I've grown tired of giving software away. So, I want to experiment with recouping some of the costs. I'm wrestling with pricing. I don't want to go too low as I'm concerned people will think it's cheap, and not too high as I want it to be easily affordable by average folks. I see value in micro-payments, but google check-out charges 2.9% + .30 cents a pop. So, I need the range (I think) to be $5.00 to $25.00. I feel both extremes are bad. Any suggestions?
Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
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Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#2What does it do? What other software does the same thing and why is yours better?
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#3I would tend towards the higher price as long as your app is good value. You always have to compete the the "I could write that myself" viewpoint - but make it clear that the $25 will save the customer several hours work and meet their needs and you probably have a sale.
Try before you buy is the time honoured way of proving utility and value but that adds the cost of adding security to the app. Perhaps an unconditional money back guarantee?
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#4I expect these kinds of apps - single purpose, but useful tools - TuneUp, or that Mac SSH filesystem thingy, etc, - to cost $15.
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#5What does it do? What other software does the same thing and why is yours better?
And if there is other software that does what yours does, what is being charged for it?
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#6What does it do? What other software does the same thing and why is yours better?
It calculates trajectory, drop, etc of a bullet depending upon caliber, grain, powder, etc. It's command line only. It's windows only. No GUI, but it's very simple to use and accurate. Very useful for folks who reload their own ammunition. Covers all calibers from smallest to largest.
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#7What does it do? What other software does the same thing and why is yours better?
And if there is other software that does what yours does, what is being charged for it?
The wife told me I can't spend any more time working on it, unless I can break even on web hosting, etc. So to clarify. I have to pay for web hosting, bandwidth, storage... as those things cost me money.
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#8I expect these kinds of apps - single purpose, but useful tools - TuneUp, or that Mac SSH filesystem thingy, etc, - to cost $15.
I would say $9.99 but $15 is good too. If I find something that genuinely helps me out, spending under $10 allows me to buy it without feeling guilty about spending money without asking the wife. Not that I need her permission, but in our relationship we clear most non-household purchases with each other if they cost more than $20. If I'm spending $10, that's like spending my lunch money. :)
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#9[deleted]
Re: Pricing a Simple, Useful Desktop App
#10What does it do? What other software does the same thing and why is yours better?
It calculates trajectory, drop, etc of a bullet depending upon caliber, grain, powder, etc. It's command line only. It's windows only. No GUI, but it's very simple to use and accurate. Very useful for folks who reload their own ammunition. Covers all calibers from smallest to largest.
It can't be that hard to slap a GUI on it with something like Tk, and that would probably make it a lot more attractive to people.