Final answer:
The cost to companies for using analytics is often based on corporate rates calculated by usage, encompassing a variety of cost patterns, including high fixed costs for online businesses and low fixed costs for service businesses like yard maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cost to companies and entrepreneurs using analytics can be calculated based on different factors and varies across industries. It's essential to consider various cost patterns when evaluating these costs. Some firms, especially those operating online, might have high fixed costs initially, such as setting up a website, content development, and computer space leasing. Once the setup is complete, however, they can operate with low marginal costs, such as routine monitoring and updates. As traffic increases, additional costs for computer space might occur due to the surge in viewership.
Other companies may have lower fixed costs, involving basic equipment like rakes and shovels for yard maintenance or a vehicle for transportation. Here, costs increase primarily through direct labor rather than fixed assets. Some businesses experience sharp increases in marginal costs, particularly when capital equipment is overused without maintenance, leading to increased expenditure on repairs and replacement.
When it comes to analytics services, these are not universally free. The cost can be determined by several pricing structures, including but not limited to free access for individuals, corporate subscription rates based on usage, charges per specific number of hits (often in the advertising realm), or a correlation to conversion rates of the website. Additionally, some analytics services might charge a flat fee. The correct option for how the cost is calculated for analytics usage by companies and entrepreneurs is corporate rates based on usage.