GoHire Blog - Articles on Hiring, Staffing, Business, and More

How Recruitment Agencies can Unlock Monthly Recurring Revenue

Written by Sophie Smith | Sep 25, 2023 12:00:00 AM

In the fast-paced world of recruitment, securing a predictable and steady stream of revenue is paramount.

However, for many recruitment agencies, the absence of monthly recurring revenue (MRR) becomes a considerable challenge, affecting both growth and stability.

In fact, a recent survey by SIA (Staffing Industry Analysts) showed that only 27% of recruitment agencies have a predictable MRR stream.

Enter the white-label ATS, a transformative solution for agencies seeking operational efficiency and a sustainable revenue model.

Outshine Competitors and discover how a white-label applicant tracking system can help boost your brand and unlock cross-selling opportunities.

The Challenge: No Monthly Recurring Revenue

A steady MRR provides agencies with the financial predictability they need to grow and innovate. Without this consistency:

  • The Recruitment & Employment Confederation found that 63% of agencies experience cash flow interruptions, leading to difficulty in planning and scaling. 
  • The pressure mounts to secure new clients or fill positions, diverting focus from long-term growth.
  • Investing in advanced training or newer tools becomes a challenge, limiting competitiveness.

What is a White Label ATS?

A White Label ATS is an ATS produced by a developer but branded and sold by a recruitment agency.

This means that agencies can offer their clients a cutting-edge, personalised ATS without the overheads of developing one from scratch.

In essence, it's like buying a tailor-made suit but having the freedom to sew your label on it.

Why is it gaining traction?

  1. Cost-Effective: Developing an in-house ATS can be expensive and time-consuming. A white label solution, on the other hand, is ready-made and can be deployed rapidly, saving costs on both development and maintenance.

  2. Branding Potential: Agencies can present the ATS as their proprietary software, reinforcing their brand with clients. Given the importance of branding – with 77% of B2B marketing leaders recognising it as crucial for growth (source: Circle Research) – the ability to add your own branding to an advanced system is invaluable.

  3. Scalability: With foundational software already in place, agencies can focus on adding unique features or integrations specific to their clientele, ensuring their offering remains both competitive and cutting-edge.

Now that we've demystified what a white-label ATS is, let's delve into its benefits in addressing the MRR challenge for recruitment agencies.

Your Revenue Game Changer

For recruitment agencies, a stable cash flow is a crucial pillar of sustainable growth.

Here's how introducing a white-label ATS can help agencies cement a foundation of monthly recurring revenue (MRR):

  1. Subscription Models: With a white-label ATS, recruitment agencies can switch to a subscription model for their clients.

    Instead of one-off payments, clients subscribe to use the branded ATS on a monthly or annual basis. This subscription model ensures a consistent revenue stream for agencies.

    In fact, according to a report by Gartner, by 2022, 75% of organisations selling directly to consumers will offer subscription services, and there's no reason the B2B sector, including recruitment, can't mirror this trend.

  2. Client Stickiness: Offering a branded ATS increases client retention.

    A survey by Bain & Company suggests that a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to over 25% increase in profit, given that returning clients often buy more over time and the costs of acquisition are amortised.

    By offering an invaluable tool like an ATS that clients rely on daily, agencies ensure they remain indispensable to their client's operations.

  3. Cross-Selling Opportunities: When clients use the agency-branded ATS, they're more likely to consider other services from the same agency.

    This means increased opportunities for cross-selling other recruitment services, further solidifying the monthly revenue.

  4. Reduced Churn: With businesses increasingly relying on ATS solutions for streamlined hiring, providing them with a reliable, branded solution reduces the chances of them jumping ship.

    Fewer clients leaving equals a more stable and predictable MRR.

The world of recruitment is becoming increasingly competitive.

The introduction of a white label ATS not only enhances the agency's offering but also provides a sustainable financial model, ensuring that they remain ahead of the curve and financially robust.

Other benefits of a White Label ATS

A white label ATS can offer agencies the much-needed revenue consistency, coupled with operational excellence.

1. Customisation and Branding: Strengthen your brand presence with a fully customisable ATS that mirrors your agency's ethos and identity.

2. Seamless Integration: According to Capterra research, 72% of recruiters find integrative tools vital for operational efficiency.

3. Offer Added Value to Clients: Offering a holistic recruitment solution can pave the way for subscription-based models, contributing to MRR. Bullhorn found that 58% of businesses are more inclined to opt for agencies that offer end-to-end recruitment solutions.

4. Training Simplicity: Software Advice found that a consistent platform ensures streamlined training, with 34% reduction in training time, increasing client satisfaction.

5. Competitive Edge: A white label ATS, according to a LinkedIn report, can increase an agency's competitiveness by up to 40%.

Let's summarise 

The recruitment landscape is evolving, and having an edge is crucial.

A white-label ATS provides the solution for agencies grappling with the unpredictability of revenue streams backed by impressive statistics.

By integrating such a system, not only can agencies ensure consistent revenue, but they can also bolster their brand and offer unparalleled value to their clients.