Category: SaaS

Why SaaS is The Best Option for Enterprise Businesses?

Posted on by Jay

In today’s evolving technological landscape, enterprise businesses are presented with an array of options to streamline their operations and drive growth. One solution that has gained remarkable traction in recent years is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

This innovative model has transformed the way organizations approach software deployment, offering a wide array of benefits that are particularly well-suited for enterprise-level operations.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of SaaS, explore its characteristics, advantages, and dispel common myths, ultimately highlighting why it’s the best option for modern enterprise businesses.

Understanding SaaS:

Understanding SaaS

(Image source: https://www.saasacademy.com/)

It is a cloud computing model in which software applications are hosted and provided to users over the internet on a subscription basis.

Unlike traditional software that needs to be installed and maintained on individual computers or servers, SaaS applications are centrally managed in the cloud, accessible from any device with an internet connection.

This convenience and flexibility have made it a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, but particularly for enterprises with complex needs.

Examples of Popular SaaS Application

Examples of Popular SaaS Application

(Image source: https://otakoyi.software/)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM):

  • Salesforce:
    A highly customizable CRM platform that helps businesses manage leads, contacts, opportunities, and customer interactions.
  • WakeUpSales:
    A user-friendly CRM system that offers contact management, email tracking, and sales automation features.

Project Management and Collaboration:

  • Orangescrum:
    A project management tool known for its visual task boards and team collaboration features, making it easy to track projects and tasks.
  • Monday.com:
    A work operating system that provides a centralized platform for planning, tracking, and managing work across teams.

Human Resources Management (HRM):

  • Workday:
    A cloud-based HRM system that covers HR, payroll, and talent management, designed to streamline workforce management.
  • BambooHR:
    An HR software that focuses on employee data management, onboarding, and performance tracking.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP):

  • Oracle NetSuite:
    A comprehensive cloud-based ERP solution that integrates financial management, CRM, and e-commerce functionalities.
  • SAP Business ByDesign:
    A scalable ERP system that covers various business processes like finance, supply chain, and project management.

Communication and Team Collaboration:

  • Microsoft Teams:
    A hub for teamwork in Microsoft 365, combining chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and app integration.
  • Slack: A messaging and collaboration platform that enhances communication and teamwork with channels, integrations, and file sharing.

Marketing Automation:

  • HubSpot Marketing Hub:
    An all-in-one marketing automation platform that includes tools for email marketing, social media, and analytics.
  • Marketo:
    A powerful marketing automation solution that focuses on lead generation, nurturing, and personalized campaigns.

Financial Management:

  • QuickBooks Online:
    A popular cloud-based accounting software that helps small businesses manage invoicing, expenses, and financial reports.
  • Xero:
    Another cloud-based accounting platform known for its ease of use and features like bank reconciliation and expense tracking.

E-commerce Platforms:

  • Shopify:
    A widely-used e-commerce platform that enables businesses to set up online stores, manage products, and process payments.
  • WooCommerce:
    A plugin for WordPress that turns a website into an e-commerce store, offering customization and integration options.

Customer Support and Helpdesk:

  • Zendesk:
    A customer service platform that provides ticketing, live chat, and self-service support solutions to enhance customer experience.
  • Freshdesk:
    A cloud-based helpdesk software that offers omnichannel support, ticket management, and automation features.

Document Collaboration and Storage:

  • Google Workspace (formerly G Suite):
    A suite of cloud-based productivity tools including Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive for collaboration and storage.
  • Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365):
    A collection of applications including Word, Excel, and OneDrive for document collaboration and storage.

Video Conferencing and Communication:

  • Zoom:
    A widely-used video conferencing platform that offers online meetings, webinars, and collaboration features.
  • Microsoft Teams:
    Apart from collaboration, it also serves as a platform for video conferencing, making it a versatile choice.

A Brief History of SaaS Applications

The concept dates back to the 1960s, but it gained significant momentum in the 1990s with the advent of the internet.

Salesforce’s launch in 1999 marked a pivotal moment, showcasing the viability of delivering software as a service.

Are you looking for a SaaS developer

Contact Us

Since then, it has evolved to cover a wide range of applications and industries, disrupting traditional software deployment models.

What are the Characteristics and Benefits of SaaS Applications?


What are the Characteristics and Benefits of SaaS Applications(Image source: https://otakoyi.software/)

Scalability and Flexibility:

  • Easily Scales:
    Applications can scale up or down seamlessly, adapting to changing user demands or business growth without requiring significant infrastructure adjustments.
  • No Hardware Upgrades:
    Eliminates the need for costly hardware upgrades or expansions, as the cloud infrastructure handles the scaling process.
  • Rapid Deployment:
    New users or features can be added quickly, allowing businesses to respond to market opportunities or changes without delay.
  • Pay-as-You-Grow:
    You pay for what you use, making it ideal for startups or enterprises looking to control costs while maintaining the ability to expand operations.
  • Resource Efficiency:
    It avoids overprovisioning and underutilization of resources, optimizing cost-effectiveness.

