So I'm still working hard on my print ordering app. Works great on mobile and on desktop, and I get an email notification when an order is placed. I'm debating on what to do about payments. I definitely want people to pay up front for orders, but I feel lazy and don't want to code a basic Stripe or Square implementation. Right now the message says that the customer will receive an invoice and that payment is required before production. I'd just send them an invoice to their provided email through Square.
I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and implement something because that sounds like it'd piss off some people to have to wait for me to send the invoice before producing. Would just be so much easier to make them key in their card so I can produce right away.
I will be getting a copier contract with a local company for only $140 a month and it includes all maintenance and consumable parts, as well as 3k BW copies for free every month. Each additional BW is $0.0055 and each color is $0.055. The printer itself will be a Kyocera Taskalfa and it's capable of 11x17 paper and really thick stocks.
Here's what I have for the app so far: https://xbit.x10host.com/orderbuildernew.php
So I need your opinions on something.
I plan to offer nationwide shipping to customers, and to post the app on the Google Chrome Webstore. Chromebook users are limited to Google Cloud Print, which is okay in a pinch but GCP doesn't let you specify paper type and other advanced settings. Just size, margins, # of copies.. You can't choose cardstock for example.
So with that said, I'm thinking I could post the app in the Chrome webstore for like $1.99 BUT program the app to give them $1.99 off their first order. So reimburse them the cost of the app. I like the idea because if people get the app and don't need to place orders right away, it gets me easy money, and if people are gonna buy it for $1.99 and place an order, I get more money to offset the reimbursement anyways. I will charge for shipping too obviously if the order isn't over a certain amount. If they never place an order that's even better obviously lmao.
I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and implement something because that sounds like it'd piss off some people to have to wait for me to send the invoice before producing. Would just be so much easier to make them key in their card so I can produce right away.
I will be getting a copier contract with a local company for only $140 a month and it includes all maintenance and consumable parts, as well as 3k BW copies for free every month. Each additional BW is $0.0055 and each color is $0.055. The printer itself will be a Kyocera Taskalfa and it's capable of 11x17 paper and really thick stocks.
Here's what I have for the app so far: https://xbit.x10host.com/orderbuildernew.php
So I need your opinions on something.
I plan to offer nationwide shipping to customers, and to post the app on the Google Chrome Webstore. Chromebook users are limited to Google Cloud Print, which is okay in a pinch but GCP doesn't let you specify paper type and other advanced settings. Just size, margins, # of copies.. You can't choose cardstock for example.
So with that said, I'm thinking I could post the app in the Chrome webstore for like $1.99 BUT program the app to give them $1.99 off their first order. So reimburse them the cost of the app. I like the idea because if people get the app and don't need to place orders right away, it gets me easy money, and if people are gonna buy it for $1.99 and place an order, I get more money to offset the reimbursement anyways. I will charge for shipping too obviously if the order isn't over a certain amount. If they never place an order that's even better obviously lmao.
Please Login To Post
Obviously not a 1-to-1 comparison, but it still gives a pretty decent example.
If you can convince your customers before they pay the upfront fee that they're getting a premium service, then you should be fine.
You figure the 7 day turnaround for delivery orders. They could just as easily go to Staples and get something done right away. Or go to Best Value Copy to get copies for as little as $0.027.
Not to mention I'm going to make a flat shipping charge for all orders under $100 before tax. The pay wall kind of filters out the people who wouldn't even want to pay shipping costs.
And imo if you have a Chromebook or laptop of any sort, you're off to a good start. Some of the people that come in to Staples I swear man... Not even a cell phone. Just a house phone. Lol.
It seems from what you're describing, you're much more on the "value service" side of things (which is exactly what I would recommend since you simply don't have the budget to market yourself as a world-class premium service) and thus I feel you'd be losing money (compared to what you would have made otherwise) by putting the paywall there.
I'll think about it more prior to releasing the finished product. Now to look into Stripe. ugh ha
Let's just say I've been taking note of the top spenders of document printing at my Staples, and, when the time is right, and I'm making enough money to sustain myself, I will steal those people away from that craphole. I have confidence that I can do it because as the now (previous) print supervisor, I built a rapport with these people. One of these people I have in mind can spend up to $400 in a single order. Obviously, that's with Staples prices. It would be less for me because of my lower prices obviously, but the profit margin is definitely still there so even $300 and I'd be happy. lol
I'm basically gonna cherry pick customers while continuously marketing to other local customers.
The app money is supposed to be passive, and get me started.
As for the reimbursement thing, it doesn't sound too bad, but I wonder, why not make the app free and then take a little extra (just a few cents) for each print instead? Getting installs (or downloads, whatever you wanna call it) is the hard part. People generally want to see their options before they commit any money and ultimately, making your profit per-order is a recurring revenue stream vs. an one time one if they pay up-front for the app.
Technically, you could still do the X off your first print that way too. Would be another nice flashy thing to draw someone's attention, just might not be necessary.