Audible is many people's first exposure to audio books. Are they as enjoyable and engaging as their text-based counterparts? Audible's free trial allows potential customers to answer that question for themselves.

As privacy concerns become more prevalent, interest in VPNs has risen. By offering a free trial, NordVPN allows customers to see just how easy it is to setup and use these services. ProfitWell Metrics , by Paddle, is a free analytics tool that was specially designed with SaaS companies in mind.

One of the metrics it can track is the usage of free trials. This allows businesses to get hard data on what the conversion rate for their free trial is.

By tracking as much of your user's interactions as possible and comparing that with customers who allow their trial to lapse, you can glean keen insights that will help you improve your conversion rate.

We handle your payments, tax, subscription management and more, so you can focus on growing your software and subscription business. While freemium may lack features that are present in the premium version of a product, it still provides the user with a complete experience.

They can make full use of the features it does have for an unlimited amount of time, for free. Free trials prevent this. They either expire or otherwise limit the software so users can get a feel for what it can do without having unlimited access to any of its features.

The length of a free trial should be as short as possible to show the customer what your product can do. Common time frames are 7, 14, and 30 days. The time you choose for your software should depend on how quickly they can get up to speed.

A trial should not end before the customer has had a chance to learn about and explore the key features of the software. When properly designed, free trials can increase both conversions and customer satisfaction.

Webinar Going global the right way: Unlock international SaaS growth - Feb 7th Join us. Offering free trials: Everything you need to know. What is a free trial? Benefits of offering free trials 4 things to consider Top free trial examples How to track trials Free trial FAQs Share.

Join our newsletter for the latest in SaaS. By subscribing you agree to receive the Paddle newsletter. Unsubscribe at any time.

What are the benefits of offering a free trial? But free trials still offer the same benefits they always have: Improves conversion rate Showing a potential customer that your product fits their needs will reduce their reluctance to make a purchase and increase your conversion rate in the process.

Increases customer satisfaction If your product isn't a fit for the customer's needs, the best time for them to find out is before they give you money. Lets customers "try before they buy" There are often a lot of choices for potential customers.

Shows off your confidence in the product If you know you have the best solution to your target audience's pain points, there's no reason not to show them, rather than telling them.

When designing your free trial, there are several factors to consider: 1. Payment information Some free trials simply expire when their time limit is up and require the user to pay before they can use the software again. Limitations The most important thing to consider is what limitations you'll place on the trial.

Trial period Most free trials last two to four weeks before they expire and the customer is expected to pay. Onboarding time How long does it take a customer to learn your product?

Top free trial examples Some of today's biggest brands used free trials to build themselves into the giants they are today. Netflix free trial When Netflix first started, they were a DVD rental service that delivered the discs via mail. Hulu free trial YouTube had been around for a while, but Hulu was one of the first to offer streaming services for content produced by major studios.

Amazon Prime free trial Free trials were especially important early in Amazon Prime's life. Audible free trial Audible is many people's first exposure to audio books.

NordVPN free trial As privacy concerns become more prevalent, interest in VPNs has risen. Stay on top of your trial metrics for free with ProfitWell Metrics ProfitWell Metrics , by Paddle, is a free analytics tool that was specially designed with SaaS companies in mind. What can you do with your abandonment metrics?

Evaluate - Using the data provided by ProfitWell Metrics, you can compare users who choose to upgrade with those who don't. Is your free trial failing to reach a certain demographic? Are users who don't upgrade not utilizing certain features? Answers to these questions can change your approach to marketing and alert you to missed opportunities to highlight certain features.

Introduce smart incentives - Typical incentives for free trials include extra time for referring to friends, a cheaper price for those who cancel, a discount on a higher-priced tier of the product, and more. Analytics about who is not converting and why will help you tailor these incentives to the people who most need that extra push.

Consider changes to product features - With analytics, you can examine how users are engaging with your software. This can help you to identify pain points in the user's experience.

While this information is always helpful in determining how to add or make changes to features, focusing on problems with those failing to convert provides a good starting point for what to prioritize to make the most impact on conversion rates.

Take the headache out of growing your software business We handle your payments, tax, subscription management and more, so you can focus on growing your software and subscription business. Without those present, it may not be clear to marketers if the platforms they need a scheduler for are supported.

Sprig What the page does well: A clear product dashboard image provides potential users with a clear visual representation of the product. This can help buyers understand the interface and functionalities, making it easier for them to assess whether the platform aligns with their needs.

