The strategy of attracting customers with free samples has been a cornerstone of business since the analog era. For instance, newspapers often offered the first month free to encourage subscriptions, and free samples of cosmetics, supplements, or food tastings were common ways to entice customers.
This tried-and-true approach remains relevant in the digital age, where many online services and apps offer free trials for a week or provide limited-functionality versions for free, requiring users to upgrade to access full features. Essentially, the concept of free samples has been digitized in the modern era.
However, there is one major difference: free samples in the digital age come at almost no additional cost to the provider. While analog-era free samples incurred expenses like delivery, materials, or production costs, digital free samples, such as app trials, are virtually cost-free. This means that even if users don’t convert to paying customers, the business doesn’t suffer financial losses.
This cost advantage makes free samples even more powerful in the digital world. For digital services, actively leveraging this strategy can be a highly effective way to attract and engage potential customers.
