage high-volume messaging and track follow-ups effectively.

• Kondo transforms the chaotic LinkedIn inbox into an organized command center, helping users save up to 10 hours weekly and double lead responses.

You've set up your sales workflow in Close CRM, but find yourself constantly switching between tabs, manually copying LinkedIn messages, and losing track of important conversations. Your team spends hours each week on data entry instead of selling, and those hot LinkedIn leads are slipping through the cracks because of poor integration.

If you're a sales professional who lives in LinkedIn messages, you've likely experienced the frustration of trying to force Close CRM to work with your LinkedIn-centric sales approach. While Close excels in many areas, its limitations become painfully apparent for teams whose primary prospecting channel is LinkedIn.

The LinkedIn Sales Struggle with Close CRM

Close CRM users who rely heavily on LinkedIn for prospecting face several significant challenges:

1. Poor LinkedIn Integration: Close lacks seamless connection with LinkedIn, forcing manual data entry and creating disconnected workflows. As one sales leader put it on Reddit: "Keeping track of everything is a nightmare."

2. No Direct Messaging Features: Close doesn't support LinkedIn messaging, meaning conversations happen outside your CRM and valuable context gets lost.

3. Contact Identification Issues: Close primarily uses email as a unique identifier, creating duplicate contacts for LinkedIn profiles without email addresses.

4. Limited Follow-up System: The lack of native reminders specifically for LinkedIn conversations leads to missed follow-ups and lost opportunities.

5. Manual Data Entry: Sales reps waste hours copying information between LinkedIn and Close, with one Reddit user lamenting that "it's a nightmare to manage" the volume of LinkedIn messages.

Fortunately, there are several Close CRM alternatives designed specifically for sales teams who prioritize LinkedIn engagement. Let's explore the top 10 options, with special focus on tools that solve the LinkedIn messaging management problem.

The 10 Best Close CRM Alternatives for LinkedIn-Focused Teams

1. Kondo: The Command Center for Your LinkedIn Inbox

Kondo isn't just another Close CRM alternative—it's a specialized productivity tool designed to transform the chaotic LinkedIn inbox into a streamlined communication hub. Often described as "Superhuman for LinkedIn," Kondo is the ultimate solution for sales teams drowning in LinkedIn messages.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• Labels & Split Inboxes: Create custom labels like 'Hot Lead', 'Client', or 'Follow-up Q4' and assign them with a simple 'L' shortcut. This creates separate, prioritized inboxes so valuable messages from leads don't get buried under notifications.

• Reminders (Snooze): Snooze any conversation with the 'H' key and have it resurface at the top of your inbox at a preset time or custom date. Reminders automatically cancel if the prospect replies first, preventing awkward follow-ups.

• Snippets: Save and reuse common messages (like outreach templates or responses to FAQs) with a simple ';' command. Use variables like {firstName} for personalization, saving significant time compared to manual copying and pasting.

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Navigate your inbox at lightning speed using shortcuts for common actions: Archive (E), Remind (H), Label (L), Open Profile (I), and more.

• CRM & System Sync: Automatically push conversations, labels, and notes to your primary CRM through native integrations with HubSpot, Notion, Google Sheets, or via Zapier/Make for Salesforce and others.

Unique Differentiators:

• Voice Notes on Desktop: Send LinkedIn voice messages directly from your desktop—a feature LinkedIn restricts to mobile.

• Unified Sales Navigator & LinkedIn Inbox: Merge your regular LinkedIn and Sales Navigator inboxes into one unified view, eliminating the need to check two separate places for messages.

Pricing: Starts at $28/month for the Basic plan when billed annually; Business plan with CRM integrations at $36/month. Comes with a 2-week money back guarantee.

Kondo stands out among Close CRM alternatives because it's purpose-built to solve the exact challenges sales teams face on LinkedIn—making it ideal for teams transitioning away from Close who need better LinkedIn message management.

2. folk CRM

Folk CRM offers a collaborative, relationship-first approach with excellent LinkedIn integration. Its browser extension allows one-click lead capture from LinkedIn profiles, making it a strong Close CRM alternative for relationship-focused sales teams.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• One-click lead capture from LinkedIn profiles

• Collaborative contact management with team notes

• Auto-enrichment of contact data

• Multi-channel follow-up tracking

Pricing: Starts at $20/user/month.

3. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot is a robust all-in-one CRM platform with powerful LinkedIn integration capabilities. For teams looking for Close CRM alternatives with comprehensive marketing and sales features, HubSpot is a top contender.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• LinkedIn Sales Navigator integration

• LinkedIn lead gen forms integration

• Automated contact enrichment

• Activity tracking across channels

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/user/month.

4. Salesforce Sales Cloud

The enterprise standard for CRM, Salesforce offers deep customization and robust features. While more complex than Close CRM, it provides superior LinkedIn integration options for enterprise teams.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• Advanced integration with Sales Navigator

• Real-time activity logging

• InMail tracking and analytics

• Custom LinkedIn workflow automation

Pricing: Starts at $25/user/month; typically requires significant implementation costs.

5. Pipedrive

Known for its visual pipeline management and ease of use, Pipedrive is a sales-focused Close CRM alternative with good LinkedIn capabilities through third-party integrations.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• LinkedIn integration via third-party tools

• Visual sales pipeline management

• Email tracking and templates

• Mobile app with LinkedIn access

Pricing: Starts at $14/user/month.

6. Zoho CRM

An affordable and comprehensive CRM, Zoho centralizes lead management from various channels including LinkedIn. It's a cost-effective Close CRM alternative with solid social media integration.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• Social media lead capture

• AI-powered sales assistant

• LinkedIn integration via Zoho SalesIQ

• Multi-channel contact management

Pricing: Starts at $14/user/month.

7. Nimble

Nimble positions itself as a "social CRM" that focuses on relationship intelligence by automatically building profiles from social media data, making it ideal for LinkedIn-centric sales teams.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• Automatic profile enrichment from LinkedIn

• Social listening and engagement tracking

• Smart contact recognition

• Group tagging and segmentation

Pricing: Starts at $24.90/user/month.

8. Copper

Designed for Google Workspace users, Copper integrates seamlessly with Gmail and other Google apps. Its Chrome extension makes it easy to capture LinkedIn contacts while browsing.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• Chrome extension for LinkedIn profile capture

• G-Suite integration

• Automated data entry from web browsing

• Relationship-focused contact management

Pricing: Starts at $9/user/month.

9. Salesmate

An affordable, all-in-one platform with built-in calling and email automation. While it has limited native LinkedIn integration, it offers a clean, user-friendly interface compared to Close CRM.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• Email tracking and templates

• Built-in calling features

• Third-party LinkedIn integration

• Custom sales pipeline management

Pricing: Starts at $23/user/month.

10. Linked Helper

Not a standalone CRM, but a powerful automation and integration tool that can enhance any of the Close CRM alternatives listed above. Linked Helper automates LinkedIn engagement and connects with various CRMs.

Key LinkedIn-Centric Features:

• LinkedIn profile scraping

• Automated engagement sequences

• One-click transfer to CRMs

• Message templates and automation

Pricing: Starts at $15/month.

Making the Switch: How to Migrate from Close to Kondo for LinkedIn Messaging

If you're ready to transition from Close CRM to a more LinkedIn-friendly alternative like Kondo, follow these steps to ensure a smooth migration:

Step 1: Identify and Export Key Contacts

Export your active leads and contacts from Close CRM, focusing on those primarily engaged via LinkedIn. This ensures no important relationships get lost in the transition.

Step 2: Triage Your Live LinkedIn Inbox with Kondo

Once Kondo is set up, immediately apply Labels to all active conversations based on the data from Close. Create labels like Hot-Lead, Nurturing, or Follow-up-Needed to maintain continuity in your sales process.

Step 3: Schedule Your Follow-ups with Reminders

Go through your exported list from Close and find any tasks or follow-ups that were scheduled. For each one, find the corresponding LinkedIn conversation in Kondo and set a Reminder (Snooze) for the appropriate date. This ensures no lead is dropped during the transition.

