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SharpSpring vs Infusionsoft (by Keap) Which is best for you?

Posted on by Phil

When it comes to marketing automation software, there are a lot of options out there. But two of the top contenders are SharpSpring and Infusionsoft (by Keap). Both offer powerful features that can help businesses streamline their marketing efforts. But which one is right for your business?

Let’s take a wee look at both SharpSpring and Infusionsoft (by Keap) to compare pricing and features.

Pricing Plans

SharpSpring offers four different plans, ranging from the Basic plan at $450/month to the Enterprise plan at $1,500/month. The Basic plan includes up to 5,000 contacts while the Enterprise plan includes up to 500,000 contacts. All plans include unlimited users, email campaigns, landing pages, forms, automation rules, tracking pixels, and more.

Infusionsoft also offers four plans ranging from the Growth plan at $99/month to the Max Classic plan at $379/month. The Growth plan includes up to 500 contacts while the Max Classic plan includes up to 25,000 contacts. All plans include unlimited users and access to email campaigns, custom forms and landing pages as well as basic automation rules.

SharpSpring vs Infusionsoft Features

SharpSpring offers a wide range of features including email campaigns, lead scoring & grading tools as well as social media monitoring & listening tools. It also offers an in-depth analytics suite that allows you to track leads by source or campaign and even monitor customer engagement with emails or other content pieces. Additionally, it has dynamic content capabilities that allow you to create personalised messages for each recipient based on their interests or past interactions with your brand.

Infusionsoft (by Keap) also provides many powerful features such as lead capture forms and automated workflows for sales follow-up sequences or other marketing activities. It also has advanced reporting capabilities so you can track leads by source or campaign as well as measure ROI on various marketing activities. Additionally, it offers e-commerce integrations so you can track purchases made directly through your website or other online stores like Shopify or Amazon Webstore.

 

When it comes down to choosing between SharpSpring vs Infusionsoft (by Keap), it really depends on your business needs and budget constraints. Both offer powerful features but SharpSpring may be better suited for larger businesses due its higher contact limits per plan tier while Infusionsoft (by Keap) may be better for smaller businesses due its lower pricing options per tier contact limit. Ultimately though, only you know what will work best for your business so do some research before making any decisions!

5 Reasons You Need a Chatbot on Your Website

Posted on by Phil

What is a Chatbot?

Before we discuss why you need a chatbot… First things first. Let’s just cover off what a chatbot actually is.

A chatbot is a computer program that simulates human conversation through artificial intelligence. It can interact with people via text, audio, or video and provide automated responses to their questions. Chatbots can be used to answer customer service inquiries, provide product recommendations, and even help people make decisions by guiding them through conversations.

Make your website work for your visitors!

Are you considering adding a chatbot to your website? If so, you’re not alone. An increasing number of businesses are using chatbots to enhance the customer experience and provide better service. Let’s take a look at five reasons why chatbots are a wise addition to any business website.

Cost Savings

A chatbot can reduce your overhead costs significantly by automating repetitive tasks that would otherwise require manual labor. By removing mundane tasks from your employees’ workloads, they can focus on more important tasks that require human attention. The cost savings associated with automation are immense and often underestimated by business owners. Additionally, chatbots can be set up quickly and easily and some of them even come pre-programmed with industry-specific scripts that make setup a breeze.

Enhanced Customer Service

Chatbots allow customers to ask questions in real time without waiting for someone to answer their inquiries. This means customers don’t have to wait for an email response or be placed on hold while they wait for an operator to pick up the phone. Furthermore, since bots are programmed with natural language processing (NLP), they can understand what customers need and respond accordingly, providing quick, helpful answers in no time at all.

Increased Engagement

When people visit your website, chances are they want something—whether it’s information about products or services or assistance with an issue they’re having. A chatbot allows customers to get immediate answers and encourages them to engage with your business which could lead to increased revenue. Additionally, because bots provide answers quickly and accurately, customers are more likely to return in the future as well as recommend your business to others.

