infoTECH Feature

September 19, 2017

Surprising Places to Find Discount Software Online

Chances are whether you are a student, business, or working professional, you are going to need to buy software to help with a project. Buying just two or three programs can leave with a hefty bill. Fortunately, there are several different ways to save. In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to be a clever consumer and get the best deals possible. Below is the guide on how to save time and money when looking for discount software online.

Comparison shopping:

Comparison shopping is one of the most accessible and important ways you can save a lot of money. By comparison shopping, you not only are able to see what the software market can generally offer, but you can also potentially leverage lower prices you find at one retailer to convince other ones to lower their prices in response (see if they offer any sort of price matching program).

Comparison shopping is something that can be done by visiting various retail stores in person or by comparing different retail outlets online. There are several unique websites available that will help you compare numerous retailers at once. Google (News - Alert) Shopping is a great example and is one of the clearest ways to find big savings.

Begin with a trial version:

Even if you already know that you want to buy the full version of a given software product, starting with the trial version can often help you pay much less in the end. Many software providers (such as Adobe, Apple (News - Alert), and Microsoft) want to supply you with the trial version of their product first in order to get you “hooked”. Once your software trial is close to expiring, they will then likely offer you the full version at a steeply discounted price that you may not have been able to originally acquire. Playing hard to get actually works.

Follow the manufacturer on social media:

Nowadays, essentially all major software retailers realize just how important is for them to establish a social media presence, and because of this, they will frequently offer dramatic discounts that are only available to their followers. Not only will liking a company on social media help you stay up to date with their latest news and developments, but they will offer you a lot of creative opportunities to essential “work” for a discount.

Examples of this include opportunities where by simply ‘liking’, ‘sharing’, or otherwise engaging in software companies’ social media posts, you can acquire various product discounts. By simply following these companies on Facebook (News - Alert), Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and elsewhere, you can unlock a plethora of new opportunities.

  • Creating an ongoing dialogue with the manufacturer can also help you be able to buy directly from them at a discount more easily.

Take advantage of open license opportunities:

Most software providers are hoping as many people will be engaged in and using their products as possible. Because of this—and because of their ongoing desire to provide discounts for certain groups of people—they will often offer a number of unique open license opportunities.

Some of these open license opportunities include a number of options available exclusively for the specific fields of:

  • Business
  • Government
  • Non-profits
  • Education

If you work for a business or if you are student, you are a part of a group that can utilize a tremendous amount of leverage for collective savings. Furthermore, if you work for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you can find unique opportunities that will offer you tailor-made open license software and save money in a way that is not always available to the general public. Contact your software provider for more information.

Buy directly from a certified reseller:

Certified resellers are Microsoft’s (News - Alert) preferred channel for distributing its products, and because of this, officially licensed Microsoft partners are often able to offer incentive opportunities that other software providers can’t beat. Not only can certified resellers provide you with some of the best deals available, but they can also provide you with the source of knowledge and security you deserve when buying software.

Take advantage of bulk discounts:

As is normally the case in the world of business, the more you buy, the more you can save. Businesses and large organizations across the world have come to realize that buying in bulk is the quickest way to decrease their cost per unit. But even if you are in only in need of software for a few computers, you can still dramatically decrease these costs as well.

  • Microsoft Office is licensed to be used on up to 3 computers. Instead of buying three different versions of Microsoft Office, you can install it on multiple computers or organize a group of friends together (in essence, this is worth a 67% discount).

Buy only what you need:

Many software packages will try to force you to buy a very wide array of products all at once—but sometimes these packages disguise themselves as lucrative savings opportunities when in reality you end up paying more. Before you decide to purchase any software, ask yourself, “What am I going to need this for? Will I ever actually use these features?”

  • Depending on what it is that you need to do, most versions of software from five or even ten years ago will work perfectly fine. Because these are no longer the newest edition available, many software dealers consider these overstock and want to get them off their shelves as soon as possible. Check around and see if they are willing to sell them to you at a significant discount.

These are just some of the ways you can easily save a lot of money when purchasing new software. Getting the best deals on software involves creativity, a willingness to look further, and awareness of the places where the best discount opportunities may lie. Though you will have to do a little more legwork, this guide can get you started and pointed in the right direction.

About the Author: Stephen Marshall is a Director of LMG Solutions with extensive experience in marketing and financial services in Meridian, Idaho. My work has been featured and mentioned in a wide range of publication, including Tweak Your Biz, Mobile Business Insights, Social Nomics, Small Biz Club, Energy Central, Dzone, Biz Community, Blog Her and more.




Edited by Mandi Nowitz
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