Boag, Paul. “Software as a Service (SaaS): How to Be Sure of Success.” Boagworld, Boagworld – User Experience Advice, 14 Jan. 2020, boagworld.com/digital-strategy/software-as-a-service/.
This article acts as a guide for those looking to develop a software as a service. The author of this article has experience in his failed attempt at creating such. The first tip he suggests is to test the market before becoming too invested in the software idea. This saves lots of time and money from being wasted on something that the public is not interested in and/or willing to pay for. The market can be tested by creating a “fake marketing campaign.” The first step in this campaign is the construction of a “landing page,” which should include things like pricing, videos, and what the author considers to be most important, a “call to action.” This is what will invite users to purchase the actual product. The next campaign step is to compile emails to the users who expressed interest in the software. The author explains a five day email list that should draw users into the product. The third step is to create a set of surveys to distribute to those who failed to engage with the call to action, those who signed up for the emailing list, and those who actually preordered the product. The last step is to “drive traffic to the landing page.” Once people reached the page, it is then most important to understand their interaction with it.
From this article, I learned the importance of advertisement prior to the actual release of a product or service. I obviously know that marketing is a key role in any product’s success, but I thought it was an interesting idea to make a “fake” campaign for it in order to really get a feel for what the products’ receptions would be like. I also have never come across surveys in this context. This could be because I don’t subscribe to many things (mainly due to a lack of money), but I cannot recall being asked to complete a survey for a product I have never used. I think this is a good idea in principle, but it heavily relies on customer response. The likelihood of hearing back from even half of the surveys sent out is low. Because there is a tendency to lack responses, the analysis of the product/service may not be entirely accurate.
The idea of sending out designs of The Greenspring Review to students and faculty is great because it will allow the creators and editors to hone in on what the public audiences find appealing in a literary magazine. I also think that getting students to engage with the magazine is important because most students don’t realize the extent of creativity in it or that it even exists. Once again, it is not likely that a large amount of responses will be received, but it can aid in the process of rebuilding, which is very important in success.