What Is Tiered Pricing Model And How To Use It 

Tiered pricing offers a flexible pricing strategy that can help businesses maximize revenue. 

Pricing strategies are critical to any business. They influence profitability, customer behavior, and overall business success.  

In fact, according to a McKinsey study, a proper pricing strategy can account for 15 to 25 percent of a company’s total profits. 

One such strategy is tiered pricing. It appeals to a broader customer base by providing options that cater to various needs. 

In this article, we will explore the concept of tiered pricing, its benefits, examples of how it is used in different companies, and how to create an effective tiered pricing strategy. 

What Is Tiered Pricing

Tiered pricing (also price tiering) is a pricing strategy where a product or service is offered at multiple price points, or “tiers,” based on specific features, usage limits, or customer needs.  

Each tier comes with different benefits, and customers can choose the one that best fits their needs and budget. 

The primary goal of the tiered pricing method is to target varying customer segments with options that cater to different needs, from basic and cost-effective packages to premium, feature-rich plans.

Benefits Of Tiered Pricing

Tiered pricing has benefits for both businesses and customers.

Tiered Pricing Benefits for Businesses

• Businesses can easily tailor pricing to meet the unique needs of various customer segments. 
• Tiered pricing models enable businesses to maximize revenue by offering customers different levels of value and features. 
• Businesses can efficiently accommodate both new and existing customers by adjusting pricing tiers. 
• Tiered pricing can enhance a company’s competitive position by attracting a wider range of customers with diverse budgets and requirements. 

Tiered Pricing Benefits for Customers

• Tiered pricing simplifies choices for customers, making it easier for them to select the most suitable option. 
• Customers can save money by choosing plans that fit their requirements and paying only for what they require. 
• Customers have a clear understanding of what they are paying for and can easily track their expenses.

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Tiered Pricing Vs. Volume Pricing

While tiered pricing is usually based on benefits, specific features, or usage limits, volume pricing is where the cost of a product or service is determined based on the quantity or volume purchased. 

Below are some of the key differences:

Tiered Pricing Examples In SaaS

The tiered pricing model is increasingly being adopted in subscription-based business models.  

Here are some examples of SaaS companies that use tiered pricing:

Salesforce Pricing Plans

Salesforce offers tiered pricing for its customer relationship management (CRM) software, catering to the needs of small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large enterprises. Their pricing scales with the number of users and the level of customization and features required.

Netflix Pricing Tiers

Netflix’s tiered pricing model allows customers to choose the plan that aligns with their budget and desired streaming quality and device-sharing needs. Their subscription plan includes basic, standard, and premium plans with different features and price points.

Mailchimp Pricing

Mailchimp, an email marketing platform, provides tiered pricing for its email marketing and automation services. Mailchimp pricing tiers are based on the number of subscribers or contacts and the level of functionality needed.

How Does Tiered Pricing Work

The tiered pricing model works as follows:

• Products or services are grouped into “tiers,” each with unique features and corresponding prices.  
• The value proposition of each tier is transparently communicated, highlighting the benefits of upgrading to higher levels.  
• Customers can select the tier that best suits their requirements and budget. Additionally, customers can easily upgrade or downgrade depending on their needs and budget.
• Businesses can change the components of the tiers as an ongoing monitoring and optimization to adapt to market changes and customer preferences. 
• Clear communication and transparency about the differences between tiers help customers make informed choices.

How To Create A Tiered Pricing Strategy

Creating a tiered pricing strategy involves a strategic approach to ensure that it aligns with your business goals and customer needs.

Here are five steps to guide you through the process:

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1. Begin by conducting market research to identify customer segments and understand their preferences.
2. Analyze the unique value your product or service offers to different segments and what features are most valuable to them.
3. Create differentiated tiers with apparent features and set prices that align with the perceived value for each segment.
4. Inform the customers about the new tiers, emphasizing their benefits and value.
5. Continuously monitor the market trends and customer behavior and adapt accordingly.   

Popular Three-Tier Pricing Strategy

The popular three-tier pricing strategy is a pricing model that categorizes products or services into three distinct tiers, each with its pricing and set of features.

This strategy is commonly used in SaaS (Software as a Service) and subscription-based services to cater to customer needs and maximize revenue.

Here are the three-tier pricing strategy:

1. Basic Tier: The Basic tier is typically the entry-level option for price-sensitive customers or those with minimal needs. It offers the core features or services necessary for basic functionality but may lack more advanced or premium features. The price for this tier is set at a lower, competitive point to attract a broad customer base.
2. Intermediate Tier: The Intermediate tier is the middle option, catering to a broader range of customers who need more features or services than the Basic tier offers. The price for this tier is higher than the Basic tier, which reflects the increased value and functionality.
3. Premium Tier: The Premium tier is the top-level option for customers requiring the most advanced features, top-tier support, or extensive customization. It offers a full suite of features and services of the product and is intended for high-value customers willing to pay a premium for the best experience.

When Can You Consider Tiered Pricing Model

A tiered pricing model can be effective in various business scenarios.  

Here are five critical considerations to determine when you should consider implementing a tiered pricing model:

Diverse Customer Segments

If your customer base consists of diverse segments with varying needs and willingness to pay, a tiered pricing model can help you cater to such customers effectively.  

By offering multi-tier pricing, you can effectively cater to the needs of each segment while charging them based on the features and benefits they get from the tiers.

Differentiated Features

A tiered pricing model can be suitable if your product or service offers different levels of features, usage, or customization.  

This approach allows you to charge customers based on their usage or the extent to which they require advanced features, ensuring they pay only for what they need.

Value-Based Pricing

Tiered pricing aligns with a value-based pricing strategy. If you can clearly articulate and quantify your product or service’s value to customers, you can design tiered pricing structures that reflect this value.

This allows customers to select the tier that aligns with the benefits they expect to receive.

How To Streamline Revenue Using Tiered Billing

Subscription businesses use tiered billing to streamline their revenue.

While tiered pricing focuses on setting products or services’ prices into different tiers, tiered billing, on the other hand, is a billing model that charges customers based on the tier they fall into within a pricing structure.

Tridens offers tiered pricing for its cloud billing software to cater to the needs of its wide customer base. Different features and functionalities are categorized to provide users with options based on their requirements.

The software makes tiered billing and payment collection easy to ensure customers have hassle-free payment while enjoying their subscriptions.

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