Pricing Strategies: #1 Nuances in Pricing

Pricing Strategies: #1 Nuances in Pricing

When Clara first opened her digital printing shop, pricing was simple. She sold handmade greeting cards, planners, business cards, and other physical items at fixed label prices, individually and in bulk. One SKU, one price, one bill, and that's all it took.


But as business grew, people started using digital signage and boards, and customers wanted more than just a one-time product from Clara. They needed event invites designed, corporate gift packages, annual print subscriptions, and even on-demand branding services for special occasions.

Suddenly, pricing wasn't simple anymore.

A business card might cost $2, but designing a wedding card set is a one-time creative service. Corporate print delivery repeats monthly, with many customisations. Branding projects take multiple stages before they're finalised. For Bulk orders, it requires a tiered or usage-based pricing slab. Clara had transformed into a mixed-model business that offers products, services, and subscriptions based on vendors and projects.

Clara realised that the pricing is no longer just numbers but a strategy to be well-crafted and executed.

Challenge with Evolving Business Models 

Most businesses eventually reach a point like Clara.

  • They sell physical/commercial goods at fixed pricing.

  • They offer one-time services with one-time service pricing.

  • They move to subscription revenue, where it is recurring or usage-based pricing.

  • They handle custom work under milestone or project-based pricing.

Every model has its own billing rhythm, revenue pattern, taxation logic, discount rules, and contract structure. And managing each manually in a spreadsheet or with individual tools for each invoicing model will be nothing but chaotic.


You need to be flexible with structure. You need a system that lets your pricing evolve without friction.

Zoho Billing is built for businesses that change, grow, experiment, and scale without burning time restructuring pricing.


Product/Physical Goods Pricing

For businesses that sell tangible items, pricing needs to be predefined and easily accessible at the point of sale. In Zoho Billing, you can configure each product as an item with its rate, unit, and tax preference, making invoicing a two-click process. Whether someone buys one note or 200, you don't need to remember pricing manually it;s already available and accurate. The convenience lies in setting it up once and using it multiple times across different invoices.


Idea
Tips: Turn pricing into a system that instantly recalls. The faster the invoice is generated, the faster the payment flows. Predefined product pricing reduces negotiation time, improves customer confidence, and supports sales growth without operational hiccups.


One-Time Service Pricing

When your service is delivered once, for instance, design work, installation, gardening, etc, you need a smooth way to charge for it without building a new billing structure every time. With Zoho Billing, one-time services can be created as items with fixed or variable billing units, making invoicing as simple as adding the service line. Instead of calculating cost per job repeatedly, pricing becomes standardised, repeatable and instant. You deliver value once, and billing follows instantly with clarity.


Idea
Tips: Productise service. When pricing is packaged, it becomes easier to pitch, scale and repeat. Billing isn't an afterthought; it becomes a part of your service proposition itself.

Subscription Ongoing Services Pricing

As a business scales, recurring revenue often becomes a significant source of income—through monthly retainers, annual supply contracts, maintenance services, SaaS offerings, etc. Zoho Billing allows you to convert services into subscription plans with predefined billing cycles, renewal trial options, and add-ons. Once configured, the system automates invoicing at scheduled intervals. All you need to do is define pricing once, and Zoho Billing bills on your behalf.


Idea
Tips: Build predictability. A subscription model isn't just about charging periodically. It's about removing effort from revenue collection. Once pricing is defined, the system manages recurring invoices while your focus shifts to delivery, retention, and scaling.

Project Pricing

Projects are dynamic, and the pricing varies based on time, milestones, and additional expenses. Zoho Billing helps manage these complexities by letting you bill based on hours worked, tasks completed, or pre-agreed stages. You can even link costs and convert them directly into a claimable invoice item. Instead of manually tracking across documents, everything feeds into one billing workflow. Project process, expense add-up, and invoice are reflected transparently, with pricing already defined and ready to deploy.


Idea
Tips: Balance freedom with financial clarity. When pricing models adapt to project scope without backtracking into manual recalculation, you win two battles at once: delivery agility and revenue accuracy. Every hour, every task, and every expense converts into billable value without delay or data loss.

What Pricing Flexibility Offers to Businesses 

Business growth introduces multiple revenue models, but with Zoho Billing, each can be priced, pre-configured, and billed effortlessly. Whether you're selling goods, delivering services, managing subscription contracts, or long-term projects, pricing remains consistent, organised, and, on top of it all, completely scalable.


As a business, pricing is not just what you charge; it's how effectively and smoothly you present it to the customer. 

Notes
Up Next: Plan your service offering with Plans. 

