"Software as a Service" (SaaS) has been a growing trend for many years now. SaaS can be defined as subscription-based software accessed over the internet, rather than software that gets downloaded to your local computer. The customer pays a monthly or yearly fee to access the software.

Website design and development has been at the forefront of the SaaS movement with companies popping up over the years like WIX, SquareSpace, Shopify, ChamberMaster, and BigCommerce. Even platforms such as EventBrite, SalesForce, Facebook Shops, Etsy, and Amazon fall under the SaaS umbrella. In reviewing their selling points, these SaaS solutions look shiny at first glance. They boast of easy-to-use creation tools and a quick launch. So, what's the problem with software as a service website platforms?

After an initial interaction with a prospective client, I immediately know if this is an organization with whom our company can partner. How do I know? From a strictly business sense, we have the skills and experience to recognize a need that we can fill, and fill well. Yet, there is another, more interpersonal aspect of organizational match and agreement on establishing a path of success that are just as important for a true partnership. As with the start of any deep, committed relationship, what you do in the first meeting is crucial. If you are looking for tips on recognizing true partner material, read on!