Business Price structure of a membership site

[MrUnderwater]

Hello friends of cultivated entertainment!

I have a question for you professionals:

How would you design the price structure of a membership site?

At the moment I have

9.95 Trial 7-days Recurring 29.95 monthly
29.95 Recurring monthly
39.95 One month non recurring
69.95 3 months recurring
99.95 6 months recurring

What I notice is that many users cancel immediately after purchasing from Verotel BEFORE they even log on to the site. That means they only want to look 1 week and then no more. That is a pity! But many have certainly had bad experiences with porn site memberships and prefer to cancel right away.

But I see that other sites offer no trial membership at all but e.g. ONLY 29.95 monthly or longer memberships with discount (3 months / 6 months).

What is your experience? Is it maybe Verotel because they point out the possibility of cancellation so nicely in their confirmation email? How is it with other payment processors? E.g. Securion?

Or should I think completely new and "sell" the clips by token?

You can expect my eternal gratitude for any helpful tips!

Maybe you will get real practical experiences shared here and not just "I would" or "I think". After all, only professionals are on the road here...

[Publisher Bucks]

Set your highest price point as the default and let the customer use the drop down to lower it if they want to.

You can also make the price points seem more attractive by doing something like “$0.27 a day” instead of the full cost.

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by MrUnderwater

Hello friends of cultivated entertainment!

I have a question for you professionals:

How would you design the price structure of a membership site?

At the moment I have

9.95 Trial 7-days Recurring 29.95 monthly
29.95 Recurring monthly
39.95 One month non recurring
69.95 3 months recurring
99.95 6 months recurring

What I notice is that many users cancel immediately after purchasing from Verotel BEFORE they even log on to the site. That means they only want to look 1 week and then no more. That is a pity! But many have certainly had bad experiences with porn site memberships and prefer to cancel right away.

But I see that other sites offer no trial membership at all but e.g. ONLY 29.95 monthly or longer memberships with discount (3 months / 6 months).

What is your experience? Is it maybe Verotel because they point out the possibility of cancellation so nicely in their confirmation email? How is it with other payment processors? E.g. Securion?

Or should I think completely new and "sell" the clips by token?

You can expect my eternal gratitude for any helpful tips!

Maybe you will get real practical experiences shared here and not just "I would" or "I think". After all, only professionals are on the road here...

A lot to answer.

First, do you want affiliates. If so, ccbill may work out best as you probably would find more will promote a ccbill site, than Verotel because it is easy to sign up as an affiliate.

Next you need to consider if your content is exclusive or not. And how much content. And how good is it.

Another thing is, what works for one person may not work for you.

For me your pricing seems right.

I personally like trials (but if you do not have much content then it may not be so good), as I find many people join that way, and stay members for months. I often suspect that people think it is worth having a look for a $1 or so, as if it is not for them, then its not the end of the world.

Personally I would have the trial only a day or so long, as 7 days may be enough to download all they want and leave. If it is a day, then they have no option to let the billing go monthly, if they want your stuff. Something such as $2 for a days trial may convert a lot better for you. But again what works for me may not for you.

I think many

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by Publisher Bucks

Set your highest price point as the default and let the customer use the drop down to lower it if they want to.

You can also make the price points seem more attractive by doing something like “$0.27 a day” instead of the full cost.

That is interesting, as I would suggest the other way around, and have the trial as the default.

To me showing a trial option shows confidence in your product, and a lower price will in my view be more apealing.

[NatalieK]

ok, first, you´re asking why many members join the monthly & then cancel...

retention, how many updates are you giving? one week to another, do these sales to cancel differentiate?

update daily & your trial to normal month fee is wrong...

should be trial to non recurring...

9.95 Trial 7-days Recurring 39.95 monthly
29.95 Recurring monthly
39.95 One month non recurring
69.95 3 months recurring
99.95 6 months recurring

although, i think too high for monthly, why not drop to 24.95

9.95 Trial 7-days Recurring 29.95 monthly
24.95 Recurring monthly
29.95 One month non-recurring
59.95 3 months recurring
109.95 12 months recurring <<<< "this can work better than 6mth"


and how about offering 50% discount on cancellation to continue...

monthly $12.49 half price discount...



