To migrate from Close CRM to Zoho CRM in the UK, export leads, contacts, opportunities, activities and custom fields, clean and map them to Zoho modules, test with a sample import, check UK GDPR consent and lawful basis, then run a short parallel period before switching sales teams over.
Close is popular with inside-sales teams because calling and emailing sit close to the pipeline. Some UK businesses outgrow it, or want one platform for sales, accounting and support. Moving to Zoho CRM is very achievable, but the call history, lead structure and consent records need care. This guide covers the plan from export to cut-over.
Key takeaways
- Close organises data around leads, so decide how they map to Zoho accounts, contacts and deals.
- Call logs, notes and emails are the hardest history to move; decide what to keep.
- Custom fields and smart views need to be rebuilt as fields, views and workflows.
- UK GDPR consent and lawful basis records must move with the contact data.
- A test import and short parallel run prevent most cut-over problems.
1Why do UK teams move from Close CRM to Zoho CRM?
Teams usually move for breadth, cost control or integration. Close is focused on sales calling and email, while Zoho CRM sits inside a wider suite covering accounting, support, marketing and analytics. A UK firm that also uses Zoho Books for VAT and Making Tax Digital may prefer one connected system. See our Close to Zoho CRM migration service for how we run these projects.
Wider suite
Sales, finance, support and marketing under one login and data model.
Customisation
More control over modules, layouts, workflows and permissions.
Cost and consolidation
Fewer separate subscriptions as the team and tool list grow.
2How does Close data map to Zoho CRM?
Close leads usually become Zoho accounts with contacts underneath, and opportunities become deals. Decide this model before exporting, because it shapes everything else.
| Close item | Zoho CRM destination | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Account, or Lead for unqualified | Choose one rule and apply it consistently |
| Contact | Contact | Link to the account |
| Opportunity | Deal | Map statuses to stages |
| Custom fields | Custom fields | Match field types |
Document any rules for duplicates, such as matching by email or company registration number.
3What should you export and what can you leave behind?
Export everything you may need, then decide what is worth importing. A complete export protects you, but not every historical item belongs in the new system.
- Leads, contacts, opportunities and custom fields.
- Notes and activity history that sales still reference.
- Call recordings or logs, kept in an archive if not imported.
- Email templates, sequences and saved views for rebuilding.
Keep an archive copy of the raw export in a secure, access-controlled location.
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4How do you handle UK GDPR and consent?
Carry across the lawful basis, consent status and source for each contact, and clean out data you no longer need. Under UK GDPR and PECR, how you contact people by email, phone and text depends on consent and your lawful basis, and marketing rules differ between business and consumer contacts.
Add fields for consent status, date and source, and respect existing opt-outs in the new system. Check the current ICO guidance, and ask a legal adviser about anything unclear. Also decide how long you retain old call recordings and notes.
5How do you rebuild calling, sequences and views?
Rebuild them as Zoho workflows, email templates, telephony integration and saved views. Close's calling and sequences do not copy across automatically, so list each one and decide whether it is still needed.
- List every active sequence, template and smart view.
- Retire the ones nobody uses.
- Rebuild the rest in Zoho, using Zoho CRM workflows and templates.
- Connect telephony and test calls with a small group.
6How do you test and cut over safely?
Import a sample batch into a sandbox or test environment, check it with the sales team and fix mapping issues before importing everything. Compare record counts and spot-check high-value deals.
Then run a short parallel period, freeze changes in Close at an agreed time and do a final delta import. Train users on the new layouts before go-live. If you also want invoices and VAT linked, look at Zoho Books accounting for UK businesses.
7How long does it take and what happens next?
A typical small team can move in two to four weeks, while larger teams with heavy customisation take longer. After go-live, review adoption weekly for a month and tidy fields that nobody uses.
Plan a post-migration review of reports, permissions and integrations. For more UK guides, visit the ERPHUBs blog, or book a free consultation and we will scope your migration.
Close to Zoho CRM migration
A planned move of leads, opportunities and activity history from Close into Zoho CRM.
Frequently asked questions
Call logs and notes can often be imported as activities or notes, but recordings are usually better archived. Decide with your sales team what history they genuinely use before choosing what to import.
No, they need to be rebuilt as custom views and filters in Zoho CRM. List your most used views first, then recreate them and check that they return the same records.
Choose one mapping rule, such as Close leads becoming Zoho accounts with contacts underneath, and apply it consistently. Test with a sample so you can see how duplicates and relationships behave.
You should carry across the lawful basis, consent status and source where you have them, and honour opt-outs. Rules depend on your situation, so check ICO guidance and take legal advice where needed.
Small teams often complete it in two to four weeks. Larger teams, many custom fields, sequences and integrations extend the timeline, so a short discovery phase gives a more reliable estimate.
Yes. ERPHUBs is an independent Zoho Authorized Partner and can plan, map, test and cut over your Close data, then train your team. Book a free consultation to get started.