I have an application called Super notebook. A super mario style lite version of DiyDict.The underlying concept is freedom. Let non-programmer do what a programmer can do. Customize everything in their handbook. A lite version was published under entertainment catalog. 3 days, It never got into TOP300 (productivity US). everyday about 100 downloads. Then I rejected the lite version, change the price of super notebook to free. Start an one day free experiment. 3 hours it got into top 80 (productivity US) and 24 hours it got into top 32 (productivity US) Why? They have the same description and screenshot. 1, Price change ( to free) has more visibility. 2, normal visibility of an application is terrible. I think the most crucial reason is that appstore do not have a good refund policy. 1, If customers can always get their money back( in 24 hours, developer do not lose 30%) they would try more product. average visibility will be improved. 2, There won't be so many 1 stars. (paid application only) I knew not everybody would like my application, but someone would love it. If a customer really hate my product, I don't want to get money from him. 3, There won't be so many applications in the appstore. nobody will make applications that are totally useless. average visibility will be improved. If customers could get refund in 24 hours, developer don't lose money. Customers would be happy, of course. Developers would be happy for long term profit. Average product quality would be improved. What do you think?
Sounds great to me - sucks for Apple though, more transactions and downloads for them to handle. So... I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to do it unless the competing stores/devices which do this start taking serious market share.
I think one app store has mandated free trials. Amazon, for instance, always lets you download two weeks worth of newspapers before charging you. We'll see as competition sets in.
