Trial Membership or Straight Monthly? - GoFuckYourself.com

scribbler · 03-13-2005, 03:25 PM

Which are more profitable - trial signups or straighty monthly memberships?

Since we started up our pay site three years ago, we've done well with $2.95 7-day trials, which then recur at $29.95 a month. But with affiliate traffic rising fast, our up front payments to affilates (we pay per sign up) are killing our cash flow.

So we're thinking of phasing out the trials, and going to straight $29.95 a month signups. The plan is to work hard on our conversion rate (with a conversion rate consultant) to maintain the current conversion ratio, so that affiliates don't lose out.

If we can achieve that, our cash flow will improve, and we will make a profit on every signup, instead of losing money on the cancelled trials.

Researching the adult industry, I see that while lots of people use trials, some very successful sponsors use straight monthly signups (e.g Exploited Teens - 300,000 signups at $29.95). Which do you think is the best approach?

Radiate · 03-13-2005, 03:32 PM

bump, good question!

Evil Chris · 03-13-2005, 03:40 PM

Free trials, or low cost trials aren't necessarily the key to a successful business model or success with affiliates.

Take a look at any of the Teen Revenue sites. Go through a tour as if you were a surfer. There is no trial offered up front. Only when the join page is closed does the potential member see a trial offer in front of them. It's not a standard 4.95 trial either. The price is higher, the trial longer. This method working has a lot to do with the nature of the site and it's content. In our case, the content is 100% exclusive so the method works very well.

bigdog · 03-13-2005, 03:48 PM

how much are you paying out on your trials?

adonthenet · 03-13-2005, 03:49 PM

without trails..
stright membership is good.

Evil Chris · 03-13-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

how much are you paying out on your trials?

50% of all monthlys and trials.

03-13-2005, 03:25 PM	#1
scribbler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	Trial Membership or Straight Monthly? Which are more profitable - trial signups or straighty monthly memberships? Since we started up our pay site three years ago, we've done well with $2.95 7-day trials, which then recur at $29.95 a month. But with affiliate traffic rising fast, our up front payments to affilates (we pay per sign up) are killing our cash flow. So we're thinking of phasing out the trials, and going to straight $29.95 a month signups. The plan is to work hard on our conversion rate (with a conversion rate consultant) to maintain the current conversion ratio, so that affiliates don't lose out. If we can achieve that, our cash flow will improve, and we will make a profit on every signup, instead of losing money on the cancelled trials. Researching the adult industry, I see that while lots of people use trials, some very successful sponsors use straight monthly signups (e.g Exploited Teens - 300,000 signups at $29.95). Which do you think is the best approach?

03-13-2005, 03:32 PM	#2
Radiate Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: the center Posts: 1,454	bump, good question! __________________ icq 199437756 - contact me if you need a solid hosting solution

03-13-2005, 03:40 PM	#3
Evil Chris OG Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 3rd from the Sun Posts: 13,233	Free trials, or low cost trials aren't necessarily the key to a successful business model or success with affiliates. Take a look at any of the Teen Revenue sites. Go through a tour as if you were a surfer. There is no trial offered up front. Only when the join page is closed does the potential member see a trial offer in front of them. It's not a standard 4.95 trial either. The price is higher, the trial longer. This method working has a lot to do with the nature of the site and it's content. In our case, the content is 100% exclusive so the method works very well. __________________ It PAYZE to post on GFY chris at payze.com \| Skype chriswrp

03-13-2005, 03:48 PM	#4
bigdog Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 6,964	how much are you paying out on your trials?

03-13-2005, 03:49 PM	#5
adonthenet Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,753	without trails.. stright membership is good.