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I had a largely positive experience when I began charging for a site I created. Initially, the site was free, but from day 1 I made it clear that we were going

I had a largely positive experience when I began charging for a site I created. Initially, the site was free, but from day 1 I made it clear that we were going to charge a membership fee at some point. That, I think, was the biggest thing. I also gave the first several thousand members - who had already become the most vocal and most dedicated members - a chance to earn a free lifetime membership if they completed certain goals that would help me to test the site's functionality. Things like sending ten private messages, making ten forum posts, things like that. The business wasn't a smashing success, but this part of it was, I think. Some members left once we went for-pay because they simply weren't willing to pay for things online, basically. However, there was no rancor or anything.

lilsunnybee 14y ago
> Some members left once we went for-pay because they simply weren't willing to pay for things online or weren't able to
- JohnBooty 14y ago
  You are right, of course. If it wasn't too late, I'd edit my initial reply.
WA 14y ago
My site was free initially as well and when I was young and naive, I even intended to keep it free. Reality caught up and after years I announced that I gonne charge a lousy Euro. 80% of the users stuck and paid, but there are indeed a few that hold an utterly irrational resentment. It goes so far that they prefer to discuss this matter for hours and hours and use some crappy software, instead of just paying the damn 12 Euro a year. Then I figured that a Euro was a bit too low. In Germany, VAT is usually included if you see a price as a private customer, unlike in the US, where you get the VAT added at the checkout. So, 19% VAT on a Euro is a substantial cut. I increased prices to 2€, which worked alright, only a few people got upset, but again, many continued to use the service. Still, I feel like I'm now locked in at a relatively low price point and it gets tougher to justify another rise in price.

lilsunnybee 14y ago

> Some members left once we went for-pay because they simply weren't willing to pay for things online or weren't able to

JohnBooty 14y ago
You are right, of course. If it wasn't too late, I'd edit my initial reply.

WA 14y ago

My site was free initially as well and when I was young and naive, I even intended to keep it free. Reality caught up and after years I announced that I gonne charge a lousy Euro. 80% of the users stuck and paid, but there are indeed a few that hold an utterly irrational resentment. It goes so far that they prefer to discuss this matter for hours and hours and use some crappy software, instead of just paying the damn 12 Euro a year. Then I figured that a Euro was a bit too low. In Germany, VAT is usually included if you see a price as a private customer, unlike in the US, where you get the VAT added at the checkout. So, 19% VAT on a Euro is a substantial cut. I increased prices to 2€, which worked alright, only a few people got upset, but again, many continued to use the service. Still, I feel like I'm now locked in at a relatively low price point and it gets tougher to justify another rise in price.