Ask HN: How do you decide whether to charge for your product from day one?

Re:Ask HN: How do you decide whether to charge for your prod... by glimcat on Tuesday September 13, 2011 @10:26AM (#2991575)

If the value of your product is not directly tied to the total number of users, charge for it.

If the value of your product is directly tied to the total number of users, charge for it some of the time.

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Re:Ask HN: How do you decide whether to charge for your prod... by ashok_varma on Tuesday September 13, 2011 @10:36AM (#2991619)

Could you give me an example of both types of product please. It would help me think about it better.

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Re:Ask HN: How do you decide whether to charge for your prod... by glimcat on Tuesday September 13, 2011 @08:04PM (#2994203)

Think about LinkedIn vs. Bootcamp.

LinkedIn, a lot of the value comes from there already being lots of other users when you sign up. Further, a lot of their revenue model is based on selling user attention to advertisers and recruiters. Having users is more important than charging the individual user, although it's still nice when you can convince them to pay up.

Bootcamp, it doesn't matter for crap to the individual user if others are also using it beyond social proof to justify trying it.

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