How many times have your themes been downloaded?

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Hello Concrete5 community! I was just hoping some of you out there might be willing to share some information about how many times your marketplace themes have been downloaded and how long they have been up.

We're thinking about putting up some new custom themes but would like to know how that's working out for people.

Honestly just curious.

goodsir
 
PineCreativeLabs replied on at Permalink Reply
PineCreativeLabs
I have a number of themes (and a couple add-ons) in the marketplace. One of mine is called 'FlexCRETE', and it was first added in November 2011 as a free theme. However, I changed it over to a paid theme in March 2012. During the time that it was free, I had exactly 1300 downloads. However, from March until now while it was paid, I have had less than 30 sales.

My other themes vary in the amount they've been purchased. I have a free theme called 'Fluid960' that has had hundreds of downloads since it was added a few months ago. However, by comparison, I haven't sold a single copy of a couple of my other themes in well over a month now, and one of my paid themes called 'Avant Garde' hasn't sold a single copy since it was approved about a month ago (ARRGG!!!).

I also have a FREE add-on called 'Circular Diagram' that didn't sell a single copy for MONTHS (was only charging $20 for it, too). I finally gave up and switched it over to free. Since I did that (about 2 months ago), I have seen about 100 downloads.

So, in short - it all varies, really.
Mnkras replied on at Permalink Reply
Mnkras
2 of my free themes (they have always been free)

Name Downloads

Boldy 3087
Destyle 4566

Both from November 2010

I can tell you that paid things don't sell aswell (obviously).

and that people don't donate (even if you stick in a nice donate button)

Mike
Ekko replied on at Permalink Reply
Ekko
Although I haven't used one of your themes on a build, I plan to, and just donated a bit so that you know your efforts are appreciated. I am sure others would like to do the same, maybe you just need to make the donate button big, and shiny.

Really big, and very shiny.
Mnkras replied on at Permalink Reply
Mnkras
Haha thanks,

I probably should make it bigger and shinier ;)

Thanks
Mike
PineCreativeLabs replied on at Permalink Reply
PineCreativeLabs
I should put a donate button on my free stuff, too.
MichaelG replied on at Permalink Reply
MichaelG
I've had some mild "success" with my themes.

I only have one free theme that's been in the MP for a little over a year. It's had 11k downloads.

I have some paid themes that have been in the MP for about as long, that have sold anywhere between 30-200 copies. One has been in the MP for only 2/3 months and has sold ~90 on its own.

Has a lot to do with the versatility of the theme (in terms of how many random types of businesses can use it), the quality level, and the features you include.

Additionally: If it's quality, the pricetag won't hurt. I've lowered a $50 theme to $30 for experimentation just to find out I got the same amount of downloads..
olliephillips replied on at Permalink Reply
olliephillips
Out of interest, on the stuff you make free in the marketplace, do you get support requests and if so how do you play that?

I've considered making a couple of add-ons free, but wouldn't want a high volume of downloads to create a support burden all of it's own.

I know there's no requirement to support the free themes/add-ons, but that on it's own won't prevent people asking/PMing.

Is it a problem?
JohntheFish replied on at Permalink Reply
JohntheFish
The only support requests I have received for free addons have been reporting one or two problems, so I have fixed them.

Personally I think you need to be prepared to support, because any negative vibes from lack of support could spill over onto paid addons.

If its something where it could get a bit complex to configure correctly, I wouldn't make it free.
tallacman replied on at Permalink Reply
tallacman
Take a look at the attachment. Guess which ones are free.

I actually fully support all my themes, even the free ones. Even to customizing them for free if Im in the mood and the person is nice. Sometimes users will make a recommendation for a theme and I'll add a special page that may be useful or an extra area they need.

Some folks know nothing about implementing a web site but may have a Mom and Pop business and just need a little boost. Again, if they're nice I'll sometimes set up the whole thing for them (with a paid theme). Its kind of like teaching a kid to ride a bike. You hold onto the seat while they get their balance.

Someone helped me originally and the forums are a great help. All free. Most of all concrete5 is free. If Franz hadn't come up with this Open Source idea I'd probably be working at Home Depot.
tallacman replied on at Permalink Reply 1 Attachment
tallacman
attachment:
Mnkras replied on at Permalink Reply
Mnkras
I tend to help out people if they are nice and its not major changes that they need, if it takes me more than a half hour, then I tend to say that it will cost a little.

Mike