The ways to earn from freewares?

[tommeal]

Is it possible for a software developer to earn bucks from freewares? Thanks!

[syntaxeater]

Realistically, yeah.
Legally, no.

[tommeal]

How?

I know some freewares integrate some third party components such as tool bar via affiliate programs.

[syntaxeater]

Considering this is general, I am really resisting the urge to be condescending...

Freeware is just that, free. They usually accept donations, but that's it. I don't know how much winzip makes in a year, but I can only imagine it's not much considering how wide spread it is.

So how do they make money? Well, you touched on the tip. I don't know how long you've been "in the know" about toolbars, but you may know of one called "cool web search" from about 10 years ago. It was freeware, but it logged everything it could about you and the sites you visited. It would sell that to 3rd party companies. Hugely lucrative business, although highly illegal now. A few sites still try and install it on your computer via exploit, but we're pretty much immune if you're running XP+.

So no, when you do freeware; it's a free as in free. If you're lucky, people remember who you are and appreciate what you did. But by no means is it a source of revenue.

[mendhak]

I'll move this to General Developer.

[dclamp]

you could put ads in your app as well...

[Hack]

If you were going to earn money from it, it would not be freeware.

[RobDog888]

The main way is to offer a "lite" version of your app as free. Then to gain access to the more advanced options and features they have to purchase the "pro" version. That is more of a marketing gimmick but it gets your app used more widespread and if the users like it and want those advanced features they will gladly pay for them.

[Hack]

The main way is to offer a "lite" version of your app as free. Then to gain access to the more advanced options and features they have to purchase the "pro" version.

We do something similiar to this.

The front end, however, if full featured. There is nothing in the "pro" version that is not in the "demo" version.

But, the restriction in the "demo" version is that you can only add 25 records to the database. To get that restriction lifted, you need the "pro" version.

Given that our clients (all of them) deal with thousands, and often millions, of records, this has worked out for us quite nicely.

[AsmIscool]

Am I the only idiot here that appreciates the hard work put in by a fellow programmer for something I have found useful and clicks the donate link. In answer to your question going by the content of this thread No you will not make any decent money out of freeware. A little bit from the very few maybe but that is it.

I also delete any form of crippleware on sight. Programmers want me to be honest with them, they can start by being honest with me.

[Fazi]

Google adsense is best for you if you need to go totally free.
Position the ads in the correct spots and bring traffic to your site by submitting the software to all available software download directories. check my signature for list of directories. Also a PayPal Donate Button (i dont have one in my site, coz paypal does not support my country) . BTW i did not get what AsmIscool mean by

Guys, do really people donate for freeware

[syntaxeater]

Google adsense is best for you if you need to go totally free.
Position the ads in the correct spots and bring traffic to your site by submitting the software to all available software download directories. check my signature for list of directories. Also a PayPal Donate Button (i dont have one in my site, coz paypal does not support my country) . BTW i did not get what AsmIscool mean by

Guys, do really people donate for freeware

Or... You give freeware for free... And you write up the tutorials on how to use it through youtube implementing adsense and get your pennies that way?

[RobDog888]

Google adsense is best for you if you need to go totally free.
Position the ads in the correct spots and bring traffic to your site by submitting the software to all available software download directories. check my signature for list of directories. Also a PayPal Donate Button (i dont have one in my site, coz paypal does not support my country) . BTW i did not get what AsmIscool mean by

Guys, do really people donate for freeware

Google AdSense is pathetic
You wont get rich or able to pay your electricity bill but not much better out there. The only true way to reap ad revenue benefits is to do direct ad sales with the vendors.

[Fazi]

I have around 6 freewares in my site written by myself.
I get average 100 USD a month form Google Adsense. Feel reasonable

To offer commercial versions, you really need to have more resources. i am just doing this with an AMD pc with xp thrugh a 17" CTR monitor.

[Fazi]

write up the tutorials on how to use it through youtube implementing adsense and get your pennies that way?

Ahaa, I am not yet, this is another good tip

[RobDog888]

I have around 6 freewares in my site written by myself.
I get average 100 USD a month form Google Adsense. Feel reasonable

To offer commercial versions, you really need to have more resources. i am just doing this with an AMD pc with xp thrugh a 17" CTR monitor.

That wont even cover my electric bill

Or... You give freeware for free... And you write up the tutorials on how to use it through youtube implementing adsense and get your pennies that way?

Good idea. Fre advertising and great traffic.

[Fazi]

oh rob 100+ Elec. bill,
your part of US economy. i never paid > 10

btw, i just found another great method to bring trafic to our website.

write up the tutorials on how to use it through youtube

Put a copy in Metacafe also

[dclamp]

Sell Things with your logo!