If you think about your smart phone, whether it be the iPhone or the G1 or the Palm Treo or whatever it is nothing more than a computer you can hold in your hand.  And because it is a mobile computing device, any software that is written for the desktop computer can be transformed into something for the mobile device.

Same applies with marketing.

Software companies take one of three approaches when it comes to marketing their software.

The first approach:  30 Day Trial.  For those that don’t know, the “30 day trial” involves downloading software and having full use of it for 30 days.  For free.  Once 30 days have expired, a pop-up window blocks you from using the software and asks for a certain dollar amount.

The second approach:  Limited Use.  This software usually has an unlimited trial period but can only do a fraction of what the real software does.  It’s limited.  Once you purchase the software, the author typically provides you with a number or code to unlock the software and have full access to it’s capabilities.

The third approach:  Offer a ‘lighter’ version for free.  Once people play around with it, get to like it, then they can buy the “Professional” or “Pro” version of the software.

For my product, I wish I could tell you that the debate over which model to follow was hard-fought, exhausting and calculated.  But truth of the matter is:  Apple decided for us.

Apple won’t allow 30 day trials or Limited Use software on their iPhone.  It either works or it doesn’t go on.  With that, it was to offer the “Lite” version.

To be honest, the third option seems to be the least amount of headaches.  Don’t have to worry about someone who forget their password or their key to unlock their software.  Tracking receipts?  Not necessary.  You either have Lite or you either have Pro.

Also I believe the Lite version fits more with today’s market.  We seem to be all about “FREE”.  Free software, free books, free games, free hot dogs.  People talk about “Free”.  This leads directly into viral marketing.  The more you spread your application around, the more people are using it, the more exposure it gets.

Also this model can easily be retrofitted to apply for the Windows Mobile or G1 smart phones when the software is released for those.

Coming very soon. 

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