To sell an Application or not.......

[CEH]

Have something I wanted to get some opinions on from our more experienced members. The subject is selling applications. I have developed an app over the past year or so that my current employer uses. Recently they told another business owner about this app and now I have developed a new more involved version for them..... When I did this I did not sell the original application to the new folks I gave them the app and charged for changes and additions they wanted. This turned out fairly well since the modifications ran up 19 hours of time and I billed by the hour. So my current position is this....... I like this app It's very useful and can be used by a range of businesses to supplement their current software packages. I am considering setting up a website with a scaled down version.... 2002 mde, 2003 mde and 2007 for those without Access on their machines. Since I know most businesses would want at least some modifications and customization..... What would you do? Sell the App PLUS extra for modifications? OR give the app and only charge for additions and modifications?
Thanks for your opinions!

 

[Zigzag]

Hi Curtis,

The approach that I like to take is to sell the software and if any modifications are required within the first 12 months they are done for free including free updates (as long as these modification are not bespoke).
The reasoning behind this being that if the client is asking for a modification then it can only add value to your application and if that client wants the feature the chances are that other will want it to. This then becomes a good selling point, “free modifications” + “free updates”. After 12 months no client would expect free modifications so you can then start charging.

Garry

 

[Rachael]

Hi, I've been selling my apps for 6 years and my personal experience is reminiscent of the last poster, sell the app up front then depending on what sort of mods the customer wants, decide whether to charge. Do them for free if I think its for the good of the overall app and others will like them, this contributes to a new upgrade so you get paid in a round about way, if the customer wants something quite specific to them then charge by the hour.

Rachael

 

[KenHigg]

I've been toying with this idea...

If anyone has any db's they'd like to clean up and share for free as shareware please let me know. The primary upside is that you could get paid work modifiying and supporting it if the user wants. And you probably have it laying around anyway, why not put it out there and see what it'll do.

My plan is to do a web site to share stuff on ... Any ideas?


ken

 

[CEH]

Thanks for your input!
Question for Garry... What happens if you get a client that wants 2 or 3 modifications a month? Does your price of the app take that into account? Which brings up the most important question... for everyone... What factors, besides your own time spent in development, come into consideration putting a price tag on the app?

 

[Zigzag]

Hi Curtis,

I very often get 2 or 3 requests for modifictions each month, this is not a reflection of bad programming or bad design it is usualy the case that someone has come up with an idea of doing something slightly different, or wishes to view a report in a way that was never thought about at the start. Most of the time I will accomodate the request because I like the change and think it is something I would want if I was the client, therfore making it easier to sell the app to another client, Word of mouth is a powerfull tool.

Garry

 

[CEH]

Garry, meant to post a reply... just getting back to it.... I hear what your saying....didn't mean to imply it would have anything to do with bad design or anything.... My only thinking is... how much is too much...... 2 to 3 a month.... means maybe 2 to 3 hours a month for free to one client...This is where the accountant in me comes into play Your cost of sales on that app goes up with every hour... so profit goes down I can see your point... my latest venture I charged the client for 19 hours.... but have actually put in closer to 30... but as you were talking about this benefited the app itself. I guess we just have to try to anticipate if the client will try to take advantage of you.
Thanks for your input.... every bit helps!