What is the best way to persuade basic users on your website to upgrade to the premium version?

Question

Do you know of any tactics or strategies for getting more people to sign up for the premim content on your website? Perhaps a free trial, using customer quotes, adding personalized content, etc.?

Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Try offering a prize for upgrading.

Answer 2

They have to have a reason to do so - what they get extra in the premium edition has to be, or appear to be, worth the money. A free trial can be a good idea - or maybe post tidbits on the regular site saying "premium subscribers this week also received...."

I doubt that customer quotes would do much - anybody can make those up, and potential subscribers wouldn't know that you hadn't.

Answer 3

Create not just two levels of service, but three or four. Then make it very easy for the customers to find out all the goodies that they're missing in "Basic". Don't try to beat them to death with it....just spell out in easy-to-understand terms what they can expect from upgrading. One simple example might be this:

$9.99
Cheese pizza

$14.99
2 2-topping pizzas
6 pack of Coke

$19.99
3 Works pizzas
3 Breadsticks
3 desserts
6 pack of Coke

$23.99
4 Works pizzas
4 Breadsticks
4 desserts
2 6 packs of Coke

Another thing that works well is cross-promotions with another company. Such as:
"This month only, get a certificate for a free movie rental when from when you buy 2 pizzas !" In return, you can swing something with the other company to cross-promote your business in kind.
"Rent 5 movies this month, and get a free pizza from !"

Answer 4

The best way is to provide links to premium content that goes to a sign-up screen instead of the content.

This advice is worth about $1,500 in consulting fees.

Answer 5

Easy if wat your selling is a worth wild,in other words knock it out of the park give them the best basic package available which will expire after time limit of your choosing and if the package is really good then they will upgrade.