March 22, 2008 at 11:20 pm
· Filed under timerSync
I finally got the time to sit back and think about my pricing policy for timerSync, motivated after a user complained that it really bothers him to pay every year for an upgrade (to have the newest version always) for such a tiny application as timerSync. First I ignored his comment, but now after FreshBooks released their timer widget for Mac and announced the soon release of a Yahoo widget for Vista, it got me thinking.
As it is now, I sell timerSync with 2 options, $19 for 3 months free updates & support and $24 for 1 year free updates & support. And I don’t think the price is too high (I know, compared to free it is), but I tried to get in the shoes of the user who made the complaint and I can understand him. Basic functionality of the timer is to count the time and submit it to FreshBooks. Not a rocket science. All the extras are welcomed (and I plan to add much more), but at the end it is just that, a timer.
At the moment I am thinking to drop the lower price of $19 and keep only the upper $24, with the change that the license would be for lifetime. I just got the idea and I believe I’ll implement it, but I’ll leave it for a few days. I am certain that if I decide to make this change, this will be retroactive, so everyone that bought timerSync will also get lifetime free updates. We’ll see…
Update: I’ve made up my mind, I decided to go this route, so now it is official, timerSync comes with lifetime free upgrades.
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Dman said,
May 4, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
Hey Goran,
I would appreciate this type of license. I generally do not want to pay for a Freshbook timer or invoiceSync app, as I think it should be provided by Freshbooks to make their application user-friendly, but Freshbooks does not seem to agree at this time. The fact that they are developing widgets will work for some but I do not like to run these widget engines as they hog resources. So, until Freshbooks decides to provide this as part of the monthly cost, I would pay for a stand alone timer app but would not want a high price for updates. I a yearly upgrade fee of $5-$10 might be acceptable, but lifetime would be preferable.
Also, let me compliment you on your products. As mentioned, I think both your products should be offered as part of Freshbooks. Online apps are great unless your offline, which then makes them useless. As a matter of usability, both your products fill a important hole in Freshbooks offerings which are concerns for using them for critical accounting needs. Freshbooks needs to hire you or integrate your products! I have downloaded trials and will look at buying them after the trial. Keep up the great work!
admin said,
May 4, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
Dman, thank you for the compliments. About timerSync, the license is lifetime, so there would be no yearly upgrade fees.
About your comments on licensing and whether they should be free or not, I think generally, if the tool or application saves someone’s time (and with that money) then there is a certain price that someone would pay for it. If the tool doesn’t bring anything, then paying for it is just throwing money to the wind.
Regards,
Goran
Dman said,
May 5, 2008 @ 3:22 am
Hey Goran,
Glad to hear the Timersync will have a lifetime license. I totally agree that a good product that saves time and money is worth paying for. You also need to make a living! My only beef is that the products you are developing should be part of Freshbooks IMHO. Although it puts you in an enviable place if your products are widely adopted. I would assume one day Freshbooks will do this as well.
I’ve seen arguments many times about online apps and for me the clear answer is that they need to work offline as well. Correct me if I’m wrong, but my understanding is that invoiceSync collects data offline and can sync when you reconnect. This is critical for me and seemingly others. This is the idea behind Google Gears, Adobe Air and others who understand the need to use the growing numbers of online apps, offline.
Anyway, I’m glad someone is making these products! Thanks!
Dman
admin said,
May 7, 2008 @ 6:29 am
Yes, invoiceSync does exactly that what you described.
Regarding your opinion that all this should be part of the FreshBooks, I am glad they left place for us freelance programmers to get in. If they had it implemented already I would never start with these projects in the first place.
Goran
Jeffrey said,
January 16, 2009 @ 3:31 am
After checking out a few of your products, I wanted to chime in and say good work. I’ll be following future integration work. As a user of Freshbooks who can clearly see that they have a long ways to go yet, it’s fun to watch the evolution of the ecosystem.
Keep it up!
admin said,
January 16, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
Jeffrey, thank you for your kind words.
Although FreshBooks have a long way to go yet, I am way behind with the features I could included so far in invoice & timer sync. I hope in 2009 I’ll catch more steady pace making my programs more atractive and useful for the FreshBooks users.
Regards,
Goran