Why Should a Startup Outsource their Software Development
Mar 16, 2016
Mar 16, 2016
10 min read
10 min read
To start your own company it is really not necessary that you should have a technical background, it is a challenge these days to find a technical co-founder for many companies or finding some good talent to turn a fantastic idea into a reality. This the reason, many founders or visionaries just stop ideating at this point and we believe that’s where they are making a huge mistake!
In B-Schools around the world mentors tell the first time founders:
“ Focus on your idea and let the things you’re not good at in the hands of the experts in this field. But be sure to be able to monitor the progress of their work.”
One very popular example of a company with non-technical co-founders: Airbnb: Brian Chesky
Brian chesky earned a B.F.A in industrial design, from the Rhode Island School Of Design where he met Joe Gebbia who later became the co-founder at the firm and CHief Product Officer of Airbnb. As of March 2015, Airbnb had raised a new round of funding which brought the company’s valuation at around $20 billion dollars. As is evident both were non-technical founders and sure did outsource their software development work to concentrate on rather core operations of the company.
It is indeed a common opinion that having a good tech person in the company assures that a startup can have a successful exit. But, besides knowing how to code, founders should rather concentrate on other tasks like marketing and sales to excel in the industry. To find out about the best practices of outsourcing your IT services.
We’ll give you some convincing reasons why a startup should outsource their IT resources development:
Reduced Cost
The stage when you have an idea in your head and money to bootstrap, you are able to find some professional engineers who you can contract per agreed price. In the case of outsourcing you do not need to dive into the pool of talent or even worry about additional expenses like: staff insurance, admin costs or payroll taxes. It is also a well known fact that sometimes by outsourcing the development work you might attract more skilled pros at a much lower rate.
Freed Up Time
By documenting the contracts of IT development, strict deadlines are already agreed upon and a lot of time is freed for founders to concentrate on more core areas. All you need to do is control those dates and monitor the work being done by individuals or by the agency. More core areas left to concentrate upon are to spread the word about your product in the market and promotions.
IT Consultation
While outsourcing your software development work, you get to meet people like business analysts, who might take a closer look at your product and suggest the best way to complete your task(better logics that were thought about before, approach, tools etc.). They might be able to add up an improvised revenue model to your existing project.
Testing Services Included
Hiring a team of software engineers might and expect them to deliver a robust software project as well as test it requires too much overheads and a lot of work for the same team. While outsourcing the same job to an agency ensures that project is delivered on time, works seamlessly and you do not have a headache of testing it ‘n’ number of times before a perfect product is delivered to you.
Technology partner for life
It is very difficult for a company to find a techie who understands your company’s objectives and goals , is reliable and dedicated. Having been in a contract with your firm for maintenance services, the outsourced firm has to be responsible for providing the software upgrades as and when required and the expertise you can trust.
Getting access to exclusive tools
Hiring engineers is not enough, but there is also a cost associated with providing your in-house team with appropriate tools, which by the way can be really expensive. Why would you buy such tools that you know, are going to be used once in the life-cycle of your software product. While outsourcing the project not only did you save the cost on not hiring engineers in-house but also got access to the best tools used in the IT industry to develop a software.
As we saw that not only did we save the cost by outsourcing our IT project, but hiring that extra engineer force and the cost overheads that came along with it were avoided. So it is clearly understandable that to be a successful founder of tech startup, we neither need to be technically equipped nor do we require the help of a technically sound co-founder. All that is required is the right idea and to transform it into a reality.