Cost-Efficiency and Predictable Pricing:

  • Subscription Model:
    It operates on a subscription basis, replacing upfront licensing costs with regular, predictable payments.
  • Reduced Capital Expenses:
    No need for significant upfront investments in software licenses or hardware, freeing up capital for other business priorities.
  • Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):
    Maintenance, updates, and support are often included in the subscription, reducing the total cost of owning and managing software.
  • Scalability Savings:
    As your business grows, you avoid the expense of purchasing and maintaining additional hardware and software licenses.
  • Budget Predictability:
    Fixed subscription fees allow for better budgeting and financial planning, minimizing financial surprises.

Accessibility and Collaboration:

  • Anytime, Anywhere Access:
    SaaS applications are accessible via the internet, enabling users to work from anywhere and on any device.
  • Remote and Hybrid Work:
    Supports the rise of remote work, allowing teams to collaborate effectively regardless of geographical locations.
  • Real-Time Collaboration:
    Multiple users can work simultaneously on shared documents, projects, or data, enhancing teamwork and productivity.
  • Reduced Communication Barriers:
    Instant messaging, file sharing, and collaborative features facilitate smooth communication and information exchange.
  • Global Workforce Enablement:
    It breaks down geographic barriers, allowing businesses to tap into talent from around the world.

Automatic Updates and Maintenance:

  • Seamless Updates:
    Application service providers handle updates and maintenance, ensuring that your software is continuously updated with the latest features and security enhancements.
  • Reduced IT Burden:
    IT teams are relieved of routine maintenance tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation.
  • Improved Security:
    Regular updates include security patches, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing protection against cyber threats.
  • Minimized Downtime:
    Updates are often performed without disrupting users, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation.
  • Access to Innovation:
    Automatic updates provide access to new functionalities and capabilities without the need for manual installations.

Integration and Interoperability:

  • Built-in Integrations:
    Many applications offer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and integrations with other popular software and services.
  • Unified Data Flow:
    Integrations facilitate data sharing and synchronization across different systems, reducing data silos and improving data accuracy.
  • Streamlined Workflows:
    Automated data transfer between applications reduces manual data entry and improves efficiency.
  • Enhanced Decision-Making:
    Unified data and insights from integrated systems enable better-informed decisions across departments.
  • Customized Ecosystem:
    Organizations can create tailored ecosystems by combining applications that suit their specific needs, ensuring a cohesive software environment.

What is the Difference Between SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) vs. On-Premise Applications

What is the Difference Between SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) vs. On-Premise Applications

(Image source: https://www.alibabacloud.com/knowledge/what-is-saas)

 

SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)

On-Premise Application

Definition

SaaS applications are cloud-based software solutions delivered over the internet on a subscription basis. Users access the software remotely through web browsers without needing to install or maintain it locally.

On-premise applications are traditional software solutions that are installed and run on local servers or computers within an organization’s physical infrastructure. These applications are managed, maintained, and updated by the organization’s IT department.

Deployment

Deployed on the provider’s servers and accessed remotely via the internet. No installation is required on users’ devices.

Installed and maintained on the organization’s own servers, requiring manual installations and updates on each user’s device.

Cost Structure

 Follows a subscription-based pricing model, with predictable recurring costs that cover software access, maintenance, updates, and support. Involves upfront costs for software licenses and hardware, with potential additional costs for ongoing maintenance, updates, and support.

Accessibility

Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, fostering collaboration among distributed teams and enabling remote work.

Accessible only within the organization’s network, limiting remote access and collaboration.

Scalability

Scales easily to accommodate increased users, data, or transactions, with the provider managing the underlying infrastructure

Requires manual adjustments and potential hardware upgrades to scale, often leading to higher costs and longer implementation times.

Maintenance and Updates

Providers handle maintenance, updates, and security, ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and security patches.

Organizations are responsible for maintaining, updating, and patching the software, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Customization

Customization options can be limited, as the software is standardized to cater to a broader user base.

Offers greater customization possibilities, allowing organizations to tailor the software to their specific needs.

Data Security

Data security relies on the provider’s measures. Organizations must trust the provider’s security practices and compliance with data protection regulations.

Provides more control over data security, but requires organizations to implement and maintain their own security measures.

Integration

Offers built-in APIs and integrations with other software, facilitating seamless data flow across systems.

Integrations often require manual development and maintenance, potentially leading to longer integration times.
Vendor Control

Organizations rely on the SaaS provider for software management, updates, and security, which can lead to concerns about vendor dependency.

Organizations have full control over software management, updates, and security, but this also requires dedicated IT resources.

Debunking Common Software-As-A-Service Myths

  1. Myth: SaaS is Less Secure than On-Premise Software:

Reality: Security is a top priority for providers. Reputable providers invest heavily in advanced security measures, encryption, data backup, and compliance with industry standards. These platforms often offer robust security features that match or even surpass those of on-premise solutions.

  1. Myth: It Is Only for Small Businesses:

Reality: It is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. In fact, many enterprises leverage software-as-a-service to streamline operations, reduce IT complexity, and stay agile in a rapidly changing business landscape.

  1. Myth: Software-As-A-Service Applications Lack Customization:

Reality: While these applications are standardized to cater to a broader user base, many providers offer customization options. Businesses can often configure settings, integrate with other tools, and adapt workflows to align the software with their specific needs.