I have many fans continue with the discounted cancelation subscription

[KrisKross]

Is A/B testing possible? Try a few different scenarios such as lowering the trial to 3 days or dropping the option all together.

[redwhiteandblue]

7 day trial is too long, make it one day with no downloads.

One of the first rules of marketing - the longer you give someone to decide whether to make an impulse purchase, the more likely they are to decide not to. That's why so many offers - in whatever market - are time limited. "Hurry - buy now - offer only valid until midnight tonight!" etc etc.

[fuzebox]

At the very least I'd change the trial to a 3 day, and rebill it at $39.

I'd personally also drop the non-recurring options.

[AMDWarrior]

I have many fans....




Bahahahaha

[adultinnovation]

Why would anyone pay for porn

[BRKUK]

Originally Posted by adultinnovation

Why would anyone pay for porn

then, why are you here?

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by adultinnovation

Why would anyone pay for porn

i poo for porn...

[The Porn Nerd]

Originally Posted by fuzebox

I'd personally also drop the non-recurring options.

I was considering doing this, to increase my rebills. Right now I offer four pricing options with only one being non-recurring (30 day). But it is by far my most popular option (along with the yearly recurring option). I think it will pay off in the long run if I ditch this non-recurring option but will hurt in the short term.

Chargebacks may go up as a result, too. But overall I am hoping it's the wise choice. If it fails i can always reinstate the non-recurring anyway.

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by redwhiteandblue

7 day trial is too long, make it one day with no downloads.

One of the first rules of marketing - the longer you give someone to decide whether to make an impulse purchase, the more likely they are to decide not to. That's why so many offers - in whatever market - are time limited. "Hurry - buy now - offer only valid until midnight tonight!" etc etc.

Yes

Two days max.

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by fuzebox

I'd personally also drop the non-recurring options.

I would not, as people join then cancel because they only want to pay one month.

By leaving the one single payment option, then at least he gets a few more $$$ as the single option costs a bit more.

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by adultinnovation

Why would anyone pay for porn

Several reasons.

1. It could be a model or models on the site that they are fans of.
2. Porn tubes because of visa problems have had to get rid of a lot of content, so people may have to join a pay site to see the content.
3. Quality and add free.
4. Niche content.

Plus many other reasons.

[OneHungLo]

Originally Posted by The Porn Nerd

I was considering doing this, to increase my rebills. Right now I offer four pricing options with only one being non-recurring (30 day). But it is by far my most popular option (along with the yearly recurring option). I think it will pay off in the long run if I ditch this non-recurring option but will hurt in the short term.

Chargebacks may go up as a result, too. But overall I am hoping it's the wise choice. If it fails i can always reinstate the non-recurring anyway.

Oh no way. I would kill the 30-day nonrecurring and offer a 6-month nonrecurring. I offer 30 day & 60 day recurring and 6 months nonrecurring. The money is in the recurring but you will have guys that will pay a premium so they don't have to worry about getting rebilled into oblivion.

[plsureking]

Originally Posted by fuzebox

At the very least I'd change the trial to a 3 day, and rebill it at $39.

I'd personally also drop the non-recurring options.

anyone who thinks non-recurring is a good idea in porn doesn't have enough sales to matter. the only caveat being 6mo or 1y subs. however those are nice rebills too :D

just make sure there's a clear cancel button on the join page and settle in for years of rebills...
.
.
.

Originally Posted by redwhiteandblue

7 day trial is too long, make it one day with no downloads.

One of the first rules of marketing - the longer you give someone to decide whether to make an impulse purchase, the more likely they are to decide not to. That's why so many offers - in whatever market - are time limited. "Hurry - buy now - offer only valid until midnight tonight!" etc etc.

spot on.

#

[BRKUK]

Originally Posted by DVTimes

Several reasons.


2. Porn tubes because of visa problems have had to get rid of a lot of content, so people may have to join a pay site to see the content.


