Yeah, I've given it some thought. I'm still trying to decide which way to go (keep current model, or go in a direction that you suggested).
However, your suggestion about dropping monthly plan is interesting. I thought it would be a matter of convenience for people? Given that they'll be using the service monthly, of course.
Steep discounts does sound like a step in the right direction.
Are they really going to be using the product "monthly", or just continuously, on an ongoing basis?
I was thinking, I suppose, of Google AdWords, which has a pre-pay model-- you pay a chunk of money (as much as you want, with a set minimum), and they let your pre-paid funds are getting close to running out, so you can add more.
Well, this depends on how people will use the system. Say, you're just tracking down a used car with best possible price. So you sign up for text notifications so that you're the first one - and once you bought the car, you no longer need these notifications.
Other usage patterns might assume regular, monthly usage.
Since I just launched this and have only a handful of users, I'm yet to see how it'll be used.
Edit: I misread your comment. They will be using this, in the best case scenario, regularly on ongoing basis - so not "monthly" in a sense of regular subscription services.
The problem with the "monthly" concept is that it forces me to estimate how many notifications I am going to get each month, and then choose an appropriate plan. For me, that was pure friction. In addition, I try to avoid recurring charges on principle.
So, from my point of view as a potential user, I'd be much more likely to just pre-pay a fixed amount.
Right. For that purpose, the system tells you (when you add links), on average, how many messages you will get per day. I know it is quite rudimentary for now, but I will be adding friendlier analyses tools soon, maybe even on the Pricing page - e.g., tell us what you want to monitor and we'll estimate which price plan you might want.
Also, I just got my first paid monthly subscription users this morning (1st day of launch, woot!), so I might be keeping this payment option for now.
However, I try to avoid recurring charges as much as I can myself, so great pre-paid options are a must.
Comments
Yeah, I've given it some thought. I'm still trying to decide which way to go (keep current model, or go in a direction that you suggested).
However, your suggestion about dropping monthly plan is interesting. I thought it would be a matter of convenience for people? Given that they'll be using the service monthly, of course. Steep discounts does sound like a step in the right direction.
Thanks a lot for your comments!
Are they really going to be using the product "monthly", or just continuously, on an ongoing basis?
I was thinking, I suppose, of Google AdWords, which has a pre-pay model-- you pay a chunk of money (as much as you want, with a set minimum), and they let your pre-paid funds are getting close to running out, so you can add more.
Well, this depends on how people will use the system. Say, you're just tracking down a used car with best possible price. So you sign up for text notifications so that you're the first one - and once you bought the car, you no longer need these notifications.
Other usage patterns might assume regular, monthly usage.
Since I just launched this and have only a handful of users, I'm yet to see how it'll be used.
Edit: I misread your comment. They will be using this, in the best case scenario, regularly on ongoing basis - so not "monthly" in a sense of regular subscription services.
The problem with the "monthly" concept is that it forces me to estimate how many notifications I am going to get each month, and then choose an appropriate plan. For me, that was pure friction. In addition, I try to avoid recurring charges on principle.
So, from my point of view as a potential user, I'd be much more likely to just pre-pay a fixed amount.
Right. For that purpose, the system tells you (when you add links), on average, how many messages you will get per day. I know it is quite rudimentary for now, but I will be adding friendlier analyses tools soon, maybe even on the Pricing page - e.g., tell us what you want to monitor and we'll estimate which price plan you might want.
Also, I just got my first paid monthly subscription users this morning (1st day of launch, woot!), so I might be keeping this payment option for now.
However, I try to avoid recurring charges as much as I can myself, so great pre-paid options are a must.