Trial mode with credit card or not?
Based on my payment integration (Paddle) I can offer the users a trial mode but the red flag is that the user needs to insert the credit card and everything is handled by the payment integration but without credit card, I need to handle all the workflow.
I don't like it, when I sign up on a site, and they force me to enter my CC, it always makes me feel suspicious and if I am not familiar with the site or brand, the chances are high, that I will pass, without even touching the product and getting to know if it's for me or not.
My question to the PRO-yes-CC during sign up:
If you went into a physical store and right at the entrance they asked you for your CC information, would you say that's a good user experience? So why should the online experience be different?
Just asking...
You're not at the entrance - you've probably had chance to look around what they offer. Sign up is at the cash register - i'd use CC to verify a user is not making multiple accounts, if i offer a free service - to avoid abuse.
My experience has always shown that people who aren't willing to give you credit card info for a trial never convert to paying customers anyways. So you end up with more freeloaders giving you false hope of potential revenue.
Maybe I'm just slightly cynical though. 😂
It might actually also be related to cultural differences. In Germany payment and privacy related details are guarded by users. For me it's almost a no-go to give out my details just to find out whether your product fits my expectations.
Just structure your product so throwaway emails are not really feasible to exploit the trial.
I thought the same and it makes sense. I ask why because most of the product sites highlight the sentence of "No credit card required" but you are right about false hope of potential revenue.
In my case, if users want to try they need to add card information and then they can always cancel the subscription after the trial.
Hey, @Ishtar @dustinwstout @tcurdt one way to solve this "problem" after some research is to offer a "Sandbox" freemium mode this way the features can be tested without any complex trial mode. What do you think?
Great idea, would go for it
You mean a restricted free version without CC? Yes, that's what I would suggest. That will keep privacy conscious people happy and you don't have to use Paddle for the trial. But it's a fine line to not cripple it too much. Really depends on your product. Restrict but don't disable - so it allows for a fair test.
My service is focused on developers, in this case, a sandbox allows the developer to implement it in his project, and then when he is ready to expand he can upgrade to a plan.
Need to give a "tasty" of every feature to show how everything works this will allow the developer/clients to see the potential.
Sounds good!