Why our customers choose Smartsheet over Google Docs

I love speaking with our customers. I also love it when they have that a-ha moment when they latch onto something so tightly that they get downright giddy. 

You know what's not so much fun though - especially for my colleagues in the office?...Is hearing me tell the same story over, and over, and over again. The 'why Smartsheet over Google Docs' story has become one of those.  In fact, this post is dedicated to Phil, who for the last two weeks has said no fewer than four times..."would you write the story down already so I don't have to hear you repeat yourself!"

Ok Phil. You win. Here it is...fewer words, more pictures - so you (and our future customers) don't get bored with my story telling.

One day a business owner came to the realization that he wanted to better manage the company pipeline with a number of his sales reps.  They had a pretty basic need - who is the prospect, who is the main contact, what's the stage, etc. etc.  Salesforce.com was overkill.  Excel and e-mail was not cutting it.  So they started looking at online tools to improve sharing and management of information - amongst themselves and with their clients.  And that's where the story begins...

Chapter 1: Give me a list. An easy-to-use list!  A list so straightforward to use that my sales reps will not gripe every time they are asked to use 'the system'.

They had heard about Google Spreadsheets, so they took a look.  Low and behold, eerily similar to Excel.  Great...but was it a big enough step beyond what the business owner already knew wasn't working for his team?

They also took a look at Smartsheet.  Similar in form...but different.  Not just a free form bunch of cells.  One had the ability to pre-define values, attach files, and track discussions to the items that were being tracked.

Smartsheet's grid made it possible to more quickly - and consistently - enter data.  Even though it was easy to set up date picker and drop-down columns, the sales reps could still enter free form data if necessary.  (I too get frustrated when I can't enter TBD into a date field!)  They also weren't forced to play detective when editing a formula.  Visual clues were much appreciated.

Chapter 2:  The desire to use what everyone already knows - and most still use: attachments!

File attachments run a close third behind death and taxes. They had heard of people starting to manage files online - but their clients still expected a quote in Word format and a Powerpoint, well, in Powerpoint format.  Smartsheet made it easy for the whole team to continue using what they knew best.  The ability to attach files to items that were being managed simply made it easier to keep everything in order.  Even better...no more sending mega-file attachments to client.  The send link feature enabled the reps to securely send large files via download link - without the clients having to even know a password.

Chapter 3:  People do in fact work when they are away from their desks.

The images of Google Docs' and Smartsheet mobile offerings do a good job at conveying the key points of this chapter...

Chapter 4: Business operations never fit onto one tracking sheet

The business owner was pleased that the pipeline question had been answered.  As soon as that decision had been made however, he starting thinking about managing customer feedback, service call tracking, managing preparation for the upcoming board meeting.  The list was seemingly endless.  A way to see what was outstanding or highest priority across all the lists would be a lifesaver.  How convenient...Smartsheet Reporting.

And so the story ends.

We have a healthy amount of respect for the folks at Google.  Many of us use Gmail, Google Docs (the MS Word competitor), and iGoogle.  When it comes to managing and organizing personal and shared work, files, and discussions however - we wouldn't think of using anything but Smartsheet.

We're thrilled that more and more people are starting to see why.