I don’t know if you remember or were ever exposed to the “Facebook is going to start charging for its services!” Panic posts that happened in the mid-2010s. It was always false, but when it comes to the internet, people have a strong sense of entitlement. They do not like the idea of paying for things.
I am thinking about it now that I prepare for releasing a small B2C app. I thought about going freemium initially, then changed my thinking to maybe adding ads to the free version, but as I read more and more about dark patterns and sucking clients dry on every occasion (by big corps) I think of going paid only (monthly/yearly or one time) + 1 month free trial (no registration, no credit card). Simple, easy to understand, all cards on the table plus much less incentive for "finding creative revenue streams" (selling user data) in case ad revenue is low.
Perhaps it is a very bad decision which will never work, I don't know. I guess in this ecosystem the only way to at least not lose is not to play, otherwise we will all be eventually brought down to aggressive A/B testing, ad infested, tracking, no-privacy environment, to match other products... I don't want that kind of world.
Mine is a free app, that does nothing without a physical device. The DRM system is no login no account, the device is the key. No update costs. Everything calm. The device is even fungible for its purpose. A tool to do a thing and fucks off.
We’re leaving money on the table, for sure, but I really don’t care. I’m going to make something that is biased to the customer, and they’re going to appreciate it.