  1. Myth: Applications Always Have Hidden Costs:

Reality: While subscriptions involve ongoing costs, they typically include maintenance, updates, and support. Compared to on-premise solutions, where hidden costs like hardware upgrades and maintenance can accumulate, It provides greater transparency and predictability in total costs.

  1. Myth: You Lose Control Over Your Data:

Reality: Software service providers prioritize data security and compliance. While data is stored off-site, reputable providers implement strict access controls, encryption, and adhere to data protection regulations. Businesses retain ownership of their data and can access, export, and delete it as needed.

What Future Holds For SaaS Application?

What Future Holds For SaaS Application

(Image source: https://financesonline.com/)

  • SaaS is a cloud-based application platform; according to statistics the global market for cloud related software services will surpass $520 Billion in 2023.
  • According to a recent study, nearly 1/3rd of the companies invested in cloud computing.
  • In the year 2022 the hybrid cloud market was $54.34 Billion which is expected to reach $ 201 Billion in 2032.
  • Nearly 90% of the active companies around the world have adopted cloud technology.
  • Amazon cloud service or AWS is the leading SaaS solution provider. It owns 32% of shares around the world.

Conclusion

Software-as-a-Service has revolutionized the way enterprises approach software adoption and usage.

Its accessibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency make it the best option for modern enterprise businesses.

By harnessing the power of SaaS, enterprises can drive innovation, enhance collaboration, and stay agile in an ever-changing business landscape.

FAQs

Q1 – Who Owns SaaS Product Data?

Answer – The ownership of data in a SaaS product typically rests with the customer or the organization that subscribes to the service. Software service providers act as custodians of the data and are responsible for its storage and security. It’s important to review the terms of service and data usage policies provided by the vendor to understand the specifics of data ownership and usage rights.

Q2 – What If My Software-As-a-Service Provider Goes Out Of Business?

Answer – If your software service provider goes out of business, it can create challenges for your organization. It’s crucial to have a contingency plan in place. Ideally, before subscribing to their service, ensure that the contract includes provisions for data retrieval and transition in case the vendor becomes non-operational. Backup your data regularly and maintain awareness of the financial stability and reputation of the software-as-a-service developers.

Q3 – Can Applications be Customized to Fit Enterprise-Specific Needs?

Answer – Yes, many software service applications offer customization options. While these solutions are standardized to cater to a broad audience, they often provide configuration settings, integration capabilities, and extensions that allow businesses to adapt the software to their specific needs. However, the extent of customization may vary depending on the provider and the nature of the application.

Q4 – Is It Secure For Enterprise-Level Data?

Answer – Reputable software service providers prioritize data security and invest in robust measures to protect enterprise-level data. These measures can include encryption, access controls, regular security audits, compliance with industry regulations, and data backup strategies. While security concerns are valid, many applications provide a high level of security that can often match or surpass on-premise solutions, provided you choose a reliable and trusted vendor.

Rise Of Technology Usage In The Response To Post COVID19 Crisis

Posted on by Jay

The Covid-19 pandemic is a really difficult time for all. It has triggered a panic button all over the world as a medical emergency, disrupting the global economy and hitting businesses hard in the area of operation and survival.

The consequences such as social distancing, lockdowns, low production/demand, lack of labor, and a high degree of uncertainty, have questioned their continuity.

But digital technology has helped pandemic hit businesses to keep up and running like least affected.

Thankfully, many tech companies are promptly offering next-level digital technology to keep their businesses operational even amidst the crisis.

As the need for digital infrastructure has grown for businesses during this emergency, solutions like custom app development and cloud computing have proven beyond useful.

A Reality Check for Businesses

From retail, healthcare, and finance industries to grocery, apparel, and salon, every industry has to quickly adapt to the new situation; to serve their customers safely and fast.

They have to consider options of virtual contacts, eCommerce tools, and technologies to respond to this crisis-ridden situation in a better way. These drastic changes in business sectors are long-term.

Pandemic and Contribution of Tech Stacks

Businesses are left with no option but to digitize all or some part of their activities to protect customers and employees put under travel restrictions due to the pandemic.

Some of the tech stacks have already confirmed that they are getting a record number of requests for the implementation of remote work and digital services across multiple domains.

Again, shopper behaviors and ways of interactions have changed considerably, and the demand for digital technology is likely to continue in the future.

Nearly around 75% of shoppers are using digital platforms for the first time.

Web and mobile app development companies have to make sure that the approaching businesses are digital-ready and don’t miss a single customer in this unstable condition.

Recent data from McKinsey (Source: Covid-19 US Digital Sentiment Survey) shows the accelerated rate of digital adoption among US businesses and customers in different industries.

Web application development

mobile application development

(Source – mckinsey.com)

Challenges and Digital Adoption in the Press

The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown many challenges at businesses – the most important being the company management and financial stability, thus making business resiliency and continuity their ultimate priority.

There are a few other areas where businesses are facing challenges such as reducing operation costs, maintaining data security, etc.

Digital technology helps pandemics have a low impact on businesses by taking their eCommerce development to the cloud platform and automating the whole business from supply chain to sales management.

