Don’t make me think about it. That should be your approach if you’re just starting out.

I ran into a very useful web app today and wanted to get started. It’s a web app in a world of web apps - getting started in 30 seconds can safely be assumed. I wasn’t even going to check the pricing, but since it was a primary tab in the menu, I glanced. Then I left.

I’ll come back again, especially since I might have use for the service. But for now, I’m gone. Too many features scattered across too many pricing tiers.

The last ten percent…

There is nothing wrong with pricing tiers. We upgrade our iPods based on a need for more space or less size (2 moving variables). Your features make your user experience. If you bury them in 3 of your 5 service levels, then 40% of your users will never get your experience.