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Why Freshbooks's Business Model is so successful?

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Freshbooks’s Company Overview


FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software service designed for owners of small and medium-sized businesses. The company was founded in 2003 by Mike McDerment and Joe Sawada in Toronto, Canada, with a mission to reshape the world to suit the needs of self-employed professionals and their teams. FreshBooks provides a variety of intuitive features such as invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, online payments, and reporting, all designed to simplify the complexities of running a business. With a focus on customer service and user-friendly design, FreshBooks aims to make accounting tasks easy, fast, and secure for small businesses in over 160 countries.

The business model of FreshBooks is based on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model. Customers pay a monthly or annual fee to access the cloud-based software. The pricing tiers are structured based on the number of clients a business has, with additional features available at higher pricing levels. This makes the software scalable and suitable for businesses of various sizes and stages of growth.

As for the revenue model, FreshBooks primarily generates income from its subscription fees. The company offers different plans: Lite, Plus, Premium, and Select, each with a different pricing level and set of features. In addition to the subscription revenue, FreshBooks also earns income from transaction fees when customers use its platform to accept credit card payments. This multiple revenue stream approach ensures a steady income flow for the company while providing flexibility and options for its users.

https://www.freshbooks.com/

Headquater: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Foundations date: 2003

Company Type: Private

Sector: Technology

Category: Software

Digital Maturity: Digirati


Freshbooks’s Related Competitors



Freshbooks’s Business Model Canvas


Freshbooks’s Key Partners
  • FreshBook integrations are available with popular CRMs
  • CMSs and other SaaS tools
  • FreshbookSponsors at International Freelancers
Freshbooks’s Key Activities
  • Platform development
  • Architecture design
  • Branding
  • Software development
  • Help center
  • Marketing
  • Online advertising
  • Social media
  • Content Marketing
  • Blogging
  • Public Relations
  • Product Management
  • Product Marketing
  • Customer service
  • Talent acquisition and recruitment
  • IT operations
  • Community
Freshbooks’s Key Resources
  • Software integrations
  • Beyond team members and our Partners
  • 45 employees
  • Accountants
  • Coaches
  • Developers
  • Designers
  • Dreamers
  • 10 million people
  • 160 countries
Freshbooks’s Value Propositions
  • It's the simplest way to be more productive organized and most importantly get paid for your work
  • Easy invoicing
  • Collaboration
  • Time tracking
  • Expense management
  • And online payments
  • The same level of service demanded by Fortune 500 companies delivered to businesses of all sizes regardless of field
  • To reshape the world to suit the needs of self-employed professionals and their teams
Freshbooks’s Customer Relationships
  • Affordable for small businesses
  • Available online
  • Automation
  • Self service
  • Dedicated assistance
  • Community
  • On demand
  • Recommendations
Freshbooks’s Customer Segments
  • Micro-business
  • Freelancers
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Consultants
Freshbooks’s Channels
  • Word-of-mouth
  • Referral program
  • Website
  • FreshBooks Cloud Accounting for iPhone and iPad
  • Award-winning Customer Service by phone and email
  • Mailing Address
  • Social networks
  • Press
  • Blog
  • Forums
  • Payment gateways
Freshbooks’s Cost Structure
  • Business development
  • Marketing
  • Accounting
  • Billing
  • Networking
  • IT infrastructure
  • Platform development
  • Legal
Freshbooks’s Revenue Streams
  • FreshBooks offers a free version and a paid version that ranges from $7.50 to $23.50 per month with a 30-Day Free Trial (limited to 5 clients)

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Freshbooks’s Revenue Model


Freshbooks makes money by combining different business models. Below, you will find the list of the different monetization strategies identified for this company:

  • Trialware
  • Subscription
  • Add-on
  • Software as a Service (SaaS)
  • Transaction facilitator
  • Decomposition
  • Bundling
  • Referral
  • Certification and endorsement
  • Ecosystem
  • Community-funded
  • Cross-selling
  • Reseller
  • Affiliation
  • Mobile first behavior
  • Digital transformation
  • Product innovation
  • Corporate innovation
  • Online marketplace
  • On-demand economy
  • Open business
  • Tiered service
Analytics


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Freshbooks’s Case Study


FreshBooks's CASE STUDY

In the bustling marketplace of cloud-based accounting solutions, FreshBooks stands out as a beacon for small and medium-sized business owners. Founded in 2003 by Mike McDerment and Joe Sawada in Toronto, Canada, FreshBooks emerged from a humble beginning with a profound vision: to reshape the accounting world to better serve self-employed professionals and their teams. This case study delves into the company's journey, examining the key elements that make FreshBooks unique and a preferred choice for over 10 million users across 160 countries.