Digital Transformation to Address Pain Points

Digital technology is a savior for businesses in the pre-Covid19 and post Covid19 era. It is not just a good to have a feature – but a necessity for companies to weather the effects of the pandemic.

And as businesses now come to consult with tech companies more and more, they are seen struggling in the following areas:

  • Deploying remote staff
  • Reaching out to customers virtually
  • Remote access to business activities and details
  • Adding to agility and competence
  • Stay safe against new cybersecurity related issues
  • Cutting down operational costs and improving supply chain activity

While businesses are undergoing organizational, cultural, and social change, tech companies have been providing the required support to help them cope up with it gradually.

Restructured Traditional Business Model

Empowering businesses digitally is not all about facilitating remote access; they will have to be available 24/7 online taking/processing orders and addressing issues that employees are facing on the personal/professional front.

Digital technology has successfully removed in-person client meetings and customers are no doubt experiencing an increased speed of response in the digital framework.

Companies are now able to build excellent virtual customer contacts that could be easily shifted to core business activity post-crisis.

The insecurity triggered by the Covid-19 crisis is encouraging businesses to review their IT infrastructure and make sure that they work on the limitations there to work remotely.

Businesses are now more versatile in the area of decision making and seen enjoying new customer engagements and conversations than before.

Effect of Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is the key to overcoming the pandemic and helping businesses get robust and resilient for the future.

To start with, many companies have sped up the adoption of digital technology and tools that will quickly connect with their workers, clients, and partners safely, without making huge investments.

New-age digital solutions like SaaS, Cloud, Data Security, and Automation have come together to make businesses pandemic-proof.

Digital Implementation in Full Glory

With work from home now becoming a standard, the importance of cloud service has grown more.

And so far, you may have seen many businesses move to comprehensive WFH mode without any disturbance – thanks in real life to SaaS and cloud solutions providers, which are offering cost-effective packages.

Hundreds of custom app developments have been carried out to connect home bound businesses to collaborative/management tools for their continuity.

Similarly, web and mobile app development companies continue working remotely and writing codes in cloud-based secure environments.

Some of them even include built-in and cloud-managed features such as AI-backed applications for greater functionality during this pandemic.

BCP is no longer a tick-in-the-box habit, rather has become a strategic strength for businesses. When facing supply chain issues during lockdowns, they have started to gain the ability to find raw supply chain data in real-time.

Businesses now use AI and other advanced technologies like IoT, blockchain, 5G coverage, and edge computing to finely balance operating costs, creating a solid supply chain worldwide and turning unimaginable into the projected.

They have reached the goal of building better, smarter supply chains by integrating both data and technology.

It helps them to escape the current pandemic effect as well as unexpected events in the future.

Conclusion

Distributed staff, virtual contact facilities, Artificial Intelligence, and machine learning, data, and analytics: 

  • all of them are part of the coveted digital world
  • already exploited by the businesses in different ways
  • and to variable degrees during this pandemic.

In the post-crisis phase, they are likely to expand faster.

Are you feeling the heat of the Covid-19 pandemic and looking to overcome it with technology? Let’s discuss! 

I am sure our tech experts and full stack developers can guide you in the right path.

How To Build A Successful Software Development Business

Posted on by Jay

In this age of computers and smartphones, we’ve started to rely a lot upon the software programs that give them life. Since computers started becoming prominent, there has been a boom in the software development business.

The software has made life easier for everyone, from education, entertainment, business, or the day-to-day issues, the software has brought the solutions of almost all of them at the fingertips.

The convenience that the software programs have brought to the lives of the people has increased their demands. An increase in demands naturally leads to an increase in production and the same happened with the software market.

Software businesses are growing and new startups are emerging, seeing these businesses grow, everyone at least once wishes to start a software startup. The catch is to do the right things to make it a successful one.

Here are some suggestions that could help you make your software startup a success-:

1. Be Customer-Centric

A business thrives by the efforts they put to satisfy their clients/customers. Making money might be the dream that brings people to start a business but an important key to success is to satisfy the customer.

A customer-centric business thrives over the motivation of solving the problems incurred by the customers rather than just focusing on converting them and making them pay.

Make sure the customer service is responsive, efficient, and welcoming, and you’ll retain the customers and bring in new ones.

2. Minimum Viable Product

For any business, especially for a startup, the efficient use of capital is always an issue. Businesses face risks during several stages of production and distribution, and a faulty decision can deplete a lot of money.

Minimizing risk makes business much more smooth. For a software-based company, this can be done by introducing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

An MVP is the most basic version of the product with only the essential features of the product. After introducing the MVP, enhancements and upgrades can be done as per the feedback of the user-base.

This way, businesses avoid scenarios where they incur losses because certain features or the software is badly received by the public.

3. Collaborative Marketing

Marketing is an important part of business development and the interesting thing is that the field of marketing is open to lots of creative ideas, innovation, and experimentation.

Out of all the methods that software businesses use to market their product, an interesting way is to collaborate with other businesses where there is no conflict of interest.

The Co-Marketing model which is used by companies to promote each other’s products helps the participating companies access the other company’s user base and thereby grow their audience.

