NONE: Re:.net business model
Re:.net business model
zapworks (zapworks_at_easynet.fr)
Sun, 25 Aug 96 00:58:12 -0000
>>George Harris writes:
(snip)
>>Given the huge momentum of free content on the web I can't see
>>subscriptions of (..) the $50 and
>>up genre becoming a major factor any time soon.
Tom Cunniff writes:
(snip)
>When publishers begin offering information of overwhelming value, we'll all
>line up with our checkbooks. What's more, we'll be thrilled to pay for it.
This argument is a little dated. The debate has moved on as it has become
clear that, just as in print, models are mixed. This is already evident
from those sites on the web which are free in part, with the best bits
saved for subscribers, a development which started with all those
pornography sites offering free teaser photos alongside their
subscription details. The practice already applies as I am sure most of
you are aware, to ESPN Sportsnet and will soon apply to Pathfinder with
the Fall launch of their subscription-only personalised version.
Meanwhile they will continue to run advertising throughout - and this
will continue to be based on impressions, unless and until we can
quantify the branding and cumulative effect of multiple exposures to a
banner - both which provide value to the advertiser without it actually
being clicked on.
And just as in print, you can be sure that there will be access to paying
content on a one-off basis - an ecash transfer to read a day's update of
a site, or check it out properly before subscribing for instance. How
many print magazines have you ever subscribed to without buying and
reading a single copy first?
This pay-per-view element of the developing Web business model will also
prove a real boon to those offering reference material to people
undertaking specific research, ie medical and pharmaceutical databases,
listings etc.
Even the dumbest of the dumb terminals, the French minitel, now has a
credit card reader to allow users to pay for a purchase online.
Consequently, content-providers (who are to be congratulated for their
courage in investing in the intelligent-agent-for-subscribers
technology), would be foolish to make their good stuff too inaccessible.
One day soon, people will want to purchase a trial visit, or be able to
just buy a look around from time to time.
Mark Dolley
"And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!"
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