By Ela Matters Staff 
Let’s be real: picking the right tools to grow your business is hard enough. But choosing the right person to help you use those tools? That’s next-level tricky.
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely decided to invest in Pipedrive, or you’re already using it and need a smarter, more tailored setup. And now you’re at a crossroads:
Do you try to figure it out alone?
Or do you hire a consultant who truly understands sales, automation, and your business goals?
The second option sounds great—but finding the right consultant? That’s where things can go sideways. Some are overpriced. Others overpromise. And a few… don’t really understand how your business works at all.
This post will walk you through exactly how to vet, choose, and work with the right Pipedrive consultant—so you get a CRM that delivers, not distracts.
Why You Need a Pipedrive Consultant in the First Place
Before we talk about who to hire, let’s talk about why.
Here’s what a great consultant does:
- Translates your sales process into a visual, intuitive pipeline
- Builds automations that save time without breaking things
- Cleans up your data and contact structure
- Creates meaningful reports and dashboards
- Trains your team to actually use the system daily
It’s not just about knowing Pipedrive. It’s about knowing how to shape it around your business model.
If your setup is clunky, incomplete, or inconsistent—it affects sales, forecasting, and team morale. This is why working with a professional isn’t a luxury—it’s a multiplier.
1. Look for Deep Pipedrive Expertise (Not Just CRM Generalists)
There are plenty of consultants out there who “also work with Pipedrive.” That’s not what you want.
Pipedrive has unique quirks. Its strength is simplicity—but only if you understand how to bend it without breaking it.
You need someone who works in Pipedrive every day, knows how to integrate it properly, and stays up to date with all the latest features and API changes.
Start by checking:
- Do they specialize in Pipedrive?
- Are they an official partner?
- Do they have documented case studies or testimonials?
- Can they explain complex concepts in plain language?
A good starting point? CRM Squirrel—a Pipedrive Partner and Consultant trusted by companies across industries. They specialize exclusively in Pipedrive and offer setups built with code, not drag-and-drop shortcuts.
2. Ask About Their Process
Avoid anyone who promises a “perfect setup in 24 hours” without understanding your business. That’s like buying a suit without measurements.
Your consultant should begin with:
- A discovery session to understand your sales workflow
- Reviewing current bottlenecks, tools, and integrations
- Building a draft pipeline structure and automation outline
- Collaborating with you to refine and test
If they don’t ask detailed questions about your business model, deal stages, lead sources, or follow-up logic—they’re skipping steps that matter.
3. Check for Real Sales Understanding
Here’s a secret: some consultants are great at tech but terrible at sales.
You don’t want someone who only knows how to move boxes around in a CRM. You want someone who gets the rhythm of prospecting, closing, and customer follow-up.
Ask them:
- “How do you recommend structuring pipelines for longer sales cycles?”
- “What’s your approach to automating warm lead follow-up?”
- “How do you prevent deals from getting stuck or going stale?”
Their answers will show you whether they understand real-world selling—or just data entry.
4. Prioritize Customization Over Cookie-Cutter
No two businesses are the same. Your Pipedrive setup should reflect:
- Your team size
- Your customer journey
- Your follow-up cadence
- Your integration needs (e.g., email, WhatsApp, billing)
Avoid consultants who reuse the same template setup for everyone. Your business deserves a setup that fits—down to the custom fields, activity types, and automation triggers.
5. Consider Long-Term Support Options
A CRM isn’t a “set it and forget it” system. As your business grows, your needs change.
Choose a consultant who offers:
- Post-launch support
- Quarterly tune-ups or audits
- New automation builds as your process evolves
- Emergency troubleshooting
Ask: “What happens after the setup is done?”
You want a partner, not just a one-time vendor.
6. Review Results, Not Just Promises
Anyone can talk a big game. But what matters is real outcomes.
Look for consultants who can show:
- Specific client results (time saved, close rate improved, etc.)
- Before/after snapshots of pipelines and reports
- Testimonials that speak to business impact, not just tech setup
Better yet—ask for references. A great consultant will be happy to connect you with a past client who got real results.
7. Try Before You Buy
Still unsure if Pipedrive is right for your business at all?
Start with an extended test drive. You can Try 45-Days Pipedrive Free Trial—exclusively through CRM Squirrel—to get a real feel for how it works with your leads, team, and sales goals.
This is the perfect time to experiment with a consultant. Many will guide you through setup during your trial so you’re not wasting time with guesswork.
Bonus: Red Flags to Avoid
Not every consultant is worth your time. Watch out for:
- Over-reliance on third-party tools like Zapier (when native automation works better)
- Lack of clear documentation after setup
- No user training for your team
- Vague proposals without timelines or outcomes
- Over-customization that makes future changes difficult
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Pipedrive consultant isn’t just a tactical decision—it’s a strategic one.
Get it right, and your team will have a sales system that drives performance, provides clarity, and scales with your growth. Get it wrong, and you’ll spend months cleaning up a mess that could’ve been avoided.
So take your time. Ask the hard questions. Look for proof. And partner with someone who doesn’t just know software—they know sales.
Start by exploring what a real, sales-savvy partner can do. CRM Squirrel is a proven Pipedrive consultant that helps businesses like yours get more from their CRM—faster, cleaner, smarter.