Comments on: $1 per Download vs. Donationware

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:21:58 +0000

I know this is in response to an old post, but I think I can make some good points on the subject.
I believe I might be a good example of your average Joe looking for plugins and themes since I’m just starting out and with little money to use to make upgrades and add content.
I’m fine with a one time user fee as long as it’s reasonable for the product/service I expect to access after paying the fee. I’m more likely to bookmark and save it too if I’ve paid for it.
You’re more likely to have user input/feedback or suggestions which could be really valuable for not only your site and it’s popularity, but would better aid future users of your site’s services.
Keep up the good work. By the way, I have not donated, at least yet. I’ve only got three dollars in my account and don’t like even being that low to avoid overdrafting. However, I’ve bookmarked your site and plan to look for more useful plugins and themes later. I found a couple that I might like now. I hope to find more Christmas themes in the future too. They are too few to be found online. Also I should not mind if I have to pay a reasonable fee for anything I find later on, although it should also come with some kind of satisfaction guarantee.
Another point I’d like to make is that if people are paying for the plugins, I think they should be encouraged to post a link to their site in their comments mostly because that will afford the site the opportunity to show examples of sites using the plugins and offer your paid users a little extra exposure. Therefore, encourage links instead of discourage them. That can be ran on a registration basis so that only registered users could post comments anyway.

By: BloggerTalks » Blog Archive » Alex King on Wordpress development, the community and the Share Icon project

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:05:53 +0000

[...] actually written a bit about this on my site in the past. Back in 2003 I postulated that micropayments could be a better solution. [...]

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:29:19 +0000

I’ve been looking for a good plug-in like share this for awhile. After ditching the one I was using and trying out yours, sending you $1 is a tiny thank you for your efforts. I hope the collective thank you will be more financially rewarding.

By: Dan Dean

Dan Dean — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 05:12:48 +0000

I think the concept of finding creative ways for people to chip in for the software you write is a great idea. The key, I think, is finding a balance between making it easy for people to contribute, and not turning people away.

You could try adding a checkbox next to the download link that says “Care to chip in $1 to my development efforts?”, which would route them through PayPal before initiating the download. If the box isn’t checked the download starts right away.

By: Marcia

Marcia — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:24:50 +0000

Perhaps you should consider making some of the material on your site only available as part of a membership for which you can charge an annual/monthly/whatever membership fee.

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 05:19:16 +0000

As a resume writer who understands the little things that can cut into billable time, I don’t mind making a donation for something that has improved my blog. Thanks for providing useful plugins!

By: Mike Bowen

Mike Bowen — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:55:19 +0000

Hi Alex,

My $1 is on it’s way to you via PayPal. Thank you for the Mobile Plugin. I have used it, and love it. I just wish there were more people using it, so surfing on a PDA or Nokia N95 could be as a pleasurable as surfing your website.

Keep the good work up, and I am sure you will reach your target.

MikeB

By: Jared Schwager

Jared Schwager — Sat, 19 May 2007 02:04:46 +0000

Just sent you a donation for some of your WordPress plugins I find useful. I always try and donate to the developers of software I find very useful. I really appreciate that you are keeping your stuff free, but strongly suggesting donations.

By: $1 Per Download, Again | alexking.org

$1 Per Download, Again | alexking.org — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:38:52 +0000

[...] source software than traditional donationware . In particular, I liked the idea of asking for $1 per download. I’m certainly not going to put up a paywall barrier to the stuff I make available here, but [...]

By: Share This 1.3 | alexking.org

Share This 1.3 | alexking.org — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:22:45 +0000

[...] them freely available. Any little amount is appreciated – perhaps I should try resurrecting the $1 donation for each download concept again. I still think that’s an idea that could work. If even a fraction of folks who [...]

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:48:54 +0000

There is absolutely no fee required – you’ve got your facts wrong.

By: Mena B

Mena B — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:42:49 +0000

Again you say the software is free but requires a payment of a dollar. Sort of like you can get a free car for about $10,000. Please stop using the words “free” and “donation” if you’re not sure what they actually mean. I’m not against you getting paid for your hard work but for goodness sake be honest about it and just say it’s a fee and not fRee.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:28:06 +0000

Please take a look at my donations page, there is no need to assume.

By: Oskar Syahbana

Oskar Syahbana — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:11:53 +0000

Alex, you do know that many of the user of your plugins/script are in a country that is not supported by PayPal (I assume that you use paypal to take donations).

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 11 Jan 2004 21:49:26 +0000

After talking with a number of independent developers, I’ve been convinced that unless people are forced (limited trial, etc.) to pay for something, they probably won’t do so.

I’m making the transition from donationware to paid software, so I probably won’t end up experimenting with this after all.