How to Use Copper CRM: Best CRM Tool in 2026?

Quick Start

This guide covers every Copper CRM feature:

• Getting Started — Create account and basic setup
• How to Use Automated Tasks — Save time on repetitive actions
• How to Use Email Templates — Send personalized emails faster
• How to Use Workflows — Automate your sales process
• How to Use Import Data — Bring contacts into Copper fast
• How to Use Pipelines — Track deals from start to close
• How to Use Track Leads — Capture and qualify new leads
• How to Use Sales Reporting — Get insight into team performance
• How to Use Google Workspace CRM — Manage contacts inside Gmail
• How to Use Manage Projects — Track deliverables and tasks

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve used Copper CRM for over 12 months and tested every feature covered here. This how to use Copper CRM tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Copper CRM is one of the most popular CRM tools for Google Workspace users.

But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Copper CRM Tutorial

This complete Copper CRM tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.

Copper CRM

Manage contacts, deals, and projects right from Gmail. Copper CRM lives inside Google Workspace so your team spends less time on data entry and more time closing deals. Start your free 14-day trial today.

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Getting Started with Copper CRM

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to Copper’s website and click “Try Free.”

Sign up using your Google Workspace email.

Copper connects directly to your Gmail account.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Install the Chrome Extension

Go to the Chrome Web Store and search “Copper CRM.”

Click “Add to Chrome” to install the extension.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the Copper sidebar in Gmail.

Step 3: Complete Initial Setup

Follow the onboarding wizard to name your workspace.

Invite team members by entering their email addresses.

Set your default currency and time zone.

How to Use Copper CRM Automated Tasks

Automated Tasks lets you set reminders and auto-assign follow-ups to your team.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Automated Tasks in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open a Contact Record

Navigate to any Person, Lead, or Opportunity in Copper.

Click the record to open the detail view.

Step 2: Create a New Task

Click the “Add Task” button inside the record.

Set the task name, due date, and assign it to a team member.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the task appear in the activity feed.

Step 3: Set Up Automatic Reminders

Go to Settings and click “Task Automation.

Choose trigger events like “Deal stage changed” or “No activity in 3 days.”

Copper will auto-create tasks when those triggers fire.

How to Use Copper CRM Email Templates

Email Templates lets you send personalized emails at scale using merge fields.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Email Templates in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open the Email Templates Section

Go to Settings and select “Email Templates.”

Click “New Template” to start building.

Step 2: Write Your Template with Merge Fields

Write your email body and insert merge fields like {{first_name}} or {{company}}.

Copper fills these in automatically for each recipient.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the merge fields highlighted in your template.

Step 3: Send to a Contact or Group

Open a contact and click “Send Email.”

Choose your saved template from the dropdown.

For bulk sends, filter contacts first, then apply the template.

How to Use Copper CRM Workflows

Workflows lets you automate repetitive actions based on triggers you define.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Workflows in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Navigate to Workflow Automation

Go to Settings and click “Automation” in the sidebar.

Click “Create New Workflow” to begin.

Step 2: Set Your Trigger and Action

Choose a trigger like “When a lead is created” or “When a deal moves to a new stage.”

Then pick the action — assign a task, send an email, or update a field.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your workflow rule listed under Active Automations.

Step 3: Test and Activate

Create a test record to confirm the workflow fires correctly.

Check the activity log for the automated action.

Toggle the workflow to “Active” once confirmed.

How to Use Copper CRM Import Data

Import Data lets you bring contacts, companies, and deals into Copper from a CSV file.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Import Data in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Prepare Your CSV File

Open your spreadsheet and make sure column headers match Copper’s fields.

Required columns include Name, Email, and Phone at minimum.

Step 2: Upload and Map Fields

Go to Settings, then click “Import Data.”

Upload your CSV file and map each column to the matching Copper field.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a preview of your mapped data before importing.

Step 3: Run the Import

Click “Start Import” and wait for the progress bar to finish.

Review the import summary for any errors or duplicates.

How to Use Copper CRM Pipelines

Pipelines lets you track deals through every stage of your sales process.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Pipelines in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Create a New Pipeline

Go to Settings and click “Pipelines.”

Click “Add Pipeline” and give it a name like “Sales” or “Partnerships.”

Step 2: Define Your Stages

Add stages that match your sales process — Qualified, Proposal, Negotiation, Won, Lost.

Drag stages to reorder them as needed.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your pipeline stages in a visual Kanban board.

Step 3: Add Opportunities to Your Pipeline

Click “Add Opportunity” and fill in the deal name, value, and expected close date.

Drag deals between stages as they progress.

How to Use Copper CRM Track Leads

Track Leads lets you capture, qualify, and convert leads into paying customers.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Track Leads in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Add a New Lead

Click “Add Lead” from the Leads section in the sidebar.

