Challenges of Monetizing a Free

Plugin@pippinsplugins

Example

The scenario

A free pluginfull featured plugin given away for free

100% Open Sourcefree to use, modify, fork, and even redistribute

Sustainable business

A successful business based on the plugin

Problems

1. It is free$0.00 price tag isn't good for direct revenue

2. Users expect free They are used to using plugins from WordPress.org

3. Free is free500,000 free downloads doesn't pay the bills

4. Free is expensive Users may not pay to use it, but we pay to build it

5. Support is costlyInvesting time in support is expensive

6. Time is money

Possible answersto how we build a business on a free plugin

Use adsAdvertising is a huge business

Charge for supportThe plugin is free, support doesn't need to be

Sell a pro versionUp sell for improved functionality

Sell paid upgradesLet users purchase individual feature upgrades

All are viable options

but each has problems

AdsUsers hate ads

Charge for supportdo you require users to pay to answer simple

questions?

Sell a pro versionmany users will only ever use the free version

Sell paid upgradesusers hate feeling like they are being nickle and

dimed

Variations that workbased on my experience building successful

plugins

Sell priority supportallow paying customers to get priority support

offer basic support for free

Sell specialized feature upgrades

customers will pay for features that are instrumental to the setup they need

Give away lite and sell a Pro version

never underestimate the traffic on WordPress.org

Sell annual licensesyearly renewals for continued support and updates

Installation servicesmany users will pay you to configure the plugin

Offer amazing support

happy customers make customers for life