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Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

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Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

#1
My partner and I have been working hard on HealPay.

After researching other billing applications, like FreshBooks, we think Invoicing should be free. We are excited to launch additional features pending Hacker News feedback :]

View the app at http://www.healpay.com

Re: Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

#6
post #5

I am typically against free web apps. It lowers the bar for everyone. People get what they pay for, I would be worried you are not in business to make money... Must be another strategy behind this.

Interesting. I think the larger debate is around Freemium business models. In the words of Fred Wilson, “free gets you to a place where you can ask to get paid... if you don't start with free on the Internet, most companies will never get paid.”

HealPay is designed to help businesses collect money. Invoicing is just one means to an end. The transaction/conversion is where we see real opportunity/innovation.

Re: Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

#7
post #5

I am typically against free web apps. It lowers the bar for everyone. People get what they pay for, I would be worried you are not in business to make money... Must be another strategy behind this.

Interesting. I think the larger debate is around Freemium business models. In the words of Fred Wilson, “free gets you to a place where you can ask to get paid... if you don't start with free on the Internet, most companies will never get paid.” HealPay is designed to help businesses collect money. Invoicing is just one means to an end. The transaction/conversion is where we see real opportunity/innovation.

Free to acquire users down the line is very different that free to gather feedback.

People who will pay you are typically very different than those who will use your product for free.

Feedback from people who won't pay is feedback you want to weed out.

Re: Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

#8
I think that the value lies in reaching the consumers in the most straightforward way possible. Allowing users to try the service and learn the features and advantages it will provide them, is more valuable than making money from the start and turning down possible consumers. If the free service can live up to its expectations and truly provide innovative invoicing methods, it will be much easier to get the consumer to return, eventually willing to pay for specific features or products because they are familiar with the platform and now trust it.

Re: Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

#9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I think the larger debate is around Freemium business models. In the words of Fred Wilson, “free gets you to a place where you can ask to get paid... if you don't start with free on the Internet, most companies will never get paid.” HealPay is designed to help businesses collect money. Invoicing is just one means to an end. The transaction/conversion is where we see real opportunity/innovation.

Free to acquire users down the line is very different that free to gather feedback. People who will pay you are typically very different than those who will use your product for free. Feedback from people who won't pay is feedback you want to weed out.

^ all feedback is good ^

Re: Show HN: Boot ‘strapped’ in Detroit

#10
post #8

I think that the value lies in reaching the consumers in the most straightforward way possible. Allowing users to try the service and learn the features and advantages it will provide them, is more valuable than making money from the start and turning down possible consumers. If the free service can live up to its expectations and truly provide innovative invoicing methods, it will be much easier to get the consumer…

yes, I think if you level w/ the user and work with them to make the product/service better...both parties #win
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