Why are important free tier users blocked from testing basic features like using folders, preventing them from fully testing the platform to then upgrade?

[Binvius_Nib]

I think there must be something we are doing wrong.

Based on statements from the Doc size limits on Free plan help page, a selection being:

“Personal docs, or docs that aren’t shared with anyone, have no size limits. That means no limitations on number of row or objects per doc”.

and . . .

“once you share a doc with others, doc size limits will apply”

All suggests that there is no object or row limit on the free tier, as long as nothing is shared. That makes a lot of sense based on the methodologies of the highly profitable freemium model. (i.e. provide a almost all of the platform for free to attract users and then, once they have tested the platform on the free tier or outgrown it, upgrade to a paid plan.) This is the most highly successful model and is a proven growth driver in pretty much all sectors.

The confusion we are experiencing does actually appear to be stemming from creating folders as at the moment, it appears as if the use of folders is limited just to paying users who are NOT on the free tier.

On a new account, when a user tries to add an additional folder, they have two options: Private folder or Shared folder. However, private folders are restricted only to users on the Team plan, and so all folders for free tier users are therefore shared by default. That appears to introduce the 50 object/1000 row limit, regardless of the fact there may only ever be a single user with no interest in sharing anything with anyone at any time or even any use of any functionality of a shared folder.

Is this the state of the platform? Are free tier users testing out the platform not expected to want to test out the use of folders? And, if so, why was a decision made to implement such a restriction that ultimately results in the platform only being suitable to test by such a small segment of the potential user-base? If Coda can not successfully monetise by adhering to the proven freemium model, then surely its days would be numbered, and so not somewhere that could be trusted as a long-term provider.

Perhaps they accidentality restricted the creation of Private folders by mistake.

I apologise if we are just confused and so would very much welcome any clarification from anyone.

Thanks for any pointers

[Felipe_Arnhold]

Hello @Binvius_Nib

When you place the doc inside a shared folder, I believe Coda already considers it as shared (even if only one person is in), so the limitations will apply.

Regarding other paid features, Coda offers a trial period of 7 or 14 days (I don’t remember the exact duration) so you can test them.

If you feel this is not enough, you can add just one maker to the workspace, pay for one month ($12 for Pro or $36 for Team), and use the features for the entire month—it’s not a significant cost.

Remember, you can have one maker and an unlimited number of editors.

Best regards
Arnhold

[Piet_Strydom]

By coincidence, somebody raised a very similar question.

Here is a link to my response there:

Coda feels like it's limited to a maximum of about 10 or so docs, how do business manage that require more? What is the recommended architecture?

if you explain your requirement, members of the community will be better able to assist you. Why would your businesses need a couple of dozen of docs? What would the docs contain? Are you looking at Wiki/hub type of docs? Are you looking at application type docs, or project management? How do you intend to share information across docs, if needed? If you really need a lot of docs, you can follow Max’s recommendation for a bespoke solution above (which is more or less what I use), or you can m…

[Piet_Strydom]

@Binvius_Nib

And, if so, why was a decision made to implement such a restriction that ultimately results in the platform only being suitable to test by such a small segment of the potential user-base?

Any Coda maker will disagree with your comment above.

I would invite you to look past your fixation with the folder structure. It’s like criticizing a car because you don’t like the tyre thread.

Folders vs Documents

There are often some questions about Coda’s lack of a folder structure. Coda has several methods that are much better than a (hierarchical) structure. You can create a “King” document as Max from @Agile_Dynamics calls it, OR you can make use of the Coda Pack called Coda Doc List. This will create a table in a doc, which you can sort, filter, capture metadata, create views, each one gives you an order of magnitude better functionality than the older, static, hierarchical folder structure. B…