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Creating & Selling Products

by underthegun
5 replies
I often come up with ideas for plugins and themes that I see the WP world lacking. Sometimes I even see a client requesting a particular function that doesn't exist and think "man, that'd make a great plugin".

While I've managed to do well with services I've always wanted to create my own products. So I've decided to put my money where my mouth is and go for it. I'm currently developing a few of my ideas.

I'm really considering going to ThemeForest and CodeCanyon to sell my products as they already seem to have a strong customer base. But I like the idea, too, of doing my own thing and not paying the huge premium fee that Envato charges.

I'm interested in knowing some of your experiences. Do you think sales would do better by placing it in the Envato or doing my own thing?

In regards to my own thing...
Before I knew what I know now I had tried selling products before, on my own, and actually got some sales. But I always had issues and the biggest one being that customer emails containing the download link would go into the spam/junk folder and they wouldn't think to look there. Then they would send me angry emails calling me a "scam artist".

So what's something I could do about this? e-Junkie maybe?
#creation #products #selling
  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    In regards to my own thing...
    Before I knew what I know now I had tried selling products before, on my own, and actually got some sales. But I always had issues and the biggest one being that customer emails containing the download link would go into the spam/junk folder and they wouldn't think to look there. Then they would send me angry emails calling me a "scam artist".

    So what's something I could do about this? e-Junkie maybe?
    What were you using before to e-mail your customers?

    RoD
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    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
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  • Profile picture of the author MacMiller
    I think it depends on how much time you are willing to spend marketing your products once they are created. Largely, if you use one of the sites you mentioned, people are already going and looking for your product. You will also receive the notoriety that Themforest and CodeCanyon have.

    If you decide to go about it on your own, you will need to build all customer relations and company reputation on your own.


    Just something to think about
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  • Profile picture of the author smartintelligence
    creating ur own products is the best way FORWARD! This is where all the money is really. Why promote other people's products for pennies, right?
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  • Profile picture of the author Emily B
    Originally Posted by underthegun View Post

    In regards to my own thing...
    Before I knew what I know now I had tried selling products before, on my own, and actually got some sales. But I always had issues and the biggest one being that customer emails containing the download link would go into the spam/junk folder and they wouldn't think to look there. Then they would send me angry emails calling me a "scam artist".
    Did you put somewhere on your site (your buy page, product info page, wherever) that the buyer needs to check their spam folder? It would really help to mention it multiple times.
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    • Profile picture of the author underthegun
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      What were you using before to e-mail your customers?

      RoD
      Just the generalize functions that my server/hosting account offered at the time. Nothing special. In short, whatever mail function the script I was using at the time had in place.

      Originally Posted by MacMiller View Post

      I think it depends on how much time you are willing to spend marketing your products once they are created. Largely, if you use one of the sites you mentioned, people are already going and looking for your product. You will also receive the notoriety that Themforest and CodeCanyon have.

      If you decide to go about it on your own, you will need to build all customer relations and company reputation on your own.


      Just something to think about
      You make a VERY valid point. I mean, if they do well... I'd be a top seller on their system and that always looks good. The next product I release could go GOLD.

      Originally Posted by smartintelligence View Post

      creating ur own products is the best way FORWARD! This is where all the money is really. Why promote other people's products for pennies, right?
      I agree but I think you missed the point of it. I'm asking if I should sell my own products through ThemeForst/CodeCanyon or start my own site.

      Originally Posted by Emily B View Post

      Did you put somewhere on your site (your buy page, product info page, wherever) that the buyer needs to check their spam folder? It would really help to mention it multiple times.
      Honestly, I didn't. To me, I didn't understand why they'd automatically go there any way. I wasn't spamming anyone. But now I understand that just because my address doesn't have a bad rep doesn't mean the server doesn't as well.
      ---------------------------------------------

      We have two things to consider along with either option, too.

      With ThemeForest/CodeCanyon, if I can do well in their market place I'm pretty much set. As long as I offer quality, there will be a waiting customer base for me.

      Doing my own thing, I can get some recognition, too. And build up my own email list for future sales as well.

      Both points have merit and both seem like good options. Except, in all honesty it's probably a bit less work going through ThemeForest/CodeCanyon.
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