Awilum

Choice of limitations will depend on the specific features and capabilities of Waterhole and the target audience you have in mind. It's important to strike a balance that provides value to free tier users while still incentivizing the upgrade to a paid plan for larger or more professional communities.

Variants:

1. Limit the number of user accounts: You could restrict the number of user accounts that can be created on the free tier. This limitation can help ensure that the free tier is suitable for smaller communities or personal projects while encouraging larger communities to upgrade to a paid plan.

2. Limit forum activity: You could set limits on the frequency or volume of forum activity for the free tier. For example, you could restrict the number of posts, comments, or topics that can be created within a certain time frame. This limitation would allow smaller communities or hobbyists to engage in discussions while still encouraging more active or professional communities to consider a paid plan.

3. Nerf the groups functionality: If your forum software offers advanced features like user groups or permissions, you could limit the functionality of these features on the free tier. For instance, you could restrict the number of user groups that can be created or limit the permissions available to free tier users. This limitation would ensure that more complex or enterprise-level community setups require a paid plan.

4. Restrict access to advanced features: Consider offering a stripped-down version of the software for free, with access to only the essential features. This can help differentiate between hobbyist communities and more serious ones that require advanced functionality such as custom themes, advanced moderation tools, or integrations with external services. The free tier can act as a gateway, enticing users to upgrade to a paid plan for access to these premium features.

5. Limited customization options: Restrict the level of customization available on the free tier. For example, you could provide a set of pre-defined themes or templates, limiting the ability to customize the forum's appearance, colors, or branding. Advanced customization options could be reserved for paid plans, appealing to businesses or communities that require a unique and branded forum experience.

6. Reduced support options: Differentiate the support provided based on the tier. For the free tier, you could limit the support to community forums or documentation, while offering more personalized support options like email or live chat exclusively for paid plans. This would ensure that users who require dedicated support or faster response times are encouraged to upgrade.

Toby, I have a question regarding price models. Could you please take a look at the price models for Craft CMS and Statamic? They seem to be a little more user-friendly, but ultimately the decision is up to you.

Nice project Toby!