A pricing strategy is a defined plan that a business follows to set the prices of its products and services. A pricing strategy is essential for a business to meet its financial objectives, stay competitive, and extract value from the market. Pricing strategies take into account various factors such as production costs, market demand, competition, perceived product and brand value, and customer behavior. The chosen strategy aims to optimize revenue generation, maximize profit margins, and align with high-level business objectives. In this article we will lay out a handful of common pricing strategies.
This strategy involves setting prices by adding a markup to the cost of production (cost + markup = sales price). It ensures that all costs are covered and provides a consistent profit margin.
Businesses set their prices based on what their competitors are charging for similar products or services. This strategy aims to stay in line with market norms and can be effective in price-sensitive markets.
Prices are determined by the perceived value of the product or service in the eyes of the customer. Companies focus on the benefits and unique features they offer, allowing them to capture a share of the customer's perceived value. Comparing offerings to competitors within the market, soliciting feedback from customers, and testing the sensitivity of the market to price changes are all strategies used by businesses to help determine the perceived value of their offerings.
Prices are adjusted in real-time based on various factors such as demand, supply, seasonality, and competitor pricing. This strategy is common in industries like hospitality, travel, and e-commerce.
A company sets lower-than-market prices to quickly gain market share. The goal is to attract customers with competitive pricing and gradually increase prices or upsell additional products and services.
This strategy involves setting high initial prices to target early adopters and capitalize on the willingness of some customers to pay a premium for new or innovative products. Prices may be lowered over time to reach a broader market.
Businesses offer a basic version of their product or service for free while charging for premium features or advanced functionalities. This strategy is common in software, apps, and online services. LinkedIn, for example, is free for all users, but has additional features through their premium offering
Multiple products or services are combined and offered at a lower total price than the sum of their individual prices. This encourages customers to buy more items, increasing the overall transaction value.
Customers pay a regular fee to access a product or service over a defined period. This approach is common in industries such as streaming services, software, and online publications. This can benefit both the business and the customers. The business can achieve steady and predictable revenue, and the customer has continuous access to a product that is often being improved on an ongoing basis.
Prices are adjusted based on the geographic location of the customer. Factors such as shipping costs, taxes, and local market conditions influence the pricing strategy.
Temporary discounts, special promotions, or limited-time offers are used to stimulate sales and attract customers. This strategy is often employed during holiday seasons or to clear excess inventory.
A business can have multiple pricing strategies that they can apply to various product lines and revenue streams. Pricing strategies can also change over time. A business might determine that initially, they need to pursue a penetration pricing strategy to gain market share in a booming industry quickly. Once the company has established a foothold in the industry, it may increase the price of its core product but include a high-margin add-on for free or at a reduced cost (bundle pricing).