    Access your files securely from anywhere







                            Zoho Developer Community




                                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                  • Digest


                                                  • Functions


                                                  • Meetups


                                                  • Kbase


                                                  • Resources


                                                  • Glossary


                                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                                  • MVP Corner


                                                  • Word of the Day


                                                  • Ask the Experts



                                                            • Sticky Posts

                                                            • Community Learning Series | Digest #5 — September 2020

                                                              Dear customers, We're happy to bring you the September edition of our #CommunityDigest! Keep track of your subscription KPIs right from your smartphone: Last month, we enhanced our Android mobile app to help our customers get daily updates on their business health. We got to know from a lot of customers that this has made their job much more easier because they no longer have to keep a reminder to manually check on the previous day's revenue or activations. If you have not downloaded it yet, here's
                                                            • Community Learning Series | Digest #4 - August 2020

                                                              Dear customers, We hope you're staying safe and healthy. I'm happy to bring you the fourth edition of our #CommunityDigest with some brand-new updates from us. 1. Daily Business Updates (for Android users) The Zoho Subscriptions Android app has got a cool new update: You can now get a push notification to your smartphone that lets you know how many activations and cancellations have taken place, and what's the net revenue for the previous day. The best part is, you can tell the app when exactly you
                                                            • Community Learning Series | Digest #3 - July 2020

                                                              Dear customers, We hope you're staying safe and healthy. We're glad to bring you the July edition of our #CommunityDigest. New community members can view our previous newsletters here. This time, we have two major updates and three interesting topics for you: 1. Zoho Subscriptions Developer Community Since the inception of Zoho Subscriptions, our team believed that the recurring billing platform we provide should be able to offer an extensive API library that empowers businesses to automate most
                                                            • Introducing: Community Learning Series | Digest #1 - May 2020

                                                              Dear customers, We hope you are staying safe and healthy. Helping businesses manage their customer subscriptions more efficiently has always been, and always will be, our goal at Zoho Subscriptions. We strongly believe this is possible if we grow together as a community and share what we know with each other. To nurture this shared learning experience, here is our brand-new Community Learning Series! ​ Welcome to the first edition of our digest! Each edition of our community digest includes guides


                                                            Manage your brands on social media



                                                                  Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                      Zoho CRM Plus Resources

                                                                        Zoho Books Resources


                                                                          Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                                                                            Zoho Projects Resources


                                                                              Zoho Sprints Resources


                                                                                Qntrl Resources


                                                                                  Zoho Creator Resources



                                                                                      Zoho CRM Resources

                                                                                      • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                                        CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                                      • Kaizen

                                                                                        Kaizen

                                                                                      • Functions

                                                                                        Functions

                                                                                      • Meetups

                                                                                        Meetups

                                                                                      • Kbase

                                                                                        Kbase

                                                                                      • Resources

                                                                                        Resources

                                                                                      • Digest

                                                                                        Digest

                                                                                      • CRM Marketplace

                                                                                        CRM Marketplace

                                                                                      • MVP Corner

                                                                                        MVP Corner









                                                                                          Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                          Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                          Get Started Now


                                                                                            Zoho Show Resources

                                                                                              Zoho Writer

                                                                                              Get Started. Write Away!

                                                                                              Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                                                                                                Zoho CRM コンテンツ



                                                                                                  Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


                                                                                                      ご検討中の方




                                                                                                              • Recent Topics

                                                                                                              • Vendor legal and DBA names for USA users

                                                                                                                I would like to hear how Zoho Books users are handling DBA names in the vendor profile. If the Company name in the vendor profile has to be the legal name (line 1 of the W-9), whare are you entering the DBA name (the name that checks are made out to)
                                                                                                              • How to create one ZohoCRM organisation out of a multi-organization?

                                                                                                                Hi, we have a multi-org including two different Zoho CRM organizations for two companies using respectively EUR and USD as default currency. I was wondering if there is any easy way to merge the two organizations into just one, so that users may access
                                                                                                              • Gray screen while signing documents

                                                                                                                We are all getting a "gray" screen when trying to sign documents in Zoho sign. Anyone else having issues?
                                                                                                              • Projects custom colors replaced by default orange

                                                                                                                Since yesterday, projects uploaded to Zoho, to which I had assigned a custom color, have lost the customization and reverted to the default color (orange). Has anyone else had the same problem? If so, how did you resolve it?
                                                                                                              • Interview booked through Invite but no Notifications

                                                                                                                We have a workflow that was developed through a developer/partner that was tested and worked. Today, we pushed a candidate through the process and invited them to an in-office interview. They were sent the booking link (as usual and as tested before successfully)
                                                                                                              • WebDAV support

                                                                                                                I need WebDAV support so that I can upload/download (and modify) documents from my local file system. Is anything planned in his direction?
                                                                                                              • Automatiser la gestion des SLA dans Zoho Desk avec Zoho Contracts