Plus many other reasons.

tube sites are almost dead. no new content. only verified users are able to upload the video. so no more stealing content

[plsureking]

Originally Posted by BRKUK

tube sites are almost dead. no new content. only verified users are able to upload the video. so no more stealing content

that's some promising news <3

#

[NatalieK]

Originally Posted by KrisKross

Is A/B testing possible? Try a few different scenarios such as lowering the trial to 3 days or dropping the option all together.

absolutely...

try & test

Originally Posted by redwhiteandblue

7 day trial is too long, make it one day with no downloads.

7 days is way too long, 1 maybe too little, as KrisKross said, 3 day is worthwhile, people love to play for a few days and this also gets people hooked

Originally Posted by fuzebox

At the very least I'd change the trial to a 3 day, and rebill it at $39.

I'd personally also drop the non-recurring options.

Way too high, but yes, 3 day, onto 29.99

Originally Posted by OneHungLo

Oh no way. I would kill the 30-day nonrecurring and offer a 6-month nonrecurring. I offer 30 day & 60 day recurring and 6 months nonrecurring. The money is in the recurring but you will have guys that will pay a premium so they don't have to worry about getting rebilled into oblivion.

yes, get rid of the non recurring, is adding confusion to what´s on offer & if someone wants to cancel after purchasing, then they can, as MrUnderwater mentioned, the billing company state that it´s easy to cancel on processing, this I think is great, it secures the sale


a trial to monthly
monthly recurring
3 month
12 month


forget 6 months, go for the year

[fuzebox]

Originally Posted by NatalieK

Way too high, but yes, 3 day, onto 29.99

If a user will rebill at $30 they'll rebill at $40. Does not affect the actual retention on a large sample size over a long term.

You need to recoup the losses from them choosing the cheap trial instead of the monthly.

[plsureking]

Originally Posted by fuzebox

If a user will rebill at $30 they'll rebill at $40. Does not affect the actual retention on a large sample size over a long term.

You need to recoup the losses from them choosing the cheap trial instead of the monthly.

yea i don't get rebilling a trial at the normal monthly rate. where's the benefit to the seller? i have a lot of pricing discussions with site owners

#

[The Porn Nerd]

Originally Posted by OneHungLo

Oh no way. I would kill the 30-day nonrecurring and offer a 6-month nonrecurring. I offer 30 day & 60 day recurring and 6 months nonrecurring. The money is in the recurring but you will have guys that will pay a premium so they don't have to worry about getting rebilled into oblivion.

Originally Posted by plsureking

yea i don't get rebilling a trial at the normal monthly rate. where's the benefit to the seller? i have a lot of pricing discussions with site owners

#

I like the ideas in this thread!!

[OneHungLo]

Originally Posted by The Porn Nerd

I like the ideas in this thread!!

You'll double your money by dropping that 30-day nonrecurring. And you'll make even more by adding a 6-month nonrecurring option. Whatever you do drop that 30-day nonrecurring. That's killing your income.

[CurrentlySober]

Personally, when I join up to a site (which I actually do reasonably often) I look for a straight forward joining system.

I just like a monthly fee, a 3 OR 6 month fee, and perhaps a yearly fee. Simple - As someone who signs up to sites, I feel that anything else is just attempted confusing trickery / fuckary.

People are not completely stupid - They know they can cancel the first months fee straight away, and not get rebilled, still having a month to enjoy the site.

Once you have too many options, that make someone stop and do maths before signing up, you are losing customers.

I made a thread recently about 'Sindrive' charging a one time 'Signup Fee' for 'admin' - (Of course, I can't find it now via search, but it was within the last few months) It just looked sketchy and wrong. The wording made me think they were pulling my pants down.

OK, this is probably an unpoopular opinion, because a lot of people have a lot of time invested in different price points and the psychology behind them... But I like to just keep it simple.

Just my as a paying customer...

[The Porn Nerd]

Originally Posted by OneHungLo

You'll double your money by dropping that 30-day nonrecurring. And you'll make even more by adding a 6-month nonrecurring option. Whatever you do drop that 30-day nonrecurring. That's killing your income.

