Before building your app, it's essential to organize the data that will drive your CRM. AppSheet reads your data from a Google Sheet, so create a new spreadsheet and set up multiple sheets for different types of information (e.g., customers, interactions, tasks). Define each column clearly by giving them descriptive names and using consistent formatting throughout the sheet.

For example, you might have columns for customer name, email address, phone number, and company. Use unique identifiers like Customer ID or Task ID to link related data together. This will make it easier to filter and sort your data later on.

Additionally, validate data for consistency by setting up rules that check for errors in formatting or values. For instance, you might want to ensure that all email addresses are formatted correctly before allowing them into the system.

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Once your data is structured correctly, you can move on to building the actual CRM app in AppSheet. Sign in to AppSheet and start a new app by clicking on "Create an App" from the dashboard. Choose Google Sheets as your data source and select the specific spreadsheet you prepared earlier (CRM_Data_Sheet).

Explore the auto-generated app by navigating through its various sections, including views, forms, and actions. Customise these elements to fit your needs:

• Views: Create custom views that display different types of information, such as customer lists or task dashboards.
• Forms: Set up forms for data entry, allowing users to input new records directly into the system.
• Actions: Define actions that trigger specific behaviours when taken by a user. For example, you might want an action to send an email notification whenever a new lead is generated.

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Now that your basic app is set up, it's time to customise it according to your specific requirements. This includes:

• Customising views: Add new ones or modify existing ones by changing their layout, adding filters and sorting options, or linking them to other data sources.
• Setting up forms for data entry: Create custom forms that allow users to input new records directly into the system. You can add fields, set validation rules, and define dependencies between fields.
• Creating workflows for automation: Set up automated processes that trigger specific actions based on certain conditions being met.

For example, you might want a workflow that sends an email notification whenever a task is assigned or completed. This will help keep your team informed about the status of their tasks without requiring manual intervention.

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To ensure data security and control who can access different parts of your CRM, implement user roles and permissions:

• Enable authentication through Google accounts by setting up a custom domain or using an existing one.
• Define user roles using expressions in AppSheet. This will allow you to create custom roles based on specific criteria, such as job title or department.

Restrict data access based on these roles by applying security filters that limit what users can see:

• Hide sensitive information from unauthorized users
• Limit the scope of certain views or forms

Test your app thoroughly to ensure it meets your needs before deploying it.

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