Home / Patterns /

Promotions

Promotions

Promotions or special offers in our product can be displayed in various ways to attract user engagement.

Promotions come in many forms, and may be used in different combinations.

Guidelines for Promotions

  • Ensuring relevancy, personalisation, and value for the users should be the core focus when implementing promotions.
  • Strike a balance between promotions and maintaining a positive user experience. Excessive or intrusive promotion may lead to user frustration or disengagement.
  • Always use promotion-specific iconography whenever promotion are present to ensure that the user associates and recognises the experience.
  • Promotions leverage our inspirational tone of voice guideline. So, yes, you can use emojis… sparingly! đź‘€

Alpha Apps

Alpha Apps are the first working versions of an app, which doesn't always have the full features implemented. contains, at a minimum, the core functions of the app ready for testing. However, Alpha Apps can also be buggy or may not deliver the complete intended value yet. Therefore, it is important to set expectations for users who use Alpha-stage apps. In addition, it is recommended to collect early user feedback via Gainsight forms on Alpha apps.

When to use Alpha apps:

  • Create buzz for a new app or capability
  • Collect early user feedback on recently shipped apps
  • Test early stage apps if next steps for development are unclear

Beta Apps

A Beta-stage app marks the relative completion of the app's development. Traditionally at this stage, no new features are added and focus becomes on improving the quality, usability, and overall experience. Beta is typically the first build available to users outside development (unless an alpha app is launched). Betas can still suffer from bugs and stability issues. However, it should not have any major issues and is considered a full-featured, usable version.

When to use Beta apps:

  • Launching a new app or capability

Free Trials

A free trial is a period during which users can access and use either entire products or premium features at no cost. It allows prospects and customers to experience the capabilities firsthand before making a purchasing decision. Clearly define the duration of the free trial period. Common durations range from 7 to 30 days, depending on the complexity and nature of the software.

Provide a seamless onboarding experience by offering tutorials, guided tours, or documentation that help users get started quickly. Clearly present the options for converting to a paid subscription or license at the end of the trial period. Provide pricing details, upgrade options, and a seamless transition process to encourage users to become paying customers.

When to use free trials:

  • Capture new users for an app or product
  • Targeted marketing campaigns

Premium Apps

Premium apps are available on DataGuard’s highest package tier (e.g. Integrations Marketplace). Premium icons or labels can be used for users on lower package tiers to inform them that this app is not available to them currently, and to create urgency to upgrade. Premium labels shouldn’t appear for users who are already on the highest package tier, as by default these users have access to all capabilities.

Users without access will be able to view it but not edit, click or modify any data or content. A clear call-to-action which allows the user to upgrade must be visible at all times when viewing a premium app.

When to use Premium apps:

  • Advertise higher tier apps to non-premium users

Locked Apps

Locked states can be used when a freemium user’s trial period expires, if a user downgrades their plan, or if a user has reached a usage limit on an app. Once an app enters locked state, users will be able to view it but not edit, click or modify any data or content. A clear call-to-action which allows the user to upgrade must be visible at all times within a locked state.

When to use locked apps:

  • Convert freemium users to paid users
  • Promote limited versions of premium features

Special Offers

Special offers, promotional deals or discounts are provided to potential or existing customers to encourage sign-ups, upgrades, or renewals. These offers can help attract new users, increase customer loyalty, and drive revenue growth. Personalise special offers based on user preferences, behaviour, or demographics.

Tailor the offers to match specific user segments, increasing the relevance and impact of the promotions. We can also present special offers at strategic points in the user journey or customer lifecycle.

When to use special offers:

  • Convert freemium users to paid users
  • Boost users for a specific product line or package
  • Contract renewal

Self-Checkout

Self-checkout allows users to manage their subscription, billing, and/or account details autonomously, without requiring direct assistance from customer success or sales representatives. Now, it is available for small to medium size organisations, allowing them to add additional products or frameworks. In future, self-checkout may be available for stand-alone apps.

When to use self-checkout:

  • Upgrade opportunities
  • Renewal or billing periods
  • Free trial conversion points
  • Premium app conversion points