Pricing and Packaging for SaaS

Why Pricing and Packaging Can Make or Break Your SaaS

Riccardo Barana

4 min read

Pricing in the SaaS world is super important and can really make or break a company. As businesses work to strike the right balance between value and affordability, many are turning to flexible pricing models like tiered plans and freemium options. This not only helps attract a wider range of customers but also allows for some tweaking based on what the market wants. At the end of the day, a solid pricing strategy is all about understanding what your customers need and delivering clear value. So, let’s dive into some key points you should think about when shaping your pricing strategy.

1. Is Your Pricing Transparent? Make It Public, Make It Clear

First things first—one of the biggest mistakes SaaS companies make is keeping their pricing hidden or making it so confusing that potential customers just walk away. I can’t stress this enough: clear and public pricing is a must-have in today’s market.

Think about it from your customer’s point of view. No one wants to jump through hoops or get on a sales call just to figure out if they can afford your product. If you’re hiding your prices, you’re creating friction. And that friction? It’s leaving money on the table.

But it’s not just about posting numbers on a webpage. Your pricing needs to reflect the value of what you’re offering, while also considering your competitors and your buyer personas. That’s where most people get stuck. Should your pricing be tiered? Flat-rate? Pay-as-you-go? Is a freemium model the way to go? If you’re unsure, don’t worry—that’s what I love figuring out. By aligning your pricing with your customer’s expectations and the value they get from your product, you can unlock serious growth.

2. Who Are Your Customers, Really?

Here’s another big one: Who are you actually selling to? Not all customers are created equal, and understanding your customer segments is essential for getting your pricing right.

If you’re targeting small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), their needs and willingness to pay are going to be very different from an enterprise-level client. SMBs might want a low-cost entry point with the option to scale up as their business grows. Enterprises, on the other hand, expect premium features, top-notch support, and more customization—which often justifies a higher price tag.

Knowing this means we can tailor your pricing strategy to fit the market segment you’re aiming for. Maybe that’s a freemium model for startups and SMBs, or maybe it’s a customized, sales-assisted model for larger clients. Each customer segment has different purchasing behaviors, and by aligning your pricing with these, you can increase conversion rates and boost lifetime value.

3. What’s Your Market Position? And What Are Your Competitors Doing?

Your pricing has to match where you are in the market. Are you trying to position yourself as a premium solution, or are you more of a value-for-money contender? This can have a huge impact on how you price your product. If your brand is the “gold standard,” your pricing should reflect that. On the flip side, if you’re competing on affordability, you need to make sure you’re offering a value-packed deal.

And let’s not forget about your competitors. Keeping an eye on their pricing and packaging strategies is key to staying competitive. I’ve seen too many SaaS companies either underprice themselves because they’re not aware of what the competition is doing or overprice themselves and lose out on customers. We’ll make sure you’re neither.

4. Already Have a Product? Let’s Use Data to Refine Your Pricing

If you already have a product on the market, congratulations—you’ve got a treasure trove of data! And trust me, that data can unlock some big pricing wins. We’ll dive deep into product usage patterns to see which features your users are actually using and, more importantly, which ones are driving the most value (and revenue).

For example, if you’ve got one feature that’s an absolute game-changer for your customers, it might make sense to shift your pricing to highlight that. Or maybe your customers are consistently converting during a certain point in your free trial—should we shorten or extend it? These little tweaks can make a big difference.

5. Combining Everything: Choosing the Right Pricing Model for You

Here’s where things get fun for me Every SaaS business is unique, and there’s no cookie-cutter approach to pricing that works for everyone. It’s about combining everything we’ve talked about—who your customers are, where your brand sits in the market, how your product is used—and coming up with a pricing model that fits.

Should you offer a free trial or maybe a reverse trial, where customers start with premium features and then downgrade unless they pay? Or is a sales-assisted model better for larger clients? Maybe a subscription model with some pay-as-you-go features would work for you. There are so many possibilities, and that’s where my mind lights up. I love helping SaaS founders piece together the perfect strategy.

Let’s Make Pricing Work for You

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by your pricing or unsure if you’re leaving money on the table, you’re not alone—and I’m here to help. Pricing and packaging might seem daunting, but trust me, once we dig into the data, analyze your market, and figure out the right strategy, you’ll feel a weight lifted.

So, whether you need help analyzing what’s working (or not working), coming up with a new pricing model, or just want someone to bounce ideas off of, I’m ready when you are. Feel free to reach out—I’m excited to help you take your SaaS business to the next level!