[fbliss]

Thanks for weighing in. Its not a matter of whether I can do that, but rather, how to break into an already heavily-marketed-to vertical full of crappy vendors with aggressive marketing and sales staff, so that's what I'm hoping to gain some insight on.

[PeterisP]

If the target customer group needs sales staff (such as B2B solutions for decent size companies), then you will need direct boots-on-ground sales staff anyway - it's not even a matter of competition, it's table stakes to be able to participate.

If it's B2C / mass market B2B then sure, a website can do half of the job; but there are huge markets where even they really like your product and they call you, then 0 sales will be made unless you get a sales rep in their office.

[fbliss]

Absolutely. That's the dilemma right now. The way I see it, the solution is:

1) Sell 2+ or more of the toolset to get some working capital

2) Promptly hire inside sales on 1099 to get out there and get the business with base salary. I've been assured the time & effort to find someone with commission-only offers is futile.