SMB Who's Hot: VistaPrint

VistaPrint is the leading online supplier of business cards and other customized printed products for small businesses. They have over 8 million small business clients and are growing by the day.

Why is VistaPrint so successful?

Low cost entry point
They have the lowest cost entry point for business cards - they are free if you're willing to accept a VistaPrint logo on the back. Once small businesses are enticed by the free offer they are upsold on custom designs, higher quality paper, and dual sided printing, among other options. If the client does not have the budget to afford the premium business cards, VistaPrint gets free advertising on the promotional cards and has earned the loyalty of a future client when the business grows. They are showing that they believe in the entrepreneur's future potential and is willing to help them out.

Aggressive online promotion
VistaPrint is actively involved in online promotion. They do a lot of pay per click and online advertising targeted at SMBs. They also send out at least an email a week to the small business owners who have opted into their newsletter list. The emails contain updates on new specials and offers that entrepreneurs can take advantage of. VistaPrint has also launched 7 localized Web sites serving over 120 countries around the world.

Partnerships for success
Finally, VistaPrint creates successful partnerships with companies who are service the SMB market. They recently launched a new initiative, the Small Business Success Kit. It's a free kit that offers access to valuable information and special offers geared to help a small business at any stage. For a new business, the kit offers business identity, training, accounting, tax information and more. Some of their listed partners include:

• America's Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC), the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories, with a network of 5,000 small business counselors.
• Constant Contact, the leading permission-based email marketing solution for small businesses, associations, and nonprofits.
• Entrepreneur Media Inc., publisher of Entrepreneur magazine and owner of the popular small business information portal entrepreneur.com.
• Google AdWords, which enables businesses to reach target prospects and acquire new customers in a cost-effective manner, providing businesses with accountable and trackable advertising.
• Homestead.com, provider of easy-to-use Web site creation products, ecommerce solutions and online marketing products and services for small businesses.
• InfoUSA (Nasdaq: IUSA), the leading provider of business and consumer information products, database marketing services, data processing services and sales and marketing solutions.
• Intuit, a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses and makers of popular products such as QuickBooks, TurboTax and Quicken.
• j2 Global (JCOM), the provider of communications services such as eFax and eVoice Receptionist that enable small businesses to cut costs while building a strong business presence.
• Palo Alto Software, makers of BUSINESS PLAN PRO, the best-selling business planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect (formerly PC Data).
• Stamps.com (Nasdaq: STMP), a leading provider of Internet-based postage solutions.

VistaPrint is ahead of most companies who are trying to target the small business community and is a model company to watch. They come in at the right price point, promote through the entrepreneur's favourite channel, the Internet, and have partnered successfully with the right industry players.