On this page
- 01Key takeaways
- 02What is an entry offer?
- 03Why does a small paid offer work better than a free one?
- 04What are examples of entry offers by sector?
- 05How should you price an entry offer?
- 06How do you move entry buyers to the main sale?
- 07When is an entry offer the wrong idea?
- 08What does this look like in practice?
- 09Entry offer checklist
- 10Next step
- 11Sources and further reading
- 12Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
An entry offer is a small, paid first purchase that lets a new customer try your business before committing to the main service. It works because paying even a modest sum turns a follower into a customer, and customers are far easier to sell to again. Price it to cover its cost, and design the next step in from the start.
- Price an entry offer to cover its cost, not to make a profit.
- It should be a real slice of the main service.
- Plan the next step before launching it.
- Measure how many entry buyers buy the main service.
Want an entry offer designed for your service? Message us on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp →What is an entry offer?
An entry offer is a low-priced product or service designed to win a first purchase from a new customer and lead to a larger sale, such as a paid survey before a full installation or a single session before a course. It lowers the risk of the first decision for the buyer.
Why does a small paid offer work better than a free one?
A small paid offer often works better than a free one because the people who pay are more serious, they turn up, and the business has a payment relationship to build on. Free offers attract more claims, but more of them are from people who were never going to buy.
What are examples of entry offers by sector?
Good entry offers are a real slice of the main service, delivered quickly, with a natural next step.
- Trades: a paid survey and written quote, credited against the job.
- Professional services: a fixed-fee review of accounts or contracts.
- Clinics: an initial assessment at a set price.
- Hospitality: a set lunch or tasting menu on quieter days.
- E-commerce: a starter or sample bundle.
- B2B services: a one-week pilot on one process.
How should you price an entry offer?
Price an entry offer to cover its direct cost and time, not to make a large profit, because its job is to create customers. An illustrative example: a £95 survey that takes two hours, credited against a £4,000 job, covers its cost and filters out people who were only collecting quotes.
Want your entry offer priced against your costs? Message us on WhatsApp and we will discuss your requirements.
Chat on WhatsApp →How do you move entry buyers to the main sale?
Move entry buyers up by planning the next step before the first one is delivered. Explain at the end of the entry offer what the next stage involves and what it costs, offer a credit or time-limited reason to continue, and follow up within a week. Track how many entry buyers buy the main service.
When is an entry offer the wrong idea?
An entry offer is wrong when it cannibalises the main service, for example a cheap version that does the whole job. It is also wrong when it takes as long to deliver as the main sale, or when buyers of the main service do not need to try first, such as emergency repairs.
What does this look like in practice?
A pattern we see with service firms: many followers ask about prices for big jobs and then go quiet. A paid survey or review, credited against the work, often turns some of those followers into customers and gives the business a meeting with a serious buyer.
Entry offer checklist
- Pick a real slice of the main service.
- Price it to cover cost and time.
- Make it quick to deliver.
- Plan and script the next step.
- Credit it against the main sale if you can.
- Track entry-to-main conversion monthly.
Next step
List the first hour of your main service. Could a version of it stand alone as a paid entry offer?
Message us on WhatsApp and we will help design your entry offer, or book a 30-minute consultation.
Chat on WhatsApp →Sources and further reading
- UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) · ASA / CAP
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 · legislation.gov.uk
- Unfair commercial practices guidance (CMA207) · Competition and Markets Authority
Frequently asked questions
What is an entry offer?
An entry offer is a small, low-priced first purchase, such as a paid survey, a fixed-fee review or a starter bundle, that lets a new customer try your business before committing to the main service. Its job is to create customers, not profit, so price it to cover its cost.
Is a paid entry offer better than a free one?
Often, yes. People who pay a modest sum are more serious and more likely to turn up and continue. Free offers attract more claims but more of them never buy. Test both if you can, and compare how many become customers of the main service.
Should an entry offer be credited against the main service?
Crediting it works well, because it removes the feeling of paying twice and gives a clear reason to continue. Put a time limit on the credit, such as 60 days, so it encourages a decision without pressure.
Written by
Global Bridge Labs (GBL) is a UK–Sri Lanka partner for social media, websites and BPO. Everything here comes from client delivery, not theory.
