Free Trial vs Money Back Guarantee

11 replies
In the process of testing. But all things being equal, meaning copy text, product and price, which do you guess would encourage more orders?
Note: Both require credit card payment.

Has anyone else actually tested this? If so what were your results?


90 Day Money Back Guarantee
or
90 Day Free Trial
#back #free #guarantee #money #trial
  • Profile picture of the author aaron_nimocks
    Free trial would work better imo.

    Havent test though just personal experience on what I would rather do.
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  • Free (or very cheap) trial > money back guarantee.

    The thing is that many people want to get access to the product as quickly as possible for as low as possible. If they go for a trial, they can grab the product (given it is not a physical item that has to be shipped), go through it and cancel at their convenience. With money back guarantee, they have to pay the full price and if they don't like it they have to go through sometimes a painful process to get a refund.
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    • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
      It's not that simple, really.

      I usually offer a "XXX Day Risk-Free Trial." But if you want to actually go the soft offer route - giving it free for X days - you must have two things in mind:

      1) You will have non-payment

      2) If you're not dealing in electronic goods, you will have to have the ability to go temporarily negative and be sure you can quickly recoup that investment from your accounts receivable within the whatever-day period.

      That being said, I love soft offers. I encourage my clients to have at least one soft offer in their business to help get people in the door. A newsletter, ala Bottomline Books. Maybe use it as a downsell if people aren't going for the initial offer (try it free for 30 days - don't pay unless you like it r whatever).

      You'll have to test it.

      You'll make more solid greenbacks by offering a money back guarantee. You'll get more orders with a free trial.

      But, which one results in the most $ at the end of the month? That's how you find out.

      At the end of the first month, the money back guarantee has made you $8,000. But at the end of 3 months, the risk free trial has made you $29,000. Which one wins?

      Something to consider.

      Warm regards,

      Angel
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        In the direct mail space, a 31-day hold (free trial) is by far the biggest response booster.

        Joe Karbo used it with great effect for his mail order book, "The Lazy Man's Way to Riches".
        The order form said ...

        "Send me the Lazy Man's Way to Riches. But don't deposit my check or money order for 31 days after it's in the mail. If I return your material --- for any reason --- within that time, return my uncashed check or money order to me."

        I've used the same idea on the Internet. I offered a high-ticket lead generation system and let my clients use it free for the first 30 days. Worked great.

        Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author danielsteven
    I agree with the above...free trials are more appealing, money back guarantees work well but 90% of people would rather not pay an initial investment
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  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    The free trial will get way more orders.
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  • Profile picture of the author wrcato2
    I would test a $1.00 half month trial plus a full 90 day money back gaurantee.
    Does the 90 day gaurantee make you sweat? if not then make a better gaurantee.
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  • Profile picture of the author AdwordsMogul
    I think you might want to try using both - free trial for say 7 - 30 days and then a money back guarantee.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mitt Ray
    Free Trial of-course, as there's no need to pay any initial amount.
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  • Profile picture of the author davemiz
    free trial by far. you'll get way more customers..... but then you gotta remember you're getting free trial customers.... not players.
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