Boring but important - selling a download product for Windows

[Graham Samuel]

Thanks Tom, all good advice, most of which I am following, although I am starting with the zipped version of the installer (made with innoSetup and code signed). The trouble with trying to ignore Norton is that it’s used a lot, and for those that have it installed, the instructions to reach “download it anyway” are messy. But I take your point, and maybe we should just go back to the basic installer. I’ll see how it goes.

I suppose the sad part of all this is, like many LiveCoders, I am happy with program design, coding and testing, after many years in many different environments, but I find these deployment issues a massive diversion. Payment systems are another one of these - I say this because I got caught with the demise of Kagi.

Well, it’s all educational, and next time I suppose it won't seem so terrible.

Graham

> On 23 Jan 2017, at 18:01, tbodine via use-livecode <use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi all.
> 
> Here's what I've learned from many years of providing PC downloads:
> 
> * Email attachments are heavily filtered and rightly so. Use this only as a
> last resort for delivery of a program.
> * These days, fewer people are willing to download a trial version, in part
> due to Norton, but also many organizations' IT block all downloads. If you
> provide both a good, fast demo video and a trial version download, then
> users can choose what works and is comfortable for them.
> * Once a person buys your product, she is much more committed to downloading
> your product and will be less put off by obstacles. But expect to provide
> some support or guidance.
> * The big value of code signing is it's a mark of professionalism and
> usually reduces OS suspicion. I agree it is a slight that Norton treats
> small developers and new releases as dubious. But, remember, Norton isn't on
> all machines, so don't let Norton guide all your decisions.
> * I use a traditional installer (Innosetup) because it looks professional,
> ensures the app is installed with admin rights and into the right location,
> displays a license and readme doc, creates desktop shortcut to the app, and
> includes an uninstaller (also code signed). 
> * For download links, avoid redirects and use an https or other secure
> connection method to link to your download files. It helps establish trust
> if your download file is on the same domain as your site.
> * Fifteen years ago, download sites were useful. Today, they compete with
> your site for search engine visibility and sometimes repackage your app with
> their own installers that add adware or malware. Avoid!
> 
> Hope that helps.
> Tom Bodine
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
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