Enter the lead’s name, email, company, and source.

Step 2: Qualify the Lead

Review the lead’s details and assign a status like Hot, Warm, or Cold.

Use lead scoring to prioritize the best prospects first.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your leads organized by status in the list view.

Step 3: Convert to a Person and Opportunity

When a lead qualifies, click “Convert” to turn them into a Person and Opportunity.

Copper moves all activity history to the new records automatically.

How to Use Copper CRM Sales Reporting

Sales Reporting lets you track revenue, activities, and team performance with custom reports.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Reports Section

Click “Reports” in the left sidebar.

Choose from pre-built report templates or create a custom one.

Step 2: Build a Custom Report

Select the data source — Opportunities, People, or Activities.

Drag and drop metrics into the Insights Builder to build your view.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your chart or table rendering with live data.

Step 3: Save and Share the Report

Name your report and click “Save.”

Share the report link with your team or export it as a CSV.

How to Use Copper CRM Google Workspace CRM

Google Workspace CRM lets you manage contacts, deals, and calendars directly inside Gmail.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open Gmail with Copper Active

Make sure the Copper Chrome extension is installed and active.

Open any email and the Copper sidebar appears on the right.

Step 2: View and Edit Contact Details

Click on the contact name in the sidebar to see their full record.

Edit fields, add notes, or log a call directly from Gmail.

Copper auto-logs your sent and received emails to the contact record.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see email history and contact details in the sidebar.

Step 3: Sync with Google Calendar and Drive

Meeting events from Google Calendar automatically link to contact records.

Attach Google Drive files directly to any deal or contact in Copper.

How to Use Copper CRM Manage Projects

Manage Projects lets you track deliverables and internal tasks alongside customer records.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Create a New Project

Go to the Projects section in the sidebar.

Click “New Project” and give it a name and description.

Step 2: Add Tasks and Assign Owners

Add tasks inside the project and assign each one to a team member.

Set due dates and priority levels for each task.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see all tasks listed under the project with assigned owners.

Step 3: Link the Project to a Contact or Opportunity

Connect the project to a customer record or deal for full context.

Track progress directly from the linked record’s detail page.

Copper CRM Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Copper CRM for over 12 months, here are my best tips.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Auto-suggested contacts: Copper recommends adding contacts you’ve emailed but haven’t added to the CRM yet.
• Activity types: Create custom activity types like “Demo Call” or “Site Visit” to track beyond the default options.
• Email open tracking: See when a contact opens your email so you can follow up at the right time.

Copper CRM Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Importing Dirty Data

Mistake #2: Not Customizing Pipeline Stages

Mistake #3: Skipping the Chrome Extension

Copper CRM Troubleshooting

Problem: Emails Not Syncing

Cause: Your Google Workspace permissions may have been revoked or expired.

Fix: Go to Settings, disconnect your Google account, then reconnect it and grant all permissions.

Problem: Duplicate Contacts Appearing

Cause: Copper may create new records from emails instead of matching existing contacts.

Fix: Use the “Merge Duplicates” feature under People to combine duplicate records into one.

Problem: Chrome Extension Not Loading

Cause: A browser update or conflicting extension may block Copper from loading.

Fix: Disable other extensions one by one to find the conflict, then reinstall Copper’s extension.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Copper CRM support.

What is Copper CRM?

Copper CRM is a customer relationship management tool built for Google Workspace users.

Think of it like a smart assistant that lives inside your Gmail and tracks every customer interaction automatically.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Automated Tasks: Set reminders and auto-assign follow-ups to your team members.
• Email Templates: Send personalized emails at scale with merge fields.
• Workflows: Automate repetitive actions based on custom trigger rules.
• Pipelines: Track deals through every stage with visual drag-and-drop boards.
• Track Leads: Capture, qualify, and convert leads into paying customers.
• Sales Reporting: Build custom reports with drag-and-drop charts and tables.
• Google Workspace CRM: Manage contacts and deals directly from your Gmail inbox.
• Manage Projects: Track deliverables and internal tasks alongside customer records.
• Import Data: Bring contacts and companies into Copper from CSV files.

For a full review, see our Copper CRM review.

Copper CRM Pricing

Here’s what Copper CRM costs in 2026:

Free trial: Yes — 14 days with full feature access, no credit card required.

Money-back guarantee: No refunds on annual plans.

💰 Best Value: Professional plan — it unlocks workflow automation and bulk email which are must-haves for growing sales teams.

Copper CRM vs Alternatives

How does Copper CRM compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Watch this comparison:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: GoHighLevel — full marketing and CRM suite for agencies and teams.
• Best budget: HubSpot — free CRM tier with room to grow.
• Best for beginners: Copper CRM — easiest to learn if you already use Gmail.
• Best for cold outreach: Instantly — built for high-volume email campaigns.

