SaaS Lifetime Deal Challenges
Software as a Service (SaaS) lifetime deals offer businesses a unique opportunity to access software and services at a discounted, one-time rate. However, these deals come with a number of unique challenges.
Software as a Service (SaaS) lifetime deals offer businesses a unique opportunity to access software and services at a discounted, one-time rate. However, these deals come with a number of unique challenges.
We launched an LTD in 2022 on AppSumo for sturppy.com - got around 1500-2000 paying customers from the LTD.
The hardest part is in trying to roll out new paid / saas features. They feel tricked or swindled if they don't get everything going forward for free, even if what you've just released is entirely different functionality than what was offered in the LTD.
I don't regret it per say but LTD customers have been a pain the ass and are in general less qualified customers than who we attract organically / through other channels.
Well that's a bit entitled.
Lifetime license is already an unbelievably-generous offer in today's day and age.
-Lifetime
-All upgrades moving forward
Pick one.
That's how software worked in the past.
What they want is the best of both worlds, which is unsustainable for the provider anyway.
retweet :P
Don't just retweet.
Put your foot down, tell your customers moving forward they aren't getting all upgrades because it's just not sustainable.
I make them stack 2 codes now if they want the newer features.
It would be stupid of me to offer everything new for free in perpetuity.
We are on the fence about AppSumo ( we feel the long term value is in seeding a viral loop) And most products were never engineered around a viral loop.
How many lifetime subscriptions can be sold for a launch? Should they be offered to stimulate growth?
Other: the exit. I would think an app would be worth a lot less if a nontrivial number of users will never pay a dime to the new app owner
Yes, a Large number of users use the product without paying regularly.
For us we're ok having to deal with multiple version of support or the 30/70 split (very common in the games industry)
My team's biggest fear is that we don't communicate the specific value to the lifetime deal holders and then they get frustrated upon purchase and leave a negative review without willing to go back to the tool or follow our outreach.
More accurately maybe pricing to value buyers receive is what we're worried about for a lifetime deal launch
Valid point!
Product positioning and value communication is important.
Most founders just listing their product in a market place with out any research and the product suffers to grow.
When you offer your product as a lifetime deal, there's one big thing that people often forget about. It's really important to keep in mind, though.
That is...lifetime customers can really influence the direction of your product development. They might have different needs and wants than what you originally had in mind when you built the product. And if you're not careful, you can end up going down a path that takes you away from your original vision and goals for the product.
It's important to remember that lifetime customers can be a huge asset, but you also need to be mindful of how their needs and wants might impact your overall product strategy. It can be a fine balance, but it's something to keep in mind as you continue to develop and improve your product.
I have done lifetime deal for my products usermaven.com, contentstudio.io and replug.io and I've been able to successfully grow them post-ltd.
Well said and also your products looks interesting.