Selling themes - what terms?

[srichards]

I'm considering selling themes for wordpress, drupal, blogger etc that I have created with Artisteer. What concerned me is the customer service aspect. I don't really want to end up being unpaid IT support for any one that struggles to follow simple instructions on how to use said themes....

Should I a) limit sales to Business so DSR and all that doesn't really apply and business users are considered a bit more savvy on what they can or can't do and have tough policy that states everything is 'as is' with one of those software wordings that take no responsibility whatsoever for any consequential destruction or problems etc?

or b) just offer a no quibble refund option on the lines of 'If you are unable to install the theme following the instructions then a full refund will be given'. I'd also like then to not sell to the same person again if they have already had a refund to prevent people from just buying them, using them and getting a refund. Asking for some kind of proof might just complicate things and probably wouldn't prevent those that are determined to not pay.

Of course I'm making the great assumption anyone wants to buy them in the first place!

Any ideas on what the best approach is?

 

[Harlequin565]

Have a look on Themeforest - in particular at the comments.

There are quite a few people who have issues installing themes, and the developer response is usually "if you can't get it working, give me your username/password and I'll do it for you". No clue how/if this works or puts people off.

Some (better supported) themes have a website (just a one-pager) with FAQ's etc.

If you write a detailed readme though, folks should not have a problem.

Ian.

 

[bass_junkie83]

I'm not web savvy so this might not be the done thing. But can you not sell the themes, and then sell basic, or varying levels or support packages to cover people of various skill levels? Assuming you have the time to give the support that is.

 

[srichards]

I don't have the time to give the support and it becomes exponential with a creeping remit.... I speak from experience and experience of fellow IT support people. You help people with one thing and suddenly they want help with all manner of things.

It was going to be a niche shop just to make more use of software I already had really.

You'd be amazed at just how lost some people can be with even what you think are completely idiot proof instructions... again I speak from experience. I would refer to the theme installation instructions on the software provider's site rather than write my own for this reason.

I suppose the other alternative is to offer premium themes that are one offs and for that customer only and charge a much, much higher fee and negotiate expensive support... doesn't generate the time to do it though.

I shall check out themeforest