pricing of a downloadable software

[sdani]

I have a product almost ready. I am evaluating various pricing methods and one of them is somthing like WebmasterWorld forum.

-->Give away the software for free so that people who cannot pay (credit cards / currency conversion etc) can use it. These users will be the ones who would make the developers "feel good" by using their art.

-->Create a "supporters only forum" (like WebmasterWorld), "pay for email only support" and "pay for phone support" for the ones who like the product and are willing to pay for its use. These users will pay the bills.

Will this pricing work. If "YOU" are the targeted user of this software, will "YOU" pay for support even if the product was perfect and no support was required?

Thanks
sdani

[nickbj]

You could simply ask for donations... a lot of people do these days with new software. All the best, Nick.

[Mr Bo Jangles]

If it requires installation (especially if it requires installation on a server) then a lot of people will pay for support simply because it is difficult for most people to install something like that. Also, people will pay for customization - and people always want to customise something. So I think this is a viable business model i.e. you get a lot of users because you give it away, and a portion of those will be prepared to pay for assistance - but it's a hard way to make a buck i.e. harder to earn you money than from software licenses.

[sdani]

Thanks Nick and Mr Bo Jangles,

I appreciate your feedback.