monetization

# Monetization Strategy End-to-end monetization guidance for Apple platform apps — from "should I charge?" to "here's your pricing page structure." Sub-skills in this category: `external-purchases/` (US web checkout via the External Purchase Link entitlement, commission-flip architecture) and `bundles-and-licensing/` (own-app bundles, Family Sharing, cross-developer suites, institutional volume licensing). Route there when the question is beyond the single-app price tag. ## When This Skill Activates Use this skill when the user: - Asks "should I monetize my app?" or "is my app ready to charge?" - Wants help choosing between freemium, subscription, or one-time purchase - Needs pricing tier recommendations - Asks about free trial strategy - Wants to plan monetization for a specific app type (kids, therapy, productivity, etc.) - Mentions "pricing", "revenue model", or "how to make money from my app" - Wants to understand Apple's commission structure ## Process ### Phase 1: Readiness Assessment Before recommending a pricing model, evaluate whether the app is ready to monetize. Ask these questions via AskUserQuestion: **1. App Stage** - Pre-launch (idea/prototype) - Beta / TestFlight - Live with users (< 1K) - Live with traction (1K+ users) **2. Value Proposition** - What problem does your app solve? - Who is the target user? - What alternatives exist (including doing nothing)? **3. Current State** - Do you have active users? - What's your retention like? (Day 1, Day 7, Day 30) - Are users asking for features / willing to pay? #### Readiness Scorecard Evaluate against these criteria: | Signal | Ready | Not Ready | |--------|-------|-----------| | Core value | Clear, differentiated | Still finding product-market fit | | User retention | D7 > 20% | D7 < 10% | | User feedback | "I'd pay for this" | Silence or complaints | | Feature depth | Enough for free + paid split | Everything feels essential | | Competition | You offer something unique | Commodity feature set | | Polish | Professional quality | Rough edges everywhere | **Recommendation thresholds:** - 5-6 Ready signals → Monetize now - 3-4 Ready signals → Soft-launch pricing (low price, gather data) - 0-2 Ready signals → Focus on product first, monetize later ### Phase 2: Pricing Model Selection Based on app type and user behavior, recommend the right model. #### Decision Framework ``` Is the app used daily/weekly? ├── YES → Does it provide ongoing value? │ ├── YES → SUBSCRIPTION │ └── NO → ONE-TIME PURCHASE (with optional tip jar) └── NO → Is it a utility/tool? ├── YES → ONE-TIME PURCHASE or FREEMIUM └── NO → Is it content-based? ├── YES → SUBSCRIPTION or CONSUMABLE IAP └── NO → FREEMIUM with premium unlock ``` #### Model Comparison Read **pricing-models.md** for detailed comparison of each model: - Subscriptions (auto-renewable) - One-time purchase (paid upfront or freemium unlock) - Consumable IAP (credits, tokens) - Non-consumable IAP (feature unlock) - Tip jar / patronage - Ad-supported with premium upgrade #### App-Type Recommendations Read **app-type-guides.md** for specific guidance by app category: - Productivity / task management - Health / therapy / wellness - Kids / education - Creative tools - Social / community - Developer tools - Finance / budgeting ### Phase 3: Tier Structure Once a model is selected, design the tier structure. #### Subscription Tiers (if applicable) **Two-tier structure** (recommended for most indie apps): ``` FREE PRO ($X.99/mo or $XX.99/yr) ───────────────────── ───────────────────────────── Core functionality Everything in Free Limited usage/storage Unlimited usage Basic features Advanced features Priority support (optional) Early access to new features ``` **Three-tier structure** (for apps with clear user segments): ``` FREE PLUS ($X.99/mo) PRO ($XX.99/mo) ──────────── ────────────────── ────────────────── Basic use Power user Professional/team Ads/limits No ads, more quota Unlimited + extras ``` #### Pricing Psychology - **Anchor pricing**: Show yearly first to make monthly look expensive - **Price ending**: Use .99 for < $10, round numbers for premium ($19, $29) - **Yearly discount**: 15-40% off monthly equivalent (sweet spot: ~30%) - **Decoy effect**: Three tiers where middle looks like best value - **Regional pricing**: Use App Store price tiers for automatic localization #### Free vs. Paid Feature Split The hardest decision. Follow these principles: **Free tier should:** - Demonstrate the core value proposition - Be genuinely useful (not a crippled demo) - Create natural upgrade moments ("you've hit the limit") - Let users invest time/data before hitting the paywall **Paid tier should:** - Unlock power/convenience, not basic functionality - Feel like "more of what you love" not "removing annoyances" - Include at least one "hero feature" worth paying for alone **❌ Bad splits:** - Free: Can view data → Paid: Can edit data (feels hostile) - Free: 3-day trial → Paid: