What is SaaS Subscription Model?
Revenue Models
What is a subscription model in SaaS?
A subscription model in SaaS allows customers to pay a fixed amount monthly or yearly to access cloud-based software. With a paid subscription, users can have system access, updates, and customer support.
SaaS companies use a subscription model to determine expected revenues while providing users with the latest versions and security patches. These features make a SaaS product or services flexible.
Many SaaS providers offer free trials or demos so users can decide whether to purchase the full package.
How do freemium models differ from traditional subscription models?
Freemium business models provide a limited version of the app for free and a paid subscription gives you advanced features. Most SaaS business owners employ freemiums to persuade free users to choose a paid plan after testing the tool. It’s a way to build a widespread user base and showcase the software’s basic features to users.
In a usage-based pricing model, the customer pays a subscription according to storage space or the number of active premium users.
When should a SaaS company consider offering perpetual licenses?
Subscription models are great for most SaaS solutions, but a few niche platforms are better off with perpetual licenses. SaaS businesses should offer this option when dealing with:
- Highly specialized software: Software with limited updates that cater to a small specific market can offer a perpetual license instead, which is more affordable for customers.
- Legacy compatibility: SaaS companies should use perpetual licenses when servicing businesses reliant on specific software versions that don’t suit subscription models.
- Strict data privacy: To enhance data security, some data-sensitive organizations prefer a one-time subscription that allows total control on-site.
It’s much easier to serve clients with a hybrid pricing model offering both subscription and perpetual licensing options.
How can affiliate revenue contribute to the overall business revenue?
Affiliate marketers involve bloggers, influencers, and websites with huge audiences who can promote software in exchange for a commission on referral purchases. As an added stream of income for a SaaS business, the company leverages an external audience on the affiliate’s website to reach a wider target market.
To get the best of affiliate marketing, secure partners whose audiences are most likely interested in your product.
What are the advantages of a tiered subscription pricing structure in SaaS?
A tiered pricing model is relatively standard in marketing SaaS solutions belonging to this revenue model.
Here are the top benefits of using one:
- Customer Segmentation: The tiers are designed to cover different requirements and budgets.
- Upselling Options: It’s a technique to get customers to upgrade as their business requires additional features.
- Market Appeal: New customers are most likely to begin with a lower-priced entry.
Popular tools like Salesforce, Zoom, or Dropbox leverage tiered pricing models to include all kinds of users.
Conclusion
SaaS subscription models are widespread because they enhance the need to pay for products. To create one, software providers must use freemiums to their advantage and provide perpetual licensing options where a tiered subscription is not beneficial.
Tiered pricing and affiliate marketing revenue are also ways businesses can secure their place in the SaaS market.
Ready to get started?