Easy Integration

Chatbots can be integrated into almost any existing website platform or CRM system with ease. CRM and marketing automation software such as SharpSpring by Constant contact or Hubspot offer solutions for chatbots too. A lot of web platforms offer plugins that make it easy to add bots directly into your site without the need for coding knowledge or expertise. Additionally, custom integrations can be tailored specifically for your needs if needed.

Data Analysis & Insights

Data-driven marketing is the key to success online. One of the most powerful aspects of using chatbots is their ability to analyze customer data in order to identify trends and improve overall performance over time. Bots provide valuable insights into customer behavior which can help you better understand how people interact with your website and what changes might need to be made in order for it perform better online. This data can help inform marketing strategies as well as product development efforts down the line!

 

Focus on user experience and win more work.

So as you can see, incorporating a chatbot into your website has many advantages… Website visitors in this day and age expect almost immediate responses. So it just makes sense to have an answer on hand 24/7. A chatbot can offer this. It’s not all smooth sailing though. If you want your website to really perform – and that includes a chatbot, then you need to train it. Educate it. A website is like a staff member – The more knowledge and training you give them – the higher the level of service and results you can expect. put in the hard yards, create quality relevant content and you will reap the rewards. Only then will you truly realise just how much revenue your website can generate.

What Industries Need Marketing?

Posted on by Phil

Whether you are a startup business or a well-established company, marketing is essential for success. So when we talk about industries that need marketing, who comes up the most? Well, it’s hard to narrow that down. It’s so important to remember that all businesses need marketing. But there are some industries that have to use it more than others. Let’s take a look at some of these industries and how they use marketing to reach their target audience.

Industries that Need Marketing

Retail Industry

The retail industry is heavily dependent on marketing and advertising due to its highly competitive nature. Retailers must create unique and effective campaigns in order to differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract customers. They rely on advertising, public relations, direct mail campaigns, social media strategies, and more. In saying that, the biggest opportunity for any retail business, is online. And by online I mean e-commerce. If you own a retail business and are not selling online. Now is the time to start. Additionally, e-commerce offers the ability to integrate data-driven strategies. Things such as email marketing, marketing automation, and retargeting ads are highly measurable and effective.

Food Industry

one of the Industries that need marketing more than most is also The food industry. It’s also highly competitive and needs effective marketing strategies in order to stand out from the crowd. Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, catering companies – all these businesses need enticing visuals and wording to draw people in through digital marketing channels such as websites and social media platforms. Additionally, food companies can reach out directly to potential customers through coupons or special deals sent via email or text message campaigns.

Technology Industry

The technology industry is among the industries that need marketing too. It’s rapidly changing and evolving as new products are constantly being released. Companies in this sector must stay ahead of the competition by creating a powerful online presence with strong visuals and appealing messaging that entices customers into making purchases or downloading apps. Additionally, technology companies should be leveraging influencers within their niche who can share their products with a wider audience.

Construction/Building Industry

In the building industry, it might be tempting to think that you’re already busy enough and don’t need any more work. However, marketing is a way to ensure that your business doesn’t suffer from feast-or-famine syndrome – no industries are exempt from this rule, and that includes the construction sector. If you want to know how to grow your building business, then investing in marketing is a key component. By attracting and converting leads, your sales pipeline of work can remain full. And your business can remain steadily busy.

Marketing is essential for all businesses

If you want to succeed regardless of your industry type, Marketing is essential. However, there are certain industries where it is especially important for reaching potential customers. The retail industry relies heavily on attractive visuals and messaging while the food industry needs enticing imagery for driving sales; meanwhile, the technology industry requires staying ahead of trends with a strong online presence. Ultimately no matter what type of business you run, having an effective marketing strategy is key for achieving success! Bt what you must remember is Marketing is not about you. It is about your [potential] customers.

