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SaaS (software as a service) are growing rapidly. According to BetterCloud, 73% of organizations surveyed said at least 8 out of 10 of their apps would be SaaS by 2020, and the percentage is expected to increase in subsequent years.
These are companies that offer complete technology solutions to meet the needs of their customers or optimize their business, but due to the large number of functions that these companies have and the long sales cycles, it could be difficult to attract and generate the leads they need to continue growing.
We know that this is a growing market that requires special attention to reach your potential customers. The inbound methodology is here to stay. This customer-centric approach to clarifying customer questions and meeting customer needs has proven to be effective in attracting more buyers, building customer loyalty, increasing revenue and improving your reputation. But how do you choose an inbound agency that will suit your software company and help it grow better?
Yes, although inbound has proven to be useful, it does not mean that there is a single strategic plan for all industries. Your software company needs professionals who know your audience, your products and services, your competitors and the dynamics of your market. In short, you should choose an agency with expertise in software, technology and related areas.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right inbound agency for your software company:
1. Make sure it follows the inbound methodology
A traditional marketing agency knows how to highlight the benefits of the service you offer and show them to a digital audience. But we know it's challenging to highlight all your services in one space.
Inbound marketing does not go directly to your audience with an offer, it attracts them through content that is relevant to them, that answers each of their questions and that guides them to make the best decision in their favor. In addition, it offers quality resources that will increase your recognition and reputation, as well as the confidence they feel towards your brand and your offer.
When they come to you, they are already informed of much of what you have to offer. For this reason, inbound is perfect for growing your business, in addition to its close link to technology.
Check if the agency uses inbound tactics in its own business, such as newsletters, ebooks, blogs, Calls to Action (CTA) and similar. Check the quality of their content, interaction with other users and their online presence. See what technology tools they use to create their strategies and put them into action. All this will give you a good idea about how they will work with your brand.
2. Verify that they have previous experience in your industry
One of the goals of an inbound agency will be to create educational content for your potential customers to learn about your industry, best practices, what you offer and how it can benefit them. Imagine that this work is in the hands of people who do not know as much or more than your potential customers.
The training work would be immense and you are likely to face long phases of trial and error. Of course, we don't suggest that you be an expert in technology or software development, but having previous experience with other SaaS companies will make diagnosis, planning and execution of strategies much more fluid.
Steps to choose an Inbound agency and why you should
3. He looks at his previous customers
To find out if there is any previous experience with SaaS companies, you can check their previous clients. This will also allow you to see what previous work looks like, if they use inbound resources, if the content of their blog and website is of quality, if there is a consistent presence in social networks, among other things.
You can also consult with the agency about success stories and what the work experience was like. If there is a problem with your past clients or a bad relationship, it will be important to investigate to decrease the chances of this happening with your brand.
Top-rated SaaS companies already use inbound
According to G2 Crowd, the best companies rated under Grid® Scoring Technology are those that add up to a high score, from 0 to 100, based on user reviews, online sources and social networks.
These are the ones that top the list:
1. HubSpot (B2B, B2C)
It is an inbound marketing software company, with tools based on CRM, social networks, content management, web analysis and SEO. It has a market presence of 74 points and 95 points in customer satisfaction.
It also has blogs, courses, case studies, downloadable guides, ebooks and other resources used by managers and marketing and sales professionals.
2. Google (B2B, B2C)
It has 137 products focused on Internet-related services, such as search engines, digital analytics, document creation, online advertising, among others. It was rated with 92 points in market presence and 94 in customer satisfaction.
Its platforms are user-friendly and its search engine is increasingly intuitive, positioning it as number 1 worldwide. It also has guides and practical tutorials to use each of its applications.
3. Adobe (B2B, B2C)
It adds up to more than 50 computer software, focused on digital media, marketing, printing and publishing. It was rated 86 in market presence and 91 in customer satisfaction.
Their website includes a complete blog in which they not only answer frequent questions about the use of their products, but also include material of interest to professionals related to design, marketing and business, such as current marketing trends, success stories, inspiration for illustrators, among others.
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It's time to put your business in expert hands. Start generating quality leads with the inbound methodology, hand in hand with an experienced agency that transforms ideas into results.
At Innova Marketing Solutions we have had a rewarding experience supporting software companies to grow and increase their revenues. And we are ready to tell you in detail how inbound can boost your sales. Click here to schedule a call with us for a free consultation - let's get to work!