Because of the growth in the user base at a comparatively lower expense, it is a win-win situation for all.

4. Incentivize the Employees

Efficient employees contribute substantially to a business, however, it is not easy to make them work efficiently.

Even though the employees vow to work diligently in an interview, and a lot of them keep up with their words, often an employee lacks the motivation to give it their best.

The best way to motivate an employee is to give them an incentive and appreciation for their accomplishments.

5. Solve Problems

There are a lot of startups that tend to imitate successful products and fail because people aren’t finding the product helpful. Whatever the issue is, if the product isn’t helpful to the clients, if it isn’t solving their problems, it will fail.

Before developing a software program, always do in-depth research about the demands, the issues that the people are facing, how important will your program be for them- are there any other simpler means to solve the issue, does the issue really bother them, and so on.

6. Measure, Analyze, and Improve

To improve something, you need to know its present condition, and how the outcomes are affected by changing its aspects. The same goes for businesses, you need to be aware of certain indicators that reflect how the business is performing.

saas business applicationsImage Source: Statistica

These indicators are called KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). It is necessary to monitor these indicators along with other indicators and after analyzing the situation, make proper decisions that will improve the situation.

7. Offer Packages

The main source of revenue for a software-based business is subscriptions. While it is essential to offer some free tools for a user to hang on to the software, it is important to provide some exclusive plans that offer more sets of tools.

Such extensive tools are generally used by regular subscribers and businesses who are quite reliant on these exclusive tools and readily pay for them if the standards meet their expectations.

8. Client Retention

As we discussed in the last point that subscriptions are the major sources of revenue for a software company, now if the churn rate for the software is high, the business will lose money in the form of marketing campaigns to maintain the number of subscribers.

Retaining the subscribers is the key to success for a software business especially those with a SaaS product. Proper customer support, attractive offers, and quality products are the things that can make a customer remain subscribed.

9. Third-Party Integration

People extensively use computers and smartphones these days, most of the time, they need different software programs to accomplish a particular task.

Integrating the software with third-party software programs with which it is generally used, will help the users a great deal.

Making a flexible API that can be easily integrated with different platforms and worked upon by developers will help grow the popularity of the product and increase its value.

10. Make it Simple and Intuitive

For a software program to be convenient for public use, it needs to be simple. People don’t want to go through the hassle of learning how to make use of the program to accomplish tasks.

Popular software programs have a simple interface through which people can find their way easily and find the necessary tools and paths intuitively. Make it interactive, simple, and intuitive then see its shining.

Conclusion

Software products are growing rapidly with new ideas, innovative designs, and solutions to day-to-day problems.

While the opportunity is golden and resources are abundant, the journey to success is long and a tough one. The tips that we discussed above will make sure you get across some of the hurdles with ease.

Are you looking to develop a software for your business! Lets discuss with our IT consultant

5 SaaS Marketing Strategies That Will Give You Result

Posted on by Ankit Thakor

SaaS marketing is a new age marketing where intangible services of software are promoted and sold.

SaaS that stands for Software as a Service is a process by which any business hires a professional application that lets users to connect and use cloud-based applications via the internet.

75% of cloud workflows will be provided as SaaS by 2021. This statistic shows the growing popularity of the SaaS business model.

SaaS provides regular updates and adds timely functionality to its service.

Since SaaS marketing is an intangible product, the offered services have to be continuously monitored & improved as per the feedback received from existing and potential customers so that you can thrive in business and expand your customer base.

The Ultimate Guide To SaaS Marketing Strategies

If you are someone who is looking to study SaaS marketing, you must understand some basic differences between the marketing of a normal product and a service that is intangible.

While promoting and selling tangible products, customers normally pay only once whereas SaaS marketing users normally pay in the monthly subscription.

Never miss an update from us. Join 10,000+ marketers and leaders.

Giving products as freebies is not ideal in normal marketing; however, in SaaS marketing, it could be beneficial to give users the option to use services as freebies.

SaaS is a product of the digital age and it requires different types of strategies to make it successful for your businesses.

Here are the 5 strategies for SaaS that will give you result quickly:

1. Offering Of Free Trials Or Subscription Plans

SaaS Pricing

One of the main aspects while devising a strategy for SaaS is the building of trust among the potential and current users in the services.

Since potential or existing clients cannot see the product by touching or seeing it, the offered services should show their respect in the usage.

It can be done by offering the services for free at the initial period, so the customers can taste products and if they perceive them positively, turning them into paid subscribers is not difficult.

Even if the customer does not convert into sales, SaaS companies still get a lead for the future.

To make more potential users aware of the offered services is the goal of this tactic and it has been used extensively by many SaaS offering companies for good effect.

One of the best ways to implement this “free service” is via Instagram and Facebook Ads, where the target audiences are prompted to click on the ‘Free Trial’ button by highlighting the offered services and exclusive rewards.

Also, offering a free trial via social media makes SaaS companies reach a wider audience.

2. Talk Trigger Strategy For SaaS

SaaS StrategyTalk trigger is a strategy that offers some surprise or some incentive that is related to offered services by SaaS companies for target customers, (both existing and potential) that creates positive conversations or word of mouth.

