Although relatively new, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) industry has been making waves with a lot of vendors tapping into the many opportunities it has to offer.
In this article, we will take a brief look at the industry, the benefits of utilising this technology and some common industry mistakes to avoid as a growing startup.
There is an ever increasing need for device storage and cloud space by both individuals and businesses and this is one of the problems SaaS tries to solve. SaaS is simply a software application on the cloud hosted and maintained by vendors offering services and digital products that are accessible to clients and customers to help them accomplish different business related purposes without having to download, install, run periodic maintenance or upgrade.
Some good examples of Saas include the Microsoft office package, smallpdf, workplace messaging apps such as Slack or Zoom, Music Streaming apps like Spotify and Audiomac amongst others.
According to a McKinsey & Company report, technology industry analysts predict further growth in the Software-as-a-Service market and expect to see the market for SaaS products near $200 billion by 2024. – Wesley Chai, Techtarget.com.
This is foreseeable as SaaS caters for every industry and multiple users can interface, store data or interact at the same time. SaaS businesses offer a needed service, usually subscriptions or pay-as-go mode, removing the need for hefty outright payments for application installation and usage. This allows startups to customise products to their business needs, reduce or increase the offers they subscribe to and in the long run aids them in managing and maintaining the workspace.
Another benefit of SaaS is that its users can enjoy free access to the application anywhere, any time as long as they have an internet connection.
As with any business, there are hurdles and a good number of start ups fail to scale them. A common mistake faced by startups is the lack of proper integration of the application and its navigation process to their target group. Failure to provide an easy navigation process on the application hampers general conversion and reduces the number of engagement on the services provided.
Every software during its marketing, launching and upgrade should communicate proper usage and offer contact support when the need arises because most times lack of knowledge on the use of the software by clients translates to poor service or software complication.
Another issue is the inability for clients to switch from similar SaaS applications. Majority have data stored with a service provider already and might not want to go through the stress of vetting and familiarising themselves with a new vendor except in cases where the offerings and incentives are very appealing.
In order to win these groups, start-ups begin to offer unrealistic incentives and conditions like money back guarantee, 10-hours delivery time, unlimited product adjustments, product previews which might not be feasible and they end up not being able to meet their promises thus leading to the loss of these clients.
Privacy and security is another factor most startups fail to consider, when proffering applications, if there’s a privacy breach or poor security system, clients are quick to quit the service as they wouldn’t want to reveal every of their personal and business data to third parties.
Nevertheless ,all of these are not unachievable. Startups that scale these hurdles progress very fast and go on to continually improve and upgrade their service to meet their users needs.
Are you a Saas start up? Looking for expert advice and support? Contact DigiBreed today
Brand Loyalty: 8 simple ways to capture the heart of Gen Z
Straight to the point. Since the Gen Zs purposely choose which messages to view and which messages to ignore, the first step to capture the heart of the Gen Z is to know the exact kind of message that appeals to them and then craft messagings that strengthens your brand’s positioning, equity and value. There are certain beliefs and values that the Gen Zs hold and these values influence their choice of brands.
At the core, this generation’s behaviour is strongly wrapped around self reliance and individualism and this is why she cares about social causes. 70% of Gen Z is involved in a social or political cause.
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220803-gen-z-how-young-people-are-changing-activism.
So, position your product as a brand that contributes to the community and align with the doctrine of ‘be yourself’. Gen Z considers every product and service as a way to express her identity. Consider her from the very start of your product development and she will reward you with her loyalty.
As the most tech-oriented and savvy generation so far, Gen Z spends a large chunk of its time on the internet, social media especially. They are quick to make purchases because of an influencer on instagram, twitter, youtube, snap, and tiktok. To Gen Z, you are not existing if you are not on social media. Direct a lat=rge chunk of your resources to be relevant and available on social media.
Here are some simple ways you can leverage the interest of the new generation and connect with them.
Multi- connected
They are multi-connected on various platforms with various screens available for their use. Engaging in different activities online at the same time is a norm for them and they are part of different online communities. The youths have multiple screens for multiple purposes and the best way for a brand to effectively reach them is to make their message available on all these screens. In other words, they have to fit their message to platforms that they are most active on. Platforms for gaming, chatting, watching videos, uploading pictures and videos, community platforms and the internet as a whole.
Crave Immediacy
The attention span of the new generation is short and as such they want things done immediately. They want to understand and produce outcomes immediately and long processes or information bore them. They prefer visual communication and other types have to be short and straight to the point before their mind wanders. Brands can leverage on adding life hacks, tips, minor tutorials and DIYs to their messages or contents on these platforms to engagements from these youths. For example, Baileys showing how the brand can be used to make smoothies or parfaits, or darling hair posting hacks on how to style their product.
Participation
They want to express themselves and do various activities that help their “self-Discovery” journey. This is why platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat and Twitter which promotes creativity and expressive self-generated contents are more popular among the New Generation. They want to engage in different activities and brands can embody these sentiments into the brand by showcasing the views of the youths or creating activities through their promos or campaigns that would interest them. Making trendy or personalized products or services, asking for their point of view, creating online challenges or relatable messages in adverts.
They want to be entrepreneurs
The New Generation have an entrepreneurial drive and come up with creative ways to push their ideas and businesses. They want to be happy with their jobs, work abroad and make a lot of money even at a young age. They want to take responsibility for their success and are ready to put in the work to achieve this. Brands that acknowledge them in this area are more likely to have a relationship with them. Helping achieve their goals and add to their success story or giving them benchmarks with rewards attached. Reflecting their skills and giving them accolades for early achievements, campaigns that add to their growth in one way or the other are widely recognized and endeared to the youths for a long time. For example, Lacasera’s “show your hustle” challenge, FitFam.
Help them make the world better
They are exposed beyond their years to so many topics than before and as such are craving for a better world. They want to handle social issues, want a better society and are advocates for social equality. The seemingly unfair living situations that plague human existence is their concern. It would be a mistake to treat them as kids and as such the age range for the New Generation based on knowledge should increase. The average youth probably has a list they want to tackle. World hunger, global warming, unemployment, economic crisis, health care issues, living situations in third world countries, e.t.c. Brands can fit into their causes and help them save the world by Developing recyclable products to save the environment, Charity activities, take a stand on issues, or give records or rewards to commemorate efforts.
In properly using the interests of the New Generation, the brand automatically becomes part of their community and they are allied with the brand in recognition and as audiences.
Do you need help with your content and campaign related project? Contact Digibreed to:
- Create and publish content.
- Monitor engagement and mentions.
- Grow community of customers and influencers.
- Report and analyse your data.
- Execute creative advertising.