Endless Aisle: How Can You Implement Real-Time Inventory Visibility In Your Retail Business
Retaining loyal customers to sustain a profitable business becomes crucial with the changing marketing landscape. But sometimes, it gets difficult for retailers to manage their inventory, which affects their sales and brand reputation. If customers find that the product is out of stock in a retail store, the chances are that they might go further to a competitor's store, which is not a good sign. A report reveals that 7% of small businesses don't track their inventory. And that's why they are struggling to boost their sales. There might be many reasons why your physical inventory might not have the products your customers want, but asking them to wait for a few days is not viable. Are you also facing the same problem? Don't worry. There is a solution to this problem, i.e., Endless Aisle. It helps businesses provide more flexibility and room to showcase products that are usually not in inventory or out of stock but can be arranged to be delivered. It allows retailers to provide their customers an opportunity to browse through your entire offline and online inventory and purchase the products they want virtually. Read on to know how Endless Aisle can help you increase your inventory without actually spending lots of bucks on their purchase and storage. What is an endless aisle? Endless aisle is a strategy that many offline retail stores often use to expand their inventory without physically maintaining it. It combines virtual as well as offline inventory present in the store. Once a customer walks inside a store, they can browse through the physical inventory and virtual inventory using a kiosk or tablet, or a mobile device and choose what they want and order the merchandise presented in the form of virtual products. Source: Unsplash This way, instead of shopping bags in hand, customers would leave stores with delivery tracking details and receive the products from the stores! Endless aisle helps retailers enhance customer experience by delivering a hybrid of online and offline shopping experiences. It allows businesses to provide customers with the opportunity to purchase products that are currently not available in their stores. It offers an easy selection of products, and provides quick services to customers. Firms can also plan and schedule deliveries aptly and keep track of shopping trends through an endless aisle strategy. Also, it allows organizations and retailers to reduce their physical inventory to save floor space. Take an example of car showrooms: When you go to a car dealership to purchase a car, the customer assistant will show you a car through a virtual medium that is out of stock. And then they will ask you to book your car in advance. What are the advantages of the endless aisle? Source: Unsplash Enhance customer experience and service By incorporating Endless Aisle in your brick-and-mortar business, you can give your customers the freedom to choose from your entire product selection and catalog. This reduces the challenge of retaining customers and increases the possibility of purchase. If your customers find the product they are looking for in your store, they might always choose you for the same product line. With Endless Aisle, upselling and cross-selling get better. The Endless Aisle allows retailers to sell additional accessories to the primary intended purchase. You can give them an array of options virtually. Since the Endless Aisle strategy allows you to always have full shelves, you don't have to worry about in-store stock. This will make purchasing and selling tasks easier for you and your customers. Increase your inventory without increasing the floor space Usually, if you want to have a large inventory, you need to rent additional floor and shelf space to accommodate the stock. With Endless Aisle, you can expand your inventory by adding your products to digital platforms .That means no need for additional space and expenses. Give your better customers insights. One of the essential things that every retailer needs is customer data, which helps them know what their target audience likes and what new item is trending in the market. The data helps you understand your customer's requirements and gives you an edge over your competitors. Endless Aisle helps you capture real-time customer data as they scroll through your virtual platform. You can determine what your customers want to buy to arrange your virtual inventory accordingly. Also, it helps you provide a more improved customer experience. Implementing an Endless Aisle in your store The most common way of implementing endless aisles is Kiosks. You can also choose smartphones and tablets based on your daily customer traffic and business requirements. Add the entire product range of your store to your digital platform to showcase your customers. The kiosks should be handled by store reps and distributed across your store. Ensure that kiosks have a search bar and accessible listing of your products to provide your customers with a hassle-free shopping experience. With these kiosks, your customers are not overly dependent on in-store assistants to help them find what they are looking for. Since your customers can easily get all your products through kiosks, the possibility of purchase also increases. Use a powerful POS (point-of-sale) software that enables customers to browse through your catalog. The POS software is cloud-based that helps you centralize your inventory. It allows you to showcase your entire product-range on a single platform. It also helps the cashier keep a tab on the stock at other locations and place an order accordingly. Takeaway! Endless Aisle is an efficient marketing and sales technique that enables retailers to provide their customers with the option of purchasing products that are out of stock and not commonly found. This helps retailers save huge bucks, which they might spend on renting large warehouses. If you are also planning to incorporate an endless aisle strategy in your retail business, reach out to us. Our team will give you a glimpse of our services and help you combine offline and online inventory to maximize customer retention and revenue. Contact us now! ...