Everything (no ongoing free value) - Free: Everything → Paid: Remove ads (weak value prop) **✅ Good splits:** - Free: 5 projects → Paid: Unlimited projects + templates - Free: Basic tracking → Paid: Insights, trends, export - Free: Single device → Paid: Sync across devices + widgets ### Phase 4: Free Trial Strategy #### Trial Types | Type | Best For | Apple Support | |------|----------|---------------| | Introductory offer (free) | Subscriptions | Built-in via App Store | | Introductory offer (discounted) | High-value subscriptions | Built-in via App Store | | Feature-limited free tier | Freemium apps | N/A (your logic) | | Time-limited full access | Productivity apps | Built-in via App Store | #### Trial Duration Recommendations | App Type | Trial Length | Reason | |----------|-------------|--------| | Daily-use productivity | 7 days | Quick to see value | | Health/fitness tracking | 14 days | Need time to build habit | | Creative tools | 7 days | One project cycle | | Business/professional | 14-30 days | Need to integrate into workflow | | Education/learning | 7 days | One learning cycle | #### Trial Conversion Tactics 1. **Onboard to premium features** during trial (not free features) 2. **Show "trial ending" reminder** 2-3 days before expiration 3. **Highlight value received** ("You tracked 47 workouts this month") 4. **Offer annual option** at trial end (bigger commitment but better price) 5. **Win-back offer** if they don't convert (promotional offer after 30 days) ### Phase 5: Implementation Guidance After strategy is set, guide implementation. #### Apple Commission Structure | Scenario | Apple's Cut | You Keep | |----------|-------------|----------| | Standard (Year 1) | 30% | 70% | | After Year 1 of subscription | 15% | 85% | | Small Business Program (< $1M/yr) | 15% | 85% | | Small Business + Year 2 subscription | 15% | 85% | **Important:** Revenue calculations should always account for Apple's cut. A $9.99/mo subscription with Small Business Program = ~$8.49/mo to you. #### StoreKit 2 Implementation For code generation, refer users to the **paywall-generator** skill: ``` Use the paywall-generator skill to create: - StoreKit 2 subscription management - Paywall UI (SwiftUI) - Receipt validation - Subscription status tracking ``` #### Paywall UI Patterns (HIG-Compliant) **Do:** - Show feature comparison (free vs. paid) - Display price per period clearly - Highlight savings on annual plan - Include "Restore Purchases" button - Show terms of service and privacy policy links - Use system subscription views where available (iOS 18.4+) **Don't:** - Block the app immediately on launch - Use dark patterns (hidden close button, confusing language) - Make it hard to dismiss the paywall - Misrepresent subscription terms - Auto-select the most expensive option #### App Store Review Guidelines (Monetization) Key rules to follow: - **3.1.1**: In-app purchase required for digital content/features - **3.1.2**: Subscriptions must provide ongoing value - **3.1.3**: "Reader" apps can link to web for account management - **3.2.2**: Unacceptable business models (bait-and-switch, etc.) - **5.6**: Developer Code of Conduct (no manipulative tactics) ## Output Format Present monetization strategy as: ```markdown # Monetization Strategy: [App Name] ## Readiness Assessment **Score**: X/6 — [Ready to monetize / Soft-launch / Focus on product] | Signal | Status | Notes | |--------|--------|-------| | Core value | ✅/❌ | ... | | Retention | ✅/❌ | ... | | User demand | ✅/❌ | ... | | Feature depth | ✅/❌ | ... | | Differentiation | ✅/❌ | ... | | Polish | ✅/❌ | ... | ## Recommended Model **[Model Name]** — [One-line rationale] ## Tier Structure | Feature | Free | Pro ($X.99/mo) | |---------|------|-----------------| | ... | ✅ | ✅ | | ... | Limited | Unlimited | | ... | ❌ | ✅ | **Annual pricing**: $XX.99/yr (XX% savings) ## Free Trial **Type**: [Introductory offer / Feature-limited / etc.] **Duration**: [X days] **Conversion tactics**: [Bullet list] ## Revenue Projections (Conservative) | Metric | Estimate | |--------|----------| | Monthly price | $X.99 | | Annual price | $XX.99 | | Conversion rate (free→paid) | X-X% | | Revenue per 1K MAU | $XXX-$XXX/mo | ## Implementation Checklist - [ ] Configure products in App Store Connect - [ ] Implement StoreKit 2 (use paywall-generator skill) - [ ] Design paywall UI - [ ] Set up introductory offers - [ ] Add analytics for conversion tracking - [ ] Test with StoreKit Configuration file - [ ] Submit for review ## Next Steps 1. [First action item] 2. [Second action item] 3. [Third action item] ``` ## References - **pricing-models.md** — Detailed comparison of all pricing models - **app-type-guides.md** — Category-specific monetization recommendations - **paywall-generator** skill — For StoreKit 2 code generation - **app-store** skill — For App Store description optimization - Apple App Store Review Guidelines §3 (Business) - Apple StoreKit 2 documentation