The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5) - FreeLance Services & ShareWare on the Same Web Sit

FreeLance Services & ShareWare on the Same Web Sit

From a Marketing point of view is it viable that I promote my
Software Develoment Services (as a Freelancer/Independant Developer) and that I sell my shareware on the same web site ?

The positive side being that many prospect might give me projects if the shareware I've developped is good & well designed.

The negative side being that it may not look professional
for someone who is visiting the site with the idea to download/purchase my shareware...
He might think what sort of support will I get from a one man band operation ... Does his website will still be around next month ?

Linus Ericsson
Thursday, April 8, 2004

What are the pros & cons ?

Do you know people who sucessfully manage to sell
technical consulting services & shareware from the same site ?

Linus Ericsson
Thursday, April 8, 2004

One issue is market demographics (or "Synergies")

Are the SAME sorts of folks going to be interested in your shareware and consulting?

For example: if your shareware were tools that helped IT Professionals who might want some customer software developed, then it's a good tie in.

But if you're selling video games, and your customers aren't interested in you making games for them, then you're diluting your "brand".

It would be like a plumber opening a store selling candy vs. a store selling plumbing supplies for do-it-yourself'ers. The latter is a much better fit. Better syngergy/

Mr. Analogy
Thursday, April 8, 2004

Being a successful consultant is about understanding the value (not the technology) you bring to your clients, and presenting an impeccable, professional image (for more ideas on that check out www.vass.com and www.foxandcompany.com).

People who visit freeware/shareware sites, by defintion, have no budget and are looking to get something for nothing.

As the previous poster mentioned, the two do not mix.

On the other hand, if you take the approach that your software is valuable (and therefore expensive), then you could both sell your software on the same site as you pitch your consulting services. Paul Tyma, the creator of Mailinator, does that on his company's site (http://www.preemptive.com).

Anonymous
Thursday, April 8, 2004

"One issue is market demographics (or "Synergies")"

You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Fezzik
Thursday, April 8, 2004

Fezzik :

I guess he meant Market Segment

Linus Ericsson
Thursday, April 8, 2004