Why We Don’t Build Websites with Squarespace

Posted on by Phil

At Back9 Creative Studio, we’re passionate about building websites that genuinely grow your business. Squarespace has its perks, sure—but here’s why it’s not our platform of choice…

The Illusion of Simplicity

Squarespace markets itself on being beautifully simple, and on the surface, it is. Yet simplicity can be deceptive. Businesses constantly change, needing flexibility and adaptability. Its structured templates look great initially but can quickly become restrictive when your business demands more sophisticated functionality.

Limited SEO Potential

Yes, Squarespace offers basic SEO features. However, achieving real competitive advantages in search rankings requires precise control and advanced optimisation capabilities. It really provides only the basics, lacking the tools needed to truly dominate organic search. Businesses looking for growth should aim beyond the SEO essentials that Squarespace provides.

Slow Performance, Hidden Costs

Behind Squarespace’s visually appealing templates lies bloated code, which can significantly slow your site. Site speed matters—it’s crucial for user experience and Google rankings. Moreover, Squarespace pricing is listed in USD, adding fluctuating exchange rates into your budgeting equation. Plus, money spent with Squarespace doesn’t contribute to New Zealand’s local economy or support Kiwi hosting businesses.

Proprietary Constraints vs Open Source Freedom

Squarespace is proprietary, meaning you’re locked into their ecosystem with limited flexibility. You don’t own your website; you’re effectively renting space. In contrast, open-source platforms offer full control, allowing you to customise freely and scale without restrictions. This freedom aligns far better with our mission to empower businesses digitally.

Scalability Roadblocks

Your website must scale seamlessly with your growing business. Squarespace, although convenient early on, often falls short when businesses need advanced customisation or functionality. Transitioning from a templated platform like this later can be complex and costly. Why start your journey on a platform that can’t comfortably handle your eventual growth?

Lack of True Customisation

While Squarespace templates can be beautiful, they lack true uniqueness. Your brand deserves a distinctive online identity, one not shared by countless other Squarespace sites. Real customisation involves building your digital presence exactly as you envision—something Squarespace’s template-driven approach doesn’t readily allow.

Server Location and Data Control

With Squarespace, you have limited control over where your data is physically stored. Server location matters for site performance, compliance, and security. Local hosting provides faster load times, clear compliance with New Zealand data laws, and keeps your digital assets closer to home.

Collaboration Over DIY Isolation

We deeply value collaboration at Back9 Creative Studio. Squarespace’s do-it-yourself approach can leave businesses isolated, troubleshooting problems alone. We believe websites should emerge from genuine partnership, working closely together to create something exceptional—not leaving you stranded when things go awry.

In a Nutshell

We’re not anti-Squarespace; we’re pro-customisation, pro-flexibility, and pro-growth. Choosing Squarespace is like grabbing a ready-made sandwich—convenient, yes, but limited in choice and flavour. At Back9 Creative Studio, we prefer crafting gourmet digital experiences: fully optimised, beautifully unique, and perfectly tailored for lasting business success. Your business deserves nothing less.

HubSpot vs SharpSpring: Comparing Pricing and Features

Posted on by Phil

Hubspot vs SharpSpring – Get the Most Out of Your Marketing Platform

HubSpot Overview

Founded in 2006, HubSpot launched the inbound concept. It’s a powerful platform that provides a high volume of content. To Hubspot’s credit, they do have a freemium model with limited features. A starter option, professional as well as an enterprise level option. HubSpot’s pricing (particularly for all the hubs on the professional level and above, is on the high end of the spectrum. Hubspots Professional level suite is between $1900-2000 NZD per month. And they are not registered for GST in NZ which is worth taking into account.

For an annual up-front payment Hubspot does offer a decent discount… But is still pretty pricy.

HubSpot is a powerful and user-friendly marketing platform designed to help businesses generate more leads and close more sales. It offers a wide range of features, including email marketing, content management, and analytics tools. Plus, with its pricing plans, you can get the most out of your marketing platform.

To get the most out of HubSpot, I’d recommend the professional-level CRM and marketing Suite.