🎯 Copper CRM Alternatives

Looking for Copper CRM alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 GoHighLevel: All-in-one platform with CRM, funnels, email, and SMS for marketing agencies.
• 💰 Keap: Combines CRM with invoicing and payment collection for service-based businesses.
• 🎨 ActiveCampaign: Best-in-class email automation paired with a built-in CRM for sales teams.
• ⚡ HubSpot: Free CRM with powerful marketing, sales, and service hubs that scale with you.
• 🔒 ClickFunnels: Focused on building high-converting sales funnels with built-in CRM features.
• 🧠 Folk: Lightweight CRM for managing relationships with a clean, simple interface.
• 👶 Instantly: Cold email tool that handles deliverability, warmup, and outreach at massive scale.
• 🏢 ClickUp: Project management platform with built-in CRM views for small teams.
• 🔧 Monday CRM: Visual CRM built on Monday.com’s project management backbone for flexible workflows.
• 🌟 Capsule CRM: Simple, affordable CRM with clean contact management and pipeline tracking.
• ⭐ Insightly: CRM with built-in project management for teams that need both in one tool.
• 🎯 Freshsales CRM: AI-powered CRM with lead scoring, email tracking, and built-in phone.
• 💼 Salesforce: Enterprise-grade CRM with deep customization for large sales organizations.
• 📊 Zendesk: Support-focused platform with CRM features for customer service teams.

For the full list, see our Copper CRM alternatives guide.

⚔️ Copper CRM Compared

Here’s how Copper CRM stacks up against each competitor:

• Copper CRM vs GoHighLevel: GoHighLevel offers more marketing tools but Copper wins for Gmail-native simplicity.
• Copper CRM vs Keap: Keap adds invoicing and payments but costs much more per month.
• Copper CRM vs ActiveCampaign: ActiveCampaign has stronger email automation but Copper’s Google integration is tighter.
• Copper CRM vs HubSpot: HubSpot offers a free tier but can get expensive fast as you add features.
• Copper CRM vs ClickFunnels: ClickFunnels focuses on funnels while Copper is a true CRM for managing relationships.
• Copper CRM vs Folk: Folk is simpler and cheaper but lacks Copper’s deep Google Workspace connection.
• Copper CRM vs Instantly: Instantly is built for cold outreach while Copper handles full relationship management.
• Copper CRM vs ClickUp: ClickUp is project-first with CRM bolted on while Copper is CRM-first with project features.
• Copper CRM vs Monday CRM: Monday CRM is more visual and flexible but Copper is better for Gmail-heavy teams.
• Copper CRM vs Capsule CRM: Capsule is more budget-friendly but Copper has deeper automation and reporting.
• Copper CRM vs Insightly: Insightly includes project management too but Copper’s Gmail sidebar is more intuitive.
• Copper CRM vs Freshsales CRM: Freshsales has AI lead scoring built-in but Copper is easier for Google Workspace teams.
• Copper CRM vs Salesforce: Salesforce is far more powerful but also far more complex and expensive to run.
• Copper CRM vs Zendesk: Zendesk is support-focused while Copper is built for sales and relationship management.

Start Using Copper CRM Now

You learned how to use every major Copper CRM feature:

• ✅ Automated Tasks
• ✅ Email Templates
• ✅ Workflows
• ✅ Import Data
• ✅ Pipelines
• ✅ Track Leads
• ✅ Sales Reporting
• ✅ Google Workspace CRM
• ✅ Manage Projects

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Automated Tasks.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Copper CRM work?

Copper CRM connects directly to your Google Workspace account. It pulls contact data from Gmail, syncs with Google Calendar, and logs emails automatically. You manage leads, deals, and projects from a sidebar inside Gmail or through the Copper web app.

How to use CRM step by step?

Start by creating your account and installing the Chrome extension. Then import your contacts, set up your sales pipeline stages, and begin adding leads. Use automated tasks and workflows to handle repetitive follow-ups without manual effort.

What is the old name of Copper CRM?

Copper CRM was previously known as ProsperWorks. The company rebranded to Copper in 2018 to better reflect its mission of making CRM simple and accessible for Google Workspace users.

Does Copper CRM have an app?

Yes, Copper CRM has mobile apps for both iOS and Android. The mobile app lets you access contact records, log activities, update deals, and send emails from your phone. It syncs everything back to the web app in real time.

Is Copper CRM HIPAA compliant?

Copper CRM does not currently advertise HIPAA compliance. If you work in healthcare and need to store protected health information, check with Copper’s support team directly to confirm their current data handling policies before storing any patient data.