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New WP Plugin: Free or Paid?

by John Taylor
12 replies
I have a dilemma. I have had a new Wordpress
Autoblogging plugin developed and I can't decide
whether to offer it free or to sell it through RAP.

My primary objective is to get the widest possible
distribution.

Secondary objectives would be to build a targeted
list and to make a few dollars.

My questions:

  • What would you do?
  • What are your reasons for that approach?
  • How would you maximise the results?

Thanks

John
#free #paid #plugin
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Johns
    Hi John,

    Can you do a lite version for free and then a fully featured version that is paid? Then you get the best of both worlds?

    You could give it away for free and collect their email address and show them a OTO which will bring in a few dollars and build a targeted list. I've seen plugins where you have to register them before use.

    I would go for this option as it gives you the widest possible distribution, builds a targeted list and will bring in a few dollars.

    Hope all is well with you

    Jason
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  • Profile picture of the author Austin Delaney
    Hey John;

    how general/specific is the plugin? I wonder how specialised the autoblogging niche is (i.e. the users).

    Some folk seem to know exactly what they are doing with it, others, just a quick fix in a vain attempt to make some adsense pennies.

    I do 'some' autoblogging. If I had some idea what your plugin achieves I'll let u know what I'd be prepared to pay for it.

    Cheers,
    Austin.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Austin,

    I deliberately phrased my questions to focus on
    answers that would help anyone in my situation.

    I don't think getting into specifics is necessary
    to answer the above questions.

    thanks

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Following on from Jason's idea, how about offering a free version that adds links back to your RAP site, and then in exchange for a small payment, they get the option of removing the backlink? Don't know the logisitcs behind this.
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    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

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    • Profile picture of the author Stefan Vee
      If your plugin does something incredibly valuable, something that other plugins don't, and if you're offering great support, and if you guarantee that the plugin will be further developed/adapted to future versions of Wordpress, then I don't see why you wouldn't sell it.
      After all, you get what you pay for.
      I remember the free and promising Yaab plugin, which was useless to me...
      I purchased a premium autoblogging plugin and I am very happy I did. I am even considering to buy the associated developer licence.
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      • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
        John,

        If it's free, what will set it apart from other plugins that will make it a must-have that sites such as Techcrunch or smashingmagazine will add to their Top 10/20/30/40 WP plugin lists?

        Can you make it interesting to developers? I was chatting to my brother-in-law (a WP designer) about this the other day. He uses very few plugins because of

        1. security issues - who can you trust?

        2. compatibility issues - the straw that broke the camel's back. Add plugin number 23 and KAPOW!

        3. support issues - if a plugin doesn't have good support the designer is left with egg on his face when the latest WP upgrade screws up the plugin.

        There are a lot of designers with high PR sites and if you can get them interested you would get a lot of linkjuice. Maybe do a little report for them that addresses these issues.

        Your main concern is wide exposure so the free/paid question seems to boil down to this:

        Will you get enough good affiliates who will drive (and convert) more traffic than links from technical authority sites?

        Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author Austin Delaney
    I don't think getting into specifics is necessary
    to answer the above questions.
    sure man, I getcha.

    I just bought a plugin the other day for $80. It's one I've been aware of for a while but I put it off because there were so many other similar GPL plugins available.

    When i did buy the plugin I was blown away by its features and the seller would have had a new customer some time ago if they had a lite version as well.

    There's one plugin I know of that is available from the WP repository but it requires an opt-in before it will work. That way it's widely available but also gets subscribers for future sales of upgrades and other plugins.
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  • Profile picture of the author indexphp
    My primary objective is to get the widest possible
    distribution    .
    Well, free then obviously. Make it open-source so people can adapt it. Probably be good for some link juice.
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    www.TrafficPlusConversion.com
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    • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
      Originally Posted by indexphp View Post

      Well, free then obviously.
      Obviously?

      If it's free there's no incentive to tell
      others; whereas through RAP I'd be
      paying 100% commissions.

      I see your point but I'm not so sure
      that it's obvious.

      John
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      • Profile picture of the author indexphp
        Originally Posted by John Taylor View Post

        Obviously?

        If it's free there's no incentive to tell
        others; whereas through RAP I'd be
        paying 100% commissions.

        I see your point but I'm not so sure
        that it's obvious.

        John
        Well... if you can get affiliates who will actually do something, by all means go for it. BUT, if it's free and useful, thats all the incentive you need if you want to get it as far and wide as possible.
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        www.TrafficPlusConversion.com
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        • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
          Originally Posted by indexphp View Post

          BUT, if it's free and useful, thats all the incentive you need if you want to get it as far and wide as possible.
          There are many free and useful things that most people know nothing about.

          They become viral through incredible word of mouth or through marketing (or both).

          John's question is which will get the plugin more exposure/downloads
          "free and useful" or "paid and useful"?

          Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author hipnol
    Make it a subscription version. It will be free, but only after the user signs up for your newsletter. Hope this idea works.
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    Check out Katreena Kaif - guess you will be interested in Wallpapers of Katrina Kaif

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