If any of you use
It could just be a part of the job, I guess its not that much in the grand scheme of things if we are trying to make some decent money, but I'm wondering if you have any shortcuts for this ? Some I'm sure you could develop, not sure how complicated it is though for some of that. I'm looking for some free stuff too, but paying for something that works is nice.
I kind of wish you could just pay one time for 20 dollars or something for the plugin would be nice.
Here's what I do:
-In the beginning, only use apps you ABSOLUTELY need.
-Do your initial testing - product testing, audience testing, ad testing - to figure out some benchmark KPIs such as your ROI and margins.
-Next, implement apps one at a time, and monitor its effect on your ROI. If it's worth it, keep it. If not, unsubscribe and test another app. That way you KNOW each app you're keeping, is pulling its weight and more.
Another big tip: Figure out what features you want, then check out a TON of apps that give you similar features and compare prices.
For example, some apps may offer several features you're looking for, at a lower price than if you were to subscribe to several different apps that EACH individually offers only one feature.
Hope that helps!
Amy
What Amy said above is the way I go too, when working with systems that rely on apps or plugins to make them fully functional or more complex.
Take wordpress for example, the core is free but as soon as you start adding the plugins, you quickly learn that any solid plugin charges for premium functions. If you take all of them, then yes, the monthly or yearly cost can quickly pile up.
That's why I try to avoid using those that I don't need from the get-go. Get the most important ones to achieve what you absolutely need, then decide whether it's worth it to purchase more.
As you said yourself: