Digital Marketing for SaaS Companies: How to Attract New Users
Kevin Phillips- HubSpot
- November 8, 2024
How is your SaaS company reaching new customers these days? If you're still relying solely on referrals, trade shows, or basic online ads, it’s time for an upgrade.
Customers today don’t just stumble onto your product—they’re actively researching, comparing options, and reading reviews before they sign up.
If your SaaS solution isn’t visible in their online searches, you’re missing out on users who could be one click away from choosing a competitor.
At Media Junction, we understand digital marketing for SaaS companies. For over 25 years, we’ve helped software businesses establish and grow their online presence.
Whether you’re an early-stage SaaS startup or a larger platform scaling your user base, we know how to design marketing strategies that attract the right users and drive conversions.
In this guide, we’ll walk through digital marketing essentials for SaaS, from website optimization to content marketing, social media, and email strategies. Let’s get started.
Why SaaS companies need a digital marketing strategy
Without a robust digital marketing strategy, your SaaS product risks being overlooked in today’s competitive digital space. Gone are the days when you could rely on word-of-mouth alone.
Your potential customers are online, looking for solutions that align with their business goals, solve their pain points, and offer a seamless experience.
Delaying your digital presence means losing potential users to competitors who are already building strong online connections.
An effective digital marketing strategy positions you as more than just another product—it shows customers that you understand their challenges and can deliver a valuable solution to meet their needs.
Your website: the foundation of your online presence
Your website is the gateway where potential customers go to understand your product, explore its features, and learn how it can solve their specific problems.
A confusing or outdated website can quickly turn away prospects, who will look to competitors for a better experience.
Here’s what your website needs to attract and engage potential users:
- Fast loading speed: A quick-loading site keeps visitors interested and improves retention.
- User-friendly navigation: Make it easy to find information on product features, pricing, and customer success stories.
- Mobile-friendly design: Many decision-makers browse on their phones, so a responsive, mobile-friendly site is essential.
- Lead-generating features: Offer downloadable resources like whitepapers, demo videos, or case studies to capture leads.
- Clear calls-to-action (CTAs): Guide visitors to start a free trial, book a demo, or speak with sales.
- SEO-optimized content: Target search terms like “CRM for small businesses” or “automated invoicing software” so users find your product during relevant searches.
- Data security: A secure website (using HTTPS) builds trust with potential customers by protecting their data.
Consider an all-in-one platform like HubSpot to integrate your website with CRM tools, which can help you track leads, manage user relationships, and keep information organized.
Content marketing: educating and building trust
In the SaaS world, you’re not just selling a product—you’re offering a solution that needs to be trusted and understood. Content marketing bridges the information gap, helping users see your product as essential to their success.
According to recent studies, 36% of SaaS companies use blogs to share educational content.
Focus on content that provides real, actionable value to potential customers, helping them make informed decisions.
For example, a general blog about “project management” might get some views, but a targeted article like “Top Features to Look for in Project Management Software” or “How to Reduce Customer Churn with CRM” is far more likely to convert readers into users.
Here are some content ideas:
- How to choose the right SaaS platform for your team
- Understanding key metrics in SaaS: LTV, CAC, and Churn
- The importance of data security in cloud-based solutions
This type of content builds your reputation as a trusted resource, helping potential users feel confident about giving your product a try.
Structuring content for maximum impact with pillar pages
An effective content strategy organizes information around central topics of interest to potential users. Often referred to as the “pillar and cluster” model, this approach is a favorite of SEO experts.
In this model, you create a pillar page that serves as a comprehensive overview of a major topic, like “The Ultimate Guide to SaaS Marketing.” This page then links to a collection of cluster articles that dive into subtopics, like onboarding best practices or analytics for SaaS businesses.
Here are some examples of pillar pages and their potential clusters:
-
The Ultimate Guide to SaaS Marketing
- Cluster articles:
- “How to Build a SaaS Content Strategy”
- “Maximizing Conversions with In-Product Marketing”
- “Understanding SaaS Sales Funnels”
- “Best Practices for SaaS Email Marketing Campaigns”
- Cluster articles:
-
Everything You Need to Know About User Retention in SaaS
- Cluster articles:
- “Top Strategies for Reducing Churn in SaaS”
- “How to Use Onboarding to Improve User Retention”
- “Customer Feedback Loops: Why They’re Crucial for SaaS Success”
- Cluster articles:
This setup helps Google understand that your site is a comprehensive resource on key topics, which can improve your rankings.
