If You Created Forum Software, Would You Charge For It?

Discussion in 'Community Forum Software' started by SpacewardAsh, Jun 1, 2011.

  1. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    Again, the title says it all: If You Created Forum Software, Would You Charge For It? If so...why, or why not? Get discussing below!
     
  2. AssignmentA

    AssignmentA Regular Member

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    I would say no. Forum software's that are free has a bigger audience than the paid ones :)
     
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  3. Allan

    Allan It's All Good

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    I wouldn't either.You would get enough in donations and premium members to make up for it.To me no matter how good a paid software is it's still not free which is the best.
     
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  4. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    I think depending on how much I had to spend on it e.g. if I had to pay loads of developers, then I would probably charge to make the costs but if I worked on it by myself and there was virtually no costs involved, then I would certainly offer it for free :)
     
  5. StevenF50

    StevenF50 Regular Member

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    No because it would be so crap you wouldn't want to buy it.
     
  6. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    why do you say that? You've got to think positive ;)
     
  7. StevenF50

    StevenF50 Regular Member

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    Because a fly knows more php than I do?
     
  8. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    I know jack all about php, but it still would'nt stop me wishing and dreaming and putting something into the discussion about creating a forum software, and charging for it or not, etc. ;)
     
  9. StevenF50

    StevenF50 Regular Member

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    Yeah well I wish I could create one and if I did I'd offer a premium version and a free version.
     
  10. Coastercraze

    Coastercraze Regular Member

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    I would definitely charge for it. My reasons are quite simple, I put the hours of work into it, I should have some form of compensation to it. That and I'd be able to hire some employees to make the software even better with support and help in bug fixing.
     
  11. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    I would charge for it, but I would make sure the forum software is all quality before even thinking of selling it. Gotta be unique from the others, gotta offer something the others don't or you wont get any sales.
     
  12. AssignmentA

    AssignmentA Regular Member

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    I might produce a free version but that can only be free hosted (like forumotion) but then produce a professional version with many more features that can be self hosted that has a small charge
     
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  13. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    that sounds like a great idea, and would certainly be a great way to generate extra revenue with your software :cool:
     
  14. Tierney

    Tierney Regular Member

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    That sounds like a great idea. I would join up, that's for sure.
     
  15. Austin01

    Austin01 Regular Member

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    I would not charge for the package itself, but addons/plugins yes I would have a flat fee for all of them. I would also have any support/questions have a yearly fee as well.
     
  16. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    well that's interesting...why would you charge for addons/support?
     
  17. Austin01

    Austin01 Regular Member

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    To pay the developers for the work there providing to the software, and other less important things.
     
  18. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    then why not charge for the whole package, or create a lite & paid version???
     
  19. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Isn't that really the other way around, because paid software has the majority of add-ons for free? Because about 99% of the addons for any well known forum software are third party (meanining not made by the software's team) so how would you require all add-ons to be paid.. Profit from third party add-ons that you didnt make?
     
  20. Austin01

    Austin01 Regular Member

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    I suppose a lite and paid version would be better, now that you mention it. I was initially aiming for people to download it and gain a client base, then charge a few bucks for addons made by us. Other authors can make both free or paid, there choice.
     
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