I created this tool that really helps me out. Friends keep wanting to use it.
I’m torn on whether a PWYW model could work for something like this. Part of me fears people will just take it for free.
Has anyone found success with this approach?
People pay more when they choose the amount themselves.
Tried PWYW on a small app feature last year. It was a disaster.
85% paid nothing. The paying users averaged $3 when I wanted $10-15. Then I had to support all these $0 users who still demanded everything.
The real problem? When people can pay zero, that’s exactly what they think it’s worth. Even paying users went cheap because free was an option.
Your friends say they want it? Ask what they’d pay right now. That’ll tell you way more than any pricing test.
You are overthinking this. Use fixed pricing first. PWYW only works when users see value or feel guilty about getting something for free. Your friends wanting to use it shows demand but they haven’t paid yet. Start with a low fixed price and see who pays. You can try PWYW later once you know what people think it’s worth. Free users rarely become advocates like paying customers do.
Most people won’t pay anything, but you’ll be surprised how much some will pay. I tested this with my tool and saw about 20 percent conversion. The paying users often pay two to three times what I anticipated. Plus, the freeloaders can help spread the word.