Pillar pages loaded with relevant keywords establish authority, while each cluster article targets specific search queries, improving user experience and site visibility.
Social media: connecting with users and building brand authority
Social media isn’t just for B2C—it’s an effective way to build brand awareness, share industry insights, and connect with current and potential users in the SaaS space.
Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even YouTube can be used to share success stories, highlight product features, and educate your audience on best practices.
Here’s how to leverage social media effectively:
- Educational posts: Share tips on industry trends, software best practices, and product usage.
- Showcase product updates and case studies: Highlighting recent successes or features helps establish credibility.
- Promote webinars and live demos: Use social media to invite your audience to events where they can see your product in action.
- Celebrate customer success: Share testimonials and stories that illustrate real-world benefits.
- Behind-the-scenes content: A glimpse into your team’s culture and development process can humanize your brand and build trust.
Social media helps SaaS companies build a community, sharing expertise while fostering trust and engagement with customers.
Email marketing: nurturing leads and reducing churn
Email marketing remains a highly effective way to keep potential users engaged and existing customers in the loop, helping you reduce churn and strengthen loyalty.
Studies show that 89% of SaaS companies prioritize new customer acquisition, making email a powerful channel to nurture those new leads effectively.
Here’s how to make email marketing work for you:
- Segment your lists: Tailor messages for trial users, long-term customers, and potential leads.
- Offer value: Each email should deliver something helpful, such as feature updates, product tips, or invitations to webinars.
- Personalize your emails: Address recipients by name and segment based on their needs and interests.
- Include clear CTAs: Encourage readers to take the next step, such as renewing, scheduling a demo, or exploring a new feature.
With a mix of newsletters, product updates, and educational resources, email marketing can drive loyalty and engagement, helping users get the most out of your software.
Personalizing your digital content
In a crowded SaaS market, personalization is crucial to making your brand stand out. Customers want to feel like you understand their unique needs, and tailored messaging can make a powerful first impression.
Personalizing your digital content helps you demonstrate that you’re addressing their specific requirements, building trust and fostering loyalty in the process.
Here’s how to tailor your messaging for different audiences:
- For SaaS Startups: Emphasize lead generation, user onboarding, and retention strategies that help scale early growth.
- For Established SaaS Companies: Focus on customer success and long-term engagement, providing content around advanced features and integrations.
- For B2B SaaS Platforms: Highlight lead management, reporting tools, and communication features that drive better B2B relationships.
This personalized approach helps each segment feel understood, building loyalty and setting you apart as a customer-centric provider.
When customers see that your product content resonates with their goals and challenges, they’re more likely to engage, explore, and ultimately invest in your solution.
By taking this thoughtful approach, you not only improve customer satisfaction but also strengthen your brand’s reputation as a reliable partner in their success.
Integrate your digital tools for a seamless experience
Managing a website, social media, email, and CRM can get complex, especially as your SaaS company scales.
Using a unified platform like HubSpot helps streamline these functions, allowing you to track communications, manage leads, and deliver a seamless experience for users.
Centralizing these tools allows you to monitor campaign performance, adjust strategies on the fly, and keep everyone on the team aligned. A unified platform also enhances the customer journey by providing a coordinated and responsive experience for every user.
Find a digital marketing partner who understands SaaS
Managing digital marketing in-house can be challenging. Working with a digital marketing partner experienced in SaaS can help you build a strategy that aligns with your goals and maximizes ROI.
At Media Junction, we specialize in helping SaaS companies grow their user base and improve retention. We understand the unique challenges of SaaS marketing and can design a strategy that resonates with your target audience.
Ready to grow your SaaS business online?
With a focused digital marketing strategy, you’ll attract new users, keep them engaged, and build a strong online presence.
If you’re ready to elevate your SaaS company’s digital marketing, Media Junction is here to help. Contact us to discuss how we can support your growth and success.
Meet Kevin Phillips, your go-to expert for making digital content that gets noticed. With a decade of experience, Kevin has helped over 150 clients with their websites, messaging, and marketing strategies. He won the Impact Success Award in 2017 and holds certifications like Storybrand and They Ask, You Answer. Kevin dives deep into content creation, helping businesses engage customers and increase revenue. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding, disc golf, and being a dad to his three kids, blending professional insight with a dash of humor and passion.
See more posts by Kevin Phillipssubscribe to get the latest in your inbox.
Subscribe to our blog to get insights sent directly to your inbox.