Growth Strategies
What is SaaS Market Expansion?
Published: September 20, 2024
Last updated: February 3, 2025

What is SaaS market expansion?
Market expansion is a strategy employed by SaaS (software-as-a-service) companies to present their products or services to new regions.
The goal behind this strategy is to broaden their reach by identifying new customer segments and income streams.
What are the four types of market growth strategies?
Market growth strategies for SaaS can be broken down into these four types. This includes market expansion (also known as market development), according to the Ansoff Matrix.
- Market Penetration: sell to more clients in your existing market.
- Product Development: keep to your existing market but generate new products to sell.
- Market Development: selling your current product or products to new markets.
- Diversification: develop new products to sell in new markets.
Strategy | Key Characteristic | Target Focus | Business Approach |
---|---|---|---|
Growth Strategy Types | |||
Market Penetration | Sell more to existing market | Current customers | Increase market share |
Product Development | Create new products | Existing market | Innovation within current segment |
Market Development | Sell existing products to new markets | New customer segments | Geographic or segment expansion |
Diversification | Develop new products for new markets | Entirely new customer base | High-risk, high-reward strategy |
Market Expansion Approaches | |||
Geographic Expansion | Target new territories | Different regions | Geographical market growth |
New Market Segments | Change target customer type | Different industries or company sizes | Segment-specific targeting |
Partnerships | Collaborate with resellers/distributors | Partners’ existing customer base | Leverage existing networks |
Localization | Modify product for local markets | Specific local customer needs | Adapt language, features, regulations |
What are the strategies for expanding the market?
These growth strategies are some options to consider:
- Geographic Expansion: Begin to target new territories or shift your focus to new geographic regions within your current country of operation.
- New Market Segments: Change the type of customer you target based on industry, vertical, or company size.
- Partnerships: Partner with resellers or distributors with whom your new target customers are already associated.
- Localization: Modify your SaaS product to appeal to new local markets. Change the product’s language, add or subtract features, and comply with new regulations.
Industry rules might be different in your new market. Employ consultants who can ensure SaaS compliance with local regulations.
What is an example of a market expansion growth strategy?
Streaming service provider Netflix started selling to new markets, moving from being US-based. The company commissioned local content, adapted their content for local markets, changed their pricing structure, and localized their product. Netflix is now a worldwide service.
What are the benefits of SaaS market expansion?
Three benefits of this growth strategy are:
- Increased Revenue: Target different customer segments and obtain sales
- Diversification: Penetrating multiple markets reduces the chance of your product failing if trends and consumer habits change.
- Global Brand Recognition: Presenting your product to new regions impacts your business’s visibility level
Understand your market by analyzing your target customers to increase the likelihood of success.
Conclusion
Market expansion is one tactic for SaaS companies that want to grow by generating more value from their existing product or products. Research your options, partner with resellers or distributors, and tailor your offering locally.