My view on paying for online applications
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Mark Evans asks on his blog “Would you pay for online applications?”
He makes some valid points about the possibility of bundled packages such as one consisting of Google Reader, Google Docs, Deli.cio.us, Facebook, Twitter and Word Press. He suggested a fee of $3.00 for this bundle. Now Mark just happens to have tapped into all of the online apps I use pretty much on a daily basis. Would I pay $0.10 a day for all of these apps?
I’d have to say for the most part NO. Unless there was some overwhelming compelling reason for me to pay.
Let’s look at the apps Mark is suggesting:
Google Reader - yes I find this to be a useful tool in aggregating my RSS subscriptions, but if this one turned pay, there would be another one along right behind it for free. So definitely a NO.
Google Docs - I use Google docs for saving the hassle of copying files to my USB stick, but would I pay for what is a watered down - but good version of WORD? No, I wouldn’t.
Deli.cio.us … well if Yahoo! keeps floundering they may consider charging. I wouldn’t continue using it as I could find a way around the bookmarking feature, which is about the only feature I use.
I would definitely NOT pay for Facebook. No discussion. Unless they got rid of the useless applications. Actually, on second thought, not even then. I mean I like Facebook, but it is definitely not worthy of subscription fees. I was a member of Classmates.com for many years before I gave in and bought a 3 month subscription, which I never renewed. Besides, I’ve connected with more classmates on Facebook then I did on Classmates - but that is still not enough of an argument to pay for Facebook.
Twitter - ah funky 140 character messaging wunderkind. I love Twitter, I love lurking and reading and throwing in my 140 characters worth every now and again, and I love using it to promote this blog, but I don’t think I’d pay for it. I might, but probably not.
I would however pay for WordPress. This is a platform I could not live without. I’d gladly pay a fee to download the blogging platform and a monthly subscription fee for updates, especially Akismet. WordPress is worth paying for. I would use the argument because I’m going to make money with WordPress, it is not so much an expense as an investment, but so far I’ve made $43.00 on Adsense in the 16 months I’ve had it on my various blogs! (Another 16 months and I’ll get a cheque! Actually my used car video site, WheelsMart.TV has generated the most traffic and cash - $16.00. But I digress.)
The only downside I see to all of this possible bundling is that most of the apps are owned by competing companies. Someone would have to set up a bundling company, similar to what cable TV does and collect and distribute the money. Which isn’t such a bad idea. Oh crap, I hope Ted Rogers isn’t reading this!
But as Mark also points out, even if the majors decided free wasn’t working for them, someone else would come along and offer free services. No, Mark there is no such thing as a free lunch, but nature also abhors a vacuum.
