Ask HN: If I build this tool to centralize communication, would you use it? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: If I build this tool to centralize communication, would you use it?

7 pointsmemn0nis9 comments

Hi HN,

I handle all sales for a B2B startup. We have customer conversations across a bunch of channels, including email, Intercom, LinkedIn, Twitter, sometimes Facebook, Slack, and Whatsapp. I'm finding it extremely difficult to handle follow ups.

I was thinking about building a web app and Chrome extension to centralize all customer communication across email, Slack, Intercom, SMS, and more in one place. This would tell me who I haven't followed up with in more than X days across channels, give me context about previous customer interactions across channels, etc.

Before I build this, wanted to see if anyone else would be interested as well?

https://missiveapp.com/features/whatsapp-twitter-facebook-an... support a couple of channels. So does https://frontapp.com/integrations?filter=Channel and Intercom can be connected to other channels (https://zapier.com/apps/intercom/integrations/linkedin)

I'm not saying you couldn't also build one. But if your main goal is to do sales then you might not have to start a new company.

Thanks for sharing Missive. I'll check it out!

This almost sounds like a super well connected CRM. We use Pipedrive and our email, intercom, etc flow in automatically. It’s super helpful.

Yep, the idea is to create a CRM with many more seamless integrations / an open API. Our big missing channels are LinkedIn, texts, and Slack messages

Are there any channels that Pipedrive can't support

I have never needed these channels, but it appears Slack, SMS and LinkedIn are not supported. I’ve never spoken to customers on Slack. Is this a thing?

Yeah we do this all the time. We set up shared slack channels with our customers

Personally I have nowhere to use this, but I could totally see it saving time, contacts, and energy. Do it. Just be prepared to chase protocols for the foreseeable future as those sources morph and change unpredictably.

Isn't "Matrix" supposed to solve this problem?

https://matrix.org/bridges

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