ProdPad decided it was time to shake things up and rethink their free trial strategy. At first, they were cruising with a 30-day free trial and data showing that by Day 9, there was already an 85% chance users would convert to paid plans. Not bad, right? But instead of settling, they asked, “How can we do even better?”
Here’s How They Turned Their Free Trial Game Into a Conversion Powerhouse:
Experiment 1: The 14-Day Trial Test
- ProdPad cut the trial period from 30 days to 14 days while keeping everything else exactly the same.
- Result? A 2x increase in conversion rates. 💥
By shortening the trial, they created urgency and motivation for users to explore the product quickly, which drove faster decision-making.
Experiment 2: The 7-Day + Onboarding Challenge
- Getting bolder, they reduced the trial period even further to 7 days.
- Here’s the twist: Users could extend their trial up to 28 days by completing key onboarding tasks like setting up their account, exploring features, or attending webinars.
The Results?
- Conversions skyrocketed by a mind-blowing 200%. 🚀
- The time it took for users to convert from trial to paid plans dropped significantly.
This approach didn’t just create urgency—it actively encouraged users to engage with the product in meaningful ways, building familiarity and trust.
Why It Worked:
- Urgency Creates Action:
A shorter trial period gave users less time to procrastinate. They had to dive in and try the product right away. - Engagement Drives Conversion:
The option to extend the trial incentivized users to actively explore the product, increasing their likelihood of seeing value and converting. - Personalized Path to Value:
By linking trial extensions to onboarding tasks, ProdPad ensured users weren’t just testing the product—they were engaging with its most valuable features.
The Takeaway:
- Shorter trials can be better: Less time creates urgency, encouraging users to act quickly and engage deeply.
- Make them earn extensions: Linking trial length to specific actions motivates users to explore your product’s value, which boosts conversions.
ProdPad turned a simple trial and error process into trial and massive success. With just a few strategic tweaks, they transformed their free trial into a powerhouse for driving engagement, conversions, and faster decision-making.
Who’s ready to shake up their own free trial strategy? 🚀💡
Source: https://www.prodpad.com/blog/our-new-user-onboarding-process-ux/