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this is why it's good to require a credit card for a free trial. it will kill the top of your funnel but the bottom will actually get fatter because those who d

this is why it's good to require a credit card for a free trial. it will kill the top of your funnel but the bottom will actually get fatter because those who do sign up for the free trial actually want to demo your software.

zipwitch 10y ago
Are there numbers behind that reasoning? I ask, because that doesn't match up well with my (anecdotal) experience as an end user. When I'm searching for software to either replace something I'm currently using but dissatisfied with or when I'm doing something new (to me), I want to demo candidates so I can get a feel whether I like them or not. I don't mind paying for quality software (though much quality software is free), but requiring credit card info for even a demo is the exact sort of hurdle which I won't put up with. The cost (in time, and potentially wasted time in the future) is just too high.
- dkersten 10y ago
  Yep, my experience is similar. I've bought tons of stuff online over the years and not once ever have I bought if I had to contact sales or had to fill out a lengthy form [1] in order to get a demo or price. This includes during the two startups I cofounded (ie where I was the person making the company purchase decisions). [1] I'll fill out short "email, name, company (if optional), industry" form but only if I don't think some salesperson is going to give me a call.
WalterSear 10y ago
...and lose all the people who might have been on the fence, but willing to give your product 1/2 a chance.
wl 10y ago
I will not sign up for a demo that requires I provide real information unless I have no other choice. It's not that I'm not serious about buying. Rather, I have no patience for spamming or harassment from salespeople.
Spooky23 10y ago
Depends on what and who you are selling to. For business purchases, the compliance and other risk is way too high for me to do that. You get knocked off the list if you require that.

zipwitch 10y ago

Are there numbers behind that reasoning? I ask, because that doesn't match up well with my (anecdotal) experience as an end user. When I'm searching for software to either replace something I'm currently using but dissatisfied with or when I'm doing something new (to me), I want to demo candidates so I can get a feel whether I like them or not. I don't mind paying for quality software (though much quality software is free), but requiring credit card info for even a demo is the exact sort of hurdle which I won't put up with. The cost (in time, and potentially wasted time in the future) is just too high.

dkersten 10y ago
Yep, my experience is similar. I've bought tons of stuff online over the years and not once ever have I bought if I had to contact sales or had to fill out a lengthy form [1] in order to get a demo or price. This includes during the two startups I cofounded (ie where I was the person making the company purchase decisions). [1] I'll fill out short "email, name, company (if optional), industry" form but only if I don't think some salesperson is going to give me a call.

WalterSear 10y ago

...and lose all the people who might have been on the fence, but willing to give your product 1/2 a chance.

wl 10y ago

I will not sign up for a demo that requires I provide real information unless I have no other choice. It's not that I'm not serious about buying. Rather, I have no patience for spamming or harassment from salespeople.

Spooky23 10y ago

Depends on what and who you are selling to. For business purchases, the compliance and other risk is way too high for me to do that. You get knocked off the list if you require that.