Minimal copy in the hero section makes it easy for visitors to skim and find information relevant to their decision. Customer logos as you travel past the hero section continues to build trust and highlights the caliber of companies that use Sprig.

Contentful What the page does well: The headline conveys the benefit immediately. Scannable copy in digestible bullet points helps visitors see the value of Contentful without being overwhelmed by information. Social Proof above the fold highlights a wide range of brands, from retailers to tech companies to alcoholic beverages, highlighting that this platform can be used by companies in any vertical.

No imagery may lead to less distraction, but we would suggest adding a visual or video of the platform for visitors to see. Wrike Wrike, a work-management platform, understands that paid search ads should be connected with dedicated landing pages. The short form requiring only an email reduces friction and increases the odds a visitor will convert.

It also underscores that no credit card is required for the trial. The header image is a gif that cycles through different views of the Wrike platform, giving potential users a sneak peek of what to expect. Social proof in the hero section highlights a wide array of platforms, from video games to ride shares, highlighting that Wrike can work for a multitude of industries.

The live chat option opens in a new tab, away from this landing page. Offering live chat is okay as long as the visitors stay on the same page.

the demo. Supermetrics What the page does well: The headline and secondary headline clearly state the offer, which helps prospects quickly decide whether to read on. Customer logos show that high-profile companies use Supermetrics to grow.

The short form reduces friction and increases the odds that visitors will opt for the trial. Adding use cases could better showcase how potential users could leverage the platform.

Semrush What the page does well: The orange CTA button stands out on the page and draws attention. The header scrolls with you, and the CTA in the header is a constant reminder to visitors to begin their free trial. Emphasizing the platform through imagery on the page gives visitors a taste of what to expect from the SemRush platform.

Dropbox What the page does well: A powerful headline highlights the value for teams. Including use cases for the platform helps highlight what to test during your trial to see if this is a good fit for your team. Adding pricing transparency below the fold could help visitors decide what plan would be right for their team after the free trial ends.

More details about the trial to help convince visitors to convert. Adding how long the trial is, if a credit card is required, etc may result in more conversions. Adding customer logos above the fold would clearly show prospects which brands are currently using leveraging Dropbox.

HoneyBook What the page does well: The purple CTA stands out and makes it easy for visitors to convert in the hero section. Although, making this more prominent would make the point even more persuasive.

Presenting additional information in a Z-Pattern below the fold helps visitors scan information and makes it more digestible. Experiment with scroll depth by removing some of the less-utilized sections of the landing page. The orange CTA stands out and makes it easy for visitors to convert.

The sliding scale tool helps visitors determine what plan they would need in the future.

Free trial offers are often used by discount membership clubs and similar organizations Top free trial examples · Netflix free trial · Hulu free trial · Amazon Prime free trial · Audible free trial · NordVPN free trial 6 Tips to Boost Subscription Signups With Free Trial Offers · 1. Build Your Free Trial to Convert · 2. Limit Your Free Trial Offer Duration · 3

Free trial promotions - When you offer a free trial, you give the customer a chance to experience your product or service without any commitment. This can be a great Free trial offers are often used by discount membership clubs and similar organizations Top free trial examples · Netflix free trial · Hulu free trial · Amazon Prime free trial · Audible free trial · NordVPN free trial 6 Tips to Boost Subscription Signups With Free Trial Offers · 1. Build Your Free Trial to Convert · 2. Limit Your Free Trial Offer Duration · 3

A free trial lets users experience the product first-hand, understand its functionalities and see if the product delivers the right value for them before buying it.

The magic of free trial only helps simplify your acquisition process, your SaaS business must be able to guide users through every stage of the product and assist them wherever possible.

This can be implemented by providing quality customer support, offering incentives read coupons, discounts, et cetera , and offering a smooth onboarding experience. For the model to work, you need to answer a few important questions that actually decide if this is the right method for your company:.

If it does, then there is no guarantee that the trial user will derive the maximum benefit out of it in a limited period of time. The product at best should be easy to use and at worst be well assisted by means of tutorials and guides.

Is your business built for dealing with large volumes? The need for instant support when dealing with product issues grows rapidly with an increase in potential prospects.

If you are a niche player, and your SaaS business does not have a self-serve capability to meet the support requirements, free trial might not be the right choice for your company. The length of a free trial should be as short as possible to show the customer what your product can do. Common time frames are 7, 14, and 30 days.

The time you choose for your software should depend on how quickly they can get up to speed. A trial should not end before the customer has had a chance to learn about and explore the key features of the software. When properly designed, free trials can increase both conversions and customer satisfaction.