SharpSpring Overview

SharpSpring launched in 2014 to deliver powerful and affordable marketing automation. It’s a flexible platform that integrates easily with other tools. SharpSpring has annual and monthly payment options and is a fraction of the cost of competitors.

SharpSpring is a comprehensive marketing platform that allows businesses to automate their sales and marketing processes. It offers a wide range of features, such as lead generation, lead nurturing, and analytics tools. Plus, its pricing plans are competitive, making it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.

Hubspot-vs-SharpSpring-Price-Comparison-table

HubSpot vs SharpSpring: Comparing Pricing & Features

As a former Hubspot Partner, I’d say with confidence that Hubspot is the market leader when it comes to Inbound marketing and their software is beautifully designed and intuitive. As a current partner of Sharpspring, I can say it offers most of what Hubspot does – or the features most small-medium businesses would actually have the capacity to use anyway.

When comparing HubSpot and SharpSpring, it’s important to look at their features and pricing plans. HubSpot offers a wide range of features, such as email marketing, content management, and analytics tools. Plus, its pricing plans are competitive, allowing businesses to get the most out of their marketing platform. On the other hand, SharpSpring also offers a wide range of features, such as lead generation, lead nurturing, and analytics tools. However, its pricing plans may be more expensive than HubSpot, depending on the features you choose. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which platform is best for your business.

Check out these other reviews here at Sharpspring: HubSpot Pricing and Reviews or G2’s review Compare HubSpot Marketing Hub and Constant Contact Lead Gen & CRM (formerly SharpSpring)

Refining Your Keyword Strategy for Maximum Impact

Posted on by Phil

Keyword Strategy is key to seeing success online for any digital marketing plan. Optimizing your website for keywords can be a bit like playing a game of chess. You need to plan your moves in advance, and anticipate the moves of your “opponent” (in this case, Google). And use strategy to make sure that you’re moving ahead with each turn. Developing and refining your keyword strategy requires just as much finesse and skill. Let’s take a look at how you can do it.

Keywords They are the words and phrases that people use when searching for your product or service. Knowing what keywords to target and how to develop a keyword strategy. As well as understanding keyword competition can mean the difference between success and failure in online marketing. Let’s dig into how you can get your keyword strategy right.

Step One: Identifying Relevant Keywords

The first step in developing a keyword strategy is to identify relevant keywords. Think about what people would type into search engines when looking for your products or services. Furthermore think of the related topics that might be of interest to them. To find out which terms are used most often, you will need to do some research using tools like Google Adwords or Moz’s Keyword Explorer. You should also consider any industry-specific terms or jargon that may be relevant to your business. These terms could give you an edge over your competitors who don’t include them.

Step Two: Refining Your Strategy

Once you have identified some potential keywords, it’s important to refine your list. You can do this by researching the competition and considering how difficult it might be to rank for each term. For example, if there are already several websites ranking highly for a particular keyword, then it may not be worth trying to compete with them. Instead, you should look for other terms with less competition but still good search volume. As well as looking at the competition, you should also think about whether a particular keyword is likely to generate enough traffic and leads for your business; if not, then it’s probably best avoided.

Step Three: Implementing Your Keyword Strategy

Now that you have identified and refined your list of keywords, it’s time to start implementing them on your website. The first place they should appear is on your homepage; this helps search engines understand what the page is about so they can rank it accordingly in the search results pages (SERPs). Once you’ve done this, make sure all of your other pages contain relevant keywords too—this will help boost visibility across multiple searches made by potential customers. Additionally, consider creating content such as blog posts or videos around these topics; this will further improve visibility since content featuring popular keywords tends to rank higher than pages without them.

Having an effective keyword strategy can make all the difference when it comes to boosting visibility online and driving more traffic and leads from search engines like Google and Bing. It starts with identifying relevant keywords and refining them based on competition and search volume before implementing them on your website in order to increase visibility across multiple SERPs. With some help from an SEO expert and a little bit of effort upfront, you can reap huge rewards in the long run—so get started today!