4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Advice on membership strategy welcome!

by Aaron Moser
3 replies
Hey warriors,

Working on a membership site project and I'd like some advice on it. This membership site is a paid directory and I can't decide if I should give users free limited access or not.

I was planning to use my main website as the sales page, about, us, features etc. and then have a separate members only website that looks more like a directory site. Know what I mean?

Now I'm trying to out weigh the benefits of giving free limited access or not. On one hand it makes the product seem more transparent and might get people excited but on the other hand I want people to buy before they can access much like how Salehoo doesn't give free limited access it their directory.

Another benefit of having free limited access means that the members directory site will get picked up by the search engines and that would drive more sales when people can only read the description and must pay to access full details.

I'm pretty proud of this product and I'm not afraid to let people try before they buy. But I do know from reading this forum that people like to buy the dream not the actual product. If people aren't impressed with the trial version maybe they won't buy when they would have?



Comments welcome...
#advice #membership #strategy
  • Profile picture of the author TashaTymchuk
    If people bought, and weren't impressed, they'd just ask for their money back anyway.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2780546].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vincenzo Oliva
    I would offer a free "Gold" membership with an upsell to "Platnum" with just a notch better access or a "VIP access" I'm not sure exactly what you're offering but when they try to access something that 's for "VIP" only it's a high converting frustration. ;-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2780570].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sal64
      I don't have much experience with directories as such, but depending on your audience, maybe a sales page approach won't be the best.

      Are you using a script?

      For example, you can promote each member level on the main page, but also add other content.

      If you give free access, then it should be for something basic which reveals the value of your site.

      In the end, only those who really want to use it will join to be honest. Even if you offer a trial subscription, if they don't end up using it, they'll cancel soon enough.

      It's tricky without more details.
      Signature
      Internet Marketing: 20% Internet - 80% Marketing!
      You Won't See The Light Until You Open Your Eyes.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2780616].message }}

Trending Topics