SaaS partner programs offer a range of benefits that can fuel the growth of the agencies.  Let’s dig deeper into some of the advantages, including increasing revenue streams, boosting operational efficiency, and getting access to cutting-edge technology. Read this practical guide if you are an agency considering SaaS partnerships to enhance your services.

Let’s start with the basics before we delve into the perks that marketing agencies can get from partnering with SaaS companiesLet’s start by defining what SaaS partner programs are and explaining how they work.

What is a SaaS Agency Partner Program?

A SaaS agency partner program is a collaboration between a marketing agency and a SaaS company. Partner programs allow the agencies to use the tools and knowledge of the SaaS company to improve its services for clients. At the same time, the SaaS company benefits by gaining a wider audience and more customers. 

What Are the Benefits for Marketing Agencies to Partner with SaaS Companies?

Increased revenue streams

SaaS partner programs often present an opportunity for marketing agencies to boost their revenue streams. Agencies can leverage either referral or resell plans, to increase their revenue. As an agency, you need to Evaluate the program’s revenue-sharing model, as there are many options to consider.

For example, agencies may earn via the following models:

  • Cost per Acquisition (CPA), where a fixed commission is given for each new customer referral
  • Cost per Click (CPC), where partners are remunerated for each click on their referral links. 
  • Cost per Lead (CPL), which provides a fixed commission for each qualified lead generated.
  • Tiered Commission, which varies based on the number of referrals, offers higher rates for increased referrals
  • Flat Rate Commission, which delivers a set commission per referral, irrespective of the customer’s revenue generation.

Let’s check it on a particular example. 

GetResponse MAX is an email and marketing automation platform that empowers marketing and communications professionals to maximize revenue growth through timely, targeted email, SMS, and web push campaigns. 

The GetResponse MAX Agency Partner Program is specifically designed for agencies to support each step of their growth journey by adding a world-class email and marketing automation tool as part of their services.

The GetResponse MAX Partner Program offers the highest commission in the SaaS market with up to 50% commission customer lifetime. This presents a great opportunity for agency owners to supplement their income.

This partner program will provide agencies with:

  • partner-exclusive marketing content;
  • Monthly product, and sales training;
  • A dedicated partner manager to aid in the growth of both the agency and client businesses. 

Joining this partner program can help your agency stand out from the competition.

Access to cutting-edge technology

With the cutting-edge technology provided by SaaS partner programs, you can harness tools that enable for example predictive analytics, AI-powered customer segmentation, real-time reporting, and more. 

They can also leverage advanced email marketing software. Such a tool facilitates the creation of highly personalized, automated email campaigns that can be segmented based on consumer behavior, boosting conversion rates.

CE Banner (840x104) 3

These are only some examples of tools that you can expand your agency services to help boost your client’s revenue.  As clients’ expectations are growing, these examples demonstrate the remarkable benefit of keeping pace with technological advancements through SaaS partnerships.

Streamlined operational processes

By capitalizing on the seamless integration and robust automation features of SaaS tools, you can significantly streamline their operational workflows.

For instance, you and your team can automate routine tasks such as campaign scheduling and save valuable time that can be better utilized for strategic thinking and creative work. 

Moreover, the integration capabilities of SaaS tools can create a cohesive ecosystem, connecting disparate systems like CRM, email marketing, and social media platforms for smoother operations.

More examples?

Email marketing tools can automate the creation, scheduling, and analysis of email campaigns. For instance, emails can be highly personalized and set to be automatically sent to customers based on their actions or preferences.

These are only a few examples.

Reduced operational costs

Reducing operational costs is another striking benefit of SaaS partner programs for marketing agencies. Unlike traditional software, SaaS eliminates the need for significant initial expenditure on hardware or software, leading to considerable savings.

In addition, maintenance and upgrade costs are typically encompassed in the subscription model, alleviating the burden of unexpected expenses.

Moreover, SaaS tools often include functionalities like automation and efficient resource allocation that drive operational efficiencies, resulting in further cost savings. This model enables you to invest more resources in strategic growth and innovation.

Scalability

Scalability is an attractive benefit offered by SaaS partner programs to marketing agencies. These programs offer easily adaptable solutions that can flexibly match the agency’s requirements as it grows.

For instance, if you grow your team, you can easily acquire additional licenses for required tools. 

Another example is the ability to scale the breadth of services. As your agency grows, it may need to start offering more advanced or varied services to its clients. With a SaaS model, you can access and integrate specialized tools into its service offering, enabling it to meet client needs without significant upfront investments or technical complexities.

Furthermore, managing resource-intensive platforms in-house can be burdensome, especially for smaller agencies. SaaS partnerships provide on-demand access to such technologies, making it more feasible to scale services, meet client expectations, and manage growth effectively in a cost-efficient manner.

Enhanced Customer Support

High-quality customer support is instrumental in addressing technical issues and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery to clients.

For instance, should an issue arise with the email marketing tool during a critical campaign, prompt support can resolve it, preventing potential delays or losses.

Having a dedicated partner can facilitate the seamless integration of new services into your operations, minimizing potential hiccups. 

Access to comprehensive product training and knowledge base

Access to a knowledge base and product training is a crucial benefit of SaaS partner programs. These programs typically provide comprehensive training and support, enabling them to proficiently utilize and market the software.

For example, training could cover areas like optimal use of data analytics software or effective implementation of a marketing automation tool. This access not only enhances your service delivery but also increases your expertise in software usage. It helps you to extract maximum value from the software and pass on this value to their clients.

Joint marketing activities and new promotion opportunities

The ability to take part in joint marketing activities is a notable benefit of SaaS partner programs. These co-marketing opportunities can improve your agency’s presence and impact. For instance, you might co-host a webinar with the SaaS provider, sharing industry insights while demonstrating the software’s capabilities. Alternatively, you could jointly author a white paper or case study, positioning both as thought leaders in the field.

Such activities not only broaden exposure but also fortify the agency’s credibility and expertise.

Data security

Marketing agencies manage a variety of customer data that underscores the importance of data security. This could include personal information like addresses and contact details, or financial data such as credit card information. They might also handle behavioral data, like browsing history, purchase patterns, and preferences.

All this data needs to be securely handled to maintain customer trust, meet regulatory compliance, and prevent potential damage from data breaches. 

The robust data security offered by SaaS providers is a significant value to agencies.

Continuous upgrades and maintenance

As SaaS providers routinely upgrade their software and perform regular maintenance, you can benefit from continual access to the latest features and enhancements.

For instance, an email marketing tool might roll out an update to better personalize email campaigns or automate segmentation. 

In marketing automation, the software might upgrade to include better lead scoring or multi-channel marketing capabilities.

In the commerce sector, enhancements could mean integration with new payment gateways or a better interface for mobile users. 

Importantly, these upgrades also often include security improvements, such as stronger data encryption or more robust user authentication methods, ensuring clients’ data remains safe.

Summary

By participating in partnerships with SaaS companies, your agency can increase its revenue streams, access powerful marketing tools, streamline operational processes, and notably reduce operational costs.

You May Also Like

5 Branding Tips Every Entrepreneur Needs to Focus On

Effective branding is about much more than just making an impression. Here’s…

Working for a Digital Agency: Is Agency Life for You?

Ever imagine yourself in a whirlwind of creativity, strategy, and caffeine? If…

How to Get Clients for Your Digital Marketing Agency in 2020

Sometimes the work we do best for others is the work we…

Influencer Marketing Strategy Won’t Work Without This One Key Ingredient

February 4, 2021 6 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are…