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Ask HN: SaaS chatbot for free vs. charging users – what should I do?

Posted by ahmedaly on Friday November 15, 2019 @02:56PM
from the ask-hn dept.
Hi, I am founder of chatbot startup - it's fast growing, we are getting a ton of users signups, and almost 0 churn rate!

As a founder, I am confused between 2 roads: a- make it fremium/free for the sake of increasing the number of users, and then gradually increase it year by year through the next 5 yrs.

b- Make free very limited, and start charging users from day one, just like other chatbots. But this means I will get a small number of users.

What should I do? I am really having hard time making that decision!

( 5 comments | 2 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: SaaS chatbot for free vs. charging users – what s... by Coviam on Saturday November 16, 2019 @12:15PM (#21553678)
As a business, you must invest in chatbot technology, so that you don't have to see your customers departing to competition. Check out http://s.engati.com/142 and see how you can have an edge over others
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: SaaS chatbot for free vs. charging users – what s... by jppope on Friday November 15, 2019 @03:20PM (#21548349)
Split test it ;)

two options... split your traffic out OR create a different brand to test the theories

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: SaaS chatbot for free vs. charging users – what s... by trcarney on Friday November 15, 2019 @04:24PM (#21548907)
I think it depends on what your goals for the startup are. If you want to bootstrap it and keep the company smaller, charge. It will keep your growth rate more manageable.

If you want to get VC money, go for the users.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: SaaS chatbot for free vs. charging users – what s... by rajacombinator on Friday November 15, 2019 @09:13PM (#21550515)
Is there some benefit to keeping it free and increasing users, like a network effect? Seems unlikely, so you should try to monetize from day 1.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: SaaS chatbot for free vs. charging users – what s... by ahmedaly on Saturday November 16, 2019 @10:00AM (#21552936)
Yes there is a network effect, if you mean by that, that a user would bring more users in.... like Facebook or so.
[ Parent | on HN ]