For software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, customer satisfaction is key to success. Highly satisfied customers are more likely to continue using your services, recommend you to others, and spend more money. As competition increases in the SaaS industry, providers need to get creative about adding value to attract and retain happy customers.
One excellent way to do this is by offering website creation and hosting services, which when combined with SEO services, ensures a business has the power to grow.
Websites Are Essential for SMBs
The transition to digital has been far from smooth for many businesses. Despite the fact that 99% of people use the internet to find information about a business, one in five still don’t have a functional website.
A large portion of SaaS providers target small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). These SMB customers need websites to establish their online presence, engage with customers, and ultimately grow their companies.
Sadly, many SMBs lack the skills, time and resources to build effective websites themselves. SMB owners often end up with DIY sites on free platforms that look unprofessional and fail to achieve business goals. This is where SaaS providers can step in to provide huge value.
By offering website building and hosting as part of their services, SaaS companies can ensure their SMB customers have the sites they need to succeed. The SMB gets an essential business tool while the SaaS provider builds a stronger relationship.
Ease Digital Transformation Pains
Today’s SMBs know they need to establish a digital presence to remain competitive. However, around 50% see the steep learning curve as a major obstacle to effective digital adoption.
Creating a website tailored to their brand and business goals is a key part of digital transformation for SMBs. When SaaS providers offer website building services, they alleviate a major pain point in this transformation process.
Rather than struggling through a DIY site builder or hiring a web developer, the SMB can get a professional website through their SaaS provider. This simplifies digital adoption so SMBs can focus on core business operations.
Deliver an All-In-One Solution
SMBs prefer software solutions that address multiple needs through a single vendor. Working with multiple suppliers and technologies gets complicated for small teams.
By providing websites in addition to their core software services, SaaS companies become more of a one-stop-shop. This convenience and integration appeals to customers who have limited resources.
Offering professional websites integrated with other solutions like CRM or ecommerce creates a seamless tech stack for SMBs. This streamlined experience boosts satisfaction as customers get all they need from one provider.
Increase Perceived Value
According to SMBs, the top three reasons they change SaaS vendors are cost, integration issues, and missing key features. SaaS providers can avoid losing customers for these reasons by baking websites into their offerings.
Websites significantly raise the value of the SaaS solution in the eyes of customers. When they get both software and an integrated website, they enjoy greater benefits without the provider having to lower prices.
The addition of websites also reduces integration challenges and fills the “website” feature gap for SMBs. This increased perceived value boosts satisfaction and retention.
Facilitate Software Adoption
Many types of SaaS software require customers to have a website in order to use them effectively. Website builders, ecommerce platforms, marketing tools, and more depend on integration with a website.
When customers don’t have adequate websites, it hampers their ability to adopt the SaaS solution and achieve ROI. They may blame the software rather than their DIY site.
By offering website building services, SaaS providers ensure customers can actually use their software to grow their businesses. Well-designed sites integrated with the SaaS platform facilitate adoption and customer success.
Drive More Transactions and Engagement
Professional, high-converting websites generate more leads, sales and engagement for SMB customers. The better a customer’s website performs, the more transactions it will enable.
When SaaS companies empower SMBs with optimised websites integrated into their solution, it tangibly grows the customer’s business. More transactions mean they get greater value from the software.
This increase in business activity also boosts retention. Customers who see their SaaS solutions driving real growth through an effective website stay loyal to continue this success.
Unlock Upsell Opportunities
Offering website building opens up new revenue stream opportunities through package deals and upsells. SaaS providers can charge premium prices for bundled solutions of software and professional sites.
They can also tempt customers to upgrade their software plans in order to “unlock” extras for their new websites like ecommerce, leads apps, or more advanced integrations.
Even customers who decline these upsells still get value from website creation services as part of their base SaaS subscription. They’ll perceive the core offerings as more fairly priced.
Well-designed websites are an excellent add-on for SaaS companies looking to increase customer lifetime value. By satisfying website needs, SaaS providers can boost satisfaction, facilitate adoption, and unlock lucrative upsells.