However, it has to be relatable, repeatable, and accessible for the customers.

For instance: a SaaS company offering an extra 1-month free service for referring new clients.

While devising a strategy for SaaS talk trigger, companies must keep in mind, the below points:

  • It should not be a gimmick and must follow the promised free services or incentives.
  • It should not be a one-time activity. It should be repeatable.
  • Cost-effective in both points of view, the SaaS company in question, and user.

One of the best examples of talk trigger is to offer an incentive in the form of a rebate on the current subscription fee or extension on the paid subscription time frame.

3. Promoting Positive Reviews And Rating

Review and Comment

In the age of the internet, good ratings and positive reviews on good SaaS Company listing platforms that are given by genuine customers can create a positive atmosphere for SaaS marketing.

It is one of the best strategies for SaaS marketing that gives results.

To implement this policy, the SaaS application development companies can put a review and rating section in the ads running on social media or on their websites.

However, the rating and reviews left by the customers should be original and verified. A system can be in place to check the authenticity of the reviews.

Having positive reviews and ratings from the customers creates a positive atmosphere for the company offering services.

It gives mouth-to-mouth publicity and promotes brand loyalty for SaaS Marketing companies.

If a company has a good substantial customer base, it will help to increase your positive review and rating status.

4. SEO For SaaS Marketing

SEO SaaS

When anyone is thinking of promoting a service online, SEO is one aspect that cannot be ignored at all.

The SaaS Company can boost the selling services drastically if they follow a quality SEO practice on their marketing strategy.

SEO is a continuous activity and the following are some of the important points that can affect the SaaS marketing companies on SEO ranking:

  • Technical aspects of the Website:

Having a website that loads faster, doesn’t shut down, works efficiently, and provides easy navigation to all parts is very important. All these aspects should be monitored continuously for betterment. No one likes visiting a lagging website with poor navigation and an unattractive look.

  • On-Page Aspects As Per SEO:

The second most important part is the on-page SEO aspects of the website specifically related to all Both website and blog page content must be well SEO optimized to improve the visibility on Google search.

  • Off-Page Aspects As Per SEO:

The linking of the blog posts back to the SaaS marketing page is important. As it makes Google search engine understand how valuable your services are and for customer view-point as well. More back links mean more traffic to your website and gains to SaaS marketing companies.

5. Video Posting On YouTube Social Media And Website

Youtube

Videos have become a new age medium for communication since the advancement of 4G and now with 5G, bringing more people to video consumption.

By posting positive videos about the companies services, internal working, testimonials of existing clients, and overall positive vibes fun videos on social media like

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

etc, is a great way to make potential customers relate to your services and have a better understanding about them.

42% of users expect a response time of less than 60 minutes.

I’ve worked with the team at Andolasoft on multiple websites. They are professional, responsive, & easy to work with. I’ve had great experiences & would recommend their services to anyone.

Ruthie Miller, Sr. Mktg. Specialist

Salesforce, Houston, Texas

LEARN MORE

It creates curiosity about the SaaS Marketing companies and gives insight into the company vision and work style.

Just like there is no perfect beauty in the world, similarly, there is no perfect SaaS Marketing strategy.

SaaS marketing companies need to be innovative with ideas and use a blend of services as they fit for promotion and marketing.

Conclusion:

These worthwhile SaaS marketing strategies, if leveraged, will enhance customer acquisition and lead generation for SaaS businesses.

Diverse offers avenues that marketers can explore to serve as beneficial SaaS marketing strategies, and there are endless possible combinations that work for numerous businesses.

All you have to do is to try different approaches, and with the help of consumer metrics, figure out what works. SaaS marketing is a paradise for marketers.

Are you planning to develop you next SaaS application and implement SaaS marketing strategy for your existing app! Lets discuss with our experts 

Most Important Customer Success Metrics For SaaS Companies

Posted on by Sweta Kamble

The SaaS (Software as a Service) industry has gained a competitive edge over the last few years, thanks to its customer retention and growth that has transformed the face of businesses today.

Needless to say, the inclusion of Customer Success is a crucial contributor to the success of any SaaS platform.
Customer success metrics

What Is Customer Success?

The most cited definition by a Customer Success Consultant, Lincoln Murphy states – “Customer Success is when your customers achieve their Desired Outcome through their interactions with your company.”

To ensure the success of their product, the subscription-based model in SaaS has radically changed the game for a lot of businesses, more so due to its frequent touch points with customers that require an on-going effort.

Deemed as a game-changer, Customer Success in SaaS majorly contributes to boosting conversions, raising the bar for customer satisfaction, and reducing churn rates.

Additionally, proactively anticipating potential issues rather than waiting for actual issues eliminates future escalations.

Never miss an update for us. Join 10,000+ marketers and leaders.

There Are 3 Key Takeaways From This Article That Focus On:

  • How Customer Success Teams contribute towards the SaaS growth
  • Customer Success Statistics in SaaS platforms
  • Customer Success Metrics that are responsible for SaaS growth

Customer Success Teams Contribute Towards The SaaS Growth In:

  • Guiding customers in the new sign-up process.
  • Converting trial customers to paying customers.
  • Upfront demonstration of the product value.
  • Prompting for concrete feedback in real-time.
  • Updating paying customers and ensuring customer satisfaction with the product or service.
  • Influencing customers to love your product or service to make them loyal brand ambassadors.
  • Fostering relationships with customers’ businesses.
  • Increasing revenue and reducing churn throughout the Customer Success cycle.