Step 4: Build Your Snippet Library

Migrate your most-used email templates from Close into Kondo as Snippets. This ensures message consistency and saves time right away. Don't forget to include personalization variables like {firstName} to maintain that human touch.

Step 5: Set Up Your CRM Sync

If you're moving to another primary CRM (like HubSpot) while using Kondo for LinkedIn management, set up the CRM & System Sync via webhooks or native integrations. This automates the data logging that was previously a manual pain point with Close CRM.

Transform Your LinkedIn Workflow from Clutter to Clarity

For modern B2B sales teams, LinkedIn is too important to be managed with a generic tool. The limitations of Close CRM on LinkedIn aren't a minor inconvenience—they directly impact revenue by causing missed opportunities and wasted time.

The best Close CRM alternatives are those that embrace the LinkedIn workflow instead of forcing you to adapt your process to fit the tool. This is particularly true for teams that:

• Generate more than 30% of their pipeline through LinkedIn

• Maintain ongoing conversations with prospects over LinkedIn DMs

• Need to track and measure LinkedIn engagement as part of their sales process

• Want to eliminate the manual data entry between LinkedIn and their CRM

Kondo stands out among Close CRM alternatives because it was built specifically to solve these challenges. By transforming your LinkedIn inbox into an organized command center, Kondo helps you achieve 'Inbox Zero,' save up to 10 hours a week, and double your lead responses.

As one Kondo user put it: "LinkedIn messages were a nightmare to manage before. Now with Kondo, I can actually see which conversations need my attention and never miss a follow-up."

Take Control of Your LinkedIn Sales Process Today

Don't let a cluttered inbox or a poorly integrated CRM dictate your sales success. Close CRM alternatives like Kondo give you the power to organize, prioritize, and automate your LinkedIn communication—turning what was once a chaotic mess into your most valuable sales channel.

Stop fighting your tools and start winning on LinkedIn. Try Kondo risk-free today and experience what a true LinkedIn command center feels like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Close CRM not ideal for LinkedIn-heavy sales teams?

Close CRM is not ideal for LinkedIn-focused sales teams primarily due to its poor native integration with the platform. This limitation forces users into time-consuming manual data entry, creates disconnected workflows where conversations are lost, and makes it difficult to track follow-ups effectively, ultimately leading to missed sales opportunities.

What is the best Close CRM alternative for managing LinkedIn messages?

The best Close CRM alternative for managing LinkedIn messages is a specialized tool like Kondo. While full CRMs like HubSpot offer some integration, Kondo is purpose-built to transform the LinkedIn inbox into an organized command center with features like labels, reminders (snooze), snippets for templated responses, and a unified view of your Sales Navigator and regular inboxes.

How does a tool like Kondo improve LinkedIn productivity?

Kondo improves LinkedIn productivity by providing a suite of tools designed to manage high volumes of conversations efficiently. Features like keyboard shortcuts speed up navigation, labels and split inboxes help prioritize messages, reminders ensure no follow-up is missed, and snippets automate repetitive typing. These features can save sales professionals up to 10 hours per week.

Can I use Kondo with another CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce?

Yes, you can use Kondo alongside your primary CRM. Kondo is designed to be a specialized layer on top of your LinkedIn inbox that syncs critical data back to your main system of record. It offers native integrations with HubSpot, Notion, and Google Sheets, and can connect to Salesforce and other CRMs via Zapier or Make, ensuring your conversation data is never siloed.

What are the key features to look for in a LinkedIn-focused sales tool?

When evaluating a LinkedIn-focused sales tool, look for features that directly address the platform's limitations. Key features include one-click contact capture, direct messaging integration or management, automated follow-up reminders specifically for LinkedIn conversations, tools for organizing the inbox (like labels or tags), and seamless data synchronization with your primary CRM.

How do I migrate my LinkedIn workflow from Close CRM to a new tool?

To migrate your LinkedIn workflow from Close CRM, first export your key contacts engaged on LinkedIn. Then, set up your new tool (like Kondo) and immediately organize your live inbox using labels. Next, schedule all necessary follow-ups using a reminder feature. Finally, transfer your message templates into a snippet library and set up CRM sync to automate data logging going forward.