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Marketing Automation Specialists: The Right Skills and Criteria for Hiring
From 2021 to 2023, the global marketing automation industry surged by 22%, reaching $5.86 billion. It is projected to double by 2030, surpassing $13.7 billion. This growth represents an opportunity, as marketing automation specialists are in high demand. Every morning, a marketer dives into intensive data analysis, email preparation, and strategy development somewhere in the world. This intricate thing happens not through manual effort but through the powerful capabilities of marketing automation. What is a marketing automation specialist? A marketing automation specialist uses technology to streamline marketing processes, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance customer interactions, ultimately improving overall marketing efficiency and effectiveness. These specialists leverage tools like email marketing automation software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and workflow automation platforms to create targeted campaigns, manage lead generation and nurturing, and analyze performance data. They play a key role in optimizing marketing operations and driving business growth. They design, develop, and implement marketing automation campaigns, monitor performance, analyze data, and optimize strategies. They provide marketing automation services to ensure efficient and effective marketing processes, driving better results and higher engagement. How to become a marketing automation specialist? To become a marketing automation specialist, consider these steps: Gain Foundational Knowledge: Understand the basics of marketing principles and automation tools. Master Marketing Automation Tools: Gain proficiency with platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, or Pardot to manage automation workflows and email marketing automation . Develop Analytical Skills: Learn to analyze data and metrics to refine your marketing automation strategy . Understand Customer Journeys: Map customer journeys and create automated workflows tailored to different lifecycle stages. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in marketing automation. What do marketing automation specialists do? Marketing automation specialists focus on optimizing and managing automated marketing processes. Their key responsibilities typically include: Designing Campaigns: Creating and setting up automated marketing campaigns, including email marketing automation workflows, social media posts, and lead nurturing marketing automation sequences using tools like HubSpot. Implementing Tools: Configuring and maintaining marketing automation platforms such as HubSpot to ensure they meet the business’s needs and integrate smoothly with CRM and marketing automation systems. Analyzing Performance: Monitoring and analyzing the performance of automated campaigns to assess effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions for refining any SaaS marketing automation strategy. Segmenting Audiences: Using data to segment audiences and tailor marketing efforts to specific customer groups for more personalized engagement enhances overall marketing automation with HubSpot. Optimizing Strategies: Continuously refining and optimizing automation strategies based on performance metrics and evolving marketing trends to maximize ROI through effective marketing automation workflows . Essential skills needed for marketing automation specialists Certain essential skills are crucial to succeeding as a marketing automation specialist. Technical Skills Data Analysis: Understanding campaign performance, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions. Customer Segmentation: Categorizing customer bases for personalized marketing. Campaign Management: Planning, executing, and monitoring marketing campaigns. SEO and SEM: Enhancing visibility and befriending search engines. Content Management: Creating and managing engaging content. Tool Proficiency Email Marketing: Tools like MailChimp and Constant Contact. Social Media Management: Tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools like Salesforce and Zoho CRM. Marketing Automation: Tools like HubSpot, Marketo, and Pardot. Soft Skills Problem-Solving: Quickly identifying and addressing challenges. Creativity: Crafting unique campaigns and tapping into untapped niches. Adaptability: Continuously learning and adjusting to new methodologies. Communication: Making complex data accessible and inspiring action. Attention to Detail: Ensuring every aspect of campaigns runs smoothly. Developing and honing these skills will empower marketing automation specialists to excel in their roles, drive impactful campaigns, and deliver exceptional results for their organizations. Why choose Saffron Edge marketing automation specialists? Our experienced specialists are dedicated to revolutionizing your marketing strategy, providing personalized solutions that drive growth and deliver exceptional results. Intellectual stimulation and creative problem-solving: Our specialists blend data analysis with creative strategy. They decipher complex data sets, understand customer behaviors, and use these insights to craft compelling marketing strategies. Expertise in recent technology: Our specialists are at the forefront of marketing automation technology, equipped with the latest tools and techniques. High earning potential: Marketing automation specialists have significant earning potential, offering intellectual satisfaction and financial stability. This field rewards expertise with competitive compensation, providing a fulfilling and financially secure career path. Career growth and progression: At SaffronEdge, we offer abundant opportunities for career progression. Our specialists can advance to roles such as marketing automation manager, director, or even Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Increasing demand and job market trends: The demand for marketing automation experts is surging. Recent data shows that nearly 60% of marketing leaders intend to boost their marketing automation budgets. Discover how SaffronEdge's team of experts can help transform your marketing strategy with smart automation solutions tailored to your business. Get ready to see your brand thrive like never before! How to hire a marketing automation specialist? To hire a marketing automation specialist, seek candidates with experience in CRM and marketing automation platforms, digital marketing automation, and B2B marketing. Look for an email marketing automation specialist with strong analytical skills, a proven track record in developing and optimizing strategies, and expertise in lead nurturing, campaign management, and performance analysis. Ensure they can effectively integrate marketing automation with CRM systems and drive results through tailored data-driven campaigns. Conclusion SaffronEdge marketing automation specialists are pivotal in the digital revolution. They drive customer engagement, lead generation, and sales through meticulously designed and executed campaigns. With a blend of technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and continuous learning, our specialists are well-equipped to elevate your business in the dynamic marketing automation landscape. Integrating marketing automation with your marketing systems allows you to send out personalized campaigns and manage your customer relationships more efficiently, helping your business grow. Interested in seeing how this can work for your business? Contact Saffron Edge today for more information and take your business to the next level. ...
