Honeybook’s price increase points again to how often small business owners get affected by business decisions. Imagine how you'd feel if you’ve kept all your business files, contacts and templates in one platform, and then have to migrate because you can't afford the increase?
Here's how to protect yourself from a price increase:
1. Pay attention when a platform starts rebranding
Honeybook recently underwent an extensive rebranding process. While it was originally geared towards wedding planners, photographers, artists, its rebrand means it can now appeal to a wider set of small business customers.
2. Pay attention when the platform adds AI features
In addition to a design overhaul, Honeybook also added AI features, some of which include advanced automation workflows to streamline repetitive tasks, enhanced QuickBooks integration, and collaboration tools that allow small businesses to cater to larger organizations.
Canva, which added Magic Studio, its AI platform, also underwent a significant price change in 2024. Its AI tools allow users to create short-form videos via image prompts, create presentations based on brief descriptions, and use text prompts to edit images.
3. Pay attention when the platform gets acquired
Being acquired is not always a sign that prices will increase. Consider Yoast, the SEO plugin, that was acquired by Newfold Digital in 2021. So far, there have been no hints of an increase.
Not so for Mailchimp. Given its popularity, Mailchimp’s acquisition by Intuit affected a wide variety of users. While the price did not immediately increase, users started to notice the following changes:
- Limits to the number of subscribers on the free plan (down from 2000 to 500)
- Removal of features in the free plan (for instance, no more automations)
- Reducing the number of lists or audiences.
And then eventually, increasing the price for their plans. For example, the premium plan now costs $350 per month.
