About three weeks ago we launched the all new Basecamp, and it’s been an exciting few weeks.
Since I’m a numbers kind of guy, I wanted to share some things I’ve seen in looking at the new Basecamp that are particularly exciting:
- This has been our strongest product launch ever. The new Basecamp is our fifth “big” product launch, and it’s our strongest yet in terms of signups in the period immediately after launch. With two weeks in the books, we had more than 3x more signups than we had in the same period after our last brand new product launch (for Highrise back in 2007). If you go all the way back to Basecamp’s original launch in 2004, signups for the new Basecamp were more than 30 times higher.
- We’ve brought in lots of new customers. About a third of new Basecamp accounts immediately after launch were from people who migrated their existing account, and about half were from people who previously held some sort of 37signals account before. While we’re thrilled to see so many of our loyal customers enjoying the new Basecamp, we’re even more excited to see so many new people trying Basecamp for the first time.
- Usage is fantastic. On a per account basis, new Basecamp accounts are creating twice as many projects and todo items as on Basecamp Classic, as well as more attachments, messages, comments, calendar events, and more.
- We have a great new marketing site. Jamie, Mig, and Jason F. really knocked it out the park with our new public site at basecamp.com. We’ve sustained substantially higher traffic levels from all kinds of sources more than two weeks after launch, and conversion rate is up 76%. We’re always testing new ideas here, but the early results are bright.
- Basecamp Classic continues to perform well. Plenty of existing customers continue to use Basecamp Classic. Retention rates haven’t dipped, and usage levels are right where they were before we launched the new Basecamp. This is great news – our strategy of maintaining two separate Basecamps (Classic and new) seems to be working so far with no ill effects.
We’re excited and encouraged by the first few weeks of the all new Basecamp. We have lots of great improvements planned for it in the coming weeks and months – we’re hard at work on a few already.
If you don’t have an account, get started with a 45-day free trial now, or join us for a free introductory class about the new Basecamp.
Noah wrote this on Mar 30 2012 There are 15 comments.
Michael 30 Mar 12
It’s so much easier to create more projects. It would be interesting to hear if you’re seeing more upgrades because more projects are being created. Talk about incentives being aligned.
Tomasz Banas 30 Mar 12
Great work, we love new Basecamp. It would be great to see some kind of changelog as we already noticed some updates/changes in new basecamp.. or maybe it’s already available somewhere?
Alex Delgado 31 Mar 12
The new Basecamp is great, and I’m trying convincing my company to buy in, but there are some smaller things that have left me wanting. For instance, the card view is awesome, but I haven’t seen a way of reorganizing them (yet I can re-order everything else…?) and I can choose what emails (not) to send, but I can’t really choose what emails (not) to receive.
Also, the focus on projects is awesome, but it doesn’t leave room for more general things. I thought with the idea of having companies, you could relate things like identity manuals or logos/graphics with a company.. (just my two cents) otherwise, great product!
Jyll Stuart 31 Mar 12
I’m impressed! This is my first time using Basecamp and I love it!
Eric G 31 Mar 12
any updates on migrations for projects with private content? We’re stuck until that’s resolved. Unfortunately they’re not like time entries (which we don’t use), which won’t prevent you from migrating, they just won’t transfer.
There’s no easy way for me to locate and identify them across all my projects so I can change them. (is there?)
Noah 01 Apr 12
I second what Eric G said above. We signed up for the free trial but can’t take advantage of it because of the lack of privacy so it’s just languishing. It’d be great if you’d cancel and let us re-try the demo when you’ve added back privacy so we can migrate across some actual projects.
Reiner 01 Apr 12
I’m missing a privacy setting, too! Otherwise it feels like a big improvement to an already great product! Thank you!
Michael 01 Apr 12
Bug on svn mobile: the content inside the list is tiny.
Ian 02 Apr 12
I simply don’t believe you. It’s marketing post.
JZ 02 Apr 12
Eric G, contact support and we can help you out with that.
GeeIWonder 03 Apr 12
I shut down my basecamp account because it was slow and felt clunky. I could not stand the hijacking of the back button. Navigation was abysmal. I found the experience very frustrating and so did my team. For those reasons I also dissuade my clients from using basecamp. Yet, your marketing material (which includes JF’s and DHH ’s books and this blog) would imply and explicitly state otherwise – that the experience was beautiful. I hope these fundamental problems have been fixed in the new version, rather than simply adding new features.
JF 03 Apr 12
I hope these fundamental problems have been fixed in the new version, rather than simply adding new features.
Sign up and see for yourself.
Alan Houser 04 Apr 12
Excuse me if this is posted somewhere, but I really can’t find the answer, and it’s a little frustrating. And that’s “Where is mobile support?” (I’ve searched the app store too) I was LOVING the updates to mobile, where I could access any of my projects on the iPhone, and how that I’ve transferred everything to New Basecamp, mobile is completely out the window. “New” is freaking amazing— amaaazing. But, now I’m almost wishing I didn’t throw the switch. Am I missing something?
Philip Yan 05 Apr 12
Privacy is extremely important to anyone using Basecamp communicating with clients. I am surprise that the new Basecamp is launched without it.
Also, we have multiple administration persons on Basecamp. They don’t need to see all projects unless they are involved.
JF 05 Apr 12
Also, we have multiple administration persons on Basecamp. They don’t need to see all projects unless they are involved.
Administrators, like everyone else in your Basecamp account, only see the projects they have permission to see. No one automatically sees every project in the new Basecamp – they have to be granted permission.
This discussion is closed.