Unfortunately not, and not for any rational reason. It's the same reason I don't buy iPhone apps: because the vast majority are free.
There's an implicit valuation when one uses the term "chrome extension". When analyzing how much it is worth to me, I subconsciously compare it to other Chrome extensions, not other bits of code. I might be perfectly happy to pay for MS Office, even when OpenOffice is free, simply because most productivity applications command a premium. It seems right to pay for it. Even a $0.99 fee for a chrome extension or, for that matter, an iPhone app, presents a significant enough disincentive that I likely won't purchase it. In fact, I've never paid for any piece of software that wasn't a game or preloaded on my system.
Now, I'm not everybody. Certainly, there will be those out there who would be willing to pay for a Chrome extension, but I wouldn't count on them being the majority. If you do decide to charge for it, make sure that you set a value that accurately reflects what you feel it is worth, rather than what might entice people to use it. A $0.99 fee is high enough to stop most people from paying, while low enough to be pointless for you. Consider $9.99. I doubt that only 10% of the people who would pay $1 would pay $10. If I'm right, you make more money by charging more.
As to your idea, keep in mind that Chrome is still a browser with a small market share. If you really do want to make your idea pay, consider releasing a version for FF, IE9, Safari, etc. Or just make a website.
I think this might actually make it worse. While XBox Live, WoW, and others have been successful, I think most people expect to pay once for a program, and get to use it for free in perpetuity. There's strong resistance, at least amongst some segments of the population, to pay service fees. Oddly, I would have described gamers as being the ones least inclined to pay monthly fees, although they've been almost the biggest fee-payers, perhaps behind porn.
Comments
Unfortunately not, and not for any rational reason. It's the same reason I don't buy iPhone apps: because the vast majority are free.
There's an implicit valuation when one uses the term "chrome extension". When analyzing how much it is worth to me, I subconsciously compare it to other Chrome extensions, not other bits of code. I might be perfectly happy to pay for MS Office, even when OpenOffice is free, simply because most productivity applications command a premium. It seems right to pay for it. Even a $0.99 fee for a chrome extension or, for that matter, an iPhone app, presents a significant enough disincentive that I likely won't purchase it. In fact, I've never paid for any piece of software that wasn't a game or preloaded on my system.
Now, I'm not everybody. Certainly, there will be those out there who would be willing to pay for a Chrome extension, but I wouldn't count on them being the majority. If you do decide to charge for it, make sure that you set a value that accurately reflects what you feel it is worth, rather than what might entice people to use it. A $0.99 fee is high enough to stop most people from paying, while low enough to be pointless for you. Consider $9.99. I doubt that only 10% of the people who would pay $1 would pay $10. If I'm right, you make more money by charging more.
As to your idea, keep in mind that Chrome is still a browser with a small market share. If you really do want to make your idea pay, consider releasing a version for FF, IE9, Safari, etc. Or just make a website.
To counter this effect, charge for the service instead.
I think this might actually make it worse. While XBox Live, WoW, and others have been successful, I think most people expect to pay once for a program, and get to use it for free in perpetuity. There's strong resistance, at least amongst some segments of the population, to pay service fees. Oddly, I would have described gamers as being the ones least inclined to pay monthly fees, although they've been almost the biggest fee-payers, perhaps behind porn.
So...you disagree with me, and the example you'd use to illustrate the social reasons behind your point is actually not a good one.
Um, thanks for mentioning it?
I was citing exceptions. For examples, see every other piece of software people pay for.