Explain why some software companies allow you to download their software from the internet, install it to your computer and run it for an initial trial period without having to pay for it. As a consumer, what do you think about this methodof distributing and selling software?
Free trial versions is a marketing strategy of a software company. This is a way for the company to reach out prospect customers. Since, software is intangible, offering free trials would enable users to try and feel the use of the product.
In the company's perspective, they would no longer be needing salesmen to promote their product, hence they can save on manpower expense. On the part of the prospect customer, they can have the idea of what they are going to buy without the hassle of going out and have the salesman explain the further details of the product.
However, trial periods are set for the prospect customer to decide to purchase or not.
This method of allowing users to download trial versions of commercial software is actually clever and is also beneficial for users to try out the product before even buying them. It’s a good way so you can test the features of the software to see if it is really what you need and if it runs very well on your machine.
This is way better than buying other commercial applications that doesn’t offer a try out period which is like a gamble for your money without knowing if the indicated features really suit you. On the developer’s side, there’s no problem if their products are being used free of charge because users won’t be able to use them for long.
Trial applications normally last for 30 days and some only 14 or 15 days and the software will stop functioning. If the user likes it, he or she can opt to purchase a license for the product either before or after the trial period expires.
