Looking for a Conversion Boost? Try a Free Trial Strategy

New data shows 30-day free trials had the highest customer acquisition (32 percent) and conversion rate (56 percent). Despite their effectiveness, nearly three in four e-commerce sellers didn't use free trials last year.

These findings come from the Optimal Free Trial Length for Digital Products study, which was conducted to understand how digital retailers can increase customer acquisition and conversion rates by analyzing free trials of three days, seven days, 14 days, and 30 days.

Of the four free trial periods, 30-day free trials are the most effective method of paid customer conversions — almost four times (273 percent) more likely to convert a customer than a 14-day free trial. The second highest conversion rate was the three-day free trial at 35 percent, however, this approach only had 2 percent total signups.

The findings also demonstrate that 30-day trials experience more successful signup rates, 16 times more than a three-day trial and 1.5 times more than seven-day free trials.

While using shorter free trials to speed up conversion rates is tempting, the data shows 30-day free trials are the best for engaging and converting customers as it allows them more time to see how a product provides value. The longer customers use the product, the more they rely on it, and the more likely they will convert into paying customers — at no extra cost to the business.

“As it becomes increasingly challenging to get heard as a product or service in a crowded online space, one of the most powerful methods we've identified is offering 30-day free trials," says Cameron Zoub, CGO and co-founder of Whop, a social commerce platform that gives creators the tools they need to sell digital products, services, software, and communities. "By providing potential customers with an extended period to explore and integrate a product, businesses and digital creators can significantly boost engagement and conversion rates. This approach allows users to fully understand the value a product brings to their lives.

“By adopting proven lead generation techniques like extended free trials, creators can drive substantial growth and build lasting relationships with their audience.”

Keisha Singleton is senior content editor at Whop.