Plugin Monetization Options Presented by Nick Ciske in General Track So you’ve released a free plugin, or want to release a paid plugin/add-on — what are your monetization options, and what are the pros/cons of each? I’ll cover my own experiences with sponsored plugins, building premium plugins (while running a consultancy), working for a premium plugin shop, and other lessons gleaned from the WordPress community.

2. FREE + DONATION
Good luck…

3. FREE (SPONSORED)
Salesforce WordPress to Lead

4. FREE CORE + EXTENSIONS
Easy Digital Downloads
WooCommerce

6. LIGHT + PRO + ADDONS
The Events Calendar + Pro + WooTickets
WP Migrate DB + Pro + Media Files

7. SAAS
Akismet
Scribe Content

8. FULL PREMIUM
Gravity Forms

9. ENTERPRISE
Auditor
RAMP

10. PLUGIN VS PLATFORM
Platform: Easy Digital Downloads
Plugin: Shopp

11. IDEAS FOR PLUGINS
Client work you do again and again
Scratch your own itch/dog fooding
Look for gaps in the market
Passion

12. THE GPL AND PREMIUM PLUGINS
What you can sell, what you can't:
Access + Support + Updates
Piracy
Repo and cripple ware
Obfuscation & Encryption

13. PRICING LEVELS
Cheap, cheaper, cheapest
Per site or unlimited
Developer
Club pricing
What does "Lifetime” mean? Is it a fools errand?
Woo debacle

14. HANDLING AUTO UPDATES
Easy Digital Downloads
SellWP
GitHub Updater Libraries

15. HANDLING SUPPORT
WP.org forum
Forum vs email
All you can eat vs pay per ticket
Minimizing support with FAQs, videos, and training

16. DEV FRIENDLY, USER FRIENDLY OR BOTH?
Who is your audience?
Who do you want to support?

17. SELLING PLUGINS YOURSELF
Easy Digital Downloads
WooCommerce
SellWP

18. MARKETPLACES
Code Canyon
Mojo

19. MARKETING
The hardest part!