If you own, manage or are considering starting a software-as-a-service business, then you can’t afford NOT to check out these fundamental rules of the game and cutting-edge tips for success.
Hot off the presses!
Enjoy,
JY
The goal of this blog is to share knowledge and opinions that will help executives at Internet software companies that create and deliver B2B Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and B2C Web applications to critically analyze real-world, go-to-market strategies and tactics by applying sound business principles to the disruptive technologies that are reshaping our lives.
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[...] is a critical concept. Going back to the well-written and much reviewed piece by Joel York - “Software-as-Service Success, The Top Ten Do’s and Don’t of SaaS” - Let’s assume for a minute you have read the piece (please!) and list the do’s [...]
Joel, as a SaaS evangelist, I really enjoyed reading your dos and don’ts. Thanks for sharing them and keep up the exemplary work.
[...] the first article in this series, we asked the question, “Which of Joel York’s Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts of SaaS” relate to the concept of The Long Tail?” If you haven’t read Joel’s article I [...]
This would be more useful as HTML. There are not charts or graphs and a number of hyperlinks in the text itself. Why did you only make a PDF version available?
You define “organic growth = revenue generated with (near) zero marginal acquisition cost” I think this is the definition of “viral growth” or “word of mouth” or referral driven customer acquisition. Organic growth is normally defined as growth that relies on the cash flow that the business generates to grow.
Hi Sean,
You are correct on both counts. Here are the explanations…
WRT Organic Growth. I am using the term as a derivative of “organic” vs. “paid” search on the Internet, so it is an operational definition with respect to customer acquisition…as opposed to the financial definition with respect to funding sources that you cite. However, the sentiment is the same. The financial definition is alluding to the idea that investors do not have to put in additional funds for the company to grow. In my use of the term, I am alluding to the idea that the company does not have to put in additional funds for each new customer.
There is a key difference between my meaning and “viral” or “word of mouth” in that these terms generally relate only to the awareness stage of the purchase cycle or to a free information product (like a video), and I am emphasizing the concept of enabling customers to find, try and buy your SaaS product without your help (not just find it).
WRT the PDF. It is meant to be a pass-along. Much of the content in the top ten PDF is compiled, revised, improved blog posts. So, the HTML version is the blog. And the way to get it is to subscribe
Happy Holidays.
JY