When should a business upgrade from Bigin to Zoho CRM, and how is data moved?

Upgrade from Bigin to Zoho CRM when you need things Bigin was not built for: several sales teams with different processes, territory or role-based access, deep automation, custom modules, Blueprints, or detailed reporting. Zoho offers a guided migration from Bigin to Zoho CRM that carries over core records, but you should still clean data, map fields and rebuild automation in CRM.

Bigin is a pipeline tool for small teams. It works well when one or two people sell, the process is simple, and you mainly need contacts, deals and follow-ups. Signs you have outgrown it include needing role hierarchies, sharing rules, approval steps, many custom modules, advanced workflows, or reports that combine several modules. Growth in headcount alone is not a reason to move.

Zoho provides an upgrade path from Bigin to Zoho CRM that moves contacts, companies, pipelines, deals and related activities. Check the current Zoho help page for exactly what transfers in your account, as automation, templates and some customisations usually need rebuilding. Pipelines in Bigin often become deal stages or layouts in CRM, so plan that mapping before you start.

Before you migrate, remove duplicates, archive dead deals and agree on the fields you really need. After the move, test a sample of records, rebuild workflows and train the team on the new screens. If you would rather have the mapping, rebuild and training handled for you, Flowpeak can run the move as a fixed-scope project.

Written by Flowpeak, a Zoho implementation partner. Zoho pricing and features change, so confirm current details on the official Zoho site. Free checklists | Ask us a question