Can I offer free trial classes to new customers?

Method 1: Free Trial Option (Recommended)

How it works:

1. In your class settings, enable "Allow single class bookings" and "Offer a free trial class to new customers".
2. Set your regular single class price (e.g., £10.00).
3. New customers who haven't booked this class before will see a "Free Trial Class" option with a "FREE TRIAL" badge on the calendar.
4. Returning customers won't see the free trial option and will see regular pricing.

One trial per class, or one trial across all classes?

By default, the free trial applies once per class. A new customer can use a free trial on Class A and, if they haven't tried Class B before, use a free trial on Class B as well.

If you want each customer to have only one free trial across your whole timetable (not one per class), turn on "Allow only one free trial class per customer" in Admin → Settings

When that setting is on:

• A customer who has already used a free trial on any of your classes (with the free trial option enabled) won't see the free trial option or badge on your other classes.
• They can still book at the regular single-class price or buy a package.

When that setting is off (default):

• Each class with the free trial option enabled works independently — one free trial per class, for customers who haven't booked that class before.

Benefits:

• ✅ Badge appears automatically on class cards
• ✅ Works with single class prices and packages
• ✅ Automatically hides for returning customers
• ✅ Simple setup

When to use:

• You want to offer both free trials and regular drop-in pricing
• You want the badge to appear automatically
• You want automatic detection of new vs. returning customers
• Use the instructor setting if you only want customers to try one of your classes for free, not every class you offer

Testing:

The "FREE TRIAL" badge does not show for people who have already booked that class (or, if "Allow only one free trial class per customer" is on, for anyone who has already used a free trial on any of your classes). If you've made a test booking yourself, use another browser, device, or incognito mode to test.

Method 2: Free Single Class Price + "One Per Customer" + Free Trial Badge

How it works:

1. In your class settings, enable "Allow single class bookings".
2. Set your single class price to £0.00.
3. Enable "Limit to one single class booking per customer" (this restricts single bookings to one per customer; packages are not restricted).
4. Enable "Offer a free trial class to new customers" (this shows the badge).
5. Set up your regular package pricing.

Benefits:

• ✅ Shows the "FREE TRIAL" badge on class cards
• ✅ Keeps regular pricing as packages only (after the free trial)
• ✅ Automatically limits to one free single class per customer
• ✅ New customers see the free trial; returning customers see packages
• ✅ Packages are not restricted by "one per customer"

When to use:

• You want package-only regular pricing
• You want the free trial badge visible
• You want to encourage package purchases after the trial

Method 3: 100% Discount Coupon

How it works:

1. Create a discount coupon in your dashboard.
2. Set the discount to 100% (free).
3. Enable "Limit to one use per customer".
4. Set up your regular pricing (single class, packages, or both).
5. Share the coupon code with new customers via email, social media, or your website.

Benefits:

• ✅ Full control over who gets the coupon
• ✅ Can promote the coupon in marketing materials
• ✅ Works with any pricing structure
• ✅ Trackable via coupon usage reports

Limitations:

• ❌ No automatic "FREE TRIAL" badge (customers must enter the coupon code)
• ❌ Requires manual distribution of the coupon code

When to use:

• You want to control who receives the free trial
• You're running a specific promotion or campaign
• You want to track coupon usage separately
• You're promoting the offer on external platforms

Which Method Should I Choose?

Tips for Success

1. Set clear expectations: Let customers know the free trial is for new customers only.
2. Follow up: After the trial, send a follow-up email encouraging package sign-ups.
3. Track results: Monitor how many trial customers convert to paid bookings.
4. Terms and conditions: Consider adding terms about the free trial offer on your booking page.