I am dropping it starting this month (March) and will judge over the course of several months but I tend to agree with your assessment.

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Personally, when I join up to a site (which I actually do reasonably often) I look for a straight forward joining system.

I just like a monthly fee, a 3 OR 6 month fee, and perhaps a yearly fee. Simple - As someone who signs up to sites, I feel that anything else is just attempted confusing trickery / fuckary.

People are not completely stupid - They know they can cancel the first months fee straight away, and not get rebilled, still having a month to enjoy the site.

Once you have too many options, that make someone stop and do maths before signing up, you are losing customers.

I made a thread recently about 'Sindrive' charging a one time 'Signup Fee' for 'admin' - (Of course, I can't find it now via search, but it was within the last few months) It just looked sketchy and wrong. The wording made me think they were pulling my pants down.

OK, this is probably an unpoopular opinion, because a lot of people have a lot of time invested in different price points and the psychology behind them... But I like to just keep it simple.

Just my as a paying customer...

I think the number of options is definitely a factor. I currently have four pricing options but will be reducing that to three (monthly recurring, six month and one year recurring). Trying to keep it simple stupid (KISS method lol).

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by The Porn Nerd

I think the number of options is definitely a factor. I currently have four pricing options but will be reducing that to three (monthly recurring, six month and one year recurring). Trying to keep it simple stupid (KISS method lol).

Exactly - The last thing you wanna be doing is working out the best option, when all you wanna do is get to the content...

Plus, there's always a bit of reverse psychology going on (in a bad way) when people see a recurring AND non recurring option. Perhaps its supposed to make the punter think - OK, I pay an extra few bucks, but I dont need to cancel - But to many is says - Hold on - If I DONT choose that option, IS IT GOING TO BE HARD FOR ME TO CANCEL? And again, that kills the mood...

Anyway, back to Sindrive. Had they just said that its 39.99 a month, I may well have just signed up for the month and canceled in a few days time... Likewise had it said 39.99 but recurs at a discounted 24.99 from next month on, I may have well have signed up and NOT cancelled a few days later...



But because the have it as some kinda bogus 'Signup Fee' which makes ZERO sense, either to me as someone in the know, or me as a paying punter - I chose NOT to join instead... Their loss

[djroof]

Originally Posted by NatalieK

ok, first, you´re asking why many members join the monthly & then cancel...

retention, how many updates are you giving? one week to another, do these sales to cancel differentiate?

update daily & your trial to normal month fee is wrong...

should be trial to non recurring...

9.95 Trial 7-days Recurring 39.95 monthly
29.95 Recurring monthly
39.95 One month non recurring
69.95 3 months recurring
99.95 6 months recurring

although, i think too high for monthly, why not drop to 24.95

9.95 Trial 7-days Recurring 29.95 monthly
24.95 Recurring monthly
29.95 One month non-recurring
59.95 3 months recurring
109.95 12 months recurring <<<< "this can work better than 6mth"


and how about offering 50% discount on cancellation to continue...

monthly $12.49 half price discount...



I have many fans continue with the discounted cancelation subscription

Damn so good analysis ;)

[NatalieK]

Originally Posted by djroof

Damn so good analysis ;)

although, agreeing with dropping the one month non recurring, if the customer wants to cancel, they can & this would give less choice, less confusion as thepornnerd mentioned...

keeping it simple always is a good idea

[OneHungLo]

Originally Posted by The Porn Nerd

I am dropping it starting this month (March) and will judge over the course of several months but I tend to agree with your assessment. .

I think they just pay the premium to not get zapped for $300 bucks for forgetting to cancel.

I've thought about removing the nonrecurring 6-month but that money is too good. You'll be shocked at the number of people that go for it.

I just checked my stats and that 6-month membership option is 20% of my sales.

So if you're doing 1,000 sales a month at $30.00 a month = $30,000.00

That same month could look like 800 sales x $30.00 = $24,000 + 200 sales x $99.00 = $43,800.00

It's a big jump.

Update this thread in a month or two and report back how surprised you are that people are grabbing that 6-month nonrecurring.