"fake" members sections for trial users - crappy - GoFuckYourself.com

jawanda · 03-16-2005, 12:32 PM

Occasionally I signup for a site because I want to checkout the members section before promoting, or once in blue moon I do it purely as a "surfer" because I find the content exceptional.

Anyway, the last two sites that I signed up for have had these "fake" members sections for trial users ... they offer very little content, are often buggy (don't ask me a why, just an observation) and the last thing they make me want to do is signup for a FULL membership after I've been "ripped off" already by the site.

Do these things really increase retention / trial-to-full conversions? All I can see it doing is pissing off surfers who have already proven that they have a credit card and are willing to use it...

Thoughts?

-P

Trax · 03-16-2005, 12:36 PM

a discussion is worthless with names and specific examples.

SetTheWorldonFire · 03-16-2005, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trax

a discussion is worthless with names and specific examples.

Anthony · 03-16-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawanda

Occasionally I signup for a site because I want to checkout the members section before promoting, or once in blue moon I do it purely as a "surfer" because I find the content exceptional.

Anyway, the last two sites that I signed up for have had these "fake" members sections for trial users ... they offer very little content, are often buggy (don't ask me a why, just an observation) and the last thing they make me want to do is signup for a FULL membership after I've been "ripped off" already by the site.

Do these things really increase retention / trial-to-full conversions? All I can see it doing is pissing off surfers who have already proven that they have a credit card and are willing to use it...

Thoughts?

-P

Try 60 percent conversion.

Why the hell do you think ppl do it?

Johny Traffic · 03-16-2005, 12:39 PM

I no longer promote sites with trials, just straight to full membership, trials suck for the program, and the affiliate. The only person who gains is the surfer

Sosa · 03-16-2005, 12:40 PM

trials suck ass I think. I don't want $3 for a sale if they signup for 2-3 days.
But ya alot of members sections suck ass

el_greco · 03-16-2005, 12:41 PM

I would imagine that with the advent of multiple downloading software (net transport for example) a surfer could buy a trial, download as much of the site in the trial period as possbile, and then walk away with a months worth of strokage material without that "nasty" 24.95 billing...

Rich · 03-16-2005, 12:49 PM

I'd had a lot of success with the one program I promote that does this. I agree that some surfers probably feel ripped off and leave, but the ones who really want the good often convert right away. Trial to full membership ratio went way up for me when the program switched to this method.

Rich · 03-16-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trax

a discussion is worthless with names and specific examples.

Why? You can't discuss a strategy without giving example? Find some on your own.

jawanda · 03-16-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_greco

I would imagine that with the advent of multiple downloading software (net transport for example) a surfer could buy a trial, download as much of the site in the trial period as possbile, and then walk away with a months worth of strokage material without that "nasty" 24.95 billing...

Yes, depending on the way in which the content is delivered, this is definitely a possibility and part of the reason for these "fake trial" members sections I suppose. BUT, I still think that a super high quality members section with the promised content is more beneficial to everyone in the long run.

-P

w0rstluk · 03-16-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_greco

I would imagine that with the advent of multiple downloading software (net transport for example) a surfer could buy a trial, download as much of the site in the trial period as possbile, and then walk away with a months worth of strokage material without that "nasty" 24.95 billing...

True, but if the surfer was that smart then he probablly has other means to find porn rather then paying for it. Like passwords, spoofing or whatever.

johnnyhey · 03-16-2005, 06:40 PM

it's bullshit

Tat2Jr · 03-16-2005, 07:38 PM

I think it's a good idea. I personally just raised my prices early last year and saw conversion get better. Raised my 3 day trial to 9.99 monthly to 34.99. Now I'm honestly thinking of raising the 3 day trial to 13.99, and I'm going to start a tour without tours at all. Even though I'm sure I'd have to lower my trial prices way down for it to work I would love to try this method too, as I'm sure conversions rock. I just don't have the time right now to build or maintain a mini trial area right now.

Barefootsies · 03-16-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

I would imagine that with the advent of multiple downloading software (net transport for example) a surfer could buy a trial, download as much of the site in the trial period as possbile, and then walk away with a months worth of strokage material without that "nasty" 24.95 billing...