Webinar Going global the right way: Unlock international SaaS growth - Feb 7th Join us. Offering free trials: Everything you need to know.

What is a free trial? Benefits of offering free trials 4 things to consider Top free trial examples How to track trials Free trial FAQs Share. Join our newsletter for the latest in SaaS.

By subscribing you agree to receive the Paddle newsletter. Unsubscribe at any time. What are the benefits of offering a free trial?

But free trials still offer the same benefits they always have: Improves conversion rate Showing a potential customer that your product fits their needs will reduce their reluctance to make a purchase and increase your conversion rate in the process.

Increases customer satisfaction If your product isn't a fit for the customer's needs, the best time for them to find out is before they give you money. Lets customers "try before they buy" There are often a lot of choices for potential customers.

Shows off your confidence in the product If you know you have the best solution to your target audience's pain points, there's no reason not to show them, rather than telling them. When designing your free trial, there are several factors to consider: 1. Payment information Some free trials simply expire when their time limit is up and require the user to pay before they can use the software again.

Limitations The most important thing to consider is what limitations you'll place on the trial. Trial period Most free trials last two to four weeks before they expire and the customer is expected to pay.

Onboarding time How long does it take a customer to learn your product? Top free trial examples Some of today's biggest brands used free trials to build themselves into the giants they are today. Netflix free trial When Netflix first started, they were a DVD rental service that delivered the discs via mail.

Hulu free trial YouTube had been around for a while, but Hulu was one of the first to offer streaming services for content produced by major studios. Amazon Prime free trial Free trials were especially important early in Amazon Prime's life.

Audible free trial Audible is many people's first exposure to audio books. NordVPN free trial As privacy concerns become more prevalent, interest in VPNs has risen. Stay on top of your trial metrics for free with ProfitWell Metrics ProfitWell Metrics , by Paddle, is a free analytics tool that was specially designed with SaaS companies in mind.

What can you do with your abandonment metrics? Evaluate - Using the data provided by ProfitWell Metrics, you can compare users who choose to upgrade with those who don't. Is your free trial failing to reach a certain demographic?

Are users who don't upgrade not utilizing certain features? Answers to these questions can change your approach to marketing and alert you to missed opportunities to highlight certain features. Introduce smart incentives - Typical incentives for free trials include extra time for referring to friends, a cheaper price for those who cancel, a discount on a higher-priced tier of the product, and more.

Analytics about who is not converting and why will help you tailor these incentives to the people who most need that extra push. Additionally, they can leverage their relationships and networks to promote the trial to prospective customers.

Shared ownership and responsibility are essential throughout the customer journey. The product and sales teams need to work together during the onboarding process to ensure a seamless transition from trial to paid customer. Clear communication and collaboration are vital to address any roadblocks or concerns that trial users may have, increasing the chances of conversion.

Here at Whistle we prefer to use personalized incentives based on user behavior. Everyone wants something that is associated with their habits and preferences. This is just one more example, from our marketing strategy, of why a lead usage system that gives insight into user behavior is invaluable.

Do you need guidance to optimize your free trial growth strategy for to ensure the best conversion results? Get in touch with our team for more information. Cookies Policy. Get the Most Out of Your Free Trial Marketing Strategy. February 4, David Zeff. Table of Contents. Benefits of a Free Trial A free trial is a valuable tool in any marketing strategy, offering numerous benefits to both businesses and potential customers.

Understanding Your Customers In order to effectively implement a free trial marketing strategy, it is crucial for businesses to have a deep understanding of their target customers. Identifying Your Potential Customers To effectively grow your business, it is crucial to identify and understand your potential customers.

Establishing an Onboarding Process Establishing an onboarding process is crucial in the context of a free trial marketing strategy. Utilizing Social Proof to Encourage Conversions Utilizing social proof is an effective strategy to encourage conversions and build trust and credibility with trial users.

Here are various ways to leverage social proof during the trial period: — Testimonials: Showcase testimonials from satisfied trial users.

Crafting Your Free Trial Strategy Crafting an effective free trial strategy is crucial for software companies looking to drive product-led growth.

Choosing the Right Trial Period for Your Product When it comes to choosing the right trial period for your product, there are several factors to consider. Setting Up a Freemium Model for Your Product A freemium model is a business strategy that offers both a free version and a paid, premium version of a product.

Planning Out Your Trial Marketing Strategy When planning out a trial marketing strategy, there are a few things to consider. Work with the Product and Sales Teams for Maximum Reach Working with the product and sales teams is essential for achieving maximum reach in your free trial marketing strategy.

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