Hi Frank,

Module is looking really good by the way.  As to pricing, not sure what price "point" to suggest, but I can suggest a pricing model that would seem to be appropraite. 

I have seen some that are priced "per site" or "per portal" but that creates a real headache for anyone wanting to host other sites in their instance of DNN.  Unlimited use is obviouslyi out of the question as well.  Not only would it not allow you to earn fair compensation, but would undervalue the product and probably generate lots of tech support issues. 

Strange, but the ones who want to pay the least more often than not cause all the tech support calls.

Per DNN instance would seem to be the proper model as it would allow you to earn for each instance used on, and perhaps you could even integrate some sort of reporting mechanism (boy will that open a can-o-worms conversation) to allow you to verify it isn't being used on un-authorized instances of DNN.

If one wants to use it to support ecommerce for sites they host and/or develope based on DNN, then there could also be a "reseller" pricing model for those who wish to do sort of "one off" installs for others.

I know this all is probably clear as mud, but pricing is probably the most difficult issue you will face.

My vote is for a reasonably priced "per instance" model allowing the use of the module on a large number of sites, as long as they are all part of the same DNN instance/ install.   Then a "resale" option would be nice for those who develope custom business solutions based on DNN.

Here is some of your "competition":

Sysdatanet prices "per domain" ($189.00) and "per developer" ($999.00  with no limit on number of domains)

While this model would seem good, in my opinion it causes problems for those wishing to use such a solution in an "instance" setting where it would be possible to have lots domains.  For example, it is not uncommon for a business to have many domains pointing to one site.  That would mean that a site of xxx.com and xxx.net and xxx.org would have to pay three times (total of $567.00, half way to a developer license)  Obvoiusly not workable for many who know enough to use DNN but not enough to justify a Developer's license. 

The Developer model looks good, but would work better as a Per Instance model in my opinion.

Catalook is another good store.  I don't know much about it's pricing model as when I downloaded the trial verion (as with Sysdatanet) it was so complicted I gve up on it.  But is seems that the "Standard" installation is $59.00, the "Pro" version with booking is $99.00.  Don't know if that is per instance or per domain. 

Portal Store is a good store as well.  They use a "per server" pricing model that allows use on as many sites and instances as one wants, as long as they are all on the same physical server.  Not sure how that would work with Web Farms, etc. but it seems strong at $144.00 per license.

Express Lane Store appears to be only for DNN versions 3.x and below, but it is only $50.00 for the module.

Gumbosoft also has versions of an ecommerce solution.  From "Buy Now" button solutions to a simple "Cart" ranging i price from around $69.00 to $79.00 or so.  Not really comparable to AliCommerce, but gives some input as to pricing models.

I would include AspDotNet Storefront here, but it's pricing is way out of the range of most and seems to be more aimed at the "Enterprise" community at $495.00 per domain, and going up sharply from there.   Pro is $695.00 per domain, etc.  This seems to be for the "normal" AspDotNet installations.  I assume the DNN versions are comparable.

There are others, but In short, the AliCommerce solution (seems to me) would be a good match on a "per instance" pricing model around $80.00 to $100.00 or so.  You might be able to make a case for a limit of some number of portals per instance.  Per developer on a "reseller" basis would probably be a good match too, if you can figure out a pricing model that works there as well.

Clay

First off let me say at this point I am very impressed with AliCommerce.  I have to admit that I haven't been hitting it hard.  But in that sense I would have to say that many people that will be possible clients will want something easy and intuitive.  If I can get something up and running as quickly and with as little effort as I did that you have a good selling point.  Which of course brings me to the other looming issue of pricing.

There are a lot of ways to look at the pricing, the per instance option is a viable one.  Also I know that the subscription model seems to work rather well for several in the DNN Community.  Then you would have to consider the subscription length.  Of course if you plan on a model of multiple tiers for AliCommerce such as standard, Pro, Enterprise then you could modify the subscription based on length and version access.

The one thing at this point with the DNN community is that many still expect low to no cost modules.  This obviously is not an option, however the pricing model may want to include versions based on number of stores/items.  There will be many who will have small needs to begin with and may only need to carry  50 to 100 items.  While others may have a need to have many more.  Along with this thinking, you could price the module based on number of items the store will allow you to sell.  You also may want to look at a very limited edition that limits the user to 25 or 30 items that you give away as a trial/introductory module. 

At this point I would have to say I don't think there is any model that will make everyone happy, but there are obviously options that you have to play with.  In the end it boils down to what you need to keep this product going.  It fills a much needed place in the DNN arena.

Russ