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What is Shareware?
Copyright 2004 Sharon Housley
What is
Shareware?
Shareware is software that you can try before you buy. Software
developers post trial versions of their software on websites. Consumers can
then download the trial version to their computer and evaluate it. If the
consumer likes the software they can purchase it. Shareware is also
called try before you buy.
Today almost every big software company
including Microsoft, Winzip, and AOL use trial versions or a form
of shareware to market their software.
Why is shareware better than
any other marketing method?
Shareware is a good way to market software. It
allows consumers to evaluate an application prior to making a
purchase
decision. They can easily determine if it meets their business or personal
needs, which usually results to a satisfied customer. In addition because
shareware companies are often small they can provide personalized service
that is not found in larger companies. Shareware also allows for instant
gratification, there is no need to wait for a shipment. Consumers can
download and use the software immediately.
Freeware vs. Shareware.
As you know shareware is a marketing method for software.
Freeware is
also a way of marketing software. However,
freeware is free so the developer
does not ever request any
money. Shareware is free to distribute but cannot
be used for an unlimited amount of time, unless the developer is paid.
Freeware can be used an unlimited amount of time and can be freely
distributed; payment is not required. Many developers use freeware to draw
attention to their shareware applications.
What is software piracy?
There are several kinds of software piracy. One kind of software piracy
is hacking into software and disabling the copy protection. Software pirates
then distribute or sell the hacked software. The developer does not receive
any money for the software the hacker distributed. This is an infringement
on the developer's copyright.
Another technique used by hackers is to
illegally obtain a
registered copy of software. Pirates purchase the
software
once and use it on multiple computers. Purchasing software
with a
stolen credit card is another form of software piracy. Unfortunately there
are many kinds of software piracy that has slowed the industry's growth. In
order for developers to continue to develop software and provide support
the software needs to be profitable.
Registration Incentives.
A
registration incentive is something that makes the person
using the shareware
version of the software want to buy. There are a number of incentives
developers use to encourage users to buy. One popular registration
incentive is to limit the time of the trial version. This is
clever because then the user can't use the shareware version forever. It
encourages them to buy the software so they can continue to use it when the
trial period is over.
Often shareware versions will have "grayed out"
features on
the menu that the consumer can see, but not use.
Typically
there is a pop-up windows in the software encouraging users
to
register in order to take advantage of the additional features. This is a
popular registration method because if the person wants to do more things
with the program, then they are forced to buy the registered version of
the software.
Another innovative registration incentive
shareware developers use allows customers to receive discounts on other
software once they have purchased the registered version.
Developers
also provide support incentives. The shareware
version of software will have
everything the registered version has, however, if a person buys the
registered version of the software he/she will receive tech
support, newsletters, and upgrades. Developers can also limit the number
of times you can use the shareware version of the product. The trial version
may expire after 10 uses meaning the user has to register if they wish to
continue using the software.
Shareware now and how the term
changed. Though the meaning of the term shareware has not changed the
perception of shareware has evolved since it began. At first when you had a
shareware program there was a note that asked for a donation. Now you are
required to pay for the registered version of the shareware program.
The shareware industry has also evolved and grown into a billion dollar
industry.
About the Author:
Dan Housley is currently a student
interning with NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net and FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
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