Does letting people test your service for free in exchange for reviews really help to get clients?

I wouldn't recommend this tactic. It will probably take up too much of your time, without a guaranteed reward. It may work with a local client that you know personally, but I wouldn't depend on the general public to reciprocate in a valuable way.
hope this helps

This approach can work, what a lot of web services people do is offer one aspect of their service for a 'no-brainer' discount, like a promotional video ranked on google for $50, then once this is seen to actually work you can offer more services and you then have the credibility with the customer who is impressed with your work. So yes, if you can do something like this with your services it is a genuine path to gaining clients, it has worked for me in the past and i know plenty of other instances of it working also.

That could work. You could try doing it.

You won't be able to know the result if you don't try.

It's a risk to take but based on your plan seems like it's worth the risk.

there is no precise answer here, sometimes yes and sometimes no, but you should make a try to know.

Great practical well balanced replies so far I love that.

Testimonials are true assets. They are little commercials working for you to generate sales.

I am generous to a fault.

But when you are in services niche its a little tricky. That is real work and effort you are expending and even then there are no guarantees.

I once reached out to a person I saw struggling here in the forum and I just approached them with some of the very best complimentary suggestions I would honestly give myself or a family member!

I will never forget the response I got and it makes me smile to this day...

"Could you put that in Video Form"?

Unbelievable.

I would just deliver my butt off to a paying customer and get a real testimonial from them. If they come thru with flying colors I would reward them in some way but after the fact.

I have used past testimonials (with full disclosure of course) as an example of my work even on newer products that is why I say they are true assets.

Art

If you look at the WSO, people give out reviews all the time. The hope is to get positive reviews, which will translate into sales from other people.

In the software world, companies let people demo their software before they buy.

I would not give discount or free option. I would offer BONUS and over deliver (can be my service itself or other service or other product).

It's up to you as to how you make the offer.

Here's my question: If the prospect values the service enough to use it, why don't they value it enough to pay for it?

There's a disconnect somewhere, isn't there?

No investment = no commitment...in my experience.

However...

Your question is centered around testimonials. So here is my take on that:

Don't leave the content of the review to chance. Spell it out for them. Tell them exactly how you want the review to be--otherwise, you'll end up with bland and inert testimonials saying how your service is "great" or "really helpful."

Compared to what? For whom?

When I ask for a review, I tell my client I want them to explain, "Where you were at when you found me, ie. what problems did you have; and where are you now, ie. what did I give you to fix them?"

If you leave it up to them without giving any guidelines, you can't be upset by the useless responses you get. Tell them what you want.

Trading services (or products) for reviews, especially if you specify 'positive' reviews, starts putting the reviewers into the realm of 'compensated endorsers", where the FTC has some very specific rules about disclosure.

If you're trying to get established, instead of proposing a barter, why not approach a few handpicked prospects and propose providing your service in return for using them as a case study to promote your service.

Personally, I value a few detailed case studies over pages of testimonials.

Sure, it will work. Give a good discount for the first few buyers in exchange for reviews. Once you get a good review. People will be more comfortable to pay.

use it as a limited time thing, that will work.

If done correctly.

Sounds like a good idea. It will definitely boost your product sales.

I was thinking the same thing to do with my products.

If you are just starting out then I would defiantly consider giving the first few web design projects for free and slowly build out better pricing as you grow.

Web design can be very expensive so people want to see a portfolio, through that they can see how skilled you are and if you have testimonials to go alongside that would really be a great addition.

I would consider this more an investment than a loss. You are investing into your portfolio which in turn should hopefully increase your paid work.

You can use this strategy in order to get the first testimonials

testimonials = more sales in the long term

by the way you need to test before to know the perfect response

It is true that you do not know the outcome of these free trials but give it a try. not every review is gong to be positive but its worth a try though.