Flat Pricing vs Tiered Pricing
When to use a simple flat price and when to introduce multiple options
When you're starting out, one of the first pricing decisions you'll make is:
Should I just give my product one simple price... or should I offer multiple packages?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — both approaches work. It depends on the product you're selling, your audience, and your business goals.
Flat Pricing
This means your product has one price, one version, and one promise. It’s the easiest to understand — and often the best way to launch your first digital product.
When flat pricing works best:
- You’re selling a single, clearly defined product (like an ebook, checklist, or template)
- You want to launch quickly and test market response
- Your audience is still small or early-stage
- You want to reduce decision fatigue for new buyers
Example:
You sell a Notion template for $19. Everyone gets the same product, with no upsells or versions. That’s flat pricing.
Tip: Flat pricing is a great way to test demand before adding extra features, bonuses, or bundles. Launch simple, then evolve based on feedback.
Tiered Pricing
This means offering multiple packages — often at different price points — to give customers options. It works well when you have more content, more features, or different levels of value to offer.
When tiered pricing makes sense:
- You want to increase average order value (AOV)
- You can bundle products, bonuses, or services
- You want to anchor one price next to another (psychology!)
- Your product solves more than one type of need
Example:
You're selling a digital course. You offer three packages:
- Starter: $29 – Just the core training
- Pro: $59 – Training + templates + bonus content
- VIP: $99 – Everything above + 1-on-1 coaching call
Most people will go for the middle option — which is exactly what you want if it delivers the best balance of value and revenue.
Tip: Highlight the middle tier as the “Best Value” option to guide purchasing decisions. Use icons, color, or a short sentence to make it stand out.
Our Experience at Entrepedia
When we launched Entrepedia, we started with one flat pricing model for the Master Library. At the time, it made sense — we had a collection of ready-to-use digital products, but we didn’t yet offer anything extra that would justify tiered pricing.
But something happened as our audience started using the products.
We began receiving the same types of messages almost daily:
“How do I use these products?”
“Where do I sell them?”
“What should I charge?”
“How do I design an ebook cover?”
That’s when we realized our customers didn’t just need products — they needed guidance.
So we created a second tier: Master Library Pro — a more expensive version that includes everything from the Basic plan, plus detailed guides on pricing, selling, branding, automation, and more. We didn’t just raise the price. We raised the value.
This change immediately:
- Increased our average order value
- Reduced repetitive support questions
- Gave our customers a clearer success path
Pricing isn’t static. It should evolve with your audience. As you gather feedback, think about how to turn questions into upgrades and confusion into clarity. That’s where your next pricing tier lives.
Can You Switch From One to the Other?
Yes — and you should. Most creators start with flat pricing, then move to tiered once they’ve validated their product and built more assets.
Example: You start with an ebook. Later, you add a workbook, video lessons, and private community. Suddenly, you have a multi-tier product ready to go.
Pro Tip: Keep track of what extras your customers ask for. That’s your roadmap for creating higher-priced tiers later.
As you decide how to price and package your offer, keep one key idea in mind: people buy clarity, not complexity. Your job is to make the buying decision feel easy. If one simple price does that, perfect. If offering two or three clear options helps your customer feel confident, that’s just as effective.
The pricing structure you choose matters just as much as the number you assign to it. Whether it’s flat or tiered, your price should feel like a smart, simple, and undeniable yes — especially when it’s backed by real value and helpful guidance.
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