Swance

Why software trials are a must

It gives confidence to the buyer before purchasing and sooth’s most skepticism. It will increase your sales guaranteed. It is also a more honest way of doing business.

There are several cons to providing a demo of your software such as software piracy. Most trial’s can be extended which will allow unlimited use of the software. The customer will then have no need to purchase your application.

In my opinion, the greatest benefit is that it increases sales. Maybe because I’m greedy (kidding). If users find that the your software does as advertised they will have no problem with purchasing. It also allows the customer to see if your solution is the right one for them.

Offering a trial version will even decrease fraud. How the hell could it possibly? If the fraudster or “hacker” cannot obtain the download link or installer through your website (via a trial or other) they will purchase fraudulently and obtain it that way. By making the software download link available they will not need to purchase fraudulently to acquire it. At this point, all you would need to be concerned with is how good your authentication system is.

Most software and/or trial versions can be extended/cracked via registry and/or windows hosts file depending on what your authentication method uses. Some say that no authentication method is full-proof. Even Microsoft/Adobe software is cracked. I beg to differ, there are solutions which are impossible to crack. If you cannot come up with a full-proof solution to the problem then at least implement the best you can find.

Most people who require a demo before purchasing are either trying to decide whether or not your software is right for them. Many others are just looking for a freebie. Given the circumstances, whats your opinion?