Continued from page 1
Registration Incentives. A registration incentive is something that makes
person using
shareware version of
software want to buy. There are a number of incentives developers use to encourage users to buy. One popular registration incentive is to limit
time of
trial version. This is clever because then
user can't use
shareware version forever. It encourages them to buy
software so they can continue to use it when
trial period is over.
Often shareware versions will have "grayed out" features on
menu that
consumer can see, but not use. Typically there is a pop-up windows in
software encouraging users to register in order to take advantage of
additional features. This is a popular registration method because if
person wants to do more things with
program, then they are forced to buy
registered version of
software.
Another innovative registration incentive shareware developers use allows customers to receive discounts on other software once they have purchased
registered version.
Developers also provide support incentives. The shareware version of software will have everything
registered version has, however, if a person buys
registered version of
software he/she will receive tech support, newsletters, and upgrades. Developers can also limit
number of times you can use
shareware version of
product. The trial version may expire after 10 uses meaning
user has to register if they wish to continue using
software.
Shareware now and how
term changed. Though
meaning of
term shareware has not changed
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
registered version of
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 developers of SMS and wireless messaging software and Software Marketing Resource http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com .