                                                                                                                Les équipes du service client s’efforcent d’assurer un support rapide, régulier et fiable pour garantir la satisfaction de chaque client. Les accords de niveau de service (SLA) permettent de clarifier les engagements en définissant les termes et conditions
                                                                                                              • iOS App doesn't refresh for Document Creation

                                                                                                                Hello Zoho team, I have created a workflow to be used on a mobile iOS device which starts in Zoho Creater and ends with a murge and store function that then opens the newly created document within the Zoho Writer app. This process is working great however
                                                                                                              • Uploading a signed template from Sign to Creator

                                                                                                                Good day, Please help me on how to load a signed document back into Creator after the process has been completed in Sign. Below is the code that I am trying, pdfFile = response.toFile("SignedDocument_4901354000000372029.pdf"); info pdfFile; // Attach
                                                                                                              • Zoho DataPrep and File Pattern configuration

                                                                                                                I'm using Zoho data prep to ingest data from One Drive into Zoho Analytics... The pipeline is super simple but I can't any way to get all the files that I need. Basically I need to bring all the files with a certain pattern and for that I'm using a regex
                                                                                                              • Assistance needed: Activation of a domain

                                                                                                                Hello Zoho Support, I purchased the .com domain "primesolva.com" via Zoho 6 days ago. The domain is still pending, and I cannot access the DNS panel to add the TXT verification for domain ownership. Please confirm the registration status and help me activate
                                                                                                              • Operation not permitted

                                                                                                                I am trying to add an email address to the list of user but I am getting error Operation not permitted
                                                                                                              • Request to Permanently Delete Email User (info@mehbobgulf.com ) from Old Organization

                                                                                                                Please permanently delete the user email info@mehbobgulf.com It is still associated with my old Zoho organization. I cannot delete it because it shows ‘You cannot delete email. Zoho host’. I need to use this email in a new Zoho account.”
                                                                                                              • Client host [89.36.170.5] blocked using Spamhaus

                                                                                                                Hello please make make actions for delist ..... "Client host [89.36.170.5] blocked using Spamhaus"
                                                                                                              • Suggestion: Option to Re-run a migration

                                                                                                                As I'm going through a migration process, I like the IMAP migration tool, but it would be better if there were an option to re-run the same migration as configured. There's not even an option to copy/edit one that's already there. Just run if it hasn't
                                                                                                              • Issue with "Add Your Mobile Number"

                                                                                                                Hello, I am trying to sign up for email service for a domain name, and I cannot finish the authentication. When I enter my mobile number, I receive the message "We’re unable to send OTP to this mobile number. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com". I
                                                                                                              • zoho mail non vérifié

                                                                                                                Bonjour, Il y'a un jour que j'ai acheté un domaine et toute les tentatives pour l'associé a mon compte shopify son vaine. j'ai essayé TXT sans suite après, j'ai essayer avec CNAME sans suite. j'aurais besoin de votre assistance pour associé mon mail.
                                                                                                              • Unable to send message;Reason:553 Relaying disallowed. Invalid Domain

                                                                                                                i have facing the issue "Unable to send message;Reason:553 Relaying disallowed. Invalid Domain" if i verify domain evertthing i did but still face the same error.
                                                                                                              • ZohoMail is so close to being Perfect BUT

                                                                                                                Why don’t you have HILIGHTING???!! I've been trying to find a substitute for Edison Mail but I want & need hilighting (preferably in more than just yellow)! Is this even on your To Do list? I’m so disappointed. 🙄
                                                                                                              • Override Auto Number field?

                                                                                                                We are preparing to migrate from Salesforce. In Salesforce, we auto-generate a unique number on our Opportunities (Potentials). If the Opportunity results in a contract, we use that unique number as the Contract number. There are some situations where
                                                                                                              • Using a third party service provider want to move directly with Zoho

                                                                                                                Hi good day I’m currently using Zoho but I’m using a third party service provider I want to move directly with you guys I’m using Zoho email and invoices and my domain please let me know if it’s possible to move away from the third party provider my email
                                                                                                              • Request for Assistance Regarding Email Sending Issue (554 5.1.8 - Email Outgoing Blocked)

                                                                                                                Dear Zoho Support Team, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request assistance with an issue we are currently facing regarding our Zoho Mail account. Our email account, admin@tuyensinhcanuoc.com, is encountering the following error when
                                                                                                              • Zoho Mail API returns empty inbox (0 messages) but webmail shows 37 unread emails

                                                                                                                Hello, I'm experiencing a discrepancy between Zoho Webmail and the Mail API (EU region). **Setup:** - Account: EU datacenter (mail.zoho.eu) - API: Self Client OAuth2 via api-console.zoho.eu - Scopes: ZohoMail.messages.READ, ZohoMail.messages.UPDATE, ZohoMail.folders.READ,
                                                                                                              • ShipStation and Zoho Inventory

