Free Trial

Free Trial

A free trial is a time-limited period during which potential customers can access and use a paid software product or service without cost. This marketing strategy is widely used in SaaS businesses to reduce purchase friction and demonstrate value.

Types of Free Trials

Time-Limited Trials

• 7-day trials: Short evaluation period for simple products
• 14-day trials: Standard trial length for most SaaS products
• 30-day trials: Longer evaluation for complex software
• 60+ day trials: Extended trials for enterprise solutions

Feature-Limited Trials

• Core features only: Basic functionality available
• Usage limitations: Restricted number of projects, users, or actions
• Export restrictions: Limited data export capabilities
• Support limitations: Self-service only during trial

Credit-Based Trials

• Usage credits: Fixed amount of service usage
• API calls: Limited number of API requests
• Storage limits: Restricted data storage amounts
• Processing time: Limited computation or processing

Free Trials and Affiliate Marketing

Conversion Tracking

• Trial signups: Track initial affiliate-driven registrations
• Trial-to-paid conversion: Monitor upgrade rates from trials
• Attribution windows: Extended tracking for longer sales cycles
• Conversion value: Full customer LTV attribution

Commission Models

• Trial commission: Small payment for trial signups
• Conversion commission: Larger payment when trial converts
• Hybrid model: Small trial fee plus conversion bonus
• LTV-based: Commission based on customer lifetime value

Trial Optimization Strategies

Onboarding Experience

• Quick wins: Help users achieve value fast
• Guided setup: Step-by-step configuration assistance
• Use case templates: Pre-built scenarios for common needs
• Progress tracking: Show trial progress and achievements

Conversion Tactics

• Upgrade prompts: Strategic notifications about trial expiration
• Feature showcasing: Highlight premium features during trial
• Usage analytics: Show user engagement and ROI potential
• Personal outreach: Sales team contact for qualified leads

Trial Success Metrics

Key Performance Indicators

• Trial signup rate: Percentage of visitors who start trials
• Trial activation rate: Users who complete onboarding
• Trial engagement: Feature usage and activity levels
• Trial-to-paid conversion: Percentage upgrading to paid plans

Optimization Factors

• Trial length: Balance evaluation time with urgency
• Feature access: Which features to include or restrict
• Onboarding flow: Steps to activate and engage users
• Support level: How much assistance to provide

Best Practices for Affiliates

Content Strategy

• Trial walkthroughs: Show how to maximize trial value
• Feature tutorials: Demonstrate key capabilities
• Setup guides: Help users get started quickly
• ROI calculators: Show potential value and savings

Promotion Tactics

• Limited-time offers: Create urgency around trial signups
• Bonus incentives: Additional value for trial users
• Success stories: Case studies from trial-to-paid customers
• Comparison content: Trial vs. competitor alternatives

Ready to promote products with free trials? LinkJolt tracks the complete customer journey from trial signup to paid conversion.

Start tracking trial conversions →