How Important Is Customer Success In SaaS?

In the words of Jason Lemkin, the founder of EchoSign, “Customer success is where 90% of the revenue is.”

This translates to Customer Success serving as a solid growth driver for SaaS companies.

Research conducted by Databox found a myriad of answers for gauging the success of customer success efforts.

This ranged from collecting customer feedback to renewing accounts to upgrading and upselling to customers.

Let’s check the figures –

Customer success team

Smart Karrot’s statistical report on Customer Success statistics mentions that improving customer retention by just 5% can accelerate a company’s profits by as much as 95%.

Moreover, 70 to 90% of the profit generated by SaaS companies often comes from renewals, upsells, and after-sales services.

According to Bain & Co.’s study, exceptional customer success programs blended with key account management increase profit up to 95%.

With all that said, the investment needed to land new customers falls between and 25 times more expensive compared to new customer retention processes.

After considerable evaluation, the following 7 Metrics prove why Customer Success should not be taken lightly by SaaS companies.

In other words, how Customer Success is a major contributor to SaaS success can be determined by some vital parameters that can make or break your SaaS efforts.

7 Solid Customer Success Metrics For SaaS Success

1. First Contact Resolution:

Resolving the customer’s issue in a single interaction through a phone call, email, or a live chat session reduces the spillover effects of escalations. Needless to say, escalations are way threatening to ignore.

As Jeremy Watkin of 8×8 mentioned, “First contact resolution highly correlates with customer satisfaction. The higher your FCR, the more positive your customer experience and the higher your customers’ lifetime value (LTV).”

This means the absence of a First point of contact.

Contact Resolution equates to poor customer service. The inclusion of FCR on the other hand offers an easy passage to eliminate future complaints of your SaaS.

2. Educating Your Customers Upfront:

The SaaS’s growth strategy primarily focuses on easing the customers’ initial hiccups.

A user-friendly approach and your product offering are vital for SaaS success.

To eliminate the horror or escalations that might crowd the customer support phone lines, it’s always advisable to brainstorm the possible issues or questions that users might come up with.

3. CSAT (Customer Satisfaction):

Happy Customers + Product Recommendation = Increased Revenue. It’s self-explanatory that Customer Satisfaction is the primary reason why Customer Success exists in the first place.

Much of Customer satisfaction involves ‘quick’ resolution to unexpected issues brought up by customers and prospects for inquiries.

You don’t want to be judged by your prospects for poor or slow customer service, which is why satisfaction holds prime importance.

4. Upsells And Cross-Sells:

The customer’s churn rate is a blessing in disguise while up-selling your premium products and tools.

Why?

Upselling helps SaaS companies if there’s a requirement for new development or improvement in the existing offering.

Additionally, a happy customer won’t wander online to find your competitors’ tools.

A SaaS company’s profitability hinges on low churn rates and recurring revenue.

Upselling and cross-selling provide an impetus of innovation which makes it easier to sell to the existing customers than the new prospects.

A single sale turns to multiple purchases when your Customer Success team is well acquainted with your customers’ needs.

5. Brand Recommendation:

Customer loyalty leads to brand recommendation. Customer Lifetime Value translates to Customer Loyalty that in turn increases your product value.

Acquiring new customers costs almost 5 times more than retaining existing ones. CLV is one of the key metrics
that focus on the value of the customer over the monitory gain you achieve with their purchase.

The ultimate reason for including CLV in the SaaS growth strategy is retaining existing customers and attracting new ones, moreover, the profit margins are also maintained.

It also helps companies measure ROI for every new customer that in turn helps sales and marketing budget estimation.

6. Net Promoter Score (NPS):

How likely is your SaaS entitled to referrals? NPS is essentially one of the most important customer-oriented metrics as it helps companies gauge customer loyalty stats.

Net Promoter Score is a loyalty program in which surveys are filled out by the customers who in turn advocate for you and share their success stories with their colleagues.

However, the unsatisfied ones won’t bat an eye.

After the NPS survey results are out, they’re grouped into 3 distinct categories, namely:

  • Promoters (Those customers that are likely to buy and promote)
  • Passives (Those who have no strong opinions)
  • and Detractors (Those that could be at risk for churn)

7. Churn Rate:

From a retention point of view, Churn essentially measures how many customers the company loses over a given time frame.

Churn rate is measured in terms of a dollar value lost or a number of customers lost.

I’ve worked with the team at AndolaSoft on multiple websites. They are professional, responsive, & easy to work with. I’ve had great experiences & would recommend their services to anyone.

Ruthie Miller, Sr. Mktg. Specialist

Salesforce, Houston, Texas

LEARN MORE

Parting Words

SaaS Success begins with Customer Success.

Your SaaS company is unique and so should your customers feel about themselves and your services.