                                                                                                                Hello, I am looking to sync zoho inventory with shipstation ZOHO INVENTORY           SHIP STATION Sales Order  ==>  create ORDERS INVOICE  <==    Shipments What exactly does BETA mean on the Shipstation connector?  This is required for me to sign-on in the next month. Thanks in advance for your efforts
                                                                                                              • 550 5.4.6 Unusual sending activity detected. Please try after sometime

                                                                                                                Hi, I am receiving this error message when trying to send my emails. The only reason I can think why this is happening is my previous two emails were bounced back to me due to a non working mailbox error. I have followed the online links for unblocking but it says there are no blocks on my account. How and when can I get my email working again to send emails? Thanks,
                                                                                                              • E

                                                                                                                We are trying to add our Zoho Form embed in our Elementor Page Builder. After adding Zoho Forms widget in elementor page builder it’s displaying in backend page builder but it’s giving 403 error while trying to save, as it’s not reflecting in front end.
                                                                                                              • Connecting Zoho Inventory to ShipStation

                                                                                                                we are looking for someone to help connect via API shipStation with Zoho inventory. Any ideas? Thanks. Uri
                                                                                                              • custom module import.

                                                                                                                Is there a way to import data into a custom module? Thanks Rudy
                                                                                                              • HEIC File Type Viewer

                                                                                                                Hi, It would be nice to be able to click on the images in the All Entries/Reports Tables which are HEIC the same as JPG, PNG, etc. so they open in a viewer from Zoho or the Attachment Service, today HEIC requires you to download each image and open it
                                                                                                              • How to dynamically pass IDs from one API response to a second API call in Zoho DataPrep?

                                                                                                                Hi Team, I am setting up a global consolidated reporting pipeline in Zoho Analytics (India) using Zoho DataPrep as the ETL engine. I am pulling data from multiple Zoho Books Data Centers (US, Singapore, India) thats why i used the URL Source (OAuth 2.0)
                                                                                                              • Building Toppings #4 - Setting up and using connections in Bigin toppings

                                                                                                                When building a topping to extend Bigin's functionality and connect it with third-party applications, creating and handling connections is an important step. Connections provide a secure way for your topping to authenticate and communicate with other
                                                                                                              • Need code format to specify default values

                                                                                                                Can someone please direct me to the code syntax or the proper translation per the instructions circled below. These instructions don't seem correct.
                                                                                                              • AI Interview Insights: Turn Recorded Interviews into Quick Transcripts & Summaries

                                                                                                                Evaluating interviews shouldn’t require replaying long recordings or taking manual notes. With AI Interview Insights, you can now review complete transcripts and AI-generated summaries of your One-way (Recorded) interviews right inside Zoho Recruit. This
                                                                                                              • Record payment: Payment Mode vs. Deposit To and how to "connect" them!?

                                                                                                                How do we set up that when we choose:  "Payment Mode"= Cash, then "Deposit to" is automatically set to Petty Cash, and if we choose  "Payment Mode"= Check, then "Deposit to" is automatically set to Undeposited Checks, and if we choose  "Payment Mode"=
                                                                                                              • Grouping Undeposited Funds to Move to other accounts

                                                                                                                In the bank option it would be nice to check what transactions in undeposited funds I want to move to other accounts. Then while checking this it can accumulate totals and created whats essentially a deposit slip. Once the transaction is moved it should
                                                                                                              • Depositing funds to account

                                                                                                                Hello, I have been using Quickbooks for many years but am considering moving to Zoho Books so I am currently running through various workflows and am working on the Invoicing aspect. In QB, the process is to create an invoice, receive payment and then
                                                                                                              • Facing email delivery issues? Verify your domain's DNS records

                                                                                                                Have you ever wondered why your legitimate emails are landing in the recipient’s spam folder? Or been surprised to see emails sent from your registered domain getting rejected by recipient email servers? Why does this happen? In most cases, this happens
                                                                                                              • Order of Departments in Help Desk

                                                                                                                In the end user portal, , the departments are sorted by the date of creation of the department (or perhaps their id). Is there a way to choose the display order of the departments or at least to be able to sort them alphabetically?
                                                                                                              • COGS - Account showing negetive

                                                                                                                I have multiple COGS account and in these all there is one account is negetive so suggest why it is showing negetive value.?
                                                                                                              • Create CRM Deal from Books Quote and Auto Update Deal Stage

                                                                                                                I want to set up an automation where, whenever a Quote is created in Zoho Books, a Deal is automatically created in Zoho CRM with the Quote amount, customer details, and some custom fields from Zoho Books. Additionally, when the Sales Order is converted
                                                                                                              • Next Page