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Different ebook price on my own Site vs Amazon Kindle

by peacepilgrim
7 replies
I'm a newbie, about to publish my first ebook and would like to hear some opinions from experienced marketers on this.

The issue is that I was/am going to offer my ebook on my own site, but also wanted to offer it through Amazon Kindle and Maybe ibook, too. But Kindle allows a max price of $9.99. Of course a hundred thousand times $9.99 wouldn't be so bad either!

But I wanted to charge more on my site (because, for one thing, the content is worth it) and also maybe offer to Affiliates. So I'm wondering if having a different price on my site than on Kindle would be a mistake? Would I end up with pissed off customers? I was thinking to still keep the price fairly close to what Amazon would be selling for, such as 12.95-14.95 vs 9.99 for Kindle.

Of course, if I really marketed virally, then maybe I don't even need Amazon?

The question is what do you think about having the same product with the same author at two different prices from two different places? It's a weight loss book with a different edge, including the title, so I think it has the potential to go viral.

Or should I just go with $9.99 on my site too? I was thinking that if I charged only a little bit higher than Amazon, then would people who'd paid somewhere between 12.95 and 14.95 feel ripped off (assuming they see it on Kindle for 9.99) even if they like the content?

The last thing I want is for otherwise satisfied customers to come and demand their money back because they see the same product for a few bucks cheaper at Amazon.

What do you think about this dilemma?

Thanks!
#affiliate #amazon #ebook #kindle #price #site
  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    I've sold books on Amazon and from my own site before and had a large price differential - the way I have done it is to bundle additional bonuses with the package from your site.

    You have a couple of choices:

    1. Shorten your ebook on Kindle to be just a few chapters of your overall ebook available from your site
    2. Offer an audio version of your ebook (on your site) as an added bonus to justify a higher cost
    3. Create a checklist, workbook or resource sheet that you can package as a bonus to the ebook you sell from your site
    4. Create other bonuses (a short 5-10 page report) that relate to your ebook and will add additional value.

    These are all ways to provide more value and get your information package to a higher price anyway - so this seems to fit well with what you are trying to do.

    Jeff
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    • Profile picture of the author Peeps66
      I agree with Jeff that it is all about bonuses or creating some other type of perceived value.

      Even a bit of related PLR. You could try and promote that this version you can't print out but it probably wouldn't cut too much weight (no pun intended!)
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  • Profile picture of the author Pat Flanagan
    I agree with jbsmith that bundling is a good value-add to justify the higher price when buying directly from you. If you do this, be sure to put some info about the bundled items in the Kindle version, directing Kindle readers to a special order page (make it a short easy-to-type URL) where they can buy just the additional value-add items for a few dollars. This will get you the additional sale PLUS get them on your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author angela99
    Peacepilgrim, you said: "But Kindle allows a max price of $9.99."

    I'm not sure that that's accurate. I've seen many ebooks on the Kindle book store which are priced higher than that. So, unless the rules have changed when I wasn't looking, a higher price isn't a problem.

    Here's what Amazon does: Amazon price matches to the LOWEST price.

    That's how people get free ebooks onto the Kindle store when Amazon doesn't allow free. They price their ebooks via Smashwords at free, and then cross their fingers, hoping that their ebook will show up for free on the Kindle after a week or three. :-)

    As for setting ebook prices on various platforms...

    The price you charge is always up to you.

    As others have suggested, ADD VALUE to the ebook you're selling directly. Your Kindle ebook then becomes a promotional lure for your direct sales version.

    It's hard to know what to suggest as a value-add without knowing what your ebook offers. However, your aim should be to make the higher price a bargain to your customers.

    Also, I'd add a link to your Web sales page to the book on Amazon. That lets people buy the cheaper Kindle version as they wish, from your direct sales page.

    In a nutshell, all you need to do is differentiate between the two versions.

    Angela
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles Harper
    You may not be looking to buy any advice or information product on this but I just went to a webinar on Friday that Tim Castleman did. The guy's name is Tanner Larson. I think he has an offer that lasts until 11/28. You may benefit my checking it out.

    CT
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  • Profile picture of the author georgebush
    you can charge what you like for amazon - but a price above 9.99 i think rewards you with less commission -- your buyers would be angry if they found it cheaper elsewhere without a doubt -- so as others have said maybe the offer on your own site should add value - free updates?? / other books which you have plr rights to / other stuff you have written - maybe an additional resource section that proves invaluable with links on where to go to get quality stuff cheaper related to your product
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      Actually, you can charge more than $9.99 for a Kindle ebook. If so, you are eligible only for the 35% royalty instead of the 70% royalty.

      From what I've been able to observe, it's not a problem to charge different prices for a Kindle ebook and for the same content in PDF. After all, prices differ according to whether something is a paperback or a hardcover or a Kindle product and no one complains about that.

      Remember also that those who do not have a Kindle often don't realize they can purchase Kindle ebooks. Therefore they would not be looking up products on Kindle and not aware that the price would differ.

      Customers are much more understanding of price differentials now than they used to be. We know that the guy next to us on the airplane may be paying a very different fee for the same seating and the same flight.

      Marcia Yudkin
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