The art of “freemium” is one to be intensely studied by any entpreneur within the high tech space, especially if you’re developing web apps.
In fact, I could make a significant case of why ministry-folk and future church planters need to understand a thing or two about the healthy dynamic of “giving away the farm” while reaping tons of “profit” as a result. I think there’s a near-biblical message and paradigm here!
But I’ll save that for later.
Gigaom released some data on how one third of the top-grossing iPhone apps are free:
A look at the top-grossing iPhone apps today finds 34 of the top 100 apps are free, but make their money through in-app purchases of mostly virtual currencies as well as other premium features.
Sweet deal!
Free apps won’t work for every category, and they still need to provide people with plenty of use and not make them feel like they’re being cheated out of a good experience if they don’t spend money.
The best of them increasingly seem to have the formula down when it comes to drawing in hordes of customers and monetizing a small percentage of them to great effect.
Top freemium developers are finding they can make more money with in-app purchases than advertising. As we’re learning more and more: Free can definitely pay the bills and more.
And that’s how tithing gets done!
Just kidding…
Kenny says
Hey! What a teaser!?! What is the Bible passage?