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Youtube SEO: Give your videos a ranking boost by optimizing for these On-page factors
Are you actively trying to market your services on the second-most traffic website (after Facebook) on the internet with nearly 2 billion monthly active users?If your answer is yes, then this post is just for you! Youtube is, unarguably, the best social media platform out there to showcase your videos and if you still aren’t using it to market your videos, you really are missing out on scoring a lot of engagement and raving fans for your business. And since it’s bought by Google, your videos can secure a prominent place on the web search as well and gain some extra exposure. But a lot of videos gets uploaded and seen on Youtube on a daily basis as it continues to gain popularity worldwide. So, standing out and getting noticed on the platform becomes a bit difficult.Yes, strategizing and selecting high-search keywords to base your videos on surely helps with capturing a lot of attention for your videos. But did you know the Youtube algorithm takes into account certain on-page factors as well to rank videos on the platform?While Google Trendz and Google Keyword Planner can certainly help you with finding the best keywords for your videos to get you on the top, here are some of the prominent on-page factors the Youtube algorithm relies on as well to rank videos on the platform.Before we begin, just make sure that your Youtube channel is as optimized as it can get. Which includes adding a nice description of your channel that summarizes to your audience what your channel is all about, placing your website or blog link in the description itself, adding a nice channel banner, placing your best videos on the homepage of your channel, choosing your target county and targeting the most appropriate keywords for your channel that describe what you do in the best light possible to your audience. The increased views on your videos will only be fruitful if you have a welcoming channel that tells users what you do in an instant and convert them into your loyal subscribers. When you have done all that and have indulged in some promotional efforts for your channel on Social Media and the web, work on optimizing all your videos for the below-ranking factors to get in front of more users on the platform and increase your viewership - Place keywords in the meta-data Like Google, the Youtube algorithm also relies heavily on figuring out the relevance of a video with the help of keywords present in its meta-structure. But mind you, the keywords are only as good as getting your video in front of viewers searching for the exact same or related keywords, the algorithm relies heavily on user engagement signals which we’ll get to in a while.When it comes to adding a specific keyword in your video’s meta-structure, you have to add it in your video title, its description and the tag section for them to make a difference for your videos. You’ll have to go as far as adding the keyword in the file name of your Youtube video so that the crawlers can make sense of it right from the beginning. Take care of the quality of your video Youtube cares about the user experience your video provides to their users. And If your video is of sub-par quality, forget about getting on the top of Youtube for your targeted keyword.When it comes to Youtube, HD videos will always rank higher than low-quality videos because who’d seriously want to look at a blurry 144p video. Your viewers will abandon your video mid-way in search of a better video and possibly will never see a video uploaded on your channel again.And believe me, you don’t want users doing that, which bring us to the most important on-page ranking factor for ranking videos on Youtube… Work on generating user engagement and social signals The way a user interacts with your video is the top-most ranking signal for the Youtube algorithm. That includes a viewer clicking your video, liking it, commenting on it, sharing it with their friends (which creates natural backlinks for the video as well), watching it till the end, the links it acquires over time and the likes.Youtube gives importance to these user engagement and social signals and ranks all their videos according to them. So, it makes sense to promote your videos on your social media profiles and ask people to share, like and comment on it to gain traction on the platform.Now you know why so many Youtube creators ask you explicitly to like, comment and share their videos.Because it gives them the exposure they need to gain traction on the platform. Upload a catchy thumbnail In the simplest of words, a thumbnail on Youtube is like the banner image of your blog, but for videos.Along with the title and your channel name, a video thumbnail is what a person sees first about your video. So, optimizing them for the best can matter a lot for your videos when it comes to getting it clicked.Focus on uploading a catchy email that subtly tells what your video is all about so users can quickly figure out what’s in it for them if they click on the video. Because of it’s visual nature, your thumbnails can be the reason why your awesome video is not getting clicked at all or is attracting a lot of attention from viewers. Consider adding subtitles, closed captions and cards Since, Youtube crawlers can not view your videos, adding subtitles and closed captions to all your videos help crawlers get a better idea of what your content is about, and they help users too to better grasp your content. Moreover, with the help of cards, you can display your older videos, website links and other types of content to foster clicks for your other videos as well. A great way to get some additional clicks on your videos and increase their rankings. Use the above mentioned tips to make your videos perform better under the Youtube algorithm and gain a lot of exposure for your Youtube videos and your channel in general. If you know of any other on-page factor that the Youtube algorithms take seriously, do let us know about them in the comments. ...
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