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Saas Sales Commission

SaaS sales commission refers to the compensation structure designed for sales professionals in the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry.

Given the unique characteristics of SaaS sales, where revenue is often recurring through subscription models, commission structures are tailored to incentivize sales representatives based on both new customer acquisition and the retention of existing customers.

What is SaaS sales commission?

SaaS sales commission refers to the compensation structure designed for sales professionals in the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry, where earnings are tied to the sale of subscription-based software services.

Welche Arten von SaaS-Verkaufsprovisionsstrukturen gibt es?

SaaS sales commission structures can vary significantly depending on the company’s sales model, goals, and the complexity of its product offerings. Some common types of SaaS sales commission structures include:

  • Flat-rate commission: This standard commission rate is simple to calculate and easy to understand, making it a popular choice for many SaaS companies selling relatively straightforward products. 
  • Tiered commission structure: A tiered commission structure provides higher commission rates as sales reps achieve higher levels of performance. 
  • Recurring commission: Sales reps may earn commissions each time a customer renews their subscription, incentivizing them to focus on long-term customer success and retention. 
  • Split commission: When sales efforts involve collaboration between multiple team members, such as a sales rep and an account manager, a split commission structure ensures that all contributors are fairly compensated. 
  • Milestone-based commission: This structure rewards sales reps for achieving specific milestones, such as signing a new customer or expanding an existing account.

What is the average SaaS sales commission by industry?

The average SaaS sales commission by industry typically ranges from 8% to 12% of the annual contract value (ACV), but it can vary significantly depending on the complexity and price point of the product.  

In B2B enterprise SaaS, commission rates tend to be lower (around 6% to 8%) due to higher deal sizes, longer cycles, and layered compensation models.  

In SMB-focused SaaS, where deal volume is higher and cycles are shorter, commission rates can reach 10% to 15%.

What’s the best SaaS sales commission percentage for high-ticket deals?

For high-ticket SaaS deals, which often exceed $100,000 in annual contract value, the optimal commission percentage generally ranges from 5% to 7%.  

This lower rate reflects the large payouts tied to big contracts while protecting overall profitability.

However, plans often include accelerators—higher commission rates for surpassing quota—to drive exceptional performance.

Why is SaaS sales commission important?

SaaS sales commission is crucial because it aligns the interests of the sales team with the company's growth objectives.  

With longer sales cycles and ongoing customer retention goals in SaaS, commission structures incentivize reps to not only close deals but also prioritize high-quality leads and long-term customer satisfaction.  

It helps in driving predictable revenue and motivating high-performing sales talent.

Which factors influence a typical SaaS sales commission plan?

Several variables impact the design of a SaaS sales commission plan:

  • Länge des Verkaufszyklus
  • Kundenlebensdauer-Wert (CLTV)
  • Churn rate and renewal goals
  • Sales rep role (e.g., SDR vs AE)
  • Market maturity and competition
  • Team vs individual performance metrics

A well-structured plan considers both upfront acquisition and long-term customer success.

How does SaaS sales commission differ between SMB and enterprise sales?

SaaS sales commission structures vary considerably between SMB and enterprise segments due to differences in deal size, sales cycle length, and buying processes.

In SMB sales, reps typically close more deals with lower contract values, which leads to higher commission percentages—often around 10% to 15%—to maintain earnings potential. The emphasis is on velocity, so commission plans may reward volume and quick closes.

In contrast, enterprise sales involve high-touch engagements with longer sales cycles and higher contract values.  

The typical SaaS sales commission for enterprise reps tends to fall between 5% and 8%, with additional incentives for multi-year contracts, upsells, and customer retention. Enterprise reps may also receive bonuses for landing strategic logos or meeting complex KPIs.

Anhand der Antworten können die Arbeitnehmer in drei verschiedene Kategorien eingeteilt werden:

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  • Passive
    Mitarbeiter, die mit ihren Antworten neutral geblieben sind.

How are sales commissions paid in SaaS?‍

Die Zahlung von SaaS-Verkaufsprovisionen kann nach verschiedenen Modellen erfolgen:

  • Recurring commissions: Sales reps may receive commissions on a recurring basis, tied to the subscription payments made by customers. This approach aligns the sales team’s incentives with the company’s focus on long-term customer relationships and recurring revenue. 
  • Milestone-based payments: Commissions may be paid out when certain milestones are reached, such as the completion of a customer’s first renewal or the achievement of specific customer success metrics. 
  • Tiered commission structure: Some companies implement a tiered commission structure, where sales reps earn higher commission rates as they achieve higher levels of sales performance. This encourages sales reps to push beyond their initial targets and strive for greater success. 
  • Aufgeteilte Provisionen: In Fällen, in denen der Vertrieb eine Teamleistung ist, können die Provisionen auf mehrere Mitglieder des Vertriebsteams aufgeteilt werden, z. B. auf den Vertriebsmitarbeiter und den Kundenbetreuer, um sicherzustellen, dass jeder, der am Erfolg des Kunden beteiligt ist, belohnt wird.

Wie berechnet man die SaaS-Verkaufsprovision?

SaaS sales commission is generally calculated as a percentage of the contract value or annual recurring revenue (ARR). The SaaS sales commission percentage varies based on role, product complexity, and deal size.  

A typical SaaS sales commission might range from 5% to 15% for account executives, while sales development reps may earn based on qualified meetings or pipeline generation. Quota attainment, deal tiers, and accelerators also influence the final payout.

Wie entwirft man einen funktionierenden Saas-Vertriebsvergütungsplan?

Here are key steps to creating a plan that drives optimal sales performance:

  • Align compensation with business objectives: The first step in commissions planning is to ensure that the compensation plan aligns with the company’s strategic objectives. For example, if the focus is on growing recurring revenue, the commission structure should prioritize customer retention, upselling, and cross-selling. 
  • Incorporate a mix of base salary and commission: A successful SaaS sales compensation plan typically includes a mix of base salary and commission-based earnings. The base salary provides financial stability, while the commission encourages high performance. This balance is essential for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market. 
  • Use tiered commission rates: To encourage sales reps and account managers to exceed their sales targets, implement a tiered commission structure. This structure offers progressively higher commission rates as performance improves, motivating the sales team to push beyond their minimum targets. 
  • Include recurring commissions: Given the subscription-based nature of SaaS businesses, recurring commissions can be an effective way to align sales incentives with the long-term success of the company. By rewarding sales reps and account managers for renewals and ongoing customer success, SaaS companies ensure that their sales team remains focused on maintaining strong customer relationships. 
  • Regelmäßige Überprüfung und Anpassung des Plans: Die SaaS-Branche ist dynamisch, und Unternehmen müssen ihren Vertriebsvergütungsplan regelmäßig überprüfen und anpassen, um wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben und den sich ändernden Marktbedingungen gerecht zu werden. Dies kann die Aktualisierung von Provisionssätzen, die Verfeinerung von Leistungsmetriken oder die Einführung neuer Anreize beinhalten, um die sich entwickelnden Geschäftsziele zu reflektieren.

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