In need of professional selling advice (Java program)

General Discussions
#1

Hello everyone!

I wish to get some professional selling advice, as to if my recent Java program (not a game) can be sold or not…

First of all, I want to know if there is any demand on products such as Web Crawlers, on the market? Or, maybe if there is any demand on such things as custom GUI components (with which I have made the Web Crawler)?

Facts about the Web Crawler:

  • You can specify which mode to use. Either if it is to gather only URLs, only E-mail addresses or as default both of them.
  • The program displays the gathered information in its JTextArea (located in one of the programs many panels).
  • Whenever an amount of 1000 gatherings have been made, it will save the current information in the JTextArea to a .TXT file, and reset the JTextArea. If there already is a file with that specific name, it will just save as something different.
  • The program contains 9 different color-themes, which you can choose for yourself.
  • The crawling can be stopped and turned on whenever you like, but yet it will only start at the programs current URL.
  • An .XML file has been created to store the default URL to start with.

Here is some pictures of the program:

http://www.uploadyour.info/uploads/images/webcrawler147455.png

http://www.uploadyour.info/uploads/images/webcrawler24196.png

http://www.uploadyour.info/uploads/images/webcrawler392950.png

http://www.uploadyour.info/uploads/images/webcrawler478489.png

http://www.uploadyour.info/uploads/images/webcrawler523511.png

http://www.uploadyour.info/uploads/images/webcrawler671101.png

So, if you have any idea on this with the market, feel free to reply.

NOTE: Apparently the images went a little bit strange at the upload site, so if you wish to see a better image, please go to the referenced URL, and resize it. Another note is that, if the program is going to be sold, I will have to change some parts of it. :slight_smile:

Thank you,
Semaphore.

#2

You can sell any product for any price.

Making the product is step 1, marketing is step 2.

Never underestimate step 2.

#3

Yep, I understood that. But, do you have any suggestions for how to get out on the market… Or how to get contacts that might be possible buyers. Should I like announce in the newspaper or something?

#4

Do you have a website for the product? I’d start by making a website, showcasing what it can do, post the screenshots you have above, and gets someone who knows what they are talking about to test it, review it, and talk about it.

Also, before you start selling it, you might want to release it as freeware to start, on a place like SourceForge. That way, you’ll get more people using it and talking about it. After it gains hype, then start charging.

#5

I agree with Riven but I’ll add: step 1.5 - identify your market.

Ask yourself who needs your product and why. Find potential clients and push the product to them. Look at similar products and see how they market themselves. &c.
It sounds harsh but; If you don’t know who your market is, then what did you write the software for?

#6

Okay, and thanks for the information. :slight_smile: I will see what I can do. I am also currently making a website for my stuff.