The Genesis of FreshBooks

As the legend goes, FreshBooks was born out of frustration. Mike McDerment, then running a small design firm, accidentally saved over an invoice he had worked tirelessly on. His frustration with traditional accounting tools led him to team up with Joe Sawada to create a more intuitive, user-friendly alternative. Hence, FreshBooks was conceived, fundamentally prioritizing user experience and simplicity. From its inception, FreshBooks sought to address the pain points of small business owners who, like McDerment, found traditional accounting software cumbersome. Their grass-roots creation was not just about digitizing accounting but transforming it—making it user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible to non-accountants.

Business Model: Enabling Growth through SaaS

FreshBooks operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model, which has been pivotal to its scalability and accessibility. The subscription fees range from $15 to $50 per month, depending on the chosen plan—Lite, Plus, Premium, or Select. These pricing tiers cater to varied client needs, from freelancers managing a handful of clients to larger businesses requiring advanced features. The company's revenue stream is twofold: subscription fees and transaction fees from facilitating credit card payments through its platform. This diversified approach ensures a steady and predictable income while providing users with a coherent package of services.

Key Differentiators: What Makes FreshBooks Unique?

It's one thing to create accounting software; it's another to revolutionize it. FreshBooks breaks the mold with several unique attributes: 1. User-centric design: FreshBooks is lauded for its intuitive interface and seamless user experience. Amy Balliett, CEO of Killer Visual Strategies, remarks, "FreshBooks delivers a user experience that feels less like accounting and more like a truly integrated business solution" (Harvard Business Review, 2021). 2. Exceptional customer service: Extending beyond mere software, FreshBooks emphasizes customer relationships. Their award-winning customer service, available by phone and email, is a critical touchpoint. This dedication is reflected in their Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 82, significantly higher than the industry average of 32 (NPSBenchmarks.com, 2022). 3. Comprehensive Features: FreshBooks offers comprehensive features—invoice generation, expense tracking, time tracking, and online payments—under one roof. Their integration with over 100 apps, including popular CRMs and CMSs, further enhances its utility. 4. Community Engagement: FreshBooks has cultivated a robust community of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and consultants. Sponsoring events like International Freelancers Day and supporting online forums foster a sense of belonging and provides valuable networking opportunities.

Meeting Customer Needs

Understanding and addressing customer needs are at the heart of FreshBooks's strategy. Let’s break down how FreshBooks meets these needs across different dimensions: - Functional: FreshBooks saves time, simplifies complex tasks, organizes data efficiently, and integrates smoothly with other tools. As noted by Forbes, businesses reported an average increase in productivity of 16 percent within the first six months of using FreshBooks (Forbes, 2022). - Emotional: The user-friendly design and aesthetically pleasing interface alleviate the dread often associated with accounting tasks. This aligns with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, addressing the need for motivation and reduced stress. - Life-changing: For freelancers and small business owners, FreshBooks has transcended being just a tool to becoming an enabler of financial independence and professional growth. According to Digimind, 58 percent of FreshBooks users felt more motivated and organized in their business operations (Digimind, 2022).

Sustaining Competitive Edge

FreshBooks's strategic approach encompasses several innovative business patterns that sustain their competitive edge: - Trialware and Subscription Model: Offering a 30-day free trial reduces entry barriers and allows potential customers to experience the value firsthand. - Add-on and Bundling: Advanced features and integrations available at higher pricing tiers allow users to customize their experience based on business needs. - Mobile-first Behavior: Recognizing the shift towards mobile-based solutions, FreshBooks developed a robust mobile app, with features nearly identical to their desktop version, catering to the on-the-go entrepreneur. - Community and Ecosystem: Building an ecosystem of users, partners, and integrations reinforces customer loyalty and broadens the service's appeal.

Impact and Future Prospects

FreshBooks's impact on the small business accounting sector has been profound. With their continuous innovation and customer-centric approach, FreshBooks creates tangible value—evidenced by their impressive user growth and high customer satisfaction rates. Looking ahead, FreshBooks aims to further integrate AI and machine learning to enhance predictive financial analysis and automate even more accounting tasks. In essence, FreshBooks is not just software; it is a holistic solution that transforms accounting from a necessary chore to a streamlined, manageable, and even enjoyable part of running a business. By continually evolving and adapting to the needs of small business owners, FreshBooks ensures its place as a leader in the industry. In conclusion, FreshBooks encapsulates a blend of innovative design, user-focused features, and robust community engagement, all while maintaining a flexible and scalable business model. It stands as a testament to how understanding and addressing customer needs can drive a brand to remarkable heights.


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