The exceptional support you provide to your customers would go a long way to retain them and help them spread the word.

Armed with this mindset, every SaaS platform today is on its way to greater success.

All in all, the final verdict is that Customer Success translates to SaaS Success.

What are your thoughts about the contribution of Customer Success in the SaaS space?

Are you looking to develop a SaaS application! Lets Discuss

What Privacy Policy Stands in SaaS Application Development?

Posted on by Jay

Recently, WhatsApp has updatedits user data privacy policy and this update creates so much hush between end-users.

Even tech giant Elon Musk also tweeted about it.

By the way, we do not want to make any comment on that nor want to make any comparisons.

But any user data of any application is a primary concern in today’s market. Service providers must satisfy their end-users by making much-required transparency of data privacy policies.

A few years back, there was only a fundamental shift in how companies do business online, and about data privacy. But after the intervention of cloud-based business strategy things have changed.

Now building credibility as a cloud-based business is harder than ever.

Let’s take the SaaS market. To make the subscription payments option available, the SaaS companies need a strong focus on keeping customer data secure and communicating that security to their users.

Just letting strengthen the privacy concerns are not enough though – the SaaS Application builders need concrete security measures in place that customers can easily understand.

Here we have put together some of the basic information and best practices on data security policies to help you get started with securing your SaaS application. Let’s dive in!

Basic things about SaaS security

SaaS security refers to the data privacy and safety of user data in subscription-based software i.e. Orangescrum, Wakeupsales, etc.

Each day, SaaS companies access, and analyze various data of customers. Even including the credit and debit card details.

As a SaaS founder, If you fail to keep those data safe, it will have a direct and lasting impact on your user retention and business growth.

With high-profile leaks like Cambridge Analytica happening more often, customers are increasingly concerned with their data privacy.

Concerning the customer data safety, different country’s regulatory bodies have issued various security guidelines like GDPR, EU-US and the Swiss-US Privacy Shield Frameworks, etc. These are mandatory to follow as a SaaS company.

And all these guidelines declares “Doing so ensures that whatever data your product has access to, it’s kept secure in a way that customers can understand—whether you’re dealing with internal or external issues.”

Also, the SaaS companies need to consider the data leakage.

As well as keeping secret your customer data you need to protect these customer data from outside attacks also. Or I can say you need to create a secure environment to run your SaaS application.

So, you need to make a dedicated strategy for your SaaS product during the development process.

The best practices to ensure data privacy and security:

Whether you’re developing a new SaaS product or rolling out a new feature, it’s important to consider how these changes will impact your SaaS Application’s security.

SaaS Secrity Layers
Image Source: Profitwell

Keep the following best practices in mind to ensure your data privacy and security.

Encrypt your data

Encrypting the internal or user data should be the top priority through every layer of your technology stack.

A proper encryption ensures that the customer data isn’t immediately out there for all to see.

And let this know to your customers that your product is always keeping all sensitive billing information safe by communicating your encryption policies.

Not to mention, there are many common encryption protocols to use, each ensuring that the data you rely on isn’t stored in plain text.

Make privacy a priority

Privacy and security statements are required by most compliance and regulatory protocols, but that’s not all they’re good for.

By creating a robust statement for your own product, it educates both your team and your customer in how to handle valuable data.

Work with your development and legal teams to define the specific information that should be included in your own privacy policy.

Educate your customers

According to Gartner research, customers will be responsible for 95% of cloud security failures by 2020.

Whenever you onboard new customers or push important updates to current ones, make sure that you’re actively reaching out to let people know how it will impact their security.

More and more SaaS companies are moving to an entirely cloud-based infrastructure and most customers don’t understand the implications of this move.

Make sure your customers know how to keep their information safe to minimize security issues.

Backup user data in several locations

Lots of businesses aren’t prepared for data breaches, which makes effective customer data management very important.

Backing up your data in several locations ensures that no single system failure will damage your security.

Many cloud platforms SaaS companies rely on will provide this functionality as a part of their product, but you need to be diligent with backups to avoid potentially disastrous losses of customer data.

Consult a cyber-security firm

Third-party security firms can provide valuable industry insight into what you need to do to keep your platform secure.

Their testing protocols ensure that your software, network, and infrastructure is kept safe at all times.

As you’re building out your product, these third-party providers can also help you create plans for if/when a breach occurs.

Require stronger passwords

Even when they understand the risk of this practice, many people still use the same password for every login.

Prevent users from making their data vulnerable by requiring strong passwords when they create accounts.

Consider setting up authentication protocols and case sensitivity guidelines.

As the subscription economy continues to mature, a focus on security will only become more important. Always evaluate your current protocols to make sure you’re staying compliant as your company grows.

Takeaways

With a strong focus on SaaS security, you build trust in your product and foster an ecosystem that customers feel comfortable using.

Andolasoft puts user data security first

At Andolasoft, we are compliant with EU and US privacy regulations, we never sell your valuable customer data, and regularly perform security audits and penetration testing.

Check out our security statement for specific information on how we keep our SaaS business secure.

As people become more well-versed in their personal security, more secure products will also be more attractive to buyers.

Want to discuss more on SaaS Application data privacy? Let’s discuss!