Converting "Free to Join" Sites
 

Im seeing more and more Free Trial and Free Lifetime style sites from sponsors, problem is my numbers are absolutely horrible with them. No where near the average ratio. |banghead|

I know there isn't a pure, infallible method to converting any type of site but with the way things are in the economy, etc. I'd think that they'd be pretty popular.

Any method better than the next? Do these type of sites seem to work better on certain types of promotion : Free Site, TGP, SEO Page, HUB, Pic Post, Blog, etc? |huh

Any input would be appreciated. |smooch|

I have been using the free sign up with ImLive lately and have seen zip in sales. My contact there tells me that's the way to go. Yet I have nothing converting. So I am not sure if it is a desperate move because of the economy that the sponsors are throwing free sign ups out there or what.
Just my 1/2 a cent worth

Have you tried signing up to one of the sites to see what happens after you join? Maybe they're not so interested in converting the free member to a paid member, but they're making their money some other way.

That very well could be the case SMS, but the conversions arent there either. So one would need to sign up to know that they arent interested/hard to cancel etc. I get what youre saying totally, but one wouldnt know that until after signing up.

My experience is the same... signup and chargeback ratios are pretty bad... surfers are fairly well educated about the dangers of the "free to join, but read the fine print or you're screwed" model

Also read the proggy's terms or ask questions of them... are they paying on rejoins or previously collected email addresses etc? If they are not you may be dealing with a far smaller field of available surfers than you think you are...

I agree Wazza, I am going to hit up some of the programs and see what they can offer as any advice. They know their product better than I do (I hope). Figured Id come to those that are in the trenches pushing the programs first to get a consensus..guess the ole adage "get what ya pay for" really comes into play

Hey Jester,
Hit me up on icq I got something I'd like to run by you :P

I think it's effective to warm the customer to the idea of paying for a full membership and the benefits of it. If you are strictly selling the option of a free sign-up then that's probably what they are going to do.

Comparing Free vrs. Paid member benefits, making it clear what you get by being a paid member is effective.

Giving some insight to what being a paid member is all about, some text...why it is worth it....ect.

People can get Free Water from the tap....but they buy it in a bottle all the time, that kind of thought process will open some more doors to the kind of marketing that might be effective as well.

Hope this helps, there is more...but that is what comes to mind after a long day :)

interesting thread...

Well put! Im a bad one for that :)

Well if the surfer is anything like me, when I see 'free signup' I think 'Okay, how are they about to fuck me over?'