Matrix is the Enterprise or Agency level search engine optimization platform formerly developed and owned by Barcelona based company Intelligent SEO which was recently (Jan. 2014) acquired by American company Insequent, Inc to expand their offerings. Matrix presents the full panoply of SEO features, like search ranking and tracking, keyword and backlink monitoring and suggestions, site audit, competitor tracking and head-to-head comparison with the home team, also a landing page generator, and…
KeywordSpy is appropriate for most Internet Market research companies. I would not suggest it for a corporate marketing department unless it's a company with a very larger budget. This is also not a tool for small freelancers even though there is a free option, to get the best benefit of KeywordSpy it's best to use most of its features and options and this can get pricey.
I think that Matrix is a fairly good CRM tool for sales organizations to utilize to manage account lists and track progress to budget. Managers can encourage sales folks by utilizing the reports to track progress from current year to previous years, and see what changes need to be made. I don't feel like relying completely on the integration of other systems to give you a fail proof look at where you are to budget is a great idea with this software, but for a basic CRM tool, it does the trick.
I do think that completeness in which it integrates data from our traffic and order entry system could improve some. We have found instances where data isn't cleanly input and requires some manual clean up on the backside.
While the system itself is pretty user-friendly, sometimes the system itself seems a bit slow. For AE's whose time is rather valuable, this I know they find annoying at times.
Since I have the ability to see everyone's data and not just one AE's, I would like the managerial functionality a bit more comprehensive. Some of the reports are a bit cumbersome.
Most SEO and market research tools offer what KeywordSpy has but are not as detailed and in one place. Consequently, where you can do everything at KeywordSpy, with other tools you find you have to purchase multiple tools or subscriptions from different providers which also don't integrate with each other. KeywordSpy makes your research easier and more efficient.
I think they are doing the right things, staying in their lane. I never like it when companies try to be everything to everyone. It dilutes their effectiveness on their core values to me. I want them to drill down and focus on the things they are already doing and keep making them better.
I do think that Matrix has had a positive impact of requiring AE's to better manage their own business.
Since I don't directly deal with the contractual piece of Matrix, as far as what the actual ROI is, I can't speak to that. But I can say this, our organization has used this for at least the 6 years I've been there. It is used on a national level, so I do believe that it's roll up features are ones that can be utilized through the organization.
As far as our overall business objectives in the sales department, it certainly meets the needs of both the management team as well as the sales team to managing clients and annual budgets.