'I never use (or even consider) a service that doesn't show it's price up front.'
Seems to be the default behaviour for people offering content services. Why I don't know, because all it does is make me not bother asking?
Seems to be the default behaviour for people offering content services. Why I don't know, because all it does is make me not bother asking?
(I'm a freelancer in the same space as this service):
Much like development, cost depends on the scope and complexity of the project. It can't be measured as a multiple of a single metric that can easily be displayed on a price grid.
Another reason to be coy about pricing is so that they can charge different rates to clients. Most content creators wouldn't charge Google the same as they'd charge bootstrapped new tech startup.
It's also possible they simply aren't interested in dealing with excessively price-conscious clients. The "if there are no prices, it's too expensive" approach isn't accidental. It's done on purpose to avoid having to deal with the lower end of the market. It sends a strong signal to the wrong sort of client.
I do something similar in freelancing work: I'm not interested in working for people who want me to write blog posts for $40 a pop, so I price myself way too high for this sector of the market. I also don't display prices because I don't have to — referrals and reputation are sufficient.
Then IMHO they should say that on the site and give some examples with ranges.
Better yet, add a price estimation tool. Something like this, for example:
> if there are no prices, it's too expensive
Could be my personal bias, but since it was a show HN it didn't seem to come over as that type of high end play.