When we were deciding on a pricing scheme for Osmek we took a lot of inspiration from good ol' 37 Signals. What feels right? We decided on 4 pricing levels because that's what felt right for the product and for the customers who were already using it. But transitioning Osmek from an in-house private product, to a public offering meant we needed a way for new users to give it a try. So we stuck the common one month free trial on our lowest account. Everyone does it, so it has to be a good thing right? But over the first two months I saw a pattern emerge - a pattern I'm familiar with as a user.

This happens to me all the time. I find a cool new product or service. They have a 1 month free trial, and I think "Awesome, let's give this a shot!" I sign up, poke around, and maybe I'm really impressed with the product. But then I need to get back to work. A few weeks later I realize that I keep running into times when I could really use that new product so I go back to really put it through it's paces. But by that time the trial has, or is about to, expire. Now I'm in a race with the clock to make a decision before I have to fork over some cash. That is the worst time for me to really understand and integrate something new - when I'm in a hurry.

The 1 month free trial seems to only add stress to my decision to commit to a product that I know little about. By the time the trial is up, I'm forced to commit before I really feel ready. No one really has the time for an "evaluation period" anyway. I'll either USE it or I won't. The product either makes itself valuable to me, or it doesn't. Instead of getting people to "Try" our product, we need to get people to USE our product.

This is why last week we axed the 1 month free trial and opened up a completely free account. Use the product as long as you want. Take it in in small increments. Get to know it. Live with it. If you like it, and it enriches your life, that free account isn't going to last you long, and you'll be happy to upgrade. If you don't like it, well the account will still be there. And maybe 6 months down the road you'll come back and it may just turn out to be right for you then.