RML – SaaS Link Management
Business Description
SEO Hosted SaaS Link Management Technology
A private US-based SEO Technology Company, code-named RML Inc. (or RML) is a pioneer and leading provider of a patented editor-based link management software solution. The product is delivered via a hosted enterprise model, which is horizontally focused on the link management needs of the SMB market, and has been widely adopted by webmasters. RML is a distinguished player in the SEO marketplace having 1 US awarded patent for the product and a trusted brand; they are now evaluating strategic alternatives for their company.
The RML Company:
RML’s 2007 revenue was approximately $0.779M USD, with a 51% EBITDA. RML generates strong gross margins and recurring revenue from its SEO product offering. Their software solution manages millions of links with over 38,000 registered users and over 2700 premium customers, with an average account age of 1 year. They have a high client retention rate as a result of delivering cost effective and end-user friendly link management solutions that result in measurable website traffic growth, while providing outstanding on-going support.
RML’s hosted product is protected by 1 awarded US patent that covers the product’s method. Method-related patents are increasing difficult to secure, and as such this represents a tremendous value opportunity for a potential acquirer. The product delivers a powerful and ethical tool for link building and helps guides webmasters to higher traffic and higher link popularity resulting in higher search rankings.
The Technology:
RMLs flagship product is a patented SEO/SEM management solution that effectively reduces the total cost of growing website traffic, while effectively managing links. The technology provides support for receiving inbound link requests, finding useful links, tools for serving style-matched links and unique publishing methods, reciprocal and dead link status reports, automated FTP publishing of links anytime they change, secure email notifications, and other time saving features.
The patented editor-based software is a secure solution that accelerates ROI with minimal support required by IT departments. It helps expand brand presence, where webmasters use the services to manage link requests, and find the right link partners and establish and maintain links, resulting in growth of both organic traffic from the links themselves, and traffic referred through search engines. The technology’s functionality includes:
- Discovery of Relevant Sites
- Browser Based Toolbar – Manage while browsing the web
- One way link quick add
- Existing links managed
- Approve/deny a webmaster request
- Respond to alert re: reciprocation/dead status
- Code generation is automatic
- FTP or CNAME upload is automatic
- Designed Ground-Up for Expansion and Scaling
- Installed Hardware supports 20X Customer Expansion
- Help Desk Software
- Support Staff May Log In From Anywhere
- Backend Systems Monitor Help Desk Staff
- Report Response Times
- Report Productivity
- Full integration support for Joomla
- Full integration support for Wordpress
- Categorize links in any hierarchy
- Customized link request form
- Enables Deep Linking
- Completely transparent
- Supports graphic links
- Supports Auto Screenshots (Alexa style)
The RML Value Proposition:
- Established, Respected Product
- Recognized Worldwide as “White Hat”
- Dominant Market Position
- Issued & Enforced Patent
- Complies with Google Link Guidelines
- Deep Domain Expertise in key vertical and functional markets
- State of the art scale-able model that is easily configured to meet client requirements in a dynamic and changing environment
- Sustained growth in core markets with opportunity for cross selling and cross industry expansion.
- Excellent R&D team
- This company has a robust, highly flexible niche product in a growing market looking to consolidate
The Opportunity:
Looking forward, RML Co will contribute significantly to the revenue, growth and competitiveness of a corporate partner, as it provides these significant strategic assets:
- Over 2700 premium customer base;
- An opportunity to consolidate a niche product into a wider SEO platform;
- An entry point into the large and rapidly growing SEO marketplace;
- Investments have been made in the next generation products including a social networking site for webmasters;
- Investments have been made in a mobile application, which represents an entirely new development in the link management industry;
- A high recurring revenue and gross margins business;
- The RML Co brand, an industry expert recognized by its customers and the webmaster community.
The Marketplace:
Internet monitor Netcraft‘s research indicated registered SSL certificates which represent retail, doubled from 2006 to 2009. That number is expected to double again through 2011 – all of those sites need links to generate relevant traffic and achieve quality search rankings.