True enough. Unless your webhost has something in place to prevent it, that is exactly what people do. I guess the key's to have software in place to stop it, and more than enough content, video, and so forth to take longer than your trial period.

However, I think trial's are crap for webmasters, good for surfers. Unless you have a kick ass tour teaser. People are more willing to shell out $2 for a site that $20.

foxxx · 03-16-2005, 07:46 PM

yeah, i'd offer a trial members area with the full extent of the content there, but only a limited amount accessable.
such as 50mb an hour or something, cap it by data usage, by time, or just dont have all the links working...

BIGTYMER · 03-16-2005, 08:32 PM

It surely helps pull trials to full memberships.

Alex · 03-16-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johny Traffic

I no longer promote sites with trials, just straight to full membership, trials suck for the program, and the affiliate. The only person who gains is the surfer

Learn to use sponsors that PPS on trials and market the site as $2.95 membership

03-16-2005, 12:32 PM	#1
jawanda Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6,040	"fake" members sections for trial users - crappy Occasionally I signup for a site because I want to checkout the members section before promoting, or once in blue moon I do it purely as a "surfer" because I find the content exceptional. Anyway, the last two sites that I signed up for have had these "fake" members sections for trial users ... they offer very little content, are often buggy (don't ask me a why, just an observation) and the last thing they make me want to do is signup for a FULL membership after I've been "ripped off" already by the site. Do these things really increase retention / trial-to-full conversions? All I can see it doing is pissing off surfers who have already proven that they have a credit card and are willing to use it... Thoughts? -P

03-16-2005, 12:39 PM	#5
Johny Traffic Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,461	I no longer promote sites with trials, just straight to full membership, trials suck for the program, and the affiliate. The only person who gains is the surfer __________________ hosted flv's, hosted galleries, morphing rss feeds, free content, free sites, hosted blog

03-16-2005, 12:41 PM	#7
el_greco Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: LA Posts: 352	I would imagine that with the advent of multiple downloading software (net transport for example) a surfer could buy a trial, download as much of the site in the trial period as possbile, and then walk away with a months worth of strokage material without that "nasty" 24.95 billing... __________________ If you aren't afraid of failing, you're not pushing hard enough. el_greco - 177643483

03-16-2005, 06:40 PM	#12
johnnyhey Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,172	it's bullshit __________________ CandyDreams.com shooter for hire info[at]candydreams.com ICQ:96563638 AIM: johnnyhey

03-16-2005, 07:38 PM	#13
Tat2Jr Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Sunny California Posts: 4,882	I think it's a good idea. I personally just raised my prices early last year and saw conversion get better. Raised my 3 day trial to 9.99 monthly to 34.99. Now I'm honestly thinking of raising the 3 day trial to 13.99, and I'm going to start a tour without tours at all. Even though I'm sure I'd have to lower my trial prices way down for it to work I would love to try this method too, as I'm sure conversions rock. I just don't have the time right now to build or maintain a mini trial area right now. __________________ NICHE MONEY >> Ass Worship • Panties • Solo Teen • Pantyhose Serving up exclusive fetish sites since 1997!

03-16-2005, 12:36 PM	#2
Trax [----------------------] Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 14,486	a discussion is worthless with names and specific examples.

03-16-2005, 12:40 PM	#6
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	trials suck ass I think. I don't want $3 for a sale if they signup for 2-3 days. But ya alot of members sections suck ass

03-16-2005, 12:49 PM	#8
Rich So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 11,486	I'd had a lot of success with the one program I promote that does this. I agree that some surfers probably feel ripped off and leave, but the ones who really want the good often convert right away. Trial to full membership ratio went way up for me when the program switched to this method.

03-16-2005, 07:46 PM	#15
foxxx Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 573	yeah, i'd offer a trial members area with the full extent of the content there, but only a limited amount accessable. such as 50mb an hour or something, cap it by data usage, by time, or just dont have all the links working...

03-16-2005, 08:32 PM	#16
BIGTYMER Junior Achiever Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Walled Garden Posts: 17,066	It surely helps pull trials to full memberships.