Making WinCustomize subscriptions better...

Tell us what you'd like to see?

from WinCustomize Forums

Whether you're a current subscriber or not, what features of a subscription would make you more likely to subscribe?

WinCustomize subscriptions are currently $19.95 which last 1 year.  After that year, a user can renew for $19.95 which provides 2 additional years.

Subscriptions currently provide:

  • Access to the WinCustomize Premium Browser (program that is a front end to the overall site)
  • Two premium suites
  • Personal Pages (http://frogboy.wincustomize.com).
  • Personal Photo album storage
  • No advertismenets
  • Unlimited use of download bandwidth
  • Access to faster servers

What would be some good additions/changes to this do you think?

 

25,294 views 59 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been very happy with my subscription thus far. The only thing with which I was disappointed was the premium suites. They feel very dated to me. An update to those (or a new one or two) would be very nice additions to what you get. I think the biggest thing is getting new subscribers, as I imagine many of us who already are subscribed are pretty pleased with it.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
How about a choice of premium suites or skins?
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
How about a free WindowsBlinds, IconPackager or Object Desktop freebie for a loved one in your family for a gift? Premium suites are always nice too.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A free car to go with the subscription would be nice. Or possibly a weekend for two on some South Pacific Island.

I have no qualms about paying $19.95 for my subscription. The only item I think I'd like to see is the private instant message. Something else I'd like to see, but considering the numbers here probably isn't realistic, is a list of who's online. I know there's a SDC Chat area that provides both but it would be more convenient here.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am not a subscriber but am a current customer.
About the current incentives for subscribing:

I haven't had a chance to try the Premium Browser, but I doubt I would want to use a separate program just for one site. Is the Premium Browser MSIE based? I wouldn't want to use it for that reason, also, if that is the case. (I am not trying to start a browser quility discussion, it is just that I don't use MSIE unless I have to and am very fluent with Firefox, so that's what I'd want to use even as a subscriber.)

The premium suites also are not strong draws, again this is just my personal opinion. I have never bought one, but are they based on the same Theme Manager as the recent Skin Factory / Alienware suites? If so I would be deterred from trying them, as I found it conflicted somewhat with my other StarDock programs, especially on uninstallation. Plus, much of the enjoyment of customization is piecing together one's own suite from what you like--there are a lot of top-quality windowblinds and icon packages to play with for free.

Personal pages and photo albums are neat, but, once again not something I would want to spend money to have. In my experience viewing an artists skins or articles is all I need when I want to follow a name. And other than being associated with WinCustomize, the personal pages have little to offer than one could not get for free elsewhere.

As a current customer I have unlimited bandwidth already, and generally the files used for skins are so small that a faster server would not make a huge difference to me.

A benefit of subscription you do not mention is the ability to rate skins. In this case I do wish I had that.

I love WinCustomize and Stardock software. Use them both all the time. Great stuff. So great, in fact, that the free or customer access has so far been very sufficient for even my own avid needs.

So, now that I've said why I haven't subscribed, what would change my mind? A more thorough search feature, for the forums in particular, would be appealing (although hard to justify providing this to only subscribers). What about things like larger avatars, signatures with or without images, or interesting "titles"? Would you consider bundling some software (other than Premium Browser)? Say an extension of ODNT subscription, or a copy of ObjectDock Plus, or a game even.

Again, WinCustomize and StarDock offer such great services and products at the free and customer level, there is little I can think of to add to that which would justify an additional expenditure. I hope this doesn't encourage consideration of scaling back those features for the unsubscibed, though!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ditto on the premium suites here too. I think another one or two would be good.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I share BlueDev's suggestion.
An update to the current premium skins is long overdue and if there was a way to add a couple more premium skins and have the users choose two upon purchase of a subscription, I think that will draw extra attention.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
an additional subscription for totalgaming.net. But of course bring the price up to $20 - $40 dollars. (DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SUBSCRIPTION IS)

Let users have a chance to choose what they want in their subscription.

For example: let some of the features be paid for to make more money. Or let Wincustomize make a new site (the same as the original) but with different designs, more features etc...

when they choose what they want, add up all the things they chose, they will know how much it costs, and then there's the subscription!

It's like Burger King when the people chose what they want to eat and what soda they want to drink.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just read over the subscription info page: https://www.wincustomize.com/resources.aspx?cmd=3

One thing there really appealed to me, and that is the notification of comments and responses to forum posts.

I also agree with Developer Lantec about in house private messages.

Many of the current features are oriented towards the consumers of skins. What more could be offered to skin creators? Just throwing thoughts out there...
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
How about a choice of premium suites or skins?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am one of the happiest and satisfied subscribers. In my thought, Private Messaging, Signs, and New Titles (Like GM and Yarlen have ... longing for somethin like them) and Updation of Premium Suites would be greatest of all.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
More Honnerifics and updated/new premium suites.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
More storage space for photos
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have to agree with BlueDev and the lot, the Premium skins haven't been updated in years. Also, perhaps more than two?

Also, it might be nice to have some more choices for titles.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Only one thing for me...that the WC Browser would update itself as often as skins are uploaded to the gallery. I don't use the Browser because it's too much of a bother to continually update it. I just come directly to the site.

I love the fact that we can have our own sites!! To me, that is the biggest draw.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Going along with the concensus, I'd like an update or a couple of new suites. That would be killer!!!
As well, I agree with 47songs. I hardly ever use the WC Browser because it seems to be more of a hassle than a blessing. I end up just going to the site while I'm doing my other web-surfing. Why open up a program just to find out what's new on one site?
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree with Mr Beesley... I use the site rather than the premium browser as well for the same reason... and I agree with all the rest: premium suites/skins!!! Premium suites/skins would be my main reason to (re)subscribe. I would not want to insult the creators of the premium suites that currently come with the subscription, but in my opinion they are not of a "premium" level (and if I may be honest here: they never were, back in those days I was BUYING pixtudio suites which were far better, I would expect this level of premium suites at WinCustomize)... for now the only reason is that... well... it's just less then 10 bucks for a whole year...
BTW I must stop reacting only when I feel negative about Stardock. They deserve better. I'm using WindowBlinds for ages now and it has never disappointed me and the price for the whole Object Desktop suite is amazingly low (just like the WinCustomize subscription )

Martin
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
More storage space for photos


Thats a good idea for people like myself that are on their third subscription and haven't gotten any goodies since the first.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Refreshed premium skins/suites would be nice. Not sure private messaging would work, what if you wanted to send/receive messages with someone that isn't a subscriber? If that can be worked out, then that would be a nice feature. How about nice little icon next to (or below) our names whenever we post. I know there is one for those posting through the browser, but I don't use that (for similar reasons mentioned above)...so some sort of icon, for all subscribers posting here, that indicates we are either subscribers or supporters. Something along that line.

Thanks for asking us Brad...keep up the great work!
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
New premium suites sounds good, along with who is online too.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Additional premium skins/suites to choose from gets my vote.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Premium suites! I'd even help out with that, if there was a project in the works.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I too, put in my vote for more premium suites...

ohh and a free pizza wouldnt hurt