questions: making business (selling scripts/freelancing)

webdev · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 02:54 PM

So, i had few emails from people thanking me for giving out the scripts for free, which is good. This tells me that people out there are looking for this sort of scripts to use.

Few people had minor questions and problems with installation which i helped them with and were greatly thankful of me but most of them wanted some sort of custom (small and big) modifications to them. I delegently replied that i can help them with it for a small fee because it would require me certain effort and/or time to do it. One person required a 20 field form.

But none would reply back because i'm asking for a small fee? why is that? I'm trying to understand how people work? I mean i would be happy to get something done for free but every professional work requires effort and for that effort you need to be compensated accordingly and every business thrives on money/revenue.

I don't know if i came too strong by asking for a fee in exchange of work. But how should you approach people so you win their business?

any Inputs will be good?

ppcFanatic · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 03:07 PM

People seem to want everything for free these days so I guess I'm not surprised. Do you have the prices on your site and do you make it easy to pay for modifications or is it sort of like a case-by-case basis?

Maybe if you setup some kind of chart on your site explaining what's free and set prices for modifications, that would encourage more sales (use PayPal) But as far as those who email you for specific help and then don't respond when you tell them there's a fee, not sure you can do much about that. Many people just expect to get everything for free.

Mavedo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 03:55 PM

ppc makes a good point, but I would use Google Checkout (it's a lot better)

webdev · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 08:09 AM

Those are some good points ppc.

I don't have anything setup on my site. I basically say that if you need modification to the script i can help you with it but i don't mention anything about pricing. Reason being, i don't want to fend off people by displaying its gonan cost.

There are many sites which sell scripts online. i don't know how successful this business model is? But i can sure give it try. Set up a separate site for scripts and advertise it using google adwords. What do you guys think?

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 08:16 AM

I don't think adding additional pricing options will fend off anyone if you explain that the basic scripts are free. The worst that would happen is that they will take the free one and ignore the customization. What about the people who have downloaded your free script and wouldn't mind paying for customization but just never email you because they didn't think it was an option?

As long as you keep the free scripts accessible I can't see how announcing additional pricing will hurt you much.

webdev · #6 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 04:02 PM

I could give it try. I'm thinking i should set up a entire new site for scripts. I should redirect the traffic that i get on script pages of my php site to that site. i should also do ppc marketing for my scripts. See how that turns out.

ppcFanatic, since you the man for ppc marketing

What do you think of the conversions? Are they possible or they are just myth? I have tried ppc few times but lost money always. I know a lot of people have lot of success doing it. I was reading that on digitalpoint forum. I wonder how those people make a profit and let alone getting a sale?

ppcFanatic · #7 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 06:45 PM

Webdev, your niche is a whole other animal. I have tried ppc in many niches but I would never attempt ppc in the web developer/programmer realm. It's just too difficult to convert that kind of audience. Not to be discouraging because you may end up finding success with it, but from what I've read programmers are one of the hardest niches to convert sales.

BUT on the other hand you can still use PPC to draw traffic to that page and start getting some loyal visitors. Not everyone uses ppc just to get sales. Some people just use them to draw traffic and you can also take that approach if it's in your budget.

ppcFanatic · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 06:53 PM

Oh and there's no myth. There are people making thousands of dollars per month with PPC. I don't usually get into the specifics for what I do for fear of competition but you can make a lot of money. But you better be prepared to spend a lot of money experimenting. I sure did.

webdev · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 07:52 PM

Hey ppc, thanks for the input. You gave me an idea. I could target people looking for these scripts on google to my script pages. So for example, i would bid on words like "tell a friend script" or "feedback script" or "invite friends script" though adwords.

So, in essence im targeting people who necessarily don't know how to make these scripts otherwise they wouldn't be searching for it?

lisa · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 07:55 PM

I think that's a great idea. As ppcfanatic described, I use ppc to draw traffic in the way that you just outlined Webdev. I bid on cheap keywords just to bring traffic to some of my sub pages. The bad part of using it that is you can't really see how effective it is, but if it's not breaking the bank then I do believe it can help boost your traffic over time. Been doing it for years.

BumbleBeeWare · #11 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 07:17 AM

I have found that people looking for free stuff wont pay for anything. If they want to download a free program, they think that $25 is alot of money.

In fact, I have had offers for websites that cost me over $100,000 in marketing alone, for a whopping $25. And offers for affiliate websites for $25 asking if they include the product inventory. Sure, I will sell you a warehouse full of products for $25.

On the otherhand, if you deal with people who spend money, they wont hesitate to write a check for $1000.00 for updating a basic script.

I offer free perl scripts and that is where I end my offerings. All my programing is for my own websites that make me money.

I have never been able to convert google ads into cash or work. Although they do offer traffic which can build a free website's base, the fraud and casual browsers will cost you much more than you can earn.

If you build a website you certainly should offer free low end versions of the programs and higher end that they can pay to download. Charge for support. Make the free people think they are getting away with out paying for something of value and the paying people think they are paying for something of greater value.

Today, every one thinks everything should be free, EXCEPT WHAT THEY SELL!

I get calls all the time to support my free products. I don't mind untill the calls turn into 10 and 20 hours of work just doing more and more hoping the people will leave me alone.

I would draw the line at all services being billed at some rate. Don't offer any free support, not even e-mail. Make them buy the full version to get the support.

It's hard to cut people off in the middle of something once you start heping them for free.

Incedentially, I make money by developing programs and leasing access to the programs on my servers for a monthly fee. Basically remotely hosted solutions.

webdev · #12 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 08:55 AM

Hey BumbleBeeWare, thanks for the response.

Quote:

Incedentially, I make money by developing programs and leasing access to the programs on my servers for a monthly fee. Basically remotely hosted solutions.

That's something i have been thinking of doing too. Make online widgets like forms and stuff and let people use the service at a low monthly cost. But there is a lot of competition already in this area and that's why im hesitant to start this.

Quote:

If you build a website you certainly should offer free low end versions of the programs and higher end that they can pay to download. Charge for support. Make the free people think they are getting away with out paying for something of value and the paying people think they are paying for something of greater value.

I think that's the way to go. This is how all the open source software make money, thought support.

BumbleBeeWare, do you charge people for support for your free scripts?

Bingo · #13 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 02:34 PM

Webdev how is your local industry looking?

webdev · #14 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Webdev how is your local industry looking?

I've never tried to venture out into local marketing. I did some freelancing on the side. Made websites for my friends. That's about it. I never tried to advertise locally.

Bingo · #15 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 04:06 PM

You should take a look at it. Some can be very profitable and somewhat untouched.

Take a look at local developers and see what services they are providing, give you an idea on that market.

If you don't mind me asking what's your core skills? I might be able to throw a gem of an idea to you.

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