Our re-branding initiative has created quite a stir. One of my all-time favorite bloggers, Paul Greenberg, called us out in a recent blog post. You can see my reply on his blog. Suffice it to say, our focus is on entrepreneurs and small businesses and what they need to efficiently GROW their businesses, regardless of what the market calls our software.
As I said in my reply to Paul, I think eMarketing software more accurately describes the marketing automation software we provide to help small businesses grow fast. Simply put, eMarketing software is automated, integrated marketing and sales. And I think automated, integrated marketing and sales (or eMarketing software as we say) is the future of small business. Whatever it’s called, I think Paul and I agree on the fact that automated, integrated marketing and sales is the future of small business.
In CRM Magazine, writer Marshall Lager’s coverage of our re-branding pointed out that Aberdeen Group’s research bodes well for our focus on marketing automation. Lager said:
Infusionsoft may be tapping into emerging market demand. According to research from Aberdeen Group, “the average small business does not have the luxury of many disparate solutions due to budget and resource constraints, but…they are aware of the benefits of these technologies.” In fact, Aberdeen says, 76 percent of small businesses — which the research firm defines as having annual revenues of less than $10 million — do not currently use marketing automation solutions, but 66 percent are planning to implement them over the next 2 years. Aberdeen also suggests that all organizations are “starting to assess the strategic value of integration between sales and marketing technologies.”
Hmmm… “The strategic value of integration between sales and marketing technologies” ??? Sounds like eMarketing to me. 
Hey Clate…congrats. I think the biggest “challenge” you’ll have is simply helping small businesses, who are not marketing professionals, know the power of your software and why they need it!
Ramon Ray, Editor & Technology Evangelist, Smallbiztechnology.com
Comment by Ramon Ray — April 28, 2008 @ 6:26 am
Clate…It was awesome to run into your site today. I believe I am on WebProNews mailing list.
I am impressed with the product so far and haven’t yet really looked at it. I truly believe our companies have a great synergy and I’d love to explore having you grow with our company.
BusinessIIBusiness is a company for CEO’s, Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. We network and connect online as well as offline at networking events each month nation-wide.
http://www.BusinessIIBusiness.com
I, myself, have a company that I partner with who does email marketing, but I wanted to take a look at the collaboration you have between eCommerce/eMarketing.
Jennifer Cannon
CEO, BusinessIIBusiness
Comment by Jennifer Cannon CEO BIIB — April 29, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
What is troubling is the fact that your software requires that you “bring your own website”. Unsuspecting small business owners may be lured by your marketing tools…but what about all the other pieces that are required to build a long-term web solution. Also, what about customization - it seems that this system is a one-size fits all - not to mention your extremely expensive training classes just to use the thing… It’s my hunch that if you don’t provide the full package and allow for customization most will opt-out after realizing the short-comings…
Even those who are intermediate and up marketers will find that SAAS programs for managing a web business or the extension there of will fall short as things change…as they always do… tell me how the layperson is going to avoid the pitfalls of such a system…the pitfalls are many…but let’s mention a few…the upfront price tag is just the start…your customers must bring a site with them…so the hidden cost of a website design is inherent…then you charge for how to use it…that’s another hidden cost…my intention here is to point out that the days of SAAS systems are numbered…despite the infusion of capital you recently received.
Not sure Aberdeen considered the big picture…small business entrepreneur’s are becoming more savvy every day… are we interested in serving or simply trying to make something mired in hidden costs and pitfalls appear to be a long-term viable solution.
big debate…not enough time here…
Good luck…I think Aberdeen has half of this right…
Comment by Alan Kaplan — May 5, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Alan,
You’re right that we don’t provide the website. Many of our customers have a basic site they pay a few bucks a month for. Our intention is not to hit customers with a bunch of hidden costs. Most of our training is included for no additional charge, most of our prospects are well aware that we don’t provide a website and our 5,000 customers are happy to finally have a way to integrate and automate their online and offline marketing and sales efforts. Our software saves them the cost of a couple of employees and enables them to automatically follow up with their prospects, customers and partners, which propels business growth.
As for the viability of SaaS solutions, I’ll bet you a steak dinner SaaS is very much at the forefront of the software discussion in 10 years.
Siebel laughed at Salesforce.com. ACT and Goldmine sat on the SaaS sidelines for years before entering the fray. Even Microsoft is trying to adjust many of its products to the SaaS model. Heck, nearly every software CEO today is trying to figure out how to convert to the SaaS model because consumers want to pay as they go and vendors like the predictable recurring revenue stream. I’m confident the model is good for consumers and good for vendors… and I’m so happy we started out from the very beginning as a SaaS solution.
Comment by Clate Mask — May 6, 2008 @ 12:18 am
Thanks for the candid response Clate… my intention here is to address the small/home business owner who is overwhelmed by what is best for them regarding a web solution.
Yeah…I get enterprise level software producers like Goldmine and Microsoft want to get into the SAAS space…however, that’s irrelevant for the small business owner doing under a million a year in gross revenue. Even cheap monthly fees from 1SC or aweber still create constraints to the small biz guy who requires content management overall…not just marketing.
Also, isn’t true that a one-size fits all platform creates constraints more often to a new business builder online than not…meaning, the small biz typically doesn’t have the foresight to see the constraints until they hit the wall.
Who is Infusion Soft’s target / perfect client?
I appreciate the conversation Clate - let me know your thoughts.
Comment by Alan — May 9, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Alan,
Our solution is not geared for the one-man shop. We do have many solos using our software, but they tend to be very marketing savvy. Our average customer has 5 employees, does about a million a year in revenue and is growing fast. We have many larger companies and many smaller companies, but our real sweet spot is a company with 2 - 25 employees, doing $100,000 to $5,000,000 in annual revenue. That’s where over 90% of our customers sit.
Comment by Clate — May 15, 2008 @ 1:27 am