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A blunt, founder-written case for charging early customers instead of giving the product away. Shah walks through exactly what you lose when the price is zero: honest feedback, real conversion data, and the discipline of running an actual business. Read it as a quick gut check the next time you are tempted to stay free just to pad your user count.
Giving Your Software Away For Free (Startup Reality Distortion Effect #1)
From OnStartups (Dharmesh Shah) by Dharmesh Shah
- Free users hand you a weak signal and softer, less useful feedback.
- Early revenue, even a tiny amount, forces you to build a real business.
- Reward early adopters with extra service and attention, not a zero price.
