What is Try Before You Buy? (+ 7 Brands Doing It Right)

Have you ever been hesitant to purchase something because you weren’t sure if it was right for you? Well, you’re not alone. Many consumers feel this way, and it’s why the “Try Before You Buy” trend is gaining momentum. This concept allows customers to sample or test products before committing to a purchase.

Not only does this help customers make informed decisions, but it also builds trust and loyalty between brands and consumers.

In this article, we will delve into the Try Before You Buy trend and highlight seven brands that are excelling at it.

What is Try Before You Buy?

Try Before You Buy is a concept that allows customers to try out products before purchasing them. This can be in the form of a sample, trial, or rental. It’s an excellent way for customers to test the product’s quality, functionality, and suitability before committing to a purchase. It also reduces the risk of buyers’ remorse, which can be a costly mistake for both the customer and the brand.

Try Before You Buy is becoming increasingly popular in the beauty, fashion, and home industries. Brands are recognising that customers want to try before they buy, and are incorporating this into their business model. It’s a win-win for both the brand and the customer as it builds trust and increases customer satisfaction.

Now let’s take a look at seven brands that are doing it right.

Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway is an online fashion rental service that allows customers to rent designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of the retail price. The company offers a “Try Before You Rent” service that allows customers to rent up to four items to try on at home for a fee of £25. This fee is credited towards a future rental if the customer decides to rent any of the items. It’s an excellent way for customers to test the fit and quality of the items before renting them for a special occasion.

Warby Parker
Warby Parker is an eyewear company that offers a home try-on service. Customers can choose up to five frames to try on at home for free. The company will ship the frames to the customer for free, and the customer has five days to try them on before sending them back. The company also has a virtual try-on service that allows customers to upload a photo of themselves and virtually try on glasses.

Casper
Casper is a mattress company that offers a 100-night risk-free trial. Customers can try out the mattress for up to 100 nights, and if they’re not satisfied, they can return it for a full refund. The company will even arrange for the mattress to be picked up from the customer’s home. It’s an excellent way for customers to test the comfort and support of the mattress before committing to a purchase.

Glossier
Glossier is a beauty brand that offers a “Phase 1 Set” for new customers. This set includes four of the brand’s best-selling products for customers to try before committing to a full-sized purchase. The set also includes a £10 credit towards a future purchase. It’s an excellent way for customers to test the products and see if they’re right for their skin before investing in the full-sized products.

Amazon Wardrobe
Amazon Wardrobe is a service that allows customers to try on clothes before committing to a purchase. Customers can choose up to eight items of clothing, shoes, or accessories to try on at home for seven days. The items are shipped to the customer for free, and the customer only pays for the items they decide to keep. Customers can return the items they don’t want for free, and the ones they keep will be charged to their account. It’s an excellent way for customers to try on clothes and see if they fit their style and preferences before committing to a purchase.

Dyson
Dyson is a company that specialises in innovative home appliances. The company offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on its products, allowing customers to try them out before committing to a purchase. This guarantee applies to products such as vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, and hairdryers. If the customer isn’t satisfied with the product, they can return it for a full refund within 90 days of purchase.

HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that offers a discount for new customers to try out their service. The company offers a “Try Before You Buy” offer that allows customers to receive a discount on their first box. Customers can try out the meal kit service and see if it’s right for them before committing to a subscription. It’s an excellent way for customers to test the quality and convenience of the service before investing in it.

The Importance of ‘Try Before You Buy’: Samples for Small Business Tips

As a small business owner, it can be challenging to attract new customers and keep them coming back. Marketing strategies can be expensive and time-consuming, leaving small businesses with limited resources to reach potential customers. However, one cost-effective and practical approach that can help small businesses grow is the ‘try before you buy’ strategy.

The ‘try before you buy’ strategy involves offering free samples to potential customers to try out before making a purchase. This approach has become increasingly popular among small businesses in recent years as it provides a low-risk way for customers to try products or services before committing to a purchase. This article will discuss the importance of the ‘try before you buy’ strategy and how it can benefit small businesses.

Creates a Positive Customer Experience

Providing free samples to potential customers is an excellent way to create a positive customer experience. Offering samples is a gesture of goodwill that demonstrates a company’s commitment to customer satisfaction. It also allows customers to try out products without committing to a purchase. By providing a positive experience, customers are more likely to share their experience with friends and family, which can lead to increased word-of-mouth marketing.

Increases Sales

Offering samples can increase sales as it allows potential customers to try out products before making a purchase. When customers try out products, they are more likely to purchase them. This is because they can evaluate the quality and suitability of the product before committing to a purchase. Furthermore, offering samples can help small businesses stand out from competitors who do not offer samples.

