realbasic-nug
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Boxed Software

To: REALbasic NUG <realbasic-nug at lists dot realsoftware dot com>
Subject: Re: Boxed Software
From: Phil M <phil at mobleybros dot com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 20:58:26 -0800
Delivered-to: realbasic-nug at lists dot realsoftware dot com
References: <9FAB5F00-DA5B-4E80-936F-3A681B15289A at thezaz dot com> <2CAC6FAF-AFE3-4407-BA69-65A1C0D8EBBA at mobleybros dot com> <8E01A55E-19D5-4A26-A5F7-D8D1FFE3F822 at thezaz dot com>
On Jan 31, 2006, at 8:30 PM, Thom McGrath wrote:

I have experience in various forms of printing, so this is not an issue for me.

As I thought about it more, I realized the cost would not be worth it. This will be a small product and I am only asking $12 a license, so a boxed version would not be a good idea. There is a reason why you don't find much quality $12 software at the Apple Store, for example.

Thanks for all the responses, however.

It would take a lot of sales to recover the printing costs if your software is only $12... plus you would have to increase the total order price to almost $18 to cover shipping; and if you are selling it through retail chains, you would have to sell it to the retailers for about 50% list price.

But for future reference:

The most cost effective product packaging is the clam-shell DVD case. Just get a 4 color print to insert inside the outer plastic covering and you have a professional looking package -- if you go to a big software retailer you will see a lot of software in this type of packaging. You can look around on the internet for good printing deals and get a single-sided letter sized gloss print pretty inexpensively.

The inside is where the cost can really add up, because you need to manufacture a CD. There are three methods that you can choose here:

1. Make a separate CD master for each product. When a new version comes out, you chuck the old CDs (or provide software updates on your website). Only cost effective for mass distribution.

2. Make a single CD master containing all of your products, but only include the serial number for the product they purchased (other products are available for demos). When you come out with a new version of any of your software, you chuck the old CDs or you list your physical delivery as "out-of-stock" until you get the new CDs. Cost effective for medium-sized distribution.

3. Get a CD-R silkscreened with your logo, website and contact information. Then you can burn whatever you want whenever you want. Cost-effective, but only really practical for small-sized distributions.
_______________________________________________
Unsubscribe or switch delivery mode:
<http://www.realsoftware.com/support/listmanager/>

Search the archives of this list here:
<http://support.realsoftware.com/listarchives/lists.html>


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>