4 . Your Software on the siteSince we are talking about visitors to the site and then to the software, the software itself attracts clicks. Check out the examples below: |
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Now keeping the universal online trend in mind I would like to bring out an analysis on visitor tend on iPOTT. I surely see an emerging pattern in this. Here are some facts born from the trend observed on iPOTT. 1. MAINSTREAM VS NICHE PRODUCTSThe search or hits for a product depends on; if it is mainstream or niche product, this is the global trend irrespective of the mode of exposure. The same is true with iPOTT. The mainstream software will get visitors from wider demographics hence more hits. The Niche Products have a narrow demographics so lesser hits. So a HR product [Read the rest of this entry...] |
The website www.ipott.com lists software from across the globe. There are close to 5500 software as of date, in 130 odd categories. We get queries on various topics. There are quite a few innovative services. But every time when a user queries on the listing, we seem to be having the same debate. “How many visitors can you assure?” , “how may confirmed clicks will I receive”, “how many lead will you provide?”, “what are my guaranteed numbers”. My answer remains the same, “I can’t give you a numbers or assurance, all I can give you is an exposure guarantee”. I know for sure, my answer is not appreciated. But that’s the whole truth. |
I got a question in mail yesterday mocking over why iPOTT have ‘TM’ all over? What big deal? What did you get putting TM for every name? Guess what, I love such questions, honestly. It gives me a topic new.. Before I talk about TM lets talk about names. While selecting a name for the product or company it is worth putting in some thought , because it shows and its worth it.. the name can either be unique or descriptive. Unique like Google or iPOTT or descriptive like download.com or jobstreet.com. Whatever be the case give some thoughts before naming….one software company was taking my advice on the name they have selected for their software. |
I have spoken about websites before, in my post ‘not to be a part of the crowd’. We have discussed the importance of logos, names and websites… Of course we are still in a scenario where there are a number of businesses who have not leveraged the power of the world wide web. But this post is for the web site owners who wish to increase visibility online… Generally there is a mis-conception that web sites will just get visitors if they are designed well and built well. It won’t take long time to learn that the slogan “If you build it, they will come“ is just not true. You have to build it well, thoughtfully and ambitiously and innovatively, inventively and then you have to keep rethinking it and rebuilding it, if you have any hope of attracting a crowd. There are numerous web site designers and developers building just websites. What about the bigger role the websites can play? What about using them as a marketing tool? Are they helping you drive visitors? Who cares….web site development is a one time job ha? If you want to disagree read on…Your web site is should not be just a piece of html code sitting on the world wide web. It does not solve any purpose. |
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Let us understand customization. Have you read the earlier write up “first time software purchase ?” Customization is just modifying the software to meet your business process and needs. Now why customization should be so complicating? Why is customization referred to as ‘necessary evil?’ Actually, not all ‘customizations’ fall into the ‘evil’ category. Some customizations are very simple and they come to you with the software. To name a few, |
Software Pricing Part 1 cont.. Shall we continue? If you have missed the earlier write-up on Cost of software, you can read it now and then proceed. We will begin with the facts about users and licenses.
As mentioned earlier, the users and licenses are more relevant to client -server applications. Licenses restrict the number of user who can log on to the application. software are sold with single user or multi user licenses. Single user license will mean only one person can use the application. Multi-user is more than one user, so if we say 5 users it literally means 5 users can log on to the application and use the application. Doesn’t it sound simple, but it has more to it. |
Its been a long time… there has been a break to the updates to this blog. Though all intension’s were “to write”, it didn’t happen. Now I am back.. lets see what we will talk about for next few posts? We will talk about software price. I am sure many of you out there would agree that their is a lot of ambiguity with regards to pricing of software. We will not discuss how much should a software cost…we will just get into understanding what all goes into cost of a software. I hope it will answer some queries for the Promoters of iPOTT. Let us begin with saying software pricing cannot be done as it is for a consumer durable. I hear some say that software pricing is an art. Basically the first factor a software pricing should consider is the frequency at which you charge the buyer. Eg: If it is SaaS there may be a monthly pricing. For the purpose of our discussion I am talking about the application software pricing. [Read the rest of this entry...] |
Software sellingThe other day I was in conversation with a CEO of a product company. We were talking about listing the particular product on iPOTT. The normal questions and answers transpired and then came up the crucial question, I asked, “ what do you claim as benefits of your software”. There was a sequence of points which he mentioned. At the end of it I had to say, “…but these are the features of your software what do you claim as the benefits of your software…” The curt answer was “ I am defining the benefits and let the user decide on how he wants to use it and benefit from it”. |
The topmost software selling mistake! Even today software selling happens in limited territories. I can confirm this since I have the opportunity to talk / connect / contact minimum 1 software vendor each day. This limitation is valid for companies with or without branches. Most companies who are in the business of selling know ‘what is the size of the market you are selling to’. Do you know ‘what is the size of the market you are not selling to’? |
Software Selling Mistakes : Ignoring long end of the tail The other day I was in a discussion with one software company on specific exposure mechanism for the HRMS product vertical. He had a concern, his product was too good to resist, he is sure of converting every lead which comes by, but how to get the attention of buyers. With the market flooded with similar products, what will make his product stand out of the crowd in the first instance? On iPOTT itself we have around 30 HRMS products.. |
A brief about your Software?Our software , Alchemex is unique in that fits into the Microsoft objective to make BI affordable at desktop level but provides powerful added value to unsophisticated desktop users. Alchemex placed it’s faith in MS Excel as the preferred output medium and provides a BI engine [Read the rest of this entry...] |
Users & License