Improves Customer Loyalty

Providing samples can also help small businesses improve customer loyalty. When customers try out products and have a positive experience, they are more likely to return to the business in the future. By providing samples, small businesses can create a sense of trust and goodwill with potential customers. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.

Market Research

The ‘try before you buy’ approach is an effective way to conduct market research. By providing samples, businesses can gather valuable feedback from customers. This can help small businesses improve their products and services and tailor their marketing strategies to meet customer needs. Market research can be expensive and time-consuming. However, offering free samples is a cost-effective way for small businesses to gather feedback and improve their offerings.

Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy

Offering samples is a cost-effective marketing strategy for small businesses. Compared to other marketing strategies, such as advertising or promotional events, offering samples is relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, offering samples can provide a higher return on investment as it can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.

Tips for Implementing the ‘Try Before You Buy’ Approach

Implementing the ‘try before you buy’ approach requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips for small businesses looking to offer samples:

Choose the Right Product
It is important to choose the right product to offer as a sample. The product should be one that potential customers are likely to purchase. Furthermore, the product should be one that is easy to sample and transport.

Offer Samples at the Right Time
Offering samples at the right time is crucial. It is important to offer samples when potential customers are likely to be in a purchasing mindset. This could be at events or in-store promotions.

Provide Clear Instructions
Providing clear instructions on how to use the product is essential. This can help potential customers understand the benefits of the product and how it can improve their lives.

Encourage Feedback
Encouraging feedback from customers is an important part of the ‘try before you buy approach. Feedback can provide valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. It is important to encourage customers to share their feedback by providing feedback forms or encouraging them to leave reviews on social media or the business website.

Use Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting the ‘try before you buy’ approach. Small businesses can use social media to share information about their products and offer samples to potential customers. Social media platforms can also be used to gather feedback and engage with customers.

Measure Success
It is essential to measure the success of the ‘try before you buy’ approach. This can be done by tracking sales, customer feedback, and customer retention rates. Measuring success can help small businesses identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about future marketing strategies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ‘try before you buy’ approach is an effective marketing strategy for small businesses. By offering samples, small businesses can create a positive customer experience, increase sales, improve customer loyalty, conduct market research, and implement a cost-effective marketing strategy.

Implementing the ‘try before you buy’ approach requires careful planning and execution, but it can provide a high return on investment for small businesses. By following the tips outlined in this article, small businesses can effectively implement the ‘try before you buy’ approach and grow their customer base.

Making Samples in Budget Tip for Small Business

Here are some tips for making samples in a cost-effective way:

Start small
When creating samples, it’s important to keep costs low. Start by creating a small number of samples to test the market. This will help you avoid wasting money on creating too many samples that may not sell.

Consider making just a few samples to begin with and see how they are received by potential customers. You can always create more samples later on if there is a demand for your product or service.

Use inexpensive materials
When making samples, it’s important to use inexpensive materials. Look for affordable options that still showcase your product or service. For example, if you’re selling food products, consider using small, inexpensive containers like plastic cups or ziplock bags.

If you’re offering a service, consider creating a digital sample, such as a free trial or demo. This can be a cost-effective way to showcase your service without the need for physical samples.

Get creative
Creating samples doesn’t have to be boring. Get creative with your samples to make them stand out. For example, if you’re selling skincare products, consider creating sample packs that include different products for customers to try.

You could also create sample packs that are themed around certain holidays or events. For example, if you’re selling tea, you could create a “Christmas tea sampler” or a “Valentine’s Day tea sampler”.

Offer incentives
Offering incentives can encourage potential customers to try your samples. For example, you could offer a discount on their first purchase if they try a sample.

Another option is to offer a free sample with a purchase. This can encourage customers to make a purchase and try your product or service.

Collaborate with other businesses
Collaborating with other businesses can be a great way to create samples on a budget. For example, if you’re selling skincare products, you could collaborate with a local salon to create sample packs that include both your skincare products and the salon’s hair care products.

Conclusion

Try Before You Buy is becoming an increasingly popular trend in the retail industry. It allows customers to test products before committing to a purchase, which reduces the risk of buyers’ remorse and increases customer satisfaction. Brands that offer this service are building trust and loyalty with their customers, which is essential for long-term success.

In this article, we’ve highlighted seven brands that are doing Try Before You Buy right. Rent the Runway, Warby Parker, Casper, Glossier, Amazon Wardrobe, Dyson, and HelloFresh are all excelling at offering customers the opportunity to test their products and services before committing to a purchase. These brands are leading the way in customer satisfaction and trust-building, and other brands could learn a thing or two from them.

If you’re a customer who’s hesitant to make a purchase, consider looking for brands that offer a Try Before You Buy service. It’s an excellent way to test products before committing to a purchase and ensures that you’re making an informed decision. And if you’re a brand that’s looking to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, offering a Try Before You Buy service could be the way to go.