If you want to see what kind of products an innovative software company creates, then visit 37 signals. This company conceived, built and provide a suite of web-based software products that have literally taken the market by storm. Only a few years ago they were a small bootstrap software company and now they have 3 million people using their products.
They’ve built 4 ‘flagship’ products; basecamp, highrise, backpack and campfire. Basecamp is for managing projects by collaborating with your team and your clients. Highrise tracks your contacts, leads and deals. Backpack organises and shares information across your business. And campfire is real-time, chat, file and code sharing for remote teams. 37signals have plenty of competition. Microsoft, for example. They don’t just have customers, they have fans. So, why are they so successful?
In today’s video, Andrew Warner from Mixergy interviewed Jason Fried, co-founder of 37 signals, to find the answer. Jason told him when you don’t have much money to start your business, you have to think creatively. There are a few more take-aways from the interview. 37 signals started by teaching people how to build applications. It’s still available and called getting real: discover the smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web-based application. It’s free if you read it online or $19 as a PDF download.
Jason also reckons your business needs to find a voice or a unique way to express who you are or what you stand for. They employ a subscription based business model for their products. This is a very smart move as recurring revenue is a fantastic strategy. 37 signals also hire well-rounded people rather than pure developers because Jason wants them to think creatively. I think he has succeeded, judging from his fans and customers.
If you